Best of China with Yangtze Cruise
From CAD $9452 Was CAD $10925
Guarantee
Group Tour
Easy
Rating
(12 reviews)
Discover the cityscapes of Beijing and Shanghai, Xi'an's Terracotta Warriors and the rare giant pandas of Chengdu on this mesmerizing encounter with China, which includes a leisurely cruise along the Yangtze River.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 6 Dinner (D)
- 14 Breakfast (B)
- 8 Lunch (L)
Be My Guest
- Beijing: Visit and have lunch with a local family in their home in one of Beijing's hutongs and gain a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse into their lifestyle.
Dive into Culture
- Xi'an: Give Chinese calligraphy a go in this hands-on class, learning an art form that’s been around since the Han Dynasty. With an expert to guide you, you’ll master brush techniques and create your own characters, discovering how every stroke tells a story in this timeless tradition.
- Chengdu: Head to the Museum of Sichuan Cuisine and get stuck in with a cookery lesson. Try your hand at grinding chilli with a traditional pestle and mortar, explore centuries-old recipes and learn the secrets of bold Sichuan flavors. Finally, tuck in.
Iconic Experience
- Great Wall of China: Visit the Great Wall of China to marvel at the history of this renowned landmark.
- Beijing: Indulge in a foot massage at the Foot Reflexology Center.
- Beijing: Gain insights into this fascinating city during a sightseeing tour of Beijing. See the Great Hall of the People and Tiananmen Square before stepping through the south gate of the Forbidden City.
- Beijing: Hop on a traditional rickshaw and weave through Beijing's ancient alleyways.
- Fortifications of Xian: Visit the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and see the terracotta warriors.
- Xi'an: Visit a jade factory to admire the "imperial gem" and marvel at the mineral's historic value.
- Xi'an: Discover the traditions and techniques of dumpling making, indulging in an opportunity to sample them.
- Chengdu: During your orientation of Chengdu, visit People’s Park and experience the energy of Jinli Old Street.
- Chongqing: You’ll get to know Chongqing, a major river city built on steep hills above the Yangtze. Busy shopping streets, high-rises and older alleyways sit side by side and hotpot restaurants are packed most evenings, showing you how people here eat, shop and spend their time.
- Chongqing: Step ashore to visit Shuanggui Mountain above the Yangtze, walking up past temple buildings, pavilions and stone steps between the trees. You’ll see statues and courtyards along the way and stop at viewpoints over the river for a clear look at this historic hillside site.
- Yangtze: Cruise on a small motorboat through the magical landscape of the Goddess Stream.
- Shanghai: Join your Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of Shanghai. See the famous Bund waterfront and Yu Garden.
- Shanghai: Enjoy a performance by the world-famous Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.
- Shanghai: Visit Jin Mao Tower and take in panoramic views of Shanghai from 88 floors up.
- Shanghai: Join a Local Specialist for a walking tour through the Shanghai French Concession and Xin Tian Di district.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Xi'an: Step inside 2,000-year-old Yaodong cave dwellings, built from naturally insulating, earthquake-resistant Loess earth. As modern homes replace them, your visit helps families restore their homes, keeping their heritage alive while embracing the future. Your visit also directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
- Chengdu: At the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, learn how your visit contributes to their conservation efforts to rescue and protect the endangered giant panda of which fewer than 2,000 remain. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai
- Visit the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City in Beijing, the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu, and the 'Bund' waterfront, Jade Buddha Temple and Jinmao Tower in Shanghai
- See local people practicing T'ai Chi in the morning, the Three Gorges Dam and the Shanghai Acrobats
- Cruise the Yangtze River and the Three Gorges
Trafalgar Difference
- Shanghai: Stay at The Kunlun Jing An, one of Shanghai’s first Chinese designed and built five-star hotels, once a base for visiting dignitaries and international guests. This landmark hotel in Jing An sits a short walk from Jing An Temple and West Nanjing Road, so you step straight out into one of the city’s key districts.
