10 Days Best China Ancient Capital Tour with Yangtze Cruise

Day 1 Beijing Arrival

Upon arrive in Beijing, our Beijing private tour guide will pick you up at the exit of train station or airport, holding with a welcome signal "Beijing Private Tour" and transfer you back to your hotel in Beijing downtown.

Our Beijing pick up signage "Beijing Private Tour"

The rest of today is on your own to relax. and if you want to explore nearby, to get some special suggestions from your tour guide.

Day 2 Beijing

Today, you will first pay a visit for Temple of Heaven, it was built in 1420 and became the largest building for religious worship in China. Walk along the area and besides learning the history from your tour guide, you will  also see many locals play Taichi, sign songs, or dance here. It's now a very popular place particularly for Beijing's seniors. If you like, you are very welcome to join them.

Head to Lama Temple or Yonghe Temple in Beijing, the temple is the largest and best-preserved lamasery in Beijing. It was built in 1694 during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) as the residence of the Emperor Yongzheng (the third emperor of the Qing Dynasty) before he ascended the throne. In the year 1744, the residence was completely converted into a lamasery.

After lunch, visit The Forbidden City. The Frobidden City was first built by Zhudi, the third emperor of Ming dynasty (1368-1644). When Man people defeated Ming troops and peasant movement led by Lizicheng in 1644 and set Beijing the capital of Qing dynasty (1644-1912), they summoned lots of skilled artichetures and labors to renovate the imperial palace groups, which makes The Forbidden City what it looks like today.

The last stop for today is Tiananmen Square. It is the largest city square in the world, occupying an area of 440,000 square meters (about 109 acres), and able to accommodate 1,000,000 people at one time. The square is a conglomeration of splendid and beautiful flowers and the red national flag which flutters in the wind. The raising of the national flag is something which should not be missed by visitors to Tiananmen Square.

After the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in Beijing.

Day 3 Beijing

In the morning, our guide will meet you at your hotel lobby. Firstly, drive about 70km (1.5 h) to witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World – Mutianyu Great Wall. "If you haven't climbed the Great Wall, you haven't seen China." Many of your friends who visited China before might have told you this. It is indeed an experience of life. As one of the best-preserved parts of the Great Wall, Mutianyu section of Great Wall used to serve as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs. It's known for its beautiful surroundings - dense woods and rich pastures changing colors with the seasons of a year. 

After lunch, you will be taken to Beijing city to visit the Summer Palace. Summer Palace or Yiheyuan in Chinese, is the most celebrated imperial garden in China. The garden came into existence early in the 1750s and had once been a summer resort for the emperors. It is acclaimed as a museum of gardens in China, for a visit to this garden bestow on sightseers a glimpse of representative scenes all over China.

The last stop for the tour is Nanluoguxiang Hutong. Nanluoguxiang is a narrow alley, that gives its name to an old part of the Beijing city centre, that has traditional architecture both new and old. The neighborhood contains many typical narrow streets known as hutong.

After the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel.

Day 4 Beijing-Xian

In the morning, our driver will transfer you to the Beijing train station, you will take the high-speed train to Xian. Upon arrival, our Xian tour guide will pick you up and transfer to your hotel in Xian downtown.

The rest of today is on your own to relax. and if you want to explore nearby, to get some special suggestions from your tour guide.

Day 5 Xian

In the morning, your tour guide will pick you up at your hotel lobby. First drive 1.5 hours to visit the Terracotta Army, it is known as “the eighth Wonders of the world”, the museum shows a surprisingly high level in sculpture which is listed as the most significant discovery of the 20th century. Up to now, there has discovered a total of 179 accompanying burial pits of different connotations and various shapes in Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum area. The discovery of these pits has provided all important significance in the research of the burial system of the Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum, the characteristics structures and characteristics of the burial pits. However. What makes people feel amazing is that of all the burial pits, none has been found survived from being burnt down.

Your lunch will be arranged at the local restaurant popular with the local people to stay away from the tourists' meals. 

After lunch, drive you back to the downtown Xian and head to visit the Ancient City Wall. As one of the UNESCO's world Heritage Site, Xi'an Ancient City Wall was built in the 14th century, under the regime of Emperor Zhuyuanzhang in Ming dynasty, had the function of protecting the cities or towns as military defense systems in ancient China. The Ancient City Wall is one of the oldest, largest and best preserved Chinese city walls, exhibits the "complete features of the rampart architecture of feudal society". 

Drive back to your hotel in Xian.

Day 6 Xian

Our guide will pick you up in the afternoon at 13:00. Firt take you to Big Wild Goose Pagoda, also named Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. It  is a Buddhist pagoda located in southern Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China and became the symbol of the old-line Xi'an. It was built in 652 during the Tang dynasty and originally had five stories. The structure was rebuilt in 704 during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian, and its exterior brick facade was renovated during the Ming dynasty. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda attracts numerous visitors for its fame in the Buddhist religion and its simple but appealing style of construction. It is rated as a National Key Cultural Relic Preserve. One of the pagoda's many functions was to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and traveler Xuanzang.

Then get to the Shaanxi Grand Opera House around 6:00PM and our tour guide will help you find your seat for the Dumpling Banquet in the Opera House. Dumpling, or Jiaozi in Chinese, is one of the most representative Chinese food.

