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10 Days Best of Sichuan Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

Chengdu / Leshan / Emei / Chengdu / Huanglong / Jiuzhaigou / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang

Price from request

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, 2025.

Places Visited

Chengdu (3 nights), Jiuzhaigou (2 nights), Emei (1 night), Chongqing, Yangtze Cruise (3 nights), Yichang

Highlights of the Trip

  • Pay visits to the UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage Sites in Sichuan
  • Enjoy breathtaking scenery over the mountains, lakes or rivers
  • Relax on a luxury Yangtze River cruise from chongqing to Yichang

Trip Summary

Day 1-2: Chengdu Arrival & Chengdu

Come to the Land of Abundance and explore the leisure city. In a full day, visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Wenshu Monastery, Renmin Park and Jinli Old Street.

Day 3-4: Chengdu - Leshan - Emei - Chengdu

Take 2 days side trip from Chengdu to see Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei. You'll explore Chinese Buddhism and have a better understanding about it.

Day 5-6: Flight to Jiuzhaigou & Jiuzhaigou / Huanglong

Take a flight to Jiuzhiagou from Chengdu. In Jiuzhaigou County, you'll see Huanglong National Park, Huanglong Temple, Five-Color Ponds, Jiuzhaigou National Park and more natural scenery.

Day 7: Flight to Chongqing & Board Yangtze River Cruise

Take a flight from Jiuzhaigou to Chongqing. Have an exploration in the Mountain City by visiting Ciqikou Ancient Town, Hongya Cave and later transfer to Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Port to board your Yangtze River cruise.

Day 8-9: Yangtze River Cruise

Enjoy the relaxing leisure life on Yangtze cruise, take shore excursions to Shibaozhai Pagoda, Shennv Stream, appreciate breathtaking scenery along Three Gorges - Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge.

Day 10: Yangtze River Cruise & Yichang Departure

In the morning, transfer to see the world famous Three Gorges Dam Site before you leave Yichang.

Full Itinerary Day by day

Day 1 Chengdu Arrival

Ni Hao! Welcome to Chengdu, the Hometown of Giant Pandas! You’ll be met by our local guide at the arrival hall of Chengdu 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 this leisure city.

Optional activity: Enjoy the typical Sichuan cuisine (like Hot Pot) for dinner in a local restaurant.

Sichuan Local Cuisine - Hotpot

Day 2 Chengdu (B, L)

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

Explore Three Kingdom Culture in Jinli Old Street

Worship in Wenshu Monastery

Day 3 Chengdu - Leshan - Emeishan (B)

In the morning, drive about 148km (about 2 hours) to Leshan Giant Buddha, the largest stone Buddha statue in the world. Sitting at the confluence of Minjiang River, Dadu River and Qingyi River, the Giant Buddha was carved on the cliff of Lingyun Mountain, used to suppress the flood. Enjoy spectacular view of the huge statue as you walking down through the narrow staircases to the foot of the Buddha.

After visiting the Giant Buddha, move on to Mt. Emei. Located 30 minutes away from Leshan by road, Baoguo Temple is the biggest temple of the mountain, which is also the final site for today’s tour.

Stay overnight at the foot of Mt. Emei.

Leshan Giant Buddha

Day 4 Emeishan - Chengdu (B)

Today is your Mt. Emei Tour. First, take an eco-car in the Scenic Area to Leidongping and hiking to Jieyin Hall, and take a cable car up to the Golden Summit (altitude: 3077 m). At the highest peak of the mountain, you will be amazed by the awe-inspiring view of Huazhang Temple and witness the breathtaking sea of clouds if it’s sunny.

Next, go down to Wannian Temple parking lot by car. Take a cable car up to Wannian Temple at the middle of the mountain. Appreciate the most beautiful landscape of Mt. Emei in Qingyin Pavilion as you hike from Wannian Temple to Wuxiangang parking lot.

Then return to Chengdu by road from Mt. Emei.

Golden Summit in Emei

Day 5 Chengdu & Train to Huanglong (B)

On this day, you’ll be escorted to Chengdu East Railway Station for your high-speed train to Jiuzhaigou (about 1.5hrs). Upon arrival, the local guide and driver will pick you up at Zhenjiangguan Railway Station and drive about 53 miles (85 km, a 1.5-hour drive) to Huanglong National Park for today’s sightseeing. Huanglong National Park is famous for colorful travertine lakes and ponds, sinuous deep mountain valleys, magnificent snow mountains and mysterious peaceful wild forests, which has made the park known as “Wonder on the World” and “Heaven on the Earth”. You’ll take the cable car to the upper station of Huanglong Valley and enjoy the gorgeous scenery of Five-Color Ponds and Huanglong Ancient Temple. Then, walk down the valley and visit the stunning attractions one by one including Rhododendron Pool, Zhengyan Pool, Bonsai Pool, Lotus Waterfall, Flying Waterfall and Welcome Pool, etc.

After the tour, drive about 2 hours to Jiuzhaigou and stay overnight there.

High altitude tips: Since the attractions of Huanglong Naitonal Park are located more than 3,000 meters above the sea level, travelers should prepared well for the high altitude sickness. Keep a good healthy condition before your tour and rest well especially the first night of arrival. When walking in the valley, don’t go too rush. If you feel hart breathe, you can stop in the tourist service center to rest and get oxygen supply.

