Best China and Yangtze River Cruise Tour, 11 Days China Tour Package

Tour Itinerary Expand All

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1Arrival Beijing

Transfer service to hotel

Meals: No Meals
Recommended Hotel: Citadines Ritan Service Apartment ★★★★

Arrive in Beijing, the capital city of China. You will be greeted and met by TCT tour guide at the airport and transferred to your hotel, whenever your flight arrives in Beijing. After check-in, free at leisure for the rest of the day.

Beijing City View

Day 2Beijing

Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Citadines Ritan Service Apartment ★★★★

[09:00-09:30] Our guide will meet you up at the hotel lobby and start to explore the historical city of Beijing.

[09:30-12:30] You will reach the Tian’anmen Square, the largest public square in the world. Walk through the square and visit today’s highlight: Forbidden City , the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world.

[12:30-14:00] Have lunch at a local Chinese restaurant enroute to experience the authentic Chinese food.

[14:00-16:30] Visit Temple of Heaven, which was used to pray for harvest by the emperors. It is China's existing largest structure for sacrifice to heaven. Shopping time at a tea store.

[16:30-17:30] Back to the hotel, en route you can plan for the night show or the Peking duck dinner with your guide and ask for suggestions.

Forbidden City

Day 3Beijing

Mutianyu Great Wall, Olympic Park, the exterior of Bird Nest and Water Cube

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Citadines Ritan Service Apartment ★★★★

[08:00-08:30] Our guide will meet you up at the hotel lobby and start to explore the Great Wall.

[08:30-12:30] Drive to Mutianyu Great Wall, which section is more popular among foreign visitors. Upon arrival, you can choose to hike on the Great Wall, or take cable car up and walk around.

[12:30-13:30] Enjoy lunch at a local Chinese restaurant nearby The Great Wall.

[13:30-16:30] Drive back to Beijing city and have a stop at a jade store on the way. Visit the exterior Bird Nest and Water Cube, the amazing architectures that built for Beijing Olympic Games.

[16:30-17:30] Back to the hotel, en route you can plan for the night activities, such as foot massage, houhai night bars and Sanlitun bar street.

Mutianyu Great Wall

Day 4Beijing - Xian

Hutong Tour by rickshaw, Summer Palace,Departure to Xian by high speed train

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Somerset Xindicheng Xian ★★★★

[09:30-10:00] You will have enough time to pack up and check out. Our guide will meet you up at the hotel lobby and have half day leisure tour in Beijing.

[10:00-11:30] Drive to Drum Tower area for taking a relaxing Hutong Tour by rickshaw , which is the way to know the Beijing local lifestyle.

[11:30-14:30] Drive to Summer Palace, which is the existing largest, best-preserved imperial garden in China. Boat ride on Kunming Lake is included. Lunch will be arranged at a nearby restaurant.

After lunch, be transferred to train station to take high speed train to Xian. Your Xian tour guide will wait for you at the Xian North Train Station and help you to transfer to the hotel.

Hutong

Day 5Xian

Terracotta Warriors, Bell Tower, Gao's Courtyard, Muslim Quarter

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Somerset Xindicheng Xian ★★★★

[09:00-09:30] Our guide will meet you up at the hotel lobby and start to explore the Ancient city.

[09:30-12:30] Drive to Terracotta Warriors and explore one of the world's most important archaeological finds, with troops, horses and carriages in battle formation. Shuttle bus will be arranged for your convenience. Then you will have a chance to visit pottery figurine factory, where you can learn how to make a pottery figurine.

[12:30-14:00] A chinese Lunch will be arranged nearby the scenic area of Terracotta Warriors.

[14:00-17:00] Afternoon visit the Bell tower, which is the largest bell tower in structure and shape and the best-preserved one in China. Then have a visit at Gao's Courtyard, which is a wonderful choice for you to appreciate ancient residences and explore local culture of paper-cutting and shadow puppetry. Continue to walk around Muslim Quarter and enjoy your shopping time there and you can also challenge the various local snacks.

[17:00-17:30] Back to the hotel, en route you can plan for the night activities, such as Tang Dynasty Show with Dinner.

