17 Days China Yangtze Tour with Holy Tibet & Giant Panda Visit

Ni Hao! Welcome to Shanghai, the largest and the most developed metropolis in the Chinese mainland! You’ll be met by our local guide at the arrival hall of Shanghai airport / train station and escorted to your hotel in downtown area by a private, comfortable and non-smoking vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to explore the “Pearl of the Orient”.

Tips: If you want to explore near your hotel, please feel free to ask practical suggestions from our experienced tour guide.

After breakfast, you’ll take a full day to explore the west-meet-east, modern-blend-tradition culture of Shanghai. First, take an educational trip to Shanghai Museum, one of the Four Greatest Museums in China. From outside, you’ll appreciate the beautiful appearance in the style of “Ding” which symbolizes “a round heaven and a square earth”. While entering into the exhibition rooms, you’ll treat your eyes with large number of collections of historic relics from Bronze, ceramics, painting and calligraphic works to jades, coins, furniture, seals, sculptures, etc.

Then, head to Yu Garden, a typical ancient Chinese garden in Jiangnan area similar to the classical Suzhou Gardens! This garden fully embodies the traditional design of Chinese architecture with jagged pavilions with elegant decorations, glittering pools with roving fish, and pine trees sprouting to the sky, all designed to refresh your mood and spirit. Adjacent to the garden is the Yuyuan Bazaar where you can savor tasteful local snacks and explore elaborate traditional Chinese handicrafts and art works.

Next, drive to Pudong New District to the third tallest building in China - Shanghai World Financial Center. Stand on the 100^th floor (474 meters) to have panoramic view of Shanghai downtown, Huangpu River as well as nearby towering buildings. Later, take a wonderful stroll along the Bund with a rich collection of buildings and structures of various architectural styles. Feel the perfect fusion of Chinese and Western cultures while at the same time take in the stunning Shanghai skyline with your own eyes! (Note: If time and energy permits, you can have a nice walk along Nanjing Road to experience the modern atmosphere of Shanghai.)

Optional activities: 1) Take a relaxing Huangpu River night cruise to see the city’s most significant edifices and streets sparkling under the atmospheric cover of darkness (about 50 minutes);  2) Enjoy an entertaining and breathtaking Acrobatic Show at Shanghai Circus World or other acrobatic theatres (usually performs during 19:30~21:00).

Have Panoramic View on the Top of Shanghai World Financial Center

Yu Garden with Traditional Design of Chinese Architecture

Panoramic View of the Bund of Shanghai

Shanghai Museum on the People's Square

Want to deeply know the past, today and future of Shanghai? This morning’s visit to Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center will show you everything about Shanghai. You will see the amazing transformation of Shanghai that was originally a small fishing village and now surprisingly a super modern world metropolis. Different usages of photography, models and interactive multimedia displays make your visit enjoyable and entertaining. The best features are the old rare photos of landmarks, such as the Bund, Nanjing Road, Yu Garden, during the international settlement, and the large scale model showing the detailed layout of Shanghai.

Then you will be followed a trip to Jade Buddha Temple, a famous Buddhist Temple peacefully situated in the bustling Shanghai downtown. It is famous for the two pieces of Jade Buddha - one is the sitting Jade Buddha of 1.95 meters tall and the other is the smaller reclining Jade Buddha of 0.96 meters tall. Besides appreciating the Jade Buddha, you can have a basic understanding about Chinese Buddhism by visiting the Buddhist halls.

After the tour, be escorted to Shanghai airport for a flight to Yichang (about 2 hours and 20 minutes). Upon arrival, you will be met at the arrival hall of Yichang Sanxia Airport and transferred to Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal (or Yichang East Railway Station) and take the tourist bus arranged by the cruise company to shuttle to Maoping Port for embarkation. Your once-in-lifetime Yangtze River cruise starts!

Tips for boarding: (1) All the cruise companies will arrange free transfer service at Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal or Yichang East Railway Station during 16:00~21:00. You could choose either one to take the tourist bus to Maoping Port. If you take a train arriving at Yichang East Railway Station, you can take the bus at the exit directly. (2) Please call the ship one day ahead or at least in the morning on the boarding day to have clear idea about which pier you are going to use; (3) The boarding time and departure piers may change based on the ship line, water level, season, weather and other factors. Please pay attention to the important info your travel consultants sent to you before your boarding.

