13 Days China Cruise Tour with Water Town Visit
Beijing / Xian / Chongqing / Yangtze River / Yichang / Shanghai / Hangzhou / Wuzhen / Shanghai
1. The price is based on a group of 2 adult travelers sharing one double-bed room in comfortable-class hotel(s) in tourist off-seasons.
2. The price is subject to change according to your group size, traveling seasons, hotel class, changes of activities, possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate, etc.
3. The price is valid to February 28th, 2026.
Places Visited
Beijing (3 nights), Xian (2 nights), Chongqing, Yangtze Cruise (3 nights), Yichang, Shanghai (3nights), Hangzhou (1 night)
Highlights of the Trip
- Visit the historial cities: Bejing & Xian
- Enjoy the leisure Yangtze River Cruise and shore excursions
- Visit the metropolis city of Shanghai and enjoy the modern pace
- Have great fun in classic water town - Wuzhen Water Town
Trip Summary
Day 1-4: Fly to Beijing & Beijing
Beijing is a treasure city with profound heritage sites of Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace. Following our local guide and driver, your China Tour & Yangtze Cruise can have a pleasant beginning from here.
Day 4-5: Fly to Xian & Xian
Come to the ancient city ramparts of Xian and meet the mighty Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, etc, accompanying with local guide and personalized service.
Day 6: Fly to Chongqing & Board Yangtze River Cruise
Transfer to Chongqing for your late afternoon Yangtze Cruise. With local guide, you have chance to visit Chongqing Zoo and Ciqikou Old Town before getting onboard.
Day 7-9: Yangtze River Cruise & Yichang-Shanghai
Enjoy the Yangtze Cruise tour from Chongqing to Yichang with the famous Three Gorges Dam and various shore excursion sites included. Disembark at Yichang and take a bullet train to Shanghai and meet your local guide, who escorts you to your hotel of Shanghai.
Day 10: Shanghai
Combined with east and west aspects, Shanghai shows you different personality, but the same hospitality with private guide and drive for you to tour. You'll visit Yu Garden, Nanjing Road, The Bund, Jade Buddha Temple and more sites.
Day 11-12: Shanghai - Hangzhou - Wuzhen - Shanghai
Take side trip to Hangzhou and visit West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Dragon Well Tea Plantation and Wuzhen Water Town. After water town trip, return back to Shanghai.
Day 13: Shanghai Departure
On this day, catch your flight to get back home from Shanghai.
Full Itinerary Day by day
Day 1 Beijing Arrival
Welcome to Beijing, the Capital of China! Clear the customs and retrieve your baggage by yourself upon arrival, be greeted by our tour guide in the Arrival Hall who is holding a sign on which says your name; transferred by your private car/van to your hotel downtown. The rest of the day is your own time.
Day 2 Beijing (B, L)
After breakfast, you will first visit the world's biggest city plaza, the Tiananmen Square; then walk to the marvelous "Egg" (National Center for the Performing Arts) to take some pictures from its outside; subsequently, go to the Forbidden City, where you can hear the echo of the ancient ages as you walk down the porch; and later proceed to the impressive Temple of Heaven, a complex of Taoist building where emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties visited for annual ceremonies of pray for good harvests. After the sightseeing tour, drive back to your hotel and have a good rest.
Day 3 Beijing (B, L, D)
After breakfast, drive to the Badaling Great Wall (about 80 km, 1.5hours) where you will experience at first hand the wonder of the Great Wall. For lunch you'll sample some delicious fare in a local restaurant. Afterwards, visit the Sacred Way and Changling, one of the Ming Tombs; on the way back to your hotel, you might make a stop at the Beijing Olympic Village to take some photos of the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube from the outside。
In the evening, enjoy Peking Roast Duck dinner that you will complete today's tour!
Day 4 Beijing & Flight to Xian (B, L)
After breakfast, take a leisurely walk in the enchanting royal garden to appreciate the masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design Summer Palace, the imperial garden.
Then head to visit the Drum Tower dating from 1420. Ascending the big Drum Tower, you will have a bird's eye view of the surrounding communities of Hutongs and Siheyuan from here. And then move on to an ordinary family courtyard home for a tea break. Afterwards, take a rickshaw to visit the most famous Hutongs keeping the original layout in the Shichahai area. Then move on to the Prince Gong's Mansion.
After the tour, our guide will escort you to the airport and take the flight to Xian.
Day 5 Xian (B, L, D)
In the morning be picked up at your hotel then driven to the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses; the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century, It is one of the most popular tourist spots not to be missed by any visitor to China. After lunch, move on to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Ancient City Wall.
In the evening, enjoy the local specialty Dumpling Dinner served in a fine restaurant.