Terracotta Warriors

Day 6Xian - Chongqing

Ancient City Wall, Wild Goose Pagoda and north square,Departure to Chongqing by a high speed train

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
On Board: Victoria Cruise ★★★★★

[09:30-10:00] You will have enough time to pack up and check out. Our guide will meet you up at the hotel lobby and have one day leisure tour in Xian before leaving for Chongqing.

[10:00-12:30] Visit the Ancient City Wall, which represents one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls. Bicycle or sightseeing car will be arranged on the wall to go around. After that visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and you will have chance to watch the North plaza fountain show.

Take a high speed train (duration: 5 hours) to Chongqing. Your Chongqing tour guide will wait for you at the railway station and help you to transfer to Chaotianmen wharf and check-in at the Victoria cruise, which Set sail from Chongqing at 9:00 p.m.

Xian City Wall

Day 7Yangtze River Cruise

Fengdu Ghost City (optional), Fengdu Shuanguishan National Park, FengYan SanGuo "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" Show(optional)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch& Dinner
On Board: Victoria cruise ★★★★★

Enjoy a full day Yangtze cruise! In ther morning, you will have an optional shore excursion short visit to Fengdu (depends on river condition). Fendu is known as the 'Ghost City' to most Chinese people. Fengdu Shuanguishan National Park is arranged as your shore excursion. You can also choose to take the additional shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City with extra fee. Tonight a captain welcome reception is arranged for all the tourists. Feng Yan San Guo “Rommance of the Three Kingdoms” Show is another show excursion for you in the evening.

Victoria Cruise Itinerary: (only for reference, may change by cruise without notice)

[06:30-08:30] Early Bird Coffee and Tea; Practice Tai Chi on board and Buffet breakfast.

[09:00-13:30] Shore excursion---Fengdu Shuanguishan National Park is arranged in the morning. Or take additional shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City with extra cost. Buffet lunch is served on board.

[16:00-21:30] Late afternoon Captain's Welcome Reception with buffet dinner. In the evening, you can choose to take the additional Shore excursion---FengYan SanGuo "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" Show.

Notes:
1. The cruise shore excursion and docks are subject to the arrangements which might influent by seasons, water levels, cruise canals and climates and subject to change without prior notice. During the cruise, you will receive the schedule from boat for declares the daily programme
2. Service fee to river guide and cruise crew on board is RMB150 per passenger which does not including in fare.
3. The other personal expense such as internet service, laundry, drinks and bar charge etc are not including.

Shibaozhai

Day 8Yangtze River Cruise

White Emperor City (optional), Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, Godness Stream

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch& Dinner
On Board: Victoria cruise ★★★★★

Today, an optional excursion will be arranged at around 07:30 to the White Emperor City - a place offers a view looking toward the Qutang Gorge is depicted on the back of the Chinese 10-yuan bill. Back to the ship and then pass through Three Gorges that namely Qutang Gorge - considered the most dramatic by many visitors, Wu Gorge - known for its deep valleys and forest covered mountains, and then after lunch, you will have a boat excursion to Goddess Stream .

Victoria Cruise Itinerary: (A bit different from the itinerary of other cruises)
06:30 - 07:00 Early bird coffee and tea/ practice Tai Chi at upper deck
07:00 - 08:30 Breakfast (Buffet)
07:30 - 10:15 Optional Shore excursion - White Emperor City (at your own expense RMB295 P.P)
10:45 (Est.) Sailing through Qutang Gorge
12:45 (Est.) Scenic cruising - Wu Gorge
12:00 - 13:00 Lunch (Buffet)
15:15 - 18:15 Shore excursion - Goddess Stream (or Shennong Stream depends on river condition)
19:00 - 20:30 Captain's Farewell Banquet (set-menu table dinner)
21:00 - 21:45 Crew cabaret
(18:00-23:00) Check out and pay for the bills if any

1. Excursion trip to White Emperor City, you would take the coach directly to Baidi Temple in 20 minutes' drive. You will have two hours for your White Emperor City visit to appreciate the rich historic story and mysterious land.

