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13-Day China Essence and Panda, Yangtze River Cruise Tour

Customisable Itinerary
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Trip Overview

Go on an immersive journey through China’s most iconic cities and landscapes. Begin in Beijing, exploring Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the tranquil Hutongs. Experience the Great Wall at Mutianyu and the elegance of the Summer Palace before traveling to Xi’an to witness the Terracotta Warriors and craft your own clay figure. Savor local cuisine and try your hand at dumpling making. In Chengdu, join a panda keeper program, then cruise the Yangtze River, passing dramatic gorges and cultural sites. Conclude in Shanghai, where ancient gardens meet a modern skyline, creating memories of China’s heritage and vibrant daily life.

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Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Beijing

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Arrival in Beijing

Upon arrival in Beijing, you will be welcomed at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Check in and relax, you have the rest of the day free.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Beijing Peace Hotel 4 star

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Beijing Capital International Airport to Peace Hotel - Peace Palace Ballroom

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    Destinations

    Beijing

Day 2

Beijing Cultural Icons: Tiananmen, Forbidden City & Hutong Life

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Beijing Cultural Icons: Tiananmen, Forbidden City & Hutong Life

Visit Tiananmen Square, one of Beijing’s most significant landmarks. Explore the Forbidden City with our Emperor's Tour, offering insight into imperial history. Walk through the Hutongs in the Xicheng District to experience traditional Beijing neighborhoods. Enjoy lunch at popular local restaurants, where you can try authentic regional dishes.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Beijing Peace Hotel 4 star

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    Activities

    Tiananmen Square

    Discover the Forbidden City via Our Emperor's Tour

    Hutong Tour in Xicheng District

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

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    Destinations

    Beijing

Day 3

Temple of Heaven & Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour

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Temple of Heaven & Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour

This nine-hour guided tour runs from 8am to 5pm and includes visits to the Temple of Heaven and the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, with round-trip cable car access. Lunch is included at local restaurants, offering a chance to enjoy regional cuisine during the day. The itinerary provides a well-rounded experience of Beijing’s key historical landmarks in one trip.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Beijing Peace Hotel 4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Temple of Heaven

    The Mutianyu Great Wall

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    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Beijing

Day 4

Summer Palace & Beijing to Xi’an Journey

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Summer Palace & Beijing to Xi’an Journey

Glide across the serene waters of the Summer Palace and take in imperial views from a classic boat. Stroll through the Garden of Virtue and Harmony, where historic pavilions reflect the grandeur of past dynasties. Enjoy Beijing’s renowned roast duck for an unforgettable dining experience. In the afternoon, transfer to the train station and catch a train to Xi'an.

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    Accommodation

    Eastern House4 star

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    Activities

    Summer Palace

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    Restaurants

    Beijing Roast Duck

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Peace Hotel - Peace Palace Ballroom to Beijing Station

    Train from Beijing to Xi'An

    Private Driver from Xi'an Railway Station to Eastern House

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    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Beijing

    Xi'an

Day 5

Xi’an Heritage Tour: Terracotta Warriors, City Wall & Muslim Quarter

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Xi’an Heritage Tour: Terracotta Warriors, City Wall & Muslim Quarter

Journey through Xi’an’s storied past during an expertly guided eight-hour exploration. Uncover the formidable Ancient City Wall and marvel at the legendary Terracotta Warriors, where you’ll also visit the Terracotta Museum and craft your own clay warrior in a traditional cave dwelling. Stroll vibrant streets in the Muslim Quarter, where the air buzzes with culture and history. Savor authentic regional flavors during a thoughtfully selected lunch at a popular local restaurant, ensuring a truly immersive experience in this historic city.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Eastern House4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Ancient City Wall

    Secrets of the Terracotta Warriors (includes the Terracotta Army, and making clay warriors at a local cave dwelling)

    Muslim Quarter

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    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

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    Destinations

    Xi'an

Day 6

Xi’an to Chengdu: Culture, Cooking & Travel Day

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Xi’an to Chengdu: Culture, Cooking & Travel Day

In the morning visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and enjoy a hands-on class where you can make either home-style dumplings or Biangbiang noodles.

In the afternoon, you will travel by train from Xi’an to Chengdu. A driver will waiting to welcome you and transfer you to your hotel.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Tibet Hotel Chengdu4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Big Wild Goose Pagoda (South Gate)

    Home Dumpling or Biangbiang Noodle Making Class

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Eastern House to Xi'an Railway Station

    Train from Xi'An to Chengdu

    Private Driver from Chengdu Station to Tibet Hotel Chengdu

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    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

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    Destinations

    Xi'an

    Chengdu

Day 7

Dujiangyan Panda Keeper Experience: A Day with Giant Pandas

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Dujiangyan Panda Keeper Experience: A Day with Giant Pandas

Take part in a nine-hour Dujiangyan Panda Keeper Program. Begin at sunrise with a behind-the-scenes experience feeding, cleaning, and caring for giant pandas alongside professional keepers. Explore bamboo forest surroundings and learn from expert staff about panda care and conservation.