Yichang Maoping Port for Embarkation & Disembarkation

Facade of Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center

Jade Buddha Temple

In this morning, wake up leisurely and enjoy the gentle sunshine shining over the tranquil Yangtze River. You can either follow the Taichi master to play Taichi on the sundeck or enjoy a cup of coffee to stretch your mood to start your beautiful day. It will be colorful and interesting no matter you stay onboard or go shore excursions at river stops.

Onboard you will enjoy different kinds of cultural activities and entertainment, like attending a Yangtze River History and Culture Lecture to know deeply about the third longest river in the world, taking part in the Captain’s Welcome Party to make new friends, or having great fun at the wonderful evening shows with sing, dance and music.

Also, you will follow a local English-speaking tour guide and make a shore excursion to 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.)

Optional excursion: Enjoy a shore excursion to Tribe of Three Gorges today for an extra fee. Located on Xiling Gorge near Three Gorges Dam, the Tribe of Three Gorges is like a dreamland garden with breathtaking views - fishing boats along the river side, fishermen using bird to catch fishes, fishing nets hanging along the creek, young couple meeting on the bridge and lots more. You won’t miss the wedding ceremony of Tujia ethnic group.

Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift, the Largest Ship Lift in the World

Take Yangtze River Cruise in Spring

World-famous Three Gorges Dam

Today you will continue sailing through the spectacular Three Gorges! Follow the guide’s live interpretation and soak up the breathtaking gorge scenery passing by as you drift through Xiling Gorge, Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge respectively.

On this day, take an enjoyable shore excursion to Shennv Stream (Goddess Stream), a tributary of the Yangtze River in Wushan County. You will be switched to a smaller boat to sail down this primitive stream running in a narrow side gorge where you will have close-up views of steep mountains and hanging coffins high on the cliffs as well as hear some of the local history. Besides, you will be entertained with local music and dance offered by the Tujia ethnic group. (Please note: some cruise ships will make an excursion to Shennong Stream which offers the similar experience at Shennv Stream.)

Optional excursion: Enjoy a shore excursion to White Emperor City today with an extra fee. Located at the entrance of Qutang Gorge, this excursions gives you the chance to know Romance of the Three Kingdoms and offers the best pot to appreciate the magnificent “Kui Gate”.

Shennv Stream with Primitive Gorge Scenery

Magnificent Qutang Gorge

Breathtaking Wu Gorge Scenery

In this morning, you will make a shore excursion to Shibaozhai Pagoda, a pearl of Yangtze River in Zhongxian County. Reputed as one of the eight extraordinary architectures in the world, this 12-story, 16^th century red wooden pagoda leans against the side of the rocky and craggy hill about 200 meters tall. Climbing up to the top of Shibaozhai, you can not only visit the Buddhist temples and halls but also have panoramic view of Yangtze River. (Please note: Comfortable shoes are highly recommended since there will be many stairs to climb up the pagoda.)

Optional excursion: Have a shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City today with an extra fee. Called “the Homeland of Divine Comedy in China”, it consists of buildings, structures, dioramas and statues related to the afterlife in hell. Entering this “City of Ghosts”, you will know many mysterious stories about underworld and cruel tortures and different kinds of devils and Chinese demons. (Please note: the visit to Fengdu Ghost City requires much walking and comfortable shoes highly recommended!)

In this evening, enjoy the well-prepared Captain’s Farewell Party with all your mates onboard and have a pleasant dinner together. After the banquet, take part in the cabaret show to enjoy your last night.

Breathtaking Autumn Scenery of Yangtze Gorge

Shibaozhai Pagoda, a Pearl of Yangtze River

Fengdu Ghost City

In this morning, your ship will arrive at Chongqing Chaotianmen Port around 09:00 where you will go through a check-out procedure and disembark.Upon arrival, your guide and driver will pick you up at the port and escort you to Chongqing North Railway Station for a high speed train to Chengdu (about 1.5~2hrs). Upon arrival, you’ll be met by our local guide at the arrival hall of Chengdu East Railway Station and escorted to have a half-day visit in Chengdu. 