Day 6 Flight to Chongqing from Xian (B, L)
Today will be free until your guide picks you up to the airport and flight to Chongqing. After arriving in Chongqing city be met and transferred to the Chongqing downtown. Your tour guide and driver will take you to the Chongqing zoo to see the Giant Panda, and then visit the Ciqikou Old Town, if time permits.
Then, you'll be transferred to the Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Port, and board the ship from 17:00 to 20:00. Your lifetime Yangtze River Cruise starts in Chongqing at arond 22:00. (Note: the aboarding time changes based on the cruise ships, season, water level, weather, etc.)
Day 7 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)
Take shore excursion to Shibaozhai Pagoda. Shibaozhai, like a pearl on Yangtze River, is 278 kilometers away from Chongqing. As the gem of Chinese Architecture, the 12-story, 18th Century red wooden temple is an architectural delight full of Legends and beautiful stories.
Please Note: Some cruise ships make the shore excursion to the Fengdu Ghost City. Reach the top of Ming Mountain to check why it has been regarded as the "City of Ghosts". It is where the devil lives according to Chinese legend. The temples shows punish instruments and demon paintings, depicting the Chinese people’s imagination of hell. You have the final say on which excursion to make, as we can book any of the cruise ships at great rates!
Day 8 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)
Shore excursion to Shennv Stream by smaller vessels. Shennv Stream, called Goddess Stream, is reputed as the Original Virgin Valley of Yangtze where you could see extraordinary view.
Note: Some cruise ships make the shore excursion to the Shennong Stream. You have the final say on which excursion to make, as we can book any of the cruise ships at great rates!
Day 9 Yangtze River Cruise & Bullet Train to Shanghai from Yichang (B)
After breakfast, you’ll go through a check-out procedure and disembark at Maoping Port. Then, take a morning shore excursion to visit the world-famous project - Three Gorges Dam. The dam is the largest hydropower station in the world with an annual energy output of 84.7 billion kilowatt-hours. The Three Gorges Dam includes three areas: the dam itself, a hydroelectric, and a system of locks. The height of the Three Gorges Dam is 185 meters (607 ft) above the sea level. The dam is about 2,300 meters (7,546 ft) long and about 115 meters (377 ft) wide. With a water capacity of 39.3 billion cubic meters, the dam will hold a huge reservoir which will efficiently prevent flooding in the middle and lower portions of the Yangtze River. (Optional experience: you can choose to sail through the world’s largest ship lift - Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift to very closely marvel at the huge dam which is a totally fresh and exciting experience for travelers.)
After the dam visiting, you’ll take the tourist bus arranged by the cruise company transferring you to Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal around 12:30~13:30. Then, you will be escorted by our local guide and driver to the Yichang East Railway Station and take your bullet train to Shanghai. Upon arrival, be met by our local guide at the arrival hall of Shanghai train station and escorted to your hotel in downtown area by a private, comfortable and non-smoking vehicle. Have a nice sleep in Shanghai!
Tips & Note: No matter you take Ship Lift or not, you’ll do check-out procedure and take your luggage away from the ship in this early morning. (1) Only dam visiting: you’ll take bus from Maoping Port to Three Gorges Dam for sightseeing. You’ll arrive at Yichang downtown around 12:30. (2) Dam & Ship Lift Experience: travelers who are interested in Ship Lift will first switch to a sightseeing boat to sail through the Ship Lift and then visit Three Gorges Dam Site. You’ll arrive at Yichang downtown area around 13:30.
Day 10 Shanghai (B, L)
Today you will first visit the magnificent Yu Garden. Right out of the Yu Garden, you can observe local people's life at the Yuyuan Market (Yu Garden Market). Proceed to the Temple of Jade Buddha. Take a stroll or shop in the famed Nanjing Road and then down to the Bund alongside the Huangpu River to explore the modern aspect of Shanghai. Drive to the Pudong New Area to enjoy a bird's eye view of Shanghai from the Jinmao Tower.
Day 11 Shanghai - Hangzhou (B, L)
After breakfast, our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to Hangzhou. Stay overnight in Hangzhou.
After arriving in Hangzhou, you’ll first visit Linyin Temple. Founded in AD 326, this temple once housed 3,000 monks who worshiped in more than 70 halls. Hui Li, an Indian monk, thought it was the spitting image of a hill in India and asked whether it had flown here. FeilaiFeng (Flying Peak) us known for the dozens of Buddhist sculptures carved into the rock, many dating from the 10th Century.
After lunch, you’ll enjoy the leisure cruising time on West Lake. Long considered one of the scenic wonders of China, West Lake situated at the Heart of Hangzhou. Fairy Island is worth it to see one the Ten Best Views of West Lake – Three Pools Reflecting the Moon.
