Begin in imperial Beijing and ancient Xi'an before boarding a 9-night, 5-star Yangtze River cruise — 19 days covering China's greatest historical, cultural, and natural wonders in a single seamless journey.
This carefully designed itinerary blends premium comfort, breathtaking scenery, and rich cultural experiences — perfect for first-time visitors to China or seasoned travelers seeking a new way to explore this fascinating country.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall
Xi'an: UNESCO-listed Terracotta Army, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
Shanghai: City God Temple, the Bund, Nanjing Road
Suzhou: Shantang Street, Lingering Garden
9 nights aboard a 5-star Yangtze River cruise (full board, private balcony cabins)
Three Gorges, Five-Stage Ship Locks, Three Gorges Dam
Chongqing: Ciqikou Ancient Town, Hongyadong
PREMIUM ENGLISH-SPEAKING ESCORTED TOUR
Daily assistance and coordination
Cultural insights and local explanations
Worry-free travel experience from start to finish
ITINERARY
Day 01 — USA to Beijing Depart from major cities across the USA on an international flight to Beijing, China's capital.
Day 02 — Arrival in Beijing Arrival in Beijing, meet your dedicated guide at the airport. Check in to your 5-star hotel.
Day 03 — Imperial Beijing (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Tiananmen Square · The Forbidden City (Imperial Palace) · Temple of Heaven
Day 04 — The Great Wall (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Full-day excursion to the Great Wall of China, one of the 7 Wonders of the World.
Day 05 — High-speed train to Xi'an (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Travel by high-speed train to Xi'an. Check in to your 5-star hotel.
Day 06 — Terracotta Army (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Visit to the UNESCO-listed Terracotta Army · Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Square.
Day 07 — High-speed train to Shanghai (Breakfast / Dinner) Travel to Shanghai. Welcome by local team and transfer to 5-star hotel. Hotel: Hilton Shanghai Hongqiao or similar 5-star hotel
Day 08 — Shanghai to Suzhou (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Classic city tour of Shanghai: City God Temple, the Bund, Nanjing Road. Depart for Suzhou. Visit Shantang Street and the Lingering Garden. Hotel: Pullman Suzhou or similar 5-star hotel
Day 09 — Suzhou to Nanjing, Board Cruise (Breakfast / Dinner) Visit the Suzhou Silk and Embroidery Exhibition Centre. Board the 5-star luxury cruise ship "Yangtze No. 2". Accommodation: Yangtze No. 2 Luxury Cruise (private balcony cabins)
Day 10 — Yangtze River, Mount Huangshan Excursion (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Shore excursion to Mount Huangshan — UNESCO World Heritage Site. Captain's welcome cocktail in the evening. Accommodation: Yangtze No. 2 Luxury Cruise
Day 11 — Yangtze River, Jiujiang Excursion (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Choice: Mount Lushan (UNESCO) or Taoyangli Imperial Kiln Museum in Jingdezhen. Accommodation: Yangtze No. 2 Luxury Cruise
Day 12 — Yangtze River, Wuhan Excursion (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Yellow Crane Tower and Hubei Provincial Museum. Accommodation: Yangtze No. 2 Luxury Cruise
Day 13 — Yangtze River, Yueyang Excursion (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Yueyang Tower, Bianhe Scenic Street. Evening cultural workshop: lacquer fans, paper cutting, painted masks. Accommodation: Yangtze No. 2 Luxury Cruise
Day 14 — Yangtze River, Jingzhou Excursion (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Choice: Jingzhou Museum & Ancient City Walls or Chu King Chariots & Horses Archaeological Park. Afternoon lecture on the Three Gorges Dam. Accommodation: Yangtze No. 2 Luxury Cruise
Day 15 — Three Gorges of the Yangtze (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Gezhouba Ship Lock · Xiling Gorge · Three Gorges Dam shore excursion · Five-Stage Ship Lock in the evening. Accommodation: Yangtze No. 2 Luxury Cruise
Day 16 — Three Gorges, Goddess Stream (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Goddess Stream, Wu Gorge, Qutang Gorge. Dumpling and tangyuan making activity onboard. Accommodation: Yangtze No. 2 Luxury Cruise
Day 17 — Yangtze River, Shibaozhai Excursion (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Shore excursion to Shibaozhai. Captain's farewell gala dinner in the evening. Accommodation: Yangtze No. 2 Luxury Cruise
Day 18 — Arrival in Chongqing (Breakfast / Lunch) Disembark in Chongqing. Visit Ciqikou Ancient Town, the famous metro line through a building, Hongyadong, and Jiefangbei district. Hotel: Radisson Blu Plaza Chongqing or similar 5-star hotel
Day 19 — Chongqing to USA (Breakfast) After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA.
What is included:
Round-trip international airfare
3-night stay in 5-star hotels in Chongqing, Suzhou & Shanghai, plus a 9-night 5-star Yangtze River Cruise with a private balcony cabin (full board)
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Admission fees for all included sightseeing and excursions
Deluxe air-conditioned transportation throughout
All taxes and service charges
English-speaking tour leader throughout
What is not included:
Travel insurance
Optional tours and personal expenses
Beverages — Wine and spirits (unlimited soft drinks and beer are included during the Yangtze River cruise)
China visa fees (if applicable)
Gratuities for guides, drivers, porters, and cruise staff: US$230 per person
China Visa Assistance for US Travelers
A valid Chinese visa is required for U.S. passport holders traveling to China.
Before departure, travelers should apply for a Chinese tourist visa through the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the United States. Depending on the applicant's supporting documents and approval by the Chinese authorities, visas are commonly issued as multiple-entry visas valid for 1 to 10 years.
XING Travel will take care of the entire process with you. We provide an official invitation letter, all required supporting documents, and step-by-step assistance to help you successfully obtain your Chinese visa.
Estimated visa and service fee: approximately US$350 per person.
Optional Extension — Guilin & Hong Kong — 6 Days | +$666 / person after the main tour
Single room supplement: +$1,111
Included: 5★ hotels, meals (5 breakfasts / 3 lunches / 2 dinners), guided visits
Day 1 — Chongqing → Guilin High-speed train from Chongqing to Guilin. Welcome upon arrival and transfer to 5★ hotel.
Day 2 — Guilin → Yangshuo (bamboo raft cruise) Karst landscapes by bamboo raft along the river.
Day 3 — Yangshuo → Guilin Tea plantation · Elephant Trunk Hill.
Day 4 — Guilin → Hong Kong High-speed train to Hong Kong. Free time to explore.
Day 5 — Hong Kong (visit & lunch) Victoria Peak · Iconic neighborhoods.
Day 6 — Departure from Hong Kong Transfer to the airport and return flight.