Want to know the greatest archaeological discovery in China at the beginning of the 21st century? This afternoon tour will take you to visit Jinsha Site Museum with a history dating back to 12th to 7th century B.C.(approximately 2900 – 3200 years ago). Entering into the museum, you’ll explore a great variety of artifacts including more than 5,000 articles of gold, bronze, jade, stone, ivory and lacquered wood as well as millions of pottery potsherds. Of course, you won’t miss the symbol of Chengdu “Sun and Immortal Bird” gold ornament which expresses people’s respect to sun as well as bird and their pursuit to harmonious life and bright future.

The Gold Sun and Bird in Jiasha Site Museum

Chongqing Chaotianmen Dock

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. First, drive about 15km to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (simply Chengdu Panda Base). This base is not only the most important panda scientific research center in the world, but also the home for more than 100 Giant Pandas. Walk through the verdant bamboo-framed path, gain fascinating insight into the progression of baby pandas to young adult pandas to adult pandas, and admire the delicate newborns in a special infant panda area. Continue to enrich your memory to observe the adolescent pandas between the age of one and five eating bamboos, playing with each other, tumbling and climbing trees. Listen to the importance of this vital maturity period and capture photographs of these enchanting and endangered creatures as they relax in their natural environment.

After the memorable panda visit, get to the largest and best-preserved Buddhist monastery - Wenshu Monastery located in bustling downtown Chengdu. Walking in the quiet spiritual temple, you’ll marvel at the exquisite Buddhist architectures and precious Buddhist statues, scriptures and relics.

Later, pay a visit to Renmin Park to truly feel the essence of leisurely pace and lifestyle of Chengdu. Sit down, order a pot of fragrant Chinese tea, have a casual chat with your friends in a-hundred-year-old teahouse, watch local indulging themselves in different kinds of folk activities, like napping, enjoy special ear cleaning, playing Mahjong, dancing and doing water calligraphy! Next will be an impressive trip to the famous Jinli Old Street, a lively paradise full of delicious local snacks, delicate artifacts, interesting folk shows and other activities. Time will steal away as you explore along the old streets!

Optional activity: In this evening, watch Sichuan Opera and be entertained by Sichuan performing arts using stick puppets, face masks, fire spitting, rolling lights, folk music, acrobatic and dance in Shufeng Yayun Teahouse (usually performs during 20:00~21:30).

See Adorable Pandas in Chengdu Panda Base

Enjoy some leisure moment in Renmin Park

Worship in Wenshu Monastery

Today after breakfast, you’ll be escorted to the Chengdu Shuangliu Airport for a flight to Lhasa (about 2.5hrs). Tashi Delek, Welcome to the holy land Tibet! You will be met by our local tour guide at airport / train station, then be escorted to your hotel in Lhasa City by a private, comfortable and non-smoking vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to acclimatize yourself to the air, temperature and high altitude of Lhasa or explore local area near your hotel if you like.

High altitude acclimation tips: 1) To well acclimate the high altitude of Lhasa (about 3650 meters), you’d better take a good rest after arrival; 2) Go for some leisure walk instead of strenuous physical activities; 3) You’d better not have bath on the first day in case of catching a cold; 4) Drink more water or have some fruit.

On this day, start your spiritual trip to the landmark of Lhasa - Potala Palace with 1300 years’ history. Standing 117 meters high with 13 storeys, the castle-like palace rises upwards from the foot to the top of Red Hill. Climbing up the sacred steps to the Red Palace and White Palace you will explore 698 murals, almost 10,000 painted scrolls, numerous sculptures, carpets, canopies, curtains, porcelain, jade, and fine objects of gold and silver, as well as a large collection of sutras and important historical documents. You’ll have the chance to see gilded burial stupas of past Dalai Lamas.

In this afternoon, pay a visit to Jokhang Temple which is considered as the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism. The temple was designed according to the Mandala, the famous model of ideal universe in Buddhism theories as well as mixed with the style of Tibet, China, Nepal and India. You’ll be impressed by the devout pilgrims coming from different places to worship to the Buddha, see precious statue of the Shakyamuni at the age of 12, explore other splendid images of Buddha and mural paintings inside the temple.