Finally, drive to Dragon Well Tea Plantation in Dragon Well Village. It produces one of the China’s most famous varieties of green tea. You could wander around the tea terraces, catching glimpses of the different stages of production – cutting, sorting, and drying – and also buy the tea.
Day 12 Hangzhou - Wuzhen - Shanghai (B, L)
Today after breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Wuzhen Water Town.
Located in the center of six ancient towns south of Yangtze River,
Wuzhen Water Town displays its two-thousand-year history in its ancient
stone bridges floating on mild water, its stone pathways between the
mottled walls and its delicate wood carvings. It gives a unique
experience through its profound cultural background.
The famous attractions in Wuzhen are: Former Residence of Mao Dun, Fanglu Pavilion, and Bridge in Bridge.
After visiting Wuzhen, drive back to Shanghai and escort to hotel. The rest of today is free on your own.
Day 13 Shanghai Departure (B)
Our guide will pick you up from the hotel to the airport in time for the scheduled flight to your next destination. Before that, you can take a rest at the hotel or go for a walk nearby.
1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in a comfortable-class hotel and traveling with our private tour package in low seasons. The price will be much lower if your group has 4 or more members.
2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, month, and date. There may be huge price increasing during the public Chinese holidays, school summer holidays (usually 2 months, July ~ August), peak tourist seasons or some special dates.
(In 2024: Labor Day Holiday during May 1 ~ 5; National Day Holiday during October 1 ~ 7; Chinese Spring Festival during January 28 ~ February 3, 2025)
3. Other factors that may change the final tour price include your group size, hotel class, tour activities, real-time exchange rate, and so on.
4. This price is based on the exchange rate USD 1= RMB 7.00. The final price will be based on the exchange rate in effect at the time of agreement with our quotation.
5. This price is only valid from now to March 31, 2026.
6. This price is not the final price until the Confirmation Letter is sent.
7. The items included and excluded in this price are for reference only. The final services included, please refer to the Confirmation Letter sent to you by the travel consultant.
Price Includes:
- English-speaking guide with the professional license as listed in the itinerary.
- Entrance fees and other fees of the scenic spots as listed in the itinerary.
- Yangtze River Cruise ticket as listed in the itinerary.
- Accommodation (comfortable-class) based on two persons sharing one room with twin beds or a double bed.
- Meals as specified with “B” (for breakfast), “L” (for lunch) or “D” (for dinner) in the itinerary.
- Private Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in each city or area by private air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed driver as listed in the itinerary.
- Transportation: Domestic flights (economy class) or trains (second-class seat) as listed in the itinerary.
- Airport / train station pick-up and drop-off service as listed in the itinerary.
- Luggage Transfers between airports, train station and hotels.
- Travel Service Charge of our travel consultant, including the planning, handling, operational and communication charges, etc.
Price Excludes:
- China Visa (We do not offer any visa service or charge any visa-related fee.)
- Scenic spots not listed in the itinerary.
- Optional activities or other sightseeing.
- Accommodation not as listed in the itinerary.
- Meals not listed in the itinerary.
- Flights or trains not as listed in the itinerary.
- Excess Baggage Charges.
- Personal expenses of a purely personal nature such as room service, laundry, drink, Internet charge, WI-FI, fax, telephone call, etc.
- Gratuities or optional tips to guides, drivers, bellboys, etc.
Essential China Travel Information & Service
To help you have a further understanding of your tour, we provide some essential travel information like yourtour guides, drivers, private cars/vans, accommodations and meals that you could know more about how is your China Yangtze cruise tour going. All the experience will be vivid and memorable in any time in any destination.
Your Private Tour Guide
The tour guides in all destinations are qualified, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and responsible!
All of our guides in every destination are locals. They will be greeted you punctually upon arrival at airport, train stations or cruise ports. And escort you to your hotel and tourist attractions and make you have full understanding about the local life, scenic spots as well as show you the fun places for more featured activities and things to do according to your time and interests.
“All our guides, especially those who we had a chance to spend more time with (Guilin, Chengdu, Lijiang, Zhangjiajie) were great. Always very accommodating, punctual and attentive.” - Review from Zane, Canada
Your Private Driver & Car
Taking our private transportation will make you comfortable, relaxed and worry free!
All our drivers are licensed with many years' driving experience. They are always polite, friendly and helpful, glad to offer more service you may need during the transfer. Our vehicles are air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean and expertly maintained. We use different types of cars/vans to guarantee your comfort. Besides, there is need to worry about your luggage for we use vehicles with extra space for your luggage.
"With respect to the drivers, we can state that they are excellent drivers and very friendly. They are pleasant with smiling face and helpful too." - Review from Pedro Corro, USA
Comfortable & Homelike Hotel
In each destination, we guarantee you a comfortable stay!