Trip Details
Product Code: 19154
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Rail & Cruises
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 411.1173A
Starts: Beijing, China
Finishes: Shanghai, China (Peoples Republic)
Duration: 15 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
- Flight from Beijing to Xi'an and Yichang to Shanghai.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $9452 ($630 /day)
Itinerary
Journey to the “Northern Capital” – a land of emperors, epic monuments and the cultural heart of China. On arrival in Beijing, you’ll be transferred to your hotel where you can relax before meeting your Travel Director for a dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Novotel Peace
Meals: Dinner
Visit the iconic Great Wall of China at Juyongguan this morning – its stone ramparts and walls snaking thousands of miles into the distance to defend the empire against nomadic invaders since 5th century B.C. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure and this evening for dinner indulge in a regional dinner of succulent Peking Duck – a must during any visit to Beijing.
Accommodation: Novotel Peace
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Surround yourself with the grandeur of Beijing’s landmark Great Hall of the People, Qianmen Gate and the mausoleum of Mao Zedong as you walk through one of the world’s largest public areas, Tiananmen Square. Delve into China’s imperial heritage, passing the south gate into the frozen-in-time Forbidden City – once home to emperors and their households and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch, indulge in a relaxing foot massage at the Foot Reflexology Center to ease you into an evening at leisure or consider joining an Optional Experience.
Accommodation: Novotel Peace
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Navigate the ancient alleyways of the courtyard Hutong residences, weaving through lively neighborhoods on the back of a traditional rickshaw. Stop at the home of a local family where you’ll Connect With Locals, enjoying a Be My Guest experience with lunch of traditional Chinese cuisine, then visit a nearby tea house. Here, you’ll delve into the art of chayi, joining a Local Specialist who’ll share first-hand the age-old ritual of tea-making. Leave Beijing behind, bound for Xi’an, an ancient departure point on the Silk Road.
Accommodation: Wyndham Grand Xi'an South
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Start your day at a Gallery, where you’ll explore China’s artistic legacy. Dive into Culture at a traditional calligraphy class, where you’ll try your hand at Chinese writing, an art form dating back to the Han Dynasty. Then, step into history at the Yaodong cave dwellings on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience — ingeniously crafted from Loess earth, these eco-friendly homes have sheltered families for centuries. After lunch, marvel at the UNESCO-listed Terracotta Warriors standing guard over Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s tomb.
Accommodation: Wyndham Grand Xi'an South
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, your choice of activities gives you an opportunity to join a Local Specialist in their T'ai Chi practice or embark on a cycle tour around part of the ancient City Wall of Xi'an. Later at a local restaurant, you will be watching a demonstration in the art of making dumplings, with an opportunity to sample these for lunch. Savor the juicy flavors of these boiled, steamed and fried treats, transporting you back to ancient China, then transfer to the railway station for your high-speed bullet train trip to Chengdu. On arrival in the hometown of the giant panda, you’ll check in to your hotel and savor the leisurely pace of local life on your terms.
Accommodation: Rhombus Park Auro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Witness the ground-breaking work being done by the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding this morning. Join a Local Specialist and learn how this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports the non-profit research breeding facility which rescues and protects the endangered giant panda, of which fewer than 2,000 remain. Afterwards, return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.
Accommodation: Rhombus Park Auro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Indulge in the bold and spicy flavors of local cuisine as you Dive Into Culture and learn about regional cooking practices at the Museum of Sichuan Cuisine. Experience the art of grinding soybean for Tofu, and discover ancient kitchenware, books and manuscripts faithfully recording the history of Sichuan culinary cultures. Immerse yourself in the intoxicating scents wafting through Restaurant Alley, pay tribute to the Kitchen God before attempting to create your own culinary magic under the guidance of a local chef. Stomach and soul sated after a delicious encounter with Chengdu, you’ll have an afternoon to relax, explore further or perhaps take the opportunity to do some shopping.
Accommodation: Rhombus Park Auro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Rub shoulders with the locals during a visit to People’s Park with its beautiful Chinese gardens, lake and tea houses. Gain insights into the day-to-day lives of the locals who spend their free time in tranquil surrounds indulging in a leisurely game of mah-jong, a quiet nap or neck massage. Venture to lively Jinli Old Street next, crossing beneath the imposing archway into a world of intricate handicraft, paintings and calligraphy. Stroll along the narrow street whose façades were modeled on the architectural style of a traditional old town in western Sichuan Province, then transfer to the railway station for a high-speed bullet train ride to Chongqing. Here, you’ll enjoy a city orientation tour with dinner before boarding your Yangtze River Cruise.
Accommodation: Victoria Jenna
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Step off your Yangtze cruise to visit Shuanggui Mountain near Fengdu, a national scenic area known for its forested slopes, osmanthus trees and centuries-old temples, with paths that lead up to courtyards, stone inscriptions and views over the Yangtze River. Back on board you’ll continue your journey along the Yangtze. Later you may choose an Optional Experience to Fengdu’s ‘Ghost City’, with temples and shrines depicting China’s vision of the afterlife and the legend of two officials-turned-immortals. In the evening another Optional Experience is the open-air Romance of the Three Kingdoms show, retelling battles between rival dynasties with stunts, acrobatics and strong visual effects.
Accommodation: Victoria Jenna
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wake up to another day on the Yangtze. This morning, choose one of two Optional Experiences: visit the White Emperor City, where rulers and poets once admired Qutang Gorge, or head to Chijia Mountain’s peak for sweeping views from the top of the Qutang Gorge. Return to your cruise and journey through Qutang Gorge’s towering cliffs, past Wu Gorge’s misty peaks, and into Xiling Gorge’s dramatic landscapes. Swap the ship for a small motorboat this afternoon and explore the Goddess Stream, gliding past sheer limestone cliffs covered in lush greenery—you’ll gain another perspective on this mighty river.
Accommodation: Victoria Jenna
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Make an early start this morning and ascend to the top deck of your cruise ship to enjoy the views of the vast Three Gorges Dam – the largest dam in the world with a production timeline that spanned decades. After disembarking at Maoping Port you’ll have another great photo opportunity to get shots of the dam before transferring to Yichang Airport to catch your flight to the city of Shanghai. This afternoon you’ll check in to your Stays With Stories hotel, The Kunlun Jing An. You might choose to unwind at the hotel, visit Jing An Temple and nearby Jing An Park or take a stroll along West Nanjing Road.
Accommodation: The Kunlun Jing An
Meals: Breakfast
Shanghai’s famous ‘Bund’ waterfront is the first stop on a day of sightseeing with your Travel Director. Admire the ornate neoclassical colonial buildings and skyscrapers that have sprung up from this former marshland, then Dive Into Culture during a visit to a silk museum. Embrace the tranquility of the famous Yu Garden next, with its pavilions, halls, rockeries, ponds and cloisters. Then, enjoy some free time for a local lunch of soup dumplings perhaps and shopping in the Old Town, a treasure trove of winding streets and vibrant markets that was once enclosed by the ancient walled city of Shanghai. Our final stop this afternoon is a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple, built in 1928 after the original temple was destroyed during the revolution that overthrew the Qing Dynasty. Admire the beauty of its precious jade Buddha statues made out of crystal-clear white jade, before you settle into an evening performance by the world-renowned Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.
Accommodation: The Kunlun Jing An
Meals: Breakfast
Ascend to the 88-storey Jin Mao Tower for panoramic views of the skyscrapers that loom over the most populous city on earth. Then embark on a walking tour with a Local Specialist through the Shanghai French Concession, for an exhilarating encounter with the opulent age of French colonial China. Wander through the narrow alleyways, past elegant villas and apartments dating back to the early 1900s when the territory was proclaimed a French settlement. Later this morning, you’ll see where the First Conference of the Communist Party took place in Xin Tian Di, whose charming antique façades hide a 21st century world of bars, cafes, boutiques and theme restaurants. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure, letting the sights and sounds of Shanghai infuse every sense or consider joining an Optional Experience. Say a fond farewell to newfound friends this evening during dinner.
Accommodation: The Kunlun Jing An
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Our epic encounter with China at its end, take a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Trusted Customer - Traveled, March 2024
Best of China really was the best! In country service could not be beat. Pre-trip communications and the visa process could be confusing. This trip was fabulous. Our travel director *Personal information removed by Feefo* brought the history and culture of China alive for us through his extensive knowledge, attention to detail, unfailing good humor and an itinerary that can’t be beat. Be aware, you will walk - a lot! So grab your walking shoes, pack your bags, and embrace the adventure.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/23/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, September 2024
A Trip to China *Personal information removed by Feefo*, our tour director always kept us informed on what to expect daily from each location that we were visiting and the stories behind the shows. The local tour guides named *Personal information removed by Feefo* and another *Personal information removed by Feefo* told us of stories related to the history of locations that we visited. We got priority in the long lines so we did not have to wait to enter each location. *Personal information removed by Feefo*, our Travel Director is very organized, well planer and very knowledgeable in the history of all locations that we visited. He would plan the good restaurants so that we could share the China experience of living there as he does. He shared his knowledge of the areas that we saw, the people and their activities of their daily lives. We learned a lot of Chinese culture that we would never have known, if it was not for *Personal information removed by Feefo* expertise. We enjoyed Foot Massage, a cooking class, the silk factory to see how the silk products are made, the operas to learn the history of the China ancient dynasties, the High Speed train to see the country side of the farm land and mountain areas of China We were very pleased with *Personal information removed by Feefo* and his local tour guides that he had on our bus tours for us to learn all we can about the different cities in China. We loved all the hotels that we stayed. We appreciate how *Personal information removed by Feefo* handled our luggage and how he kept an eye on all of us on these tours. We appreciate the drivers he had taken us to the different parts of the cities to see on our tour. We would recommend Trafalgar to any one going on this tour to China. Thank you for the experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/21/2024
Michael Wolf - Traveled, September 2024
Your travel director was fantastic. Passing on the culture and making sure every traveler got the best experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/09/2024
Joseph Sacco - Traveled, August 2024
The highlight of our trip was Keven our group leader. I very much like the idea of a buffet as I am a picky eater. One of the highlights of the trip was XIAN. I liked the hotel you’ve Pacenta next to the street all the lights and girls dressed up in customs.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/07/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, October 2024
*Personal information removed by Feefo*, our group leader was excellent. He found out what our group liked to do. We wanted to see the Summer Palace in Beijing but it was not in the inital plans but he made it happen. He personalized our trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/29/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, September 2024
Wonderful trip. We saw so much of China and learned a lot of the culture and history. Tour leader, Kevin, was fantastic!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2024
John - Traveled, August 2024
Our travel director (Kevin) was absolutely fantastic, and he made sure everything ran smoothly and even improved the regular itinerary in a few ways. The hotels were good, and the food was terrific (again thanks to our tour director, who ordered for us all at the group lunches and dinners). The tour itinerary was excellent, and included most of the biggest tourist attractions in China. There was also sufficient free time to visit many other sights if desired.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/30/2024
William Robinson - Traveled, August 2024
Our tour leader, Kevin, was fantastic. He helped us many times especially with food purchases. The itinerary was excellent and the optional extra shows were excellent. All in all we had a great time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/18/2024
Stephen Dawson - Traveled, August 2024
It was excellent. Kevin, our guide, made sure the trip and our investment was not wasted but, instead, well worth every penny.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/16/2024
Bertha Sanchez - Traveled, August 2024
China is a wonderful place to Visit!!! Excellent. The itinerary kept us busy and full of new experiences every day. Our guides name was Kevin and he had so much knowledge about all of the places we visited - answered all of our questions and always made us feel safe and comfortable. We liked how we were met at the airport upon our arrival in Beijing and until the end all of our transportation was confirmed/directed by Kevin and there was not 1 problem. We were so very impressed with China - the friendliness of the people, the cleanliness of the cities/areas ( we didn't see any garbage on the streets or anywhere and no homeless either) Not that we were expecting to see homeless but I know of no other city or country where homelessness and garbage is not a problem. Also, the cities were high tech - lots of lights, decorated streets, pleasant shopping areas. We loved our trip to China and recommend it as a country that everyone should visit.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/24/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, March 2020
Small group, excellent tour guide, great sites to visit. We saw great sites that are different than anything we had ever seen.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/27/2020
Alice Bradley - Traveled, February 2020
A very pleasant and informative journey, all that travel should be. Good itinerary! The guide was excellent, very good English with minimal problems understanding, took care of the needs of all 16 clients very well, was diplomatic, efficient, capable, resourceful, reliable, intelligent and with a good sense of humour. I heard no complaints about or during the trip, the only one being that the schedule was a bit hectic for many. ( the group was all seniors) The group of travellers was very cooperative, agreeable, and able at being tourists. It was nice to see both the high spots, famous sites as well as the day to day life of local citizens. Facilities were good and staff worked hard to please travellers, the on ship entertainment and 70th Anniversary celebration was very good and enjoyed by all. Food was not as good as most of the trip but OK.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/24/2020
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