China Impressions with Yangtze Cruise 12 Days

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Beijing
1 stop
1
Temple of Heaven
You will visit the Temple of Heaven, one of the most striking buildings in the city, for the first impression. It was built in the 15th century and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. The Chinese emperors used the extensive and ornate temple complex to stand up well with the almighty gods through sacrificial rituals and pray a good harvest. Today, the park is used by locals for card games, morning gymnastics and chatting with acquaintances.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Beijing
3 stops
2
Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang)
Today you will first visit Tiananmen Square - the largest public square in the world.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
3
Forbidden City-The Palace Museum
Then enter the Forbidden City with imperial red walls. The Chinese emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties lived and ruled here until the 1911 revolution, and for centuries the admission of ordinary citizens was denied – which explains the name Forbidden City. There are 890 palaces on the site with countless pavilions with 8,886 rooms. According to a legend, there are actually 9,9991⁄2 rooms. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
4
Hutong Tour
Then visit the Bell Tower and the Chinese Traditional Medicine Center. Afterwards, take a walk in old alleys-the so-called “Beijing Hutong”.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Beijing–Zhengzhou–Dengfeng
1 stop
5
Mutianyu Great Wall
After breakfast at the hotel, you will visit the Great Wall, which was supposed to protect the Chinese Empire from nomadic equestrian peoples from the north, but it had never quite served its purpose. “Whoever has not climbed the Great Wall is not a true hero” this folklore testifies to the great respect the Chinese show this structure. In the afternoon you will make a photo stop at the “Bird’s Nest” in Olympia Park, Afterwards, take a high-speed train to Zhengzhou, dinner and transfer to the hotel.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Zhengzhou-Shaolin-Luoyang-Xi'an
2 stops
6
Monastero Shaolin (Shaolin Temple)
After breakfast, visit Shaoling Monastery – the temple of the First Patriarch. Built in 495, Shaolin Temple is the birthplace of Chan Buddhism. The weaponless martial art gained its first fame when the monks helped the founder of the Tang Dynasty fight a local warlord. Outside the monastery, countless kung fu schools have now settled, with students dreaming of Hollywood. Throughout the Shaolin Monastery and surrounding martial arts schools, you can watch the monks and students do their intensive exercises in fine weather. In addition, Shaolin Monastery is known as a place of training in China and the world. Novices have been shaped into masters of Chinese martial arts here for over 1,500 years now. Not far from the monastery begins the pagoda forest, in which over 220 tomb pagodas for the most famous abbots and monks are placed.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
7
Longmen Grottoes
In the afternoon, drive to Luoyang and visit the impressive Longmen Caves near Luoyang, a former imperial city in Henan Province and cradle of Chinese civilization. The grottoes originated in their current form as early as the 6th century and are one of the four most famous Buddhist grotto groups in China. The caves are located in the Yihe River Valley between Duft Mountain and Longmen Mountain. Construction of the caves began in the Northern Wei Dynasty (386～557) and had lasted about 400 years. There are a total of 2345 niches, over 100,000 Buddha statues and more than 2800 inscriptions. The largest statue is the 17.14 meter high Buddha Vairocana and the smallest micro-engraved Buddha is only 2 centimeters high Afterwards, take the train to Xi`An. Transfer to the hotel
3 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 5
Xi'an
2 stops
8
The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses
After breakfast you will visit the famous craft workshop for jade and clay figures, here you can get a look back at the craftsmanship 2000 years ago and a first impression of the terracotta army soldiers (with advice, explanation). Afterwards, visit the highlight of your trip-the world-famous terracotta army near Xi’an. It is one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century and the 8th century. Wonders of the world! For more than 2,000 years, the terracotta army lay undiscovered under fields near Xi’an until agricultural workers accidentally uncovered the first clues to the massive facility in 1974. Gradually, the gigantic dimension of today's UNESCO World Heritage Site was revealed.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
9
Xi'an
In the afternoon you will visit the old town of Xi’an, pedestrian zone, Muslim quarters with many market stalls. After that you have the time at your leisure.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Xi'an Chengdu
1 stop
10
Kuanzhai Alley
After breakfast, take a high-speed train to Chengdu .In the afternoon, visit Old Town Jinli of Chengdu, Kuanzhai Xiangzi (literally the wide and narrow alley) in downtown Chengdu. It consists of the wide alley, the narrow alley and the Brunnengasse. In summary, the alley is a miniature and a symbol of Chengdu in ancient times. Now the perfect combination of history and fashion, leisure and gastronomy has emerged here. In the evening you can taste the delicacies here at your own expense.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Chengdu-Chongqing embarkation on the cruise ship
2 stops
11
Giant Panda Breeding Research Base (Xiongmao Jidi)
After breakfast, drive to Chengdu Panda Research and Breeding Station (the largest panda breeding station in the world). The 600-hectare site explores the best conditions and methods necessary for the successful release of artificially reared panda bears. The facility was founded in 1987 with six giant pandas rescued in the wild. The breeding station has the largest population of artificially bred large pandas. It was 115 animals in 2015, which can be observed very close. So far, the recognized institute has managed to give birth to over 80 animals in the station, of which about two-thirds also survived.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
12
Chongqing
In the afternoon, take a high-speed train to Chongqing. Upon arrival you will be picked up and taken for a short walk at the Liberation Monument in the city center, then embarked aboard the 5 - cruise ship
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 8
Yangtze Three Gorges
1 stop
13
Fengdu Ghost City
today you will visit Shuangguishan Mountain National Park (When travelling with Victoria Series) or the ghost town of Fengdu (When traveling with President 8, or Century Series) - which has been discredited as the “entrance to the underworld” since Han times. The impressive “ghost town” is located on the 288 m high Temple Mount Ming Shan. The Daoist temple complex and the figures could also be better described as a “devil city”, because it shows what happens in the ten Chinese hells. According to the old beliefs of the Chinese, one must wait for the judgment of the Hell Court and then pay for his sins in terrible torture. After that, you are finally reborn – depending on your previous life, only as a dog or worm. The origins of this ghost or hell city date back to the Han period 2,000 years ago, when two officials, Mr. Yin and Mr. Wang, retired from civil service and began the life of Daoist hermits here.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 9
Yangtze Cruise Three Gorges
1 stop
14
Today, cross the Qutang and Wu gorges, then embark on a fascinating excursion to Shennv creek. To do this, switch to a small boat. This will allow you to sail along the creek and admire the natural beauty of the Three Gorges landscape. Afterwards, you will return to the cruise ship.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 10
Yichang Shanghai
1 stop
15
Yichang
In the morning you will visit the largest hydroelectric project in the world : Three Gorges Dam. More than 1.2 million people have been relocated by the government and entire villages are now below the water level. In the afternoon you will travel from Yichang to Shanghai by express train. After arrival transfer to the hotel.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 11
Shanghai
1 stop
16
The Bund (Wai Tan)
Welcome to the metropolis of Shanghai, the largest port in the world with perhaps the most beautiful skyline in China! Visit the Shanghai Museum and then throw yourself into the hustle and bustle of China's most famous shopping street, Nanjing Road! Afterwards, stroll through the Bund district, which boasts not only its waterfront location but also architecturally charming buildings. You will visit a silk mill in between..
7 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 12
Shanghai return flight
1 stop
Shanghai (Pass by)
After breakfast transfer to the airport and you will fly back to your home country.

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Tags