Nearly 20 varieties are made and inside the dumplings are stuffed with delicious vegetables, meats and seafood. Dumplings’ legend offers an original approach to Chinese food, merging the familiar comfort food of London’s Chinatown with the culinary heritage of regional oriental cuisine. 

After dinner, enjoy the local colorful and splendid Tang Dynasty Dance Show, which is a performance of music and dance that imitate the Tang Dynasty over one thousand-year ago. The Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show, a wonderful performance of the ancient music and dance, is a must when you visit Xian. The city, which was formerly known as Chang'an has a very long history, and was the imperial capital during 13 dynastic periods. Of these, the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) was the most prosperous and glorious of all. The Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show is an outstanding exponent of this ancient stable and prosperous society, keeping alive its splendid culture and providing an insight into the peaceful life style of the period. It seems as if you have lived in the palace of Tang Dynasty. 

    

After finished Tang Dynasty show, drive you back to your hotel.

Day 7 Xian-Chongqing

After breakfast, transfer to the Xian airport to catch your flight to Chongqing. Upon arrive in Chongqing, our tour guide and driver will pick you up and the itinerary in Chongqing has the following attractions:

Firstly, you will be taken to visit the Ciqikou Old Town. The old town is located in Shapingba district of Chongqing and on the west bank of Jialing River, taking up an area of 1.18 square kilometers. This place is very charming with its narrow streets and small wooden houses and it provides some great opportunities for shopping souvenirs or tasting local snacks. When you are done with this, the ship will be waiting for you to take you on the cruise.

Your lunch will be arranged at the local restaurant popular with the local people to stay away from the tourists' meals.

Then drive about 13km from Ciqikou to Three Gorges Museum. It is one of the largest museum of the country. The museum opened in 2005, replacing the former Chongqing Museum. It is located near the Chongqing People's Hall. It aims to undertake education, preservation, and scientific research with respect to cultural heritage and the natural environment in Chongqing and the Three Gorges region of the Yangtze River.

In the afternoon, head to Hongya Cave, located in Chongqing‘s core commercial district of Jiefangbei on Cangbai Road and at the intersection of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers. The area combines travel, business, and cultural scenery into one grand view, with an overriding theme of Stilted Buildings which stands for the famous traditional Bayu minority architectural style on raised wooden stilts. If time permits, enjoy the stunning night view of Hongya Cave at sunset.

After dinner, transfer to the Chaotianmen dock for your Yangtze River trip.

Day 8 Yangtze River Cruise

As the largest water system in China, Yangtze River is historically, economically and culturally important to the country. It has numerous tributaries including Min River, Han River, Jialing River, Gan River, and Huangpu River.

Upon you cruise along the Yangtze river, you will have an excursion to Fengdu Ghost City, visiting either the "Ghost City" known for its statues of ghosts and devils onMingshan Hill, or the new relocation village, built for families who have moved as a result of the Yantgze's rising waters brought by the Three Gorgres Dam.

After disembark, you will take a cable car up to the hill and visit the temples all over the mountain with many statues. Your tour guide will show you around this Ghost City.

Return to the ship at the appointed time, and pass towards the fantastic Three Gorges. Stay overnight on the ship.

Day 9 Yangtze River Cruise

Following the ship, and you will enter the Qutang Gorge. The Qutang Gorge is the shortest and most spectacular of China's Three Gorges. The combination of narrow canyons among high mountains with several switchbacks in only 8 kilometres creates spectacular vistas, and the Qutang Gorge is often considered the most beautiful of all the Three Gorges. Although it is primarily famous for its scenery, the Three Gorges region is also a historically and culturally important location in China.

Upon you arrive in Wuhan, the tour guide will lead you disembark the ship and board smaller vessels in order to explore either the Daning River (or Shennong Stream).

Return to the ship at the appointed time. Stay overnight on the ship.

Day 10 Yangtze River Cruise-Yichang Departure

Today, you will pass through the Xiling Gorge. It is the largest and most downstream—eastern of the famous Three Gorges.

The last destination is Three Gorge Dam, it is the world’s largest hydropower project and most notorious dam. As well as producing electricity, the dam is intended to increase the Yangtze River's shipping capacity and reduce the potential for floods downstream by providing flood storage space.

Upon cruise arrival in Yichang. Transfer from cruise to airport or train station for your next destination. Our service ends.

Price Per Person in US Dollars

Price Includes 1. All transfer and city transportation 2. Air-conditioned car or van 3. Hotels specified in the itinerary, all based     on two persons sharingone standard room; 4. Meals specified in the itinerary: Western     breakfast in hotels Chinese lunch and     dinner in local restaurants 5. Sightseeing: All arrangements mentioned     in the itinerary will be covered All first     admission/entrance fees in the itinerary 6. Tour guide: Conducted by a professional     tour guide

Price Excludes 1. International air-tickets 2. Airport departure tax. 3. International or domestic air tickets which     are not listed in the itinerary. 4. Insurance coverage of personal loss, illness     or damages incurred during your trip 5. Tips to the tour guide and driver 6. Meals not specified in the itinerary. 7. Personal expenses: phone bills, laundry,     optional tours, postage, excess baggage     charge, entertainment fees out of the     itinerary. 8. Single Room Supplement.