China's Heartland Odyssey: Ancient Capitals & Sacred Peaks
An Enhanced Itinerary Exploring China's Cultural Treasures and Natural Wonders
Overview
This redesigned 16-day journey through China's most iconic destinations offers deeper cultural immersion and more authentic experiences while visiting Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Chengdu, Yangtze River, and Shanghai. The enhanced itinerary maintains all original highlights while incorporating more interactive activities and local encounters.
Detailed Enhanced Itinerary
Days 1-4: Imperial Beijing Exploration
Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
Upon landing in Beijing, our guide will greet you at the Arrival Hall after you collect your luggage and clear Customs, then transfer you to the hotel by private vehicle. The remainder of the day is free for you to rest and acclimate.
Day 2: Beijing's Imperial Heart
Visit Tian'anmen Square to photograph Tiananmen Tower, Monument to People's Heroes, and Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao. Explore the magnificent Forbidden City, the royal palace for 24 emperors during Ming and Qing dynasties. Our experienced guide will lead you along the most popular route connecting essential palaces, ensuring at least 2 hours to explore at leisure.
Enjoy an à la carte welcome lunch featuring Peking Duck at an elegant restaurant. Continue to Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple), the most revered Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet. Conclude at the Temple of Heaven, where emperors offered sacrifices to heaven, featuring the stunning Altar of Prayer for Good Harvests.
Meals: Breakfast, à la carte welcome lunch
Day 3: Great Wall & Hutong Life
Visit Mutianyu Great Wall with round-trip cable car access, famous for its dense watchtowers. After independent lunch, drive back to downtown with a photo stop at Bird's Nest stadium. Experience traditional Beijing life with a rickshaw ride through Shichahai Hutong alleys and visit a local family in a traditional courtyard house.
Dinner Suggestion: Try Michelin-listed Noodles with Soybean Paste at Fang Zhuan Chang No. 69 in Nanluoguxiang Hutong.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Summer Palace & High-Speed to Xi'an
Enjoy a leisurely morning at Summer Palace, the Qing Dynasty summer resort featuring Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill. Capture beautiful photos at prime locations including Tower of Buddhist Incense, Seventeen-Arch Bridge, Marble Boat, and Long Gallery.
In the afternoon, transfer to the railway station for your high-speed train to Xi'an (4.5-5.5 hours). Upon arrival, our Xi'an guide will transfer you to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Days 5-6: Ancient Capital Xi'an
Day 5: Terracotta Warriors & History
Explore the magnificent Terracotta Army Museum, featuring over 8,000 life-sized pottery soldiers. Visit the home of Mr. Yang Zhifa, who discovered the terracotta figures in 1974, to hear firsthand discovery stories. Participate in a workshop to create your own mini terracotta figure as a unique souvenir.
After lunch, visit Shaanxi History Museum displaying over 370,000 relics dating from prehistoric times to 1840.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: City Walls & Muslim Quarter
Experience local life at City Wall Park, where you can observe or join morning exercises, Tai Chi, or Qin Opera performances. Ascend the well-preserved 600-year-old City Wall, with optional biking available.
Visit the unique Great Mosque, blending Chinese architecture with Islamic function. Enjoy a local flavor lunch in the bustling Muslim Quarter, sampling various snacks and dishes. Explore Han Yang Ling Museum, featuring an underground view of the unearthed mausoleum and the world's earliest tea leaves (2,100 years old).
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Guilin, where our guide will meet you and transfer to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, local flavor lunch
Days 7-9: Scenic Guilin & Yangshuo
Day 7: Li River Cruise to Yangshuo
Embark on a picturesque Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, passing through stunning karst landscape that resembles a traditional Chinese painting. Lunch is served onboard.
Upon arrival in Yangshuo, enjoy a leisurely cycling or hiking tour through the beautiful countryside.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 8: Yangshuo Countryside & Return to Guilin
Morning at leisure in Yangshuo. Recommended activities include exploring West Street for ethnic minority souvenirs, rock climbing, or Yulong River drifting. Enjoy local specialties like Beer Fish for lunch.
En route back to Guilin, climb Xianggong Hill for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Li River. Visit Guilin's natural landmark, Elephant Trunk Hill, resembling an elephant drinking from the river.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: High-Speed to Chengdu
After breakfast, transfer to the railway station for your high-speed train to Chengdu. Upon arrival, our Chengdu guide will transfer you to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Days 10-11: Chengdu Pandas & Slow Living
Day 10: Giant Pandas & Ancient Ruins
Visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to observe these adorable animals up close. Explore Jinsha Site Museum, built on the ruins of the ancient Kingdom Shu capital, featuring remarkable artifacts including the Gold Foil of the Sun God Bird.
Experience Chengdu's famous slow-paced lifestyle at Xiaojiahe Community. Enjoy local dishes at Yongle Restaurant (optional), visit a traditional vegetable market, and relax by the riverbank with locals while sipping coffee from a traditional tea bowl.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: To Chongqing & Yangtze Embarkation
Transfer to the railway station for your high-speed train to Chongqing. Visit Ci Qi Kou (Porcelain Village), the city's best-preserved traditional block with traditional residences and local snacks.
After lunch (optional), transfer to the port to board your Yangtze River cruise ship. Settle in for your 3-day journey through the Three Gorges.
New Century Cruises passengers: Enjoy buffet dinner and Captain's Welcome Party. Victoria Cruises passengers: Dinner not included - our guide can recommend local restaurants.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner (New Century Cruises only)
Days 12-14: Yangtze River Cruise
Day 12: River Cruise & Fengdu Ghost City
Optional morning Tai Chi on deck. Disembark for an excursion to Fengdu Ghost City, the nearly 2,000-year-old "nether world" based on Chinese legends. (Victoria Cruises passengers visit Fengdu ShuangGui Mountain).
Afternoon at leisure onboard with optional cultural activities or relaxation on the sundeck.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 13: Three Gorges & Shennv Stream
Admire the spectacular Three Gorges from the deck as you sail through Qutang Gorge (approximately 11:00-11:30) and Wu Gorge (approximately 13:15-13:30).
Transfer to a smaller motorized boat for a 3-4 hour cruise along the beautiful Shennv Stream, winding through green mountains. Return to your cruise ship to continue through Xiling Gorge.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 14: Three Gorges Dam & To Shanghai
Disembark at Maoping Pier and visit the massive Three Gorges Dam, one of the world's greatest water conservancy projects. Transfer to Yichang's Three Gorges Tourist Center, where our guide will accompany you to the railway station for your high-speed train to Shanghai (approximately 6 hours 15 minutes).
Upon arrival, our Shanghai guide will transfer you to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Days 15-16: Modern Shanghai
Day 15: Shanghai's Past & Future
Visit Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall to see models of city landmarks and learn about Shanghai's development. Explore the classical Yu Garden with its exquisite pavilions, bridges, and rockeries, then immerse in the adjacent bustling Yuyuan Bazaar.
Enjoy an à la carte farewell lunch featuring Shanghai and Cantonese cuisine at a famous restaurant. Explore Tianzifang, a cultural block transformed from an old residential area, showcasing Shanghai's artistic atmosphere.
Take a Huangpu River cruise to admire the city's contrasting skylines - modern skyscrapers on the east bank and historic western-style buildings on the west bank. Conclude with a leisurely stroll along the Bund.
Dinner Suggestion: Try traditional Scallion Oil Noodles at Hu Xi Lao Long Tang Mian Guan near the Bund.
Meals: Breakfast, à la carte farewell lunch
Day 16: Departure from Shanghai
Your China journey concludes today. Our guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast