Upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), your dedicated tour guide will greet you outside the baggage claim area. As you transfer to your four or five-star hotel in the city center, your guide will introduce you to Beijing’s rich history and cultural highlights. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, exploring the city at your own pace.

Meals Included: None

Start the day with a visit to Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square and a symbol of China’s modern history. Just across the road, step into the magnificent Forbidden City, an architectural masterpiece that served as the imperial palace for over 500 years.

After exploring its grand halls and pavilions, continue to the Summer Palace, a lakeside retreat where emperors once escaped the summer heat. Stroll through lush gardens and ornate corridors, imagining life in imperial times.

End the day with a brief stop at Beijing’s iconic Olympic venues, the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, built for the 2008 Summer Olympics, showcasing China’s modern architectural achievements.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Note: The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays. Your guide may adjust the itinerary accordingly.

Begin the day with an excursion to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, a less-crowded yet stunningly preserved part of China’s iconic 2,000-year-old monument. Enjoy a scenic round-trip cable car ride, taking in panoramic views of the Ming-era guard towers and the vast mountainous landscape.

In the afternoon, return to Beijing to visit the Confucius Temple and Imperial College Museum, where you’ll gain insights into ancient Chinese philosophy and education.

Wrap up the day with a stroll through Beijing’s historic hutongs, charming alleys lined with traditional courtyard homes, boutique shops, and local cafés—a glimpse into authentic old Beijing life.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Start the morning at the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once performed rituals to ensure a prosperous harvest. Walk through its vast grounds and watch locals practicing Tai Chi and traditional Chinese exercises.

Later, transfer to Beijing West Railway Station, where your guide will assist with check-in for your high-speed train journey to Xi’an. Travel at 300 km/h on a five-hour ride, enjoying scenic countryside views along the way.

Upon arrival at Xi’an North Station, your local guide will meet you and escort you to your four or five-star hotel in the city center.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today’s highlight is a visit to the world-famous Terracotta Army, often referred to as the largest underground military museum. Stand in awe before thousands of life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots, crafted over 2,200 years ago to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife.

Returning to the city, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of Xi’an’s most important Buddhist landmarks, and, if conditions allow, climb to the top for a panoramic view of the city.

Next, step into the Great Mosque of Xi’an, a hidden oasis in the bustling Muslim Quarter. Built in the seventh century, it is China’s oldest and largest Islamic mosque, blending traditional Chinese architecture with Islamic influences.

Finally, explore the vibrant Muslim Quarter, where you can sample authentic local snacks and street food, followed by a visit to the Bell Tower and Drum Tower Square. Enjoy an optional dinner and cultural show in the evening.

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, explore Xi’an’s Ancient City Wall, the largest and best-preserved city wall in China. Walk or rent a bicycle to take in views of the old and new cityscape from this 13.7 km-long fortification.

Later, transfer to the railway station for your high-speed train to Chengdu. Upon arrival, your local guide will welcome you and provide a brief introduction to Chengdu, China’s panda capital. Check in to your hotel and enjoy free time in the evening.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today, you’ll have the unique opportunity to volunteer at Dujiangyan Panda Base. Under expert supervision, participate in cleaning panda enclosures, preparing bamboo, and making their favorite “Wowotou” (steamed corn bread).

Observe panda keepers feeding and training these beloved animals while learning fascinating facts about their behavior and conservation efforts. At the end of the day, receive a volunteer certificate as a memento of this special experience.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Important Notes for the Panda Volunteer Program

• Eligibility: Open to participants aged 8 to 70. Children under 8 can still enjoy a standard panda tour.
• Limited Availability: Only 60 volunteer spots per day—advance booking (at least two weeks prior) is required.
• Health Requirements: A Physical Examination Record is mandatory for participation.
• Safety Guidelines: Pandas are wild animals and can behave unpredictably. Follow all instructions from staff to ensure a safe experience.
• Dress Code: Wear long pants and sturdy shoes for comfort and safety. Avoid strong perfumes or scents, as pandas are highly sensitive to smells.

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity allows you to engage with pandas up close while contributing to their conservation and well-being.

After breakfast, check out and begin your cultural exploration of Chengdu before your flight to Guilin.

Start at Jinli Street, a lively hub filled with regional street food, traditional crafts, and local artisans. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture, sample authentic Sichuan snacks, and browse for handmade souvenirs.

Next, visit Wangjiang Pavilion Park, home to centuries-old pavilions and bamboo groves. Take a leisurely stroll through its serene paths, admiring the variety of bamboo species and historical memorials.

