Welcome to China! Upon your arrival, your friendly tour guide will meet you at the airport by holding a signboard with your name on it, and then transfer you to your hotel. Have a nice rest to recover from jet lag.

Today's sightseeing starts with a visit to the Temple of Heaven to admire a brilliant traditional Chinese ceremonial architecture. It used to be a sacred place for emperors to practice the prayer ceremonies to seek the big harvest and prosperity of the people. Pacing around, you might encounter some locals indulged in their leisure of playing chess or practicing chorus.

Then walk through Tiananmen Square, the most iconic landmark lying in the central axis of Beijing. And stroll for a few minutes to reach the magnificent Forbidden City, a centuries-old imperial residence served 24 emperors from 1368 to 1912. Impossible for ordinary man to come near in the past, this majestic palace museum now opens its gate for visitors to peek into the mysterious court life of royal families.

Temple of Heaven

Forbidden City

Today, you will conquer the famous world wonder of the Great Wall at the Mutianyu section which is well preserved and much quieter. Ascend the Wall by a round-trip cable car for more time exploring on the Wall. A fun fact may astonish you that glutinous rice soup was utilized for the adhesion of bricks to make the defensive system strongly fortified.

After a relaxing hiking on the wall, you will be transferred to the UNESCO-listed Ming Tombs, a huge cemetery of 13 emperors from Ming dynasty, and you will have a further exploration to the Changling Mausoleum, the biggest and best-preserved one among the 13 tombs.

On your way back to downtown Beijing and have a stopover at the ingeniously-designed Bird's Nest and Water Cube for you to snap some great photos.

Mutianyu Great Wall

Hiking on the Great Wall

After breakfast, have a morning excursion to a captivating imperial garden, the Summer Palace, where you could revel in the exquisite palatial architecture, waterfront pavilions, classic wall paintings and enticing landscape. On top of that, you are given a chance for a leisurely and enjoyable a boat cruise on the stunning Kunming Lake.

Afterwards, a highspeed train ride to Xian is awaited in the afternoon, with travel time on board of 5 hours around. Upon arrival, your guide will pick you up from the railway station and transfer you to the hotel.

A summer day at the Summer Palace

Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace

About 1-hour drive from the downtown area, you will get to the awe-inspiring Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum. This enormous underground army with over 8,000 life-sized warriors, horses and chariots were made to guard China's First Emperor Qinshihuang in his afterlife for over 2,200 years.

After the visit of Terracotta Army, drive back to the city to ascend the largest and best-preserved City Wall and take a leisurely walk on it. Optional cycling on top of the Wall would allow you to capture an overview of this ancient capital.

Afterwards, drive to the famous local Muslim Quarter to experience the bustling atmosphere at the bazaar and discover the ancient Great Mosque built in traditional Chinese style hidden in the narrow alleys.

Bronze Chariot and Horse in the Terracotta Army Museum

Special snacks at the Muslim Quarter

Today's exploration starts with a refreshing excursion to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in downtown. It is a seven-story Buddhist pagoda first built in 652 AD to store the Buddhist scriptures and relics brought back by Monk Xuanzang during his legendary travel to India on foot.

After that comes a visit to the nearby Shaanxi History Museum, where you could discover the rich history of ancient Xian by a sweeping look through a tremendous amount of cultural relics.

Afterwards, take the high-speed train to Chengdu and get ready to meet China's national treasure, giant pandas.

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Buddha Caves in Shaanxi History Museum

In the morning, drive to the Chengdu Research and Breeding Center of Giant Panda to have a romantic encounter with the Chinese star mammals. Morning is the best time to visit the wonderland, as giant pandas are most active with their outdoor activities, such as playing on the treetop, nibbling bamboo shoots and taking naps under the shelters. By the fence of their enclosures, you could snap up-close pictures of adorable sub-adult pandas, and if lucky enough you could even seize the chance to see the pink new born babies in their incubators during the breeding season.

Then move to Jinli Old Street to enjoy a feast of local snacks and handpick some craftworks.

Afterwards, make your way to the Wangjiang Park to sense the most authentic leisure life of Chengdu by enjoying a cup of tea, trying the ear cleaning & massage, and learning Chinese Mahjong.

Giant pandas having fun at their wonderland

Take a morning flight bound for Guilin and meet your guide at the airport. The first stop of today's sightseeing goes to the Elephant Trunk Hill, a naturally formed rock mountain resembling an elephant dipping water with its trunk from the Li River.

Then move to another Karst wonder, the grotesque Reed Flute Cave, which is crammed with peculiar stalactites shimmering with dazzling colors.

At the end of the tour, your guide will help you with the hotel check-in for a good rest.

The naturally formed iconic Elephant Trunk Hill in Guilin

In the morning, take a Li River cruise to absorb the essence landscape of Guilin. The 4-hour-long leisure ride to Yangshuo allows you to shuttle through gallery-like mountains, lush riverbanks, and sleepy rural villages with the slow-paced drifting tour.

After disembarkation in Yangshuo, free time is given to you to bike around the idyllic countryside and inhale the fascinating and authentic rural scenery.

Take high speed train to Chongqing. Upon arrival, your guide will take you to pay a visit to the Ciqikou Ancient Town. Stroll along the old streets to discover some small fun local stalls and appreciate the ancient constructions.

Afterwards, transfer you to the Chaotianmen Pier to board your luxury cruise ship and get ready for a leisurely trip along the essence part of Yangtze River.

After the free morning coffee & tea, you could join the Tai Chi class on the deck.

Enjoying a hearty buffet breakfast, you could embark on a shore excursion to Shibaozhai, a 500-year-old wooden structure on an isolated mountain along the Yangtze River. Follow the river guide to explore the architecture gem and unveil the mythologies about it.

Tonight, you are invited to participate in the Captain's Welcome Party to enjoy the music and dance performances brought by the crew onboard. Enjoy your high time tonight!

Your cruise ship will first sail through the enchanting Qutang Gorge and then the spectacular Wu Gorge.

Disembark for an excursion to go deeper into the Shennong Stream by a dream-like wooden boat ride. Alternatively, you could choose to discover the hidden beauty of Shennv Stream by a sampan diving to the gorge.

After getting back, the cruise will pass the western section of Xiling Gorge with grotesque rocks and rapids.

Your evening will be livened up by the wonderful Captain's Farewell Party.

A nice day starts with a refreshing Taichi Class in the morning on Yangtze River Cruise

After breakfast, you will check out and disembark the cruise ship at Maoping Pier, and then head for the Three Gorges Dam to marvel at the world's largest hydroelectric project.

Then meet your guide and stroll to the Binjiang Park.

Afterwards, delve into the Yichang Museum to acquire the evolution of the city's history demonstrated by the priceless treasures on display.

At last, catch your flight to Shanghai and capture the city's beautiful night view on the way back to your hotel.

Today, follow your guide to ramble around the tranquil Yuyuan Garden to take in Chinese classical garden architecture clustered with pavilions, winding corridors, rockeries and ponds.

Next, head to the bustling Nanjing Road to have a glimpse of the most popular shopping street in Shanghai.

Then take a relaxing stroll to the Bund area to absorb the stunning city skyline with an array of baroque-style buildings.

On top floor of Shanghai World Financial Center, you could capture an amazing panoramic view of this metropolis.

Afterwards, wander to the age-old Shikumen constructions to hang out at a fancy bar or café.

At last, pay a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple built in 1882 to glance at the giant Jade Buddha statue imported from Burma.

"World Architecture Expo" of Shanghai

Shikumen

Your wonderful China trip concludes here and you will be escorted to the airport for your departure flight. Wish you a smooth journey home.