12 Days Lifetime Yangtze Cruise from Guangzhou
Guangzhou / Guilin / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Beijing
Sampling Itinerary Day by Day
Day 1 Guangzhou Arrival
Welcome to Guangzhou – one of the most popular destinations for business travelers of the world! After arrival in Guangzhou, our local tour guide and driver will escort you to your hotel. Rest of the day is free to explore the metropolis on your own.
Day 2 Guangzhou (B,L)
Today’s tour will start from visiting the Chen Clan Academy (Chenjia Ci). It is not only an important heritage site under protection by the country, but also a local Guangdong handicraft museum. Then head to visit the Dr Sun Yat-sen’s Memorial Hall, a landmark of Guangzhou. Afterwards, the Nanyue King’s Tomb Museum in Tang Dynasty is a must-see! The tomb has a history of more than 2,000 years and it is the oldest underground structure ever discovered in southern China.
Day 3 Flight to Guilin from Guangzhou (B,L)
Today will be free for you to explore on your own until your guide escort you to the airport and take the flight to Guilin. After arrival in Guilin, the city with the most beautiful landscape under the heaven, your local tour guide and driver will meet and pick you up to your hotel in Guilin from the airport. Rest of the day is free to explore the picturesque city on your own.
Day 4 Gulin Li River & Yangshuo Town (B,L)
After breakfast today, you’ll be driven to Zhujiang Pier (40-minute drive) to start your boat cruise down the picturesque Li River, which is the highlight of any visit to Guilin, until you get to Yangshuo County. Along the river, you’ll be inspired by breathtaking views of peaks and pinnacles, crystal-clear water and picturesque pastoral views of rice paddies and water buffaloes. Visitors feel they have stepped into a traditional Chinese painting. After checking into your hotel in Yangshuo, free to explore the beautiful town and its famous West Street.
Day 5 Guilin (B, L)
Today, you will be driven back to Guilin (1.5-hour drive), where you will tour Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill and Reed Flute Cave.
Elephant Trunk Hill, the symbol of Guilin, got its name because it looks like an elephant drinking water. The round opening that would be under the elephant’s trunk is known as Water-Moon Cave because at night the reflection of the moon can be seen through the arch and it looks like it is under the water and floating on the surface of the water at the same time.
Fubo Hill is a solitary peak, standing elegantly half on land and half on water, situated to the west of Li River and the north of Guilin. Reed Flute Cave known as the Palace of Natural Arts is is a fantastic cave decorated by peculiar-shaped stalactites, stalagmites, and rock, being in Guilin urban area.
Day 6 High Speed Train to Chongqing from Guilin (B, L)
Today will be free until your guide picks you up to the railway station to catch the high speed train 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 shipin the late afternoon. Your lifetime Yangtze River Cruise starts! (Note: the boarding time changes based on the cruise ships, season, water level, weather, etc.)
Day 7 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)
Today you will embrace your first shore excursion site-Shibaozhai Pagoda. With 278 kilometers away from Chongqing, Shibaozhai is a pearl on Yangtze River. As the gem of Chinese Architecture, the 12-story, 18th Century red wooden temple is an architectural delight full of Legends and beautiful stories. Climbing on the top, you can have a panoramic view of the Yangtze River.
Optional Site: Some cruise ships make the shore excursion to the Fengdu Ghost City instead. Also called as the City of Ghosts, it endows kinds of mysterious stories about the underworld cruel tortures and kinds of devils. Enter inside, you can find more devil statues and vivid cruel scenes.
Note: Once you told us which excursion site you choose, we’ll arrange the right cruise ship for you 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. Shennong Stream is a collection of local culture. The nature scenery, boat tracker, local sampan, ancient hanging coffins, unique ethnic minority Tujia culture… all is worth your exploration.
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 to Yichang & Fly to Beijing (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 a flight to Beijing. After arrival in Beijing, your local tour guide and driver will escort you to your hotel in Beijing from the airport. Rest of the day is free to explore on your own.
Day 10 Beijing (B, L)
Beijing 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 11 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; With a Peking Roast Duck dinner you will complete today's tour!
Day 12 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 to your next destination or return to your home.
Recommended Add-on Options
+ 2 more days to explore the Ancient of Heart - Xian
Explore the glorious past in the ancient capital of China for 13 dynasties!
With a history of over 3000 years, Xian is the birthplace of Chinese civilization and capital of most important dynasties in early Chinese history. It is known as the eastern terminus of the famed Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Army along with many other historical sites, like Ancient City Wall, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and so on.

+ 2 more days to visit the largest metropolis in China - Shanghai
Experience the past, present and future of China all at once!
The Huangpu River splits Shanghai into two districts: Pudong and Puxi. The Pudong skyline with stunning tall buildings like Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center and Oriental Pearl TV Tower gives you a flourishing scene of modern Shanghai. On the Puxi side, walk along the Bund to get a taste of old Shanghai. What a huge contrast!

+ 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.

Quotation Includes:
- Entrance fees of the scenic spots as listed in the itinerary.
- Meals as specified in the itinerary.(Exceptions: If the western breakfast is not available in some of the hotels, breakfast would be either Chinese breakfast or Chinese and western breakfast.)
-
Hotels: Hotel Based on two persons sharing one room with
twin
beds
or a king size
bed; All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or
Chinese
breakfast;
Please note double bed room is on request basis which is subject to Hotel's
availability
and re-confirmation upon check-in.
Service, room facilities and breakfast might be not up to standard in some remote areas. - Transportation: Flights or train as listed in the itinerary.
- Sightseeing As listed in the Itinerary will be escorted with English-speaking guide;
-
Service of local guide and van is for a maximum of 8 hours
during
the full day individual
tour packages.
* Please note that our English-speaking guide and driver provided for you in each city or area will not fly with you from one city to another.
- Private Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in each city or area by private air-conditioned vehicle with driver and English-speaking guide as listed in the itinerary.
- Service Charge (the planning, handling, operational and communication charges) & Government Taxes.
- Luggage Transfers between airports, trains and hotels.
Price excludes:
- Flights (Economy class) not as listed in the itinerary.
- Accommodation not as listed in the itinerary.
- Visa Fees: Please make sure that you have got your valid passport and visa before your entry to China. We can send you a free official invitation letter to assist you in obtaining your visa after the reservation deposit is received.
- Sightseeing not listed in the itinerary.
- Meals not listed in the itinerary.
- Personal expenses such as room service, internet charge, laundry, drink, fax, telephone call, optional activities, etc.
- Gratuities, tips to guides, drivers, bellboys, etc.
- Excess Baggage Charges.
- Life Tourist insurance. Please kindly note that the full coverage travel insurance from your country of origin should be purchased in advance on your own.
- Optional activities.
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.
Loved the cruise - especially the included excursions, special arrangement for English speaking guides, new boat, and friendly service!
- Carolyn - November 15, 2023‚ ,
Hello Wing,
We thoroughly enjoyed the Yangtze Cruise & the upgrade to Shangri-la suite was well worth the extra cost. The 3 Gorges Tribe visit was a highlight as were the visits to pandas, Wuhou Shrine & Renmin Park in Chengdu.
However, the 3 Gorges Dam visit was not enjoyable with guides screaming into microphones & in fact it is easier to see it from the road. The 10rmb to get ticket for golf cartride is only small amount & is during the tour so it should be included in the overall price.
- Athlone - November 3, 2023‚ ,
Here are recent candid photos of this China trip / Yangtze cruise trip. If you want to share your own tour photos, simply email your photos to info@yangtze-river-cruises.com with your Booking ID Number. Thanks in advance for sharing!
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