This hands-on programme offers a full day of working closely with giant pandas in Sichuan’s natural setting, before returning with memorable insights and experiences.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Tibet Hotel Chengdu4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Dujiangyan Panda Keeper Program Tour

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    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

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    Destinations

    Chengdu

Day 8

Chengdu Culture & Yangtze Cruise Departure to Chongqing

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Chengdu Culture & Yangtze Cruise Departure to Chongqing

Start with a guided tour in Chengdu from 9am to 2pm and 5pm to 6pm. Visit Jinli Old Street for a one-hour local snack tasting experience and spend time in a city park enjoying tea and observing daily life.

Transfer to Chengdu Dong Railway Station for the G8665 train to Chongqing, departing at 15:36 and arriving at 16:52.

On arrival, board the Century Glory cruise. Enjoy a buffet dinner, safety briefing, and the Captain’s Welcome Reception.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Century Glory

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Jinli Old Street (includes snack tasting experience)

    Be a Chengduer in Local Park

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Tibet Hotel Chengdu to Chengdu Station

    Train from Chengdu to Chongqing

    Private Driver from Chongqing Station Wangshang Goupiao Automatism Qupiaochu to Cruise Amusement Center

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    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

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    Destinations

    Chengdu

    Chongqing

Day 9

Yangtze Cruise Experience: Dining, Culture & Shore Excursions

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Yangtze Cruise Experience: Dining, Culture & Shore Excursions

Begin your day with coffee, tea, pastries, and morning exercise, followed by a breakfast buffet.

Take a shore excursion to either Fengdu Ghost City or Xiaoguanshan Ancient Folk Culture Park.

Enjoy lunch and dinner buffets, cultural activities, and an optional evening performance. Late-night snacks and unlimited beverages are included during lunch and dinner.

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    Accommodation

    Century Glory

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    Activities

    Shore Excursion --- Choose between Fengdu Ghost City and Xiaoguanshan Ancient Folk Culture Park

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    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

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    Destinations

    Chongqing

    Luzhou

Day 10

Yangtze River Cruise: Gorges, Excursions & Onboard Experience

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Yangtze River Cruise: Gorges, Excursions & Onboard Experience

Start your day with coffee, tea, pastries, and morning exercise, followed by a breakfast buffet. Cruise through Qutang Gorge and take part in onboard activities. Enjoy a lunch buffet as you enter Wu Gorge, then join a shore excursion to Shennv Stream. End the day with a dinner buffet, crew cabaret, and late-night snacks.

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    Accommodation

    Century Glory

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Shore Excursion --- Shennv Stream, cruising through the spectacular Qutang Gorge & Wu Gorge.

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    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

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    Destinations

    Chongqing

    Luzhou

Day 11

Three Gorges Dam & Journey from Yichang to Shanghai

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Three Gorges Dam & Journey from Yichang to Shanghai

Begin your morning with a buffet breakfast before disembarking at Maoping Pier in Yichang. Enjoy seamless luggage transfer as you join a guided shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Project Site, including the River Closure Memorial Park and the Three Gorges Dam Project Museum. For a deeper experience, an optional visit to the Ship Lift is available at an additional cost.

Disembark in downtown Yichang, then transfer to the train station to catch a train to Shanghai. On arrival, transfer to your hotel.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Sunrise On The Bund Hotel5 star

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    Activities

    Three Gorges Dam

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Train from Yichang to Shanghai

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    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

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    Destinations

    Chongqing

    Yichang

    Shanghai

Day 12

Shanghai Private Tour: Gardens, Skyline & Local Cuisine

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Shanghai Private Tour: Gardens, Skyline & Local Cuisine

Uncover Shanghai with a half-day customised experience tailored to your interests. Your private guide will shape the day around relaxation, art, shopping, or nightlife.

Visit Yuyuan Garden, a Ming Dynasty landmark set among lively markets offering local snacks and souvenirs. Continue to Shanghai Tower and the Bund, where historic architecture meets modern skyline views.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Sunrise On The Bund Hotel5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Half-Day Customized Icing-on-the-Cake Experience

    Yu Garden

    Shanghai in Progress (visit Shanghai Tower and the Bund in-depth)

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    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Shanghai

Day 13

Departure Day

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Departure Day

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, followed by check-out. You will then be transferred to the airport for your onward journey.

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    Transportations

    Private Driver from Sunrise On The Bund Hotel Luxury to Shanghai Pudong International Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Shanghai

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What’s included?

  • 12 nights accommodation
  • 20 activities
  • 12 breakfasts and 11 lunches
  • Airport transfer
  • Domestic flights
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

What’s not included?

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits