General Information
Tour Code:
Duration: 14 days/ 13 nights
Start/ End: Beijing / Xian
Tour Route: Beijing – Shanghai – Suzhou – Hangzhou – Shanghai – Yichang – Yangtze River Cruise – Chengdu – Xian
Tour Type: Explore and Experience
Tour Categories: China Family Tours
Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
Guides: Local Guide (English Speaking Guide, Other Languages upon Request)
Transportation: Private first-class air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Listed below or equivalent. Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Beijing Arrival (D)
Day 2: Beijing (B, L)
Day 3: Beijing (B, L)
Day 4: Beijing – Shanghai (B, L)
Day 5: Shanghai – Suzhou (B, L)
Day 6: Suzhou – Hangzhou (B, L)
Day 7: Hangzhou – Shanghai (B, L)
Day 8: Shanghai – Yichang – Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)
Day 9: Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)
Day 10: Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)
Day 11: Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)
Day 12: Yangtze River Cruise- Chongqing – Chengdu- Xian (B, L)
Day 13: Xian (B, L)
Day 14: Xian Departure (B)
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Beijing Arrival (D)
Once you touch down on to the capital city of Beijing, be met and escorted to the well- prearranged hotel by our dedicated tour guide and driver. On the way, catch a relaxing introduction about the heart of the country where the past and modern days blends perfectly.
After finishing the check-in process, your whole family has time to relax at leisure before the welcome dinner. Then back to the comfortable room and get ready for tomorrow’s exciting itinerary.
Day 2: Beijing (B, L)
Wake up and enjoy hearty breakfast at the hotel. The morning tour around Beijing’s highlights starts with one of the largest squares in the world- the Tiananmen Square. Not far from it located the majestic Forbidden City which was the imperial residence of 24 Chinese emperors since the 15th century. The magnificent complex of red-painted palaces with the golden roof attracts millions of tourists every year for not only the palatial architectural style but also interesting stories through its long history that not many know. Then pay a visit to a Pearl Factory before enjoying some local food.
Later in the afternoon, stroll around or take a rickshaw ride across the Beijing’s 700-year-old Hutongs (narrow lanes) to observe the old-style houses with courtyard and experience the real Beijing’s lifestyle as visiting a local family. The trip continues with an excursion to Shichahai, a beautiful historic area consisting of three lakes which are Qinghai, Houhai, and Xihai.
Afterward, drive back to the hotel for relaxing.
Day 3: Beijing (B, L)
Fill up the energy with the hotel buffet breakfast before taking the drive to China’s most renowned monument- the Great Wall. On the way to this incredible humankind’s engineering feat, stop by a Jade Museum to gain insights into the 4000-year history of this mineral. Observe and be amazed by the intricate designs created in the capable hands of skilled artisans. Then continue hitting the road through the scenic countryside and mountains to reach the Great Wall. Welcome to the Juyong Pass, an original section of this World’s Heritage but not too crowded. Enjoy lunch and admire the spectacular views before returning to the capital. Stay overnight in your comfortable hotel room.
Day 4: Beijing-Shanghai (B, L)
After breakfast, follow the tour guide to the serene Temple of Heaven. Marvel at the imperial temple where emperors prayed for the good harvests and the peace of the country. Have lunch then transfer to the airport where you board the flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, be picked up and driven to the hotel. Rest at leisure for the remainder of the day.
Day 5: Shanghai-Suzhou (B, L)
After savoring breakfast, Suzhou which is sometimes referred to as “Venice of the East” awaits for you to discover. Pay a visit to the Shan Tang Street, the ancient street dating back about 1100 years ago. Representing characteristic architecture and layout of the Suzhou’s old alleys, the street is an ideal place to immerse in the poetic atmosphere and catch a glimpse of the local life. As lunchtime is over, take an exciting cruise along the charming Grand Canal.
In the evening, drive back to the hotel and have a good rest.
Day 6: Suzhou – Hangzhou (B, L)
Good morning with a delicious breakfast served at the hotel. Today’s first stop is the well-known Lingering Garden. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the garden amazes every tourist with its impressive architecture, perfectly joint corridors, artificial hills, rock formations, and water features. Then head to the Silk Spinning Factory to learn about global-renowned China’s silk.
After a savory lunch, take a 2-hour drive to Hangzhou, the tea capital of China. Every tour around the city cannot complete without a visit to the local teahouse. Follow the tour guide to the Tea House at Meijiawu Tea Village located at the hinterland of West Lake Park.
Get comfortable, soak up in the splendid natural scenery while experiencing the special tea culture to appreciate the delicate taste and aroma of famous Longjing Tea as the real Chinese. Your whole family is also offered a lesson of making Longjing tea involving tea leaves picking, frying and of course tasting.
In the evening, return to the comfortable room at hotel and goodnight.