Next will be followed a spiritual walk around Barkhor Street. It is a circular and wide street encircling the Jokhang Temple that local Tibetans like to walk on the street for several circles usually in the late afternoon as a daily tradition of pilgrimage. You can either join in the locals walk around the street or visit the shops selling a wide variety of traditional Tibetan goods, religious items and handcrafts. 

Tips of today: 1) Walk slowly while climb to the top of Potala Palace; 2) Taking photos is not allowed inside the palace; 3) Please bring some water, a hat, sun cream and sun glasses with you for today’s visiting.

View Castle-like Potala Palace over Yaowang Hill

Panoramic View over Jokhang Temple

Enjoy a Spiritual Walk around Barkhor Street

After breakfast, start your day with a visit to Norbulingka Park, the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas as well as the largest man-made garden in Tibet. Enjoy a relaxing walk in the large garden with four palace complexes, a monastery as well other halls and pavilions surrounded by lush trees and beautiful flowers. If time is right, attend the Shoton Festival to watch the Tibetan Opera performed by famous Tibetan teams.

Next drive several kilometers to the western outskirts of Lhasa to visit Drepung Monastery. Being one of the Three Greatest Monasteries in Lhasa as well as the largest monastery in Tibet, it had 10,000 monks lived and studied in the monastery in its heyday. Throughout its history, many important and famous Tibetan leaders used to study here, especially the Dalai Lamas. So Drepung Monastery is also respectfully known as the “Mother School of Dalai Lamas”. You’ll feast your eyes with numerous statues, murals, Buddhist classics, etc.

Later you’ll head to Sera Monastery to enjoy the famous “Buddhism Debate”. As a daily routine, the monks gather in a courtyard and debate on the Buddhist doctrines with supplemented gestures, which is thought to be helpful to facilitates better comprehension of the Buddhist philosophy to attain higher levels of study. After the tour, you will be transferred back to the city. The rest time is your own free time to rest.

The etiquette of visiting monastery: 1) Wear formally and avoid short and uncover shoulders; 2) Go in clockwise when visiting the halls; 3)Take off your sunglasses and hat before enter the chapels; 4) Taking photos is usually not allowed inside the chapels.

Drepung Monastery, Mother School of Dalai Lamas

Famous Buddhism Debating in Sera Monastery

Take a Leisure Walk in Norbulingka Park

Today is free until your guide picks you up and escorts you to the airport and take a flight to Xian from Lhasa (about 2hrs and 20mins). Upon arrival, you’ll be met by our local guide at the arrival hall of Xian Xianyang Airport and escorted to your hotel in downtown area. The rest of today is free on your own to explore the city with more than 3,000 years.

In this morning, drive about 40km to the Eighth Wonder of the World - Terracotta Warriors and Horses which was founded in 1974 by local farmers and later listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. Get into the living historical classroom to witness one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world. Visit the three pits containing more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses and know the history of Qin Dynasty (221-207BC), the emperors and the funerary art.

Next, drive back to Xian downtown for some leisure time on the Ancient City Wall, the largest and best-preserved existing ancient city wall in China. This rectangular city wall is 13.75km in length, 12m in height and 15-18m in width which takes about 4 hours’ walking for the circuit. Standing on the ancient wall, you can enjoy panoramic view of Xian City. Then, you’ll be followed a trip to Muslim Quarter where you can taste different local food and snacks and explore Muslim culture.

Optional activities: 1) Take a relaxing cycling trip on the Ancient City Wall (about 2 hours); 2) Enjoy a brilliant Tang Palace Dance Show (usually from 20:00 to 21:00) after a hearty dumpling dinner.

Relaxing Cycling on Xian Ancient City Wall

Terracotta Warriors

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. First, you’ll head to Da Cien Temple with a history of 1350 years. The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda with seven-story at a height of 64.5 meters is the famous building in the temple. This pagoda was built by the famous Buddhist master Xuan Zang (the prototype character for Tang Seng in the famous Chinese novel “Journey to the West”) to preserve precious Buddhist relics, scriptures and figures of Buddha he bought back from India during the early Tang Dynasty. (Please note: It charges extra 30 Yuan to visit or climb up the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.)

