Beijing-Chongqing-Yangtze River-Shanghai Tour

Welcome to Beijing! Upon arrival at the airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel.

After breakfast, begin your journey exploring Beijing's rich history. First, visit Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public square, where Chairman Mao declared the founding of the People's Republic of China. Then enter the Forbidden City, the imperial center of China with nearly 10,000 rooms that served as the residence for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. After lunch, drive to the Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China. The Long Corridor along the peaceful shores of Kunming Lake is adorned with thousands of vivid paintings telling fascinating historical and mythological stories.

Visit the Summer Palace - the largest and most famous royal summer resort garden from the Ming and Qing dynasties, showcasing China's exquisite craftsmanship and architectural excellence throughout history. After lunch, proceed to Chongqing and transfer to your hotel upon arrival.

After breakfast, watch the Liziba Light Rail passing through a residential building - see the train pass through the middle floors. Then visit Shibati and Shancheng Lane, experiencing the most authentic local street life. In the afternoon, visit Liberation Monument, Chongqing's core landmark with upscale shopping malls and diverse snacks. Finally, visit Hongyadong, the iconic stilted buildings built against the mountain, creating a spectacular night view over the two rivers. After the tour, proceed to Chaotianmen Pier to board your Yangtze River cruise. You will board the cruise between 18:00-20:00, and this unforgettable journey will begin around 21:00!

Enjoy the beautiful Yangtze River in the morning. On board, you can participate in various activities: practice Tai Chi on the deck, enjoy a relaxing morning coffee, listen to lectures about Yangtze River history and culture, or attend the captain's welcome party and evening entertainment. Follow your local guide for a shore excursion to Fengdu County, an important part of the Three Gorges Reservoir area with unique natural and cultural landscapes including Fengdu Ghost City, the most famous and fascinating attraction filled with mysterious stories about the underworld, cruel torture methods, and various demons and ghosts.

Today, you will sail through the most famous section of the Yangtze River - the Three Gorges! While relaxing on the sun deck, you can admire the breathtaking canyon scenery as the ship navigates through Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. Today's shore excursions are mainly arranged along the Three Gorges at Fengjie, Wuxi, or Badong. Premium cruise companies typically dock at Fengjie in the morning and provide shore excursions to Baidi City (additional fee). In the afternoon, the cruise will dock at Wu Gorge where you'll take smaller boats along beautiful streams flowing through narrow gorges for shore excursions. Tonight, join the captain's farewell party and enjoy spectacular dance performances.

After breakfast, you will check out and disembark at Maoping Port. The most worthwhile activity today is visiting the Three Gorges Dam in the morning. The Three Gorges Dam is the world's largest hydroelectric power project, located in Xiling Gorge near Yichang. You can admire this massive dam from different angles, learn about the background history of the Three Gorges Dam construction project, and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery around. Optionally, you can experience the world's largest and most advanced Three Gorges Dam ship lift (40 minutes). After visiting the dam (around noon), you will take a bus arranged by the cruise company to Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal, where our local guide will meet you, then transfer to high-speed train to Shanghai - China's most prosperous metropolis (approximately 6-7 hours journey), and transfer to your hotel upon arrival.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel. First, visit the Jade Buddha Temple - home to the world's largest jade Buddha statue, along with many religious artifacts, ancient statues, and Buddhist scriptures. This tranquil Buddhist sanctuary hidden among modern skyscrapers and luxury mansions is a perfect place to rest and relax in this busy city. Next, visit Tianzifang, a tourist craft area transformed from a traditional residential area, showcasing typical Shikumen architecture. In this vibrant place, you can leisurely stroll along tidy ancient alleys, observe the daily life of local Shanghainese, enjoy a drink at an outdoor café, and discover interesting things in unique shops, experiencing the perfect fusion of international elements and authentic Shanghai culture.

In the afternoon, your guide will escort you to the airport for your departure flight to your next destination or home, marking the end of our journey together.