Day 7: Hangzhou – Shanghai (B, L)
A brand new day of exploring China with your lovely family starts with a hearty breakfast. Enjoy an amazing small boat trip sailing on the West Lake, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not only is the lake a perfect combination of the alluring natural view and cultural sites but this symbol landscape of Hangzhou also recalls people of a romantic legend of the White Snake.
Feast on well-deserved lunch before transferring to the fast-paced urban Shanghai. The highlight of the afternoon tour is a stroll along the Bund. Marvel at the spectacular historical buildings along the promenade and let yourself immerse into the vibrant atmosphere of the metropolis. Later have a cruise trip through the Huangpu River and admire the glorious views of the city as well as the beautiful contrast in the architectural styles of buildings between the eastern and western bank.
Have a memorable night in Shanghai by throwing yourself into a superb and thrilling Chinese Acrobatic Show. Back to the hotel to stay overnight.
Day 8: Shanghai-Yichang-Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)
Say goodbye to Shanghai after breakfast. The tour guide will escort you to the airport for your flight to Yichang which is the starting point for your onward cruise trip upstream the mighty Yangtze River. Lunch will be served on the airplane. As you and your family touch down into Yichang, feast on our welcome dinner before boarding the ship which will be home for you for the next 5 days. The ship departs from Yichang at 9.pm. Stay overnight on board.
Day 9: Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)
Wake up to enjoy breakfast in the crisp morning atmosphere. Today, pay a visit to the massive Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydropower station. Continue sailing through the Three Gorges Dam ship locks then entering Xiling Gorge, the longest and deepest part of the famous Little Three Gorges. Catch a glimpse of the local in Xiling Gorge region with an optional shore excursion.
The lunch and dinner will be served in the dining hall on board. Enjoy the romantic night view of the river in the gentle breeze before resting in your private cabin on the ship.
Day 10: Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)
Have a delicious breakfast then transfer to another vessel to sail through the magnificent gorges of Goddess Stream. Alternatively, an excursion into gorges of Shennong Stream can be offered to your family depending on the river conditions. Next, entering the marvelous Wu Gorge which is praised as the landscape of fairyland. Cliffs emerging from the emerald water and twelve famous mountain peaks along the north and south banks are all covered in the mist and cloud. Pass through Wu Gorge, the boat sails into the shortest and smallest gorge of three, Qutang Gorge. Join a shore excursion to ancient White Emperor City overlooking the western end of Qutang Gorge before returning to the ship. Like the previous day, feast on both lunch and dinner on the vessel. Relax and stay overnight on board.
Day 11: Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)
After breakfast, disembark at the Shibaozhai for an exciting excursion. Enjoy the landscape of the “Pearl of the Yangtze” and pay a visit to the spectacular 12-story wooden pagoda nestled in the cliff with various collections of historical and cultural relics on display.
As an alternative option, tourists can choose an excursion to the mystical Fengdu – Ghost City to gaze over the sacred architectures and statues of ghost and devils on Mingshan Hill.
Afterward, back to the ship for lunch and continue the onward upstream cruising.
Enjoy savory dinner and spend some time socializing with other tourists before a good sleep in the cabin.
Day 12: Yangtze River Cruise- Chongqing – Chengdu- Xian (B, L)
Disembark at the picturesque “Mountain City”- Chongqing as breakfast is finished. Here be escorted to the station to board the high-speed train to Chengdu. Upon arrival, be met by our local tour guide and transferred to the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center. Have a fascinating time with the lovely black-and-white bears, observer them relax, roam around, and play with others inside the enclosures resembling the natural conditions. If you come in the right occasion, you can even witness the new-born pandas, which are at a high level of cuteness. Taste the Chengdu’s flavors in lunch before heading to the next city of the journey – Xian.
Drive to pre-arranged hotel and relax for the rest of the day
Day 13: Xi’an (B, L)
Get ready for a full-day itinerary touring the highlights of the ancient city Xian with a flavorful breakfast. Take a drive to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, the national scenic spot as well as a world heritage site. Dating back from the Tang Dynasty, the pagoda is a delicate structure which houses many artifacts of Buddhist culture. Continue the journey with a visit to the Terracotta Warriors Museum to witness one of the greatest archeological excavations of the 20th century. Marvel at the largest collections of lifelike soldiers, each with a different facial expression, arranged to protect the first Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huangdi in his afterlife.
Later after lunch, gain the insights into the process of making replicas of terracotta warriors in the same manner as the ancients did 2200 years ago in Terracotta Warriors Reproduction Factory. Reproduce a miniature of the famous artifact and bring it home.
Transfer back to the hotel and rest in your comfortable room.
Day 14: Xi’an Departure (B)
Feast on the breakfast before finishing the check-out process. Our tour guide and driver will drive you to the international airport to board your flight back home. The 14 day China exploration with your lovely family comes to an end. We wish your family have unforgettable moments with China Local Tours.
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