The hotels we choose are based with star rating, great location, well-pointed facilities and high quality service and guests' feedbacks. Choices are a lot and you could decide where to stay on your own. When taking a Yangtze River cruise, you are guaranteed a comfortable cabin or suite with private balconies to enjoy breathtaking scenery.
“All the hotels were comfortable and in good locations. The food was generally good with a wide choice of both western and Chinese choices for breakfast. The room sizes even with the extra bed for Jessica were also fine.” - Review from McHale, USA
Dining, Meal & Local Food
On Yangtze River cruise, you are offered three meals (usually buffet with western and Chinese dishes) each day. In other cities of China, breakfast and lunch usually are included in your tour packages. You'll dine in local restaurants, follow local customs and enjoy local dishes. The food quality and dining environment will suit for your taste. If you have any suggestions or special requirements (vegetarian or food allergies), just let your travel consultants and guides know. They will arrange the suitable food and restaurants for you. Recommended evening dining options are: Peking Roast Duck in Beijing, Dumpling Dinner in Xian, and Hot Pot in Chengdu etc.
“We had very good breakfasts in all the hotels and were given a substantial lunch every day.” - Review from John, United Kingdom
Read what other travelers think about this China trip / Yangtze cruise trip. We only accept reviews from actual, confirmed travelers who purchased the tour / activity from us, so you can be sure the reviews are unbiased and authentic.
Dear April,
Thanks for arranging such a unique experience for our Huangshan trip.
The Huangshan tour was great with many unbelievable scenes of the mountain that we never can dream off. Our tour guide, Jessica, was amazing. Her knowledge and passion for Huangshan truly brought the experience to life.
Jessica: fluence in English and very energizing, warm and friendly. She was also very patient and helped us to exchange a train ticket that we mistaken brought on our own. She casual chat with us during the ride from the train station to the hotel. After she helped to check us in, she provides some useful information about the town that we were staying on the first night and provided clear instruction for the next day trip. We were so lucky to have you and Jessica as our tour planner and tour guide. Thank you. Ps. Enclosed are few pictures the we took during the Huangshan trip.
The following photos were shared by our customer Tran:
Tran Enjoying Time at Yellow Mountain in October 2024, tour made by April
Tran Enjoying Time at Yellow Mountain in October 2024, tour made by April
Tran Enjoying Time at Yellow Mountain in October 2024, tour made by April
Tran Enjoying Time at Yellow Mountain in October 2024, tour made by April
- Tran - December 5, 2024‚ ,
Hi Wonder.We enjoyed the trip very much. Thanks.
- Shenyah - December 5, 2024‚ ,
Hi Wonder just to confirm that Adam will pick us up at 5 am tomorrow morning please. Thanks we have fabulous time, very satisfied. Metropole htl in Shanghai very good located easy for us to go to Nanjing Lu
Thank you Wonder for the outstanding service from all of us. We are very grateful, and hope we will be able to use Chengdu Bamboo Travel Service in the future
- Junny - November 10, 2024‚ ,
Wonder, this boat is really fantastic especially in off peak season when the boat is not fully loaded. Highly recommended
By the way, all excursions are included in the executive suites. No need to pay extra
- Grace - November 18, 2024‚ ,
Recommended Add-on Options
+ 3 more days to feel a real Chinese white & black painting - Mt.Huang
“No mountain is worth seeing after a trip to Mount Huang”. It features the “Four Wonders” - beautifully-shaped pines trees, fantastic rock peaks, sea of clouds and hot springs. Besides, the poetic Hongcun and Xidi old villages are also extremely popular for its ancient Hui style structures, local culture and peaceful sceneries, which makes them the favorite of photographers home and abroad.
+ 3~4 more days to step into the World Geological Park - Zhangjiajie
Reputed as “a miniature fairyland” and “a maze of nature”, Zhangjiajie is a surreal world with hundreds of grotesque peaks, beautiful waters, towering trees, deep valley, marvelous caves and exuberant forest. In Zhangjiajie, you’ll fully explore Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to catch the outstanding landscape and experience the world’s longest and highest glass bridge in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon.
+ 2 more days to explore the world's last unsophisticated old town - Lijiang
Once a confluence for trade along the old tea horse road, the Old Town of Lijiang is famous for its orderly system of waterways and bridges. The uniqueness of Lijiang Old Town makes it another UNESCO World Heritage Site. It differs from other ancient Chinese cities in architecture, history and its culture of the traditional residents the Naxi people.
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If you have some ideas or suggestions for this tour, please feel free to talk with our professional, experienced and enthusiastic travel consultants now.
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