Huanglong Temple

Huanglong Five-color Ponds

Day 6 Jiuzhaigou (B)

After breakfast, start your beautiful day by visiting the “Fairyland on Earth” - Jiuzhaigou Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featured the peculiar waterscape of calcified lakes, waterfalls and travertine beach lands. You’ll take sightseeing bus from the gate to Nuorilang  Waterfalls to view the symbols of Jiuzhaigou. Then transfer to Zechawa Valley to visit the Long Lake, Five-Color Pond and Seasonal Lakes. Later, go to the Rize Valley to visit the Panda Lake, Five Flower Lake, Pearl Shoal and Mirror Lake. Finally, you’ll transfer back to gate from Nuorilang, during the way, you can view the Shuzheng Lakes including Tiger Lake and Rhinoceros Lake. Free your mind and throw yourself into the wondrous world.

Stay overnight in Jiuzhaigou.

Jiuzhaigou Valley - Fairyland on Earth

Day 7 Flight to Chongqing from Jiuzhaigou & Board Yangtze River Cruise (B)

After breakfast, your local guide will escort you to Huanglong Airport to catch a flight to Chongqing (about 1.5hrs). Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at Chongqing Jiangbei Airport and escort you to downtown area for today’s sightseeing.

First will be an interesting visit to the thousand-year-old Ciqikou Ancient Town, a famous business harbor in ancient time. Reputed as “Little Chongqing”, Ciqikou is a heaven-like place where you can leisurely wander along the bustling old streets with Ming and Qing architectures standing by, visit the featured shops, taste delicate local snacks, or enjoy a cup of at the old teahouse.

Before the night falls, head to Hongya Cave to end your today’s Chongqing tour. You’ll find yourselves in a world of stilted buildings with old streets lined with featured souvenir stores, elaborate specialty shops and spectacular collection of restaurants ranging from western food to Japanese cuisine to various Chinese favorites. If time permits, enjoy the stunning night view of Hongya Cave at sunset.

In the late afternoon, you’ll be transferred to Chongqing Chaotianmen Port to board your ship during 18:00~21:00. Your 4-day relaxing downstream Yangtze River cruise will sail at 21:00!

Tips for boarding: 1) 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; 2) There are 13 sub-pier of Chongqing Chaotianmen Port that tell the exact pier to your driver to avoid too much walking; 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.

Ciqikou Old Town

Chongqing Chaotianmen Port for Yangtze Cruise

Day 8 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)

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 Shibaozhai Pagoda, a pearl of Yangtze River in Zhongxian County. Reputed as one of the eight extraordinary architectures in the world, this 12-story, 16th 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!)

Breathtaking Autumn Scenery of Yangtze Gorge

Shibaozhai Pagoda, a Pearl of Yangtze River

Play Taichi in the Morning on Sundeck

Day 9 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)

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

In this evening, enjoy the well-prepared Captain’s Farewell Party with all your mates onboard and have a pleasant dinner together.

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”.

Enjoy Gorge Scenery on Sundeck

Shennv Stream with Primitive Gorge Scenery

Magnificent Qutang Gorge

Breathtaking Wu Gorge Scenery

Day 10 Yangtze Cruise to Yichang & Yichang Departure (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. Here you’ll be picked up and escorted to Yichang Airport / train station for your flight or train to next destination.

Tips & Note: No matter you take Ship Lift or not, you’ll do check out procedure 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.

Departure Ideas: You can take flights from Yichang Sanxia Airport to Shanghai, Xian, Beijing, Guangzhou and Hangzhou, etc. Or you can take high speed trains from Yichang East Railway Station to Wuhan (about 2hrs), Shanghai (about 8hrs), Beijing (about 7.5hrs), Hangzhou (about 7.5hrs), Chengdu (about 7hrs), Guangzhou (about 7hrs) and more cities.

Yichang Maoping Port for Embarkation & Disembarkation

Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift

Three Gorges Dam with Ship Locks

Recommended Add-on Options

+ 2~3 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!

Tall Buildings in Pudong New District

+ 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.

Zhangjiajie Tianzi Mountain

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, 2025.

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

China 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

China Tour 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

China Tour Accommodation

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

China Tour Dining & 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.

Hi April

My husband and I completed our most wonderful experience and memorable time on the Century Glory Cruise.

We wish to thank you very much for all the pre-cruise arrangements and prompt replies to all our enquiries.

Kind regards,

Tan

Tan - August 17, 2024‚ , 

Dear Vivien,

Now our vacation is over again. It was a very nice three weeks in China, but it was also very tiring because of the heat. The trip with the Victoria Jenna was excellent. Everything was well organized, the care from the staff and tour guides, the cabin and the food were impeccable.

We are very positively impressed by China and its development.

We wish you and your child the best of health.

Kind regards

Ursula and Dieter

Ursula and Dieter - August 12, 2024‚ , 

Hi Wonder,

It has been a most enjoyable experience! Thank you!

Best regards,

Bart

Bart - July 28, 2024‚ , 

Hi Wonder,

We very much enjoyed the cruise thank you. Especially made welcome by Austin on the boat who looked after us English speakers extremely well. The room was comfortable and all the activities very appropriate and well organised. We also used the swimming pool on the boat twice or more times.

The documentary about the three gorges shown in the cinema the night before our visit there was excellent in helping us to understand what happened with the dam. It could have been better publicized but we managed to get there and really enjoyed. However the visitor site of the dam needs to have more English captions for us to really appreciate. We were surprised how little English translation there was at the biggest dam in the world.

The place where you embark on the boat in Chong Qing was more difficult than I had imagined - there was nowhere really to park. Not sure what you could do as a solution for that?!

Thank you for arranging for us,

Denise.

Denise - July 19, 2024‚ , 

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