Next, take an educational trip to Shaanxi History Museum with more than 370,000 pieces of cultural relics. Ramble in the modern exhibition halls to appreciate the relics such as bronzes, porcelains, terracotta armies, paintings, murals, currencies dating back from the Zhou to the Tang Dynasty period (1100BC to 907AD).

After the tour, you’ll be escorted to Xian North Railway Station for a high speed train to Beijing (about 5hrs). The local guide will pick you up at Beijing West Railway Station and escort you to your hotel. The rest of today is on your own to explore this ever-changing megacity.

Facade of Shaanxi History Museum

The thousand-year-old Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. Today, you’ll deeply explore the rich history and culture of imperial Beijing. Enjoy a brief visit to the most important landmark - Tian’anmen Square where Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. The square is surrounded by grand buildings including the Great Hall of the People, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall and the Monument to the People’s Martyrs and the Forbidden City.

Walking through the Tian’anmen, you’ll visit one of the world’s five most important palaces - the Forbidden City, the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of Qing Dynasty (1420 to 1912) with 24 emperors lived. The complex is the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world which consists of 980 buildings with 9,999 rooms. You’ll follow the central axis to visit Meridian Gate, Gate of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Supreme, Hall of Middle Harmony, Hall of Preserving Harmony and other gates, halls and gardens.

After lunch, you’ll drive to the western outskirts of Beijing to Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. Listed as World Heritage Site, Summer Palace is a vast ensemble of lakes, pavilions, halls, temples, gardens and bridges. Spend some enjoyable time strolling around Longevity Hill, Kunming Lake and Long Corridor and feast your eyes with beautiful landscape.

Optional activities: 1) In the evening, you can watch a fascinating Kung Fu Show in the Red Theater (Hong Ju Chang) which usually starts at 19:30; 2) Enjoy the classic Beijing Opera at Liyuan Theater during 19:30~21:00.

Forbidden City with Yellow-glazed Tile Roofs

Enjoy Panoramic View of Summer Palace

Tian'anmen Square, the Landmark of Beijing

In this morning, drive about 70 kilometers to the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Wall. Visit the Mutianyu section, the longest but less crowded great wall in China. Mutianyu Great Wall is regarded as the “Essence of Great Wall of Ming Dynasty” for its imposing and very solid characters. You can take a cable car or an enjoyable 40-minute walk to set your feet on the historic great wall. Climbing up its rising towers, you’ll be impressed by the breathtaking scenery with abundant vegetation and know the profound culture of great wall and wisdom of ancient Chinese people.

After the exciting tour, continue your trip to Ding Tomb, one of the tombs at the Thirteen Tombs of Ming Dynasty. Being the only Ming tomb to have been excavated, Ding Tomb is for Wanli Emperor and his two empresses. Walk through the Sacred Way and pass the doorways to visit the two exhibition rooms and Underground Palace.

Then, drive back to Beijing City and take a short stop at the Beijing Olympic Village to view the famous Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the outside.

Optional activity: In this evening, treat yourself a hearty dinner at Quan Ju De to taste the famous Peking Roast Duck.

Panoramic View of Ding Tomb

Mutianyu Great Wall Hiking in Autumn Season

After breakfast, your guide and driver will take you to Temple of Heaven, an imperial complex visited by the emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. Know the symbolism of “Heaven” and “Earth” and explore the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Circular Mound Altar. Enjoy the vivid life by visiting the surrounding park to see locals playing Taichi, flying kite, dancing, writing water calligraphy, and others.

Next, get back to the traditional part of Beijing to hop on a rickshaw to explore Beijing Hutongs and the culture of quadrangle dwellings. Shuttle among different Hutongs to get a feel of the old Beijing lifestyle, pass various antique shops and different boutiques and truly feel the historical change of Beijing.

After the tour, your guide will escort you the airport for your flight to next destination or home.

Bird Eye's View of Temple of Heaven

Beijing Hutong Rickshaw