Welcome to China! Upon your arrival, your friendly tour guide holding a welcome sign with your name will greet you and transfer you to the hotel and have a rest to recover from jet lag.

After a night's sound sleep, start today's exploration from Beijing's most iconic landmark, the Tiananmen Square sitting at the city heart. Take a stroll around for a glimpse of the surrounding remarkable monuments, and then proceed to the Forbidden City lying behind the Tiananmen gate tower.

As the world's largest wooden-structured imperial palace complex, Forbidden City had remained as the political center of ancient China and dwelling place of royal families for two last feudal dynasties from 1420 to 1912. Your professional guide will walk you through the enormous palace and lead you to discover some interesting side halls including the Imperial Garden, and browse the incomparable treasures that display Chinese profound history.

Afterwards, delve into a traditional Beijing hutong and learn about the disappearing residences. Enjoy a leisurely walking tour along the small alleys and get a glimpse of the folk life. You will get on the top of the Bell Tower to have a bird's eye view of the old neighborhood. Next, visit a local family in an old courtyard where you will attend a Chinese calligraphy class.

The Corner Tower of Forbidden City

A Clean and Quiet Hutong of Beijing

After breakfast, take a morning excursion to the Temple of Heaven and delight in the beautiful architectures where emperors used to hold ceremonies to pray for good harvest and luck for the citizens. Encounter locals gathering here for the lively scene of morning exercises including Taichi, group dance and shuttlecock kicking. You are more than welcome to join these friendly local people to experience the relaxing atmosphere.

Then you will head to the Mutianyu Great Wall, the greatest defensive system built by ancient Chinese. Snaking around on top of the mountains for over 13,000 miles, the Great Wall successfully stopped nomadic groups and protected central Chinese states and empires. Mutianyu section is a quieter part as well as the longest part of the Great Wall extant today. A Round-trip Cable Car is included to make your exploration easier and to save more time for your sightseeing on the wall. Enjoy some hiking on top of the Wall, be amazed by the impressive construction and take in the spectacular surrounding views.

Afterwards, drive back to the city and have a stopover for pictures of the iconic Bird's Nest and Water Cube.

The Mutianyu Great Wall

The Temple of Heaven

Seize the refreshing morning to visit another imperial stunner, the UNESCO-listed Summer Palace. Take a stroll to inhale the natural beauty from a lakeside pavilion and admire the richly painted Long Corridor. And go for a relaxing boat ride on Kunming Lake to hit the heart of the charming garden.

Afterwards, you will be taken to the railway station to take a 4.5-hour high-speed train to travel to another ancient capital Xian. Upon arrival, meet your friendly Xian guide and drive to your hotel.

High-speed train ride: China probably has the world's best high speed train system. This fastest 4.5-hour train between the two cities is arranged for you to take in the magnificent authentic rural views of China during the ride.

The Summer Palace

About one-hour drive leads you to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, the incredible 8,000 full-sized clay soldiers and horses built to guard the tomb of Shihuang Emperor (First Emperor of China who unified the country for the first time in history and established Qin Empire from BC221 to BC207).

Afterwards, enjoy the opportunity to make a mini terra-cotta figure and you will further understand the impressive work done by ancient Chinese 2,000 years ago.

Then drive back to the city to visit the City Wall, China's most complete and best preserved ancient City Wall. Learn about how the military defensive system protected the city that had never been breached. You could also enjoy an optional bike ride on top of the Wall.

Then proceed to the Muslim Quarter and Great Mosque (representing the perfect combination of Chinese ancient and Islamic architectural styles). Enjoy some free time wandering through this bustling bazaar, where all kinds of featured local snacks and souvenirs will dazzle you.

Terracotta Warriors with unique faces

Hanging out at the Muslim Quarter

Today, your Xi'an tour ends at Hanyang Tombs (Hanyangling Mausoleum), built for Emperor Jing of Han Dynasty (BC206-AD220). Walking atop the glass walkways, you will closely observe the miniatures of the naked clay figures, livestock, horses, carriages, grain, etc., which recount the glorious history of grand Han Dynasty.

Then your Xi'an guide will see you off at the airport and you will fly to Chongqing. Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you and take you to board your luxurious ship for the leisurely Yangtze River Cruise.

Naked mini terracotta figures without arms in Hanyang Tombs

Copper Coins unearthed at the Hanyang Mausoleum

With beautiful sceneries along the river banks, join a refreshing Tai Chi Class in the morning to start the beautiful day onboard.

After breakfast, you will discover the mysterious Shibaozhai, a 500-year-old bizarre wooden construction leaning against an isolated mountain along the Yangtze River.

Tonight, you are invited to take part in the Captain's Welcome Party and enjoy the folk music and dance performances.

Optional Excursion: Today's optional onshore excursion takes you to explore the Fengdu Ghost City, said to be where all souls rest after death. Marvel at the vivid scene of trials undergoing in Court of Hell and many vividly carved demon statues built out of rich imagination of ancient Chinese.

Gorgeous Fall Scenery of the Yangtze River

When the cruise zigzags through Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge, you will have enough time to appreciate the various types of mountains towering into the clouds.

Your guide will also lead you to delve into the Shennv Stream on a smaller boat, to discover the hidden beauty in the primeval valley, or to seek out the elegance of Lesser Three Gorges.

Then you will sail to the longest Xiling Gorge, the most dangerous part celebrated for turbulent water, bizarre rocks and twisted courses.

Tonight, you will attend the Captain's Farewell Party. 

Optional Excursion: Enjoy this optional onshore excursion to White Emperor City to get the best view of the spectacular Kuimen Gate, entrance of Qutang Gorge.

A leisurely cruise along mighty Yangtze River

In the morning, you will disembark at Maoping Dock then visit the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydro-power project and production base of clean energy.

Before flying to Shanghai, you will take a leisurely stroll at the Binjiang Park on the tree-lined lanes and encounter the relaxing local life, followed by a visit to Yichang Museum, housing over 30,000 cultural relics including Changyang man fossils, bronze bells, black pottery, etc.

Afterwards, fly to Shanghai and enjoy the brilliantly illuminated night of this metropolis on the way back to your hotel.

Today, you will first go to Yu Garden, an over 400-year-old private garden. Enjoy yourself in this "city forest" and appreciate China's typical southern landscape art. Then head to Nanjing Road and the Bund, known as the World Architecture Museum with most buildings tracing back to 100-120 years ago.

Get a panoramic view of the glamorous Bund from the top of Shanghai World Financial Center. Continue your visit to Xintiandi (New World of Shanghai), where traditional Shikumen constructions and advanced modern buildings fuse together. Walk into a traditional Shikument residence named Wulixiang Museum exhibiting life back in 1920s.

The Bund with its magnificent highrises

Wulixiang Museum

Your 11-day delightful China exploration ends here and farewell to China. You will be escorted to the airport for your departure flight.