9 Days Modern Cities of China Plus Yangtze River Join-in Small Group Tour

Upon your arrival at Beijing International Airport. Our guide will hold a sign with your name waiting for you outside the baggage claim area. Pick up and transfer to the hotel.  

Pick up at your hotel about 7:00am.This tour starts at northern part of Tian'anmen Square. Seeing the Tian’anmen Rostrum, it is the symbol of new China. You could see two pairs of 600 years old stone lions, the ornamental columns, the outer golden water bridge and so on. Besides, having chance to view all constructions from distance. Such as the National Flag Pole, the Monument to the People's Hero, the Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, the Great Hall of People, and the National Museum.

From there you will proceed to the Forbidden City, the largest and best-preserved ancient imperial palaces group with 500 years history in the world. Visit the Forbidden City along the central axis from south to north for 2 hours.

On the way to Temple of Heaven, you will have a chance to visit the Chinese traditional medicine culture. After having a short rest, we'll visit the Temple of Heaven -- the largest ancient imperial worship architecture group in the world where the ancient Emperors prayed for peace and harvest. The visit to Temple of Heaven takes about 1 hour.

After Chinese lunch (40 minutes) in Restaurant, enjoy a short visit to a pearl free market not missed. Driving (30minutes) to Summer Palace, the largest and most beautiful Chinese imperial garden. It is regarded as a museum of gardens in China. The visit takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Transferred back to your hotels.

Pick up travelers from hotel on departure time between 7:00am and 8:00am, and then drive to the Changling Tomb(Ming Tombs) - Changling is the tomb of Emperor Zhudi, known as Yongle (1360-1420), and his empress Xushi. Yongle was the third emperor of the Ming dynasty. Construction of his tomb began in 1409 and was completed in 1427. It is the largest of the Ming tombs among the 13 mausoleums in the vicinity of Tianshou mountain. The tomb is notable for its well preserved Ling'en hall (the Hall of Eminent Favor), made of a rare type of hardwood known as Phoebe nanmu.

End the visit of Ming Tombs at about 11:00, before having Chinese traditional lunch (11:30), travelers have 45 minutes to have a short visit of Jade Carving Factory. The jade carving is very famous special local product, it was not only the excellent skill on carving, but also mixes many Chinese traditional cultures in the jade carving.

After having lunch, then driving to Mutianyu Great Wall. Mutianyu Great Wall is known for its beautiful surroundings - dense woods and rich pastures changing colors with the seasons of a year. If you want to reach the highest point, cable car is a good choice (optional). You are returned to the downtown Beijing, you will have a chance to enjoy the Chinese traditional Tea Ceremony. After the tour, transferred back to your hotels around 6:00pm.

After breakfast, transfer you to Shichahai Area. Visit the Beijing Old Hutongs by taking rickshaw. Hutong means the lanes, an old city alleyway or lane specific in Beijing. Survived as earlier as centuries of years ago, narrow lanes, or Hutongs were most common in old Beijing.

Transfer to the airport, take flight to Chongqing. On your arrival at Chongqing airport, pick up. If time permits, visit the Ancient Town of Ciqikou with old houses and delicious local snacks. Transfer to the wharf and get on board of the Cruise Ship.

Your memorable Yangtze River tour begins today. You will take a short break from the fabulous natural scenery to visit spectacular along the river, Fengdu Ghost City, which is famous for its ghost culture. First take a cable car up to the hill and visit the temples all over the mountain with many statues. Then, return to the ship and move towards the fantastic Three Gorges.

This morning you will sail through miles of stunning gorges. You will encounter the charming sights of the spectacular Qutang Gorge and the pretty Wu Gorge. In the afternoon you will arrive at Badong where you will disembark for a magical excursion down the Shennong Stream. Local trackers will pull us in wooden sampans through awesome gorges and lush pine forests. Along the way you will see the remnants of ancient roads and pass cliff-top grottos that held the coffins of warriors. If you are lucky, you will glimpse rare animals, such as the golden-haired monkey.

Pass through the Xiling Gorge which is the longest and historically the most dangerous of the Three Gorges. Then move on to the massive the Three Gorges Dam and disembark for a tour of this engineering marvel at Sandouping Village.

Then take your time to check out. Our local guide will meet you, transfer from cruise to airport in Yichang for your flight for Shanghai. Arrival at Shanghai, pick up and transfer to the hotel. You are at leisure for the remainder of the day.

This morning, you will visit Shanghai Museum. This museum holds the selection of hyper- 112,000 Chinese cultural tokens from the Old Stone Age to contemporary world, which contains bronzeware, calligraphy, paintings, clayware, porcelain, jadeware, stone sculptures, Jiaguwen imperial seals, old coins, silk embroidery, dyed materials, ivory carvings, cultural crafts.

Afterwards, visit the Nanjing Road - the earliest commercial street in Shanghai, and have a leisure walk along the Bund - famous as a group of building known as "a Gallery of world architecture".

In the afternoon , go to Yu Garden, which bearing the burden of being the most complete classical garden in urban Shanghai and therefore a must-see for every tourist. Then visit the nearby Chenghuang Temple (Old Street), There are over a hundred stores and shops in this area, and most of these store buildings are nearly a century old.

After your breakfast, make your own way to the Airport for your next destination.