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11 Days China Impression Tour from Beijing
- Tour Code:
- YRC-BJ-05
- Duration:
- 11 Days & 10 Nights
- Departure Date:
- You Choose!
- Service:
- private tour guide/driver & private car/van
- Destinations:
- Beijing - Xian - Chongqing - Yangtze River Cruise - Yichang - Shanghai
- Features:
- Specially designed for your first visit to China. Cultural and natural highlights in the ancient capitals Beijing and Xian are covered in this itinerary. A Yangtze Cruise with its picture-like site-seeing and diverse local life before roaming about China’s No.1 big city Shanghai.
Sample Itinerary Overview
Day 1 Beijing Arrival
Welcome to Beijing! 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)
Today you will first visit the world's biggest city plaza, the Tiananmen Square; then walk to the marvelous "Egg" (National Centre for the Performing Arts) to take some pictures from its outside; subsequently, go to the Forbidden City, the most complete imperial palace in China; and later proceed to the impressive Temple of Heaven. After the sightseeing tour, be driven back to your hotel.
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; Feel a little bit tired? Not to worry! We will arrange a foot massage (free of charge) for you, just relax and enjoy it! With a Peking Roast Duck dinner you will complete today's tour!
Day 4 Beijing (B, L)
After breakfast, you will marvel at the exquisite 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; enjoy the local specialty Dumpling Dinner served in a fine restaurant in the evening.
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 Cruise pier, 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)
Shore excursion to the Fengdu Ghost City to check why it has been regarded as the "City of Ghosts".
Day 8 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)
Shore excursion to Lesser Three Gorges by smaller vessels.
The Lesser Three Gorges, like a shinning pearl hiddden in remote mountains, are much smaller, narrower and have some dramatic scenery to offer. That is the most splendid river adventure throughout China for you.
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 & Flight to Shanghai from Yichang (B, L)
Today's highlight is your morning excursion to the world-famous Three Gorges Dam. Be prepared for your check-out procedure and the ship will arrive in Yichang at about 11:30. Our guide will expect you on board and visit the Yichang Museum if time permits. After lunch at a local famous restaurant, drive to the Yichang airport and take the flight to Shanghai.
After arrival in Shanghai, our local tour guide and driver will escort you to your hotel in Shanghai. Rest of the day is free to explore the metropolis on your own.
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 Departure (B)
After breakfast, be free until the tour guide escorts you to the airport to your next destination, or back to home.
Recommended Add-on Options
+ 3 more days to feel a real Chinese white & black painting - Mt.Huang
Mt.Huangshan is located on the south side of Yangtze River, well known for its scenery, sunsets, peculiarly- shaped granite peaks, pine trees, and views of the clouds from above. Huangshan is a frequent subject for traditional Chinese paintings and modern photography. It is now one of the major tourist destinations in China.

+ 2 more days to step back into a Ming-and-Qing Dynasty China - Pingyao
This former Chinese financial centre is renowned for its well-preserved ancient city walls and has been listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Pingyao still retains the city layout from Ming and Qing Dynasties and most of city’s ancient streets and storefronts largely remain their historical appearance. It has always been a No.1 choice for those who would like to explore the genuine ancient China.

+ 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.

2012 Cruise Calendar
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