Relax in a traditional teahouse, savoring Chengdu’s famous tea culture before transferring to Chengdu Airport for your flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, meet your guide and visit the Reed Flute Cave, a natural masterpiece of stalactites, stalagmites, and shimmering rock formations, beautifully illuminated to highlight their surreal shapes.

Next, travel to the Longji Rice Terraces, an awe-inspiring landscape where ingenious generations of local farmers have carved intricate paddy fields into the mountainous terrain. As you climb the terraces, admire the breathtaking views of undulating rice paddies, a testament to the region’s centuries-old agricultural heritage.

Experience the vibrant minority cultures of the Zhuang and Yao ethnic groups, renowned for their colorful traditional clothing, wooden stilted houses, and unique customs. At the end of the day, return to your Guilin hotel for a restful evening.

Meals Included: Breakfast

After checking out, transfer with your guide to Zhujiang Pier, where you’ll embark on a scenic Li River cruise. Glide through breathtaking karst landscapes, watching as towering limestone peaks rise dramatically from the misty waters—one of China’s most iconic natural wonders.

Upon arrival in Yangshuo, appreciate the peaceful countryside ambiance of this charming town. Spend a leisurely evening exploring local cafés, boutique shops, and lively night markets, soaking in the relaxed rural atmosphere.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Note: While lunch is included on the Li River cruise, your guide can assist in arranging an alternative meal before boarding if preferred.

After breakfast, transfer back to Guilin Railway Station for your high-speed train to Chongqing.

Upon arrival, if time permits, visit Ciqikou Old Town, a beautifully preserved ancient riverside district filled with teahouses, street food stalls, and artisan shops—a perfect introduction to the culture of Chongqing, China’s “Mountain City”.

Later, embark on your Yangtze River Cruise, settling into your cabin as the ship prepares to set sail at 9:30 PM. From the deck, admire the dazzling Chongqing skyline, illuminated against the night sky.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Note: Upon boarding, attend a safety orientation and cruise briefing.

Spend the day soaking in the beauty of the Yangtze River, a legendary waterway that has inspired generations of poets and travelers.

Disembark for a shore excursion, which may include a visit to Fengdu Ghost City, a mystical site associated with Chinese folklore and the afterlife, or Shibaozhai, a striking 56-meter wooden pagoda leaning against a rocky cliffside.

In the evening, join the Captain’s Welcome Party, where you can enjoy live music, folk dance performances, or even take part in the festivities yourself!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerNote: Shore excursions may vary depending on cruise company and water levels.

Continue your voyage through the legendary Three Gorges, passing through the spectacular Qutang and Wu Gorges, where steep cliffs tower over the emerald waters.

Take a side excursion to Badong, where you’ll board a traditional wooden sampan for an unforgettable Shennong Stream or Goddess Stream journey. Drift through narrow, mist-covered gorges, listening to the echoes of boatmen’s songs as you take in the untouched wilderness.

Return to the ship and sail through the western section of Xiling Gorge, one of the Yangtze’s most dramatic landscapes. Spend the evening relaxing on deck or enjoying onboard entertainment.

 Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, disembark at Maoping Pier and transfer to the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric project. Take a guided tour to learn about its monumental engineering, environmental impact, and benefits to the region.

Following the tour, a shuttle bus will transfer you to the Yichang Three Gorges Tourism Center, where you’ll meet your guide for an onward transfer to the train station.

Board a high-speed train to Shanghai, where your guide will meet you upon arrival, pointing out some of Shanghai’s iconic landmarks as you transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a free evening to explore this dynamic metropolis.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Optional: Guests may choose an optional ferry tour at Maoping Pier to sail through the TGP ship elevator for a closer look at the Three Gorges Dam. Arrangements for this excursion can be made onboard the cruise.

Begin your Shanghai exploration at the Shanghai Museum, home to over 140,000 artifacts, offering a deep dive into China’s ancient art, calligraphy, jade, and ceramics.

Stroll along The Bund, where historic colonial-era buildings stand in contrast to the towering modern skyline of Lujiazui. Wander down Nanjing Road, China’s busiest shopping district, lined with designer boutiques, department stores, and historic landmarks.

Continue to Yuyuan Garden, a beautifully preserved classical Chinese garden filled with serene ponds, pavilions, and winding pathways. Afterward, explore the lively Yu Garden Bazaar, a fantastic place to find souvenirs, local crafts, and traditional snacks.

Conclude your day in the Former French Concession, an elegant district with tree-lined streets, Art Deco mansions, and stylish cafés, where old Shanghai’s charm lingers.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Note: The Shanghai Museum is closed on Mondays. On those days, a visit to the Shanghai History Museum will be arranged instead.

Your journey across China comes to an end today. After breakfast, your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight or onward travels.

Meals Included: Breakfast