Qutang Gorge

Day 9Yichang - Shanghai

Three Gorges Dam,Take high speed train to Shanghai

Meals: Breakfast
Recommended Hotel: SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund ★★★★

[06:00-07:45] Buffet breakfast

[08:15-12:30] Disembark at Maoping cruise terminal, Shore excursion to Three Gorges Dam Site; transfer to the passenger center in downtown of Yichang

Take high speed train to Shanghai. Your Shanghai tour guide will wait for you at the train station and help you to transfer to the hotel.

Three Gorge Dam

Day 10Shanghai

Jade Buddha Temple, the exterior of Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Old Street, The Bund

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel:SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund ★★★★

[09:00-09:30] Our guide will meet you up at the hotel lobby and start to explore the Modern city of China.

[09:30-12:30] Visit Jade Buddha Temple, which is famous for the seated Buddha, encrusted with jewels, which is said to weigh 1,000 kg.Then visit the exterior of Oriental Pearl TV Tower, while walking on Riverside Promenade Bingjiang Da Dao. Enroute have a shopping stop at silk museum.

[12:30-13:30] A La Carte lunch at a local popular restaurant, atmosphere might be loud but tasty food.

[13:30-16:30] Visit Yuyuan Garden, which is a Chinese classic garden in city downtown, shopping time at Shanghai Old Street and Nanjing Road which is the earliest commercial street in Shanghai, you could look for some special souvenirs and silk product there. After that, enjoy a leisure walk along the Bund, famous for groups of buildings known as "a Gallery of world architecture".

[16:30-17:30] Back to the hotel, en route you can plan for the night Acrobatic Show, especially the ERA show, which is one of the most popular evening entertainments in Shanghai.

The Bund

Day 11Departure Shanghai

Transfer service to airport

Meals: Breakfast

Free day at leisure and be transferred to the airport for return flight. We can arrange the Maglev train ride to Pudong airport if you are interested in, or we will drive you directly to the airport.

Service Ends

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Tour Price (US$ per person)

Hotel Class	Group Size	Dec. ~ Feb.	Mar. ~ Nov.
Economy Hotel ★★★	2 ~ 5 pax	$ 2120	$ 2234
Economy Hotel ★★★	6 ~ 9 pax	$ 1611	$ 1725
Comfortable Hotel ★★★★	2 ~ 5 pax	$ 2187	$ 2356
Comfortable Hotel ★★★★	6 ~ 9 pax	$ 1679	$ 1848
Deluxe Hotel ★★★★★	2 ~ 5 pax	$ 2584	$ 2925
Deluxe Hotel ★★★★★	6 ~ 9 pax	$ 2075	$ 2416

Price includes:

♦ Domestic flight or high-speed train as specified
♦ Private transfer between the airport or railway station, attractions, and hotels
♦ Private licensed English-speaking guide and driver service
♦ Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast on sharing basis
♦ All attraction entrance fees as specified
♦ Meals mentioned in the itinerary, Chinese local food
♦ China Life Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance

Price excludes:

* International Air tickets or Train Tickets to enter or leave China
* Tips to your tour guide and driver on your own discretion
* China Entry Visa Fees
* Personal expenses
* Optional tours, meals, activities and services

Remarks:

※ Prices are valid from Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2025, except Chinese public holidays, local fairs or events.
※ TCT reserves the right to adjust the price caused by exchange rate
※ No guide on the flight and Yangtze River cruise.
※ Recommended hotels are subject to change in actual booking
※ Special requirements should be advised to TCT in advance.
※ TCT reserves the right of final explanation for any change due to the reasons beyond our control.

Useful Information

Traveler Reviews Feedbacks & Photos >>Feedbacks

5.0

PunkNelson

5.0

Great Hotel stay Very Nice Tour guides Convenient planned daily trips Average selection of restaurant for food though

JrnyJunkie

5.0

The views are stunning and the boat that we were on had VIP seating for just our group with a private balcony to view the river.

rmunzenmayer

5.0

Just returned from two weeks of travel through China set up by Rebecca at Top China Travel. Absolutely perfect experience. In each city our guides and drivers were the best! Started in Beijing, then Xian, Yangtze River Cruise, Wuhan and Shanghai. In each city a university educated tour guide was waiting for us full of local history and information. Additional evening attractions like Beijing Opera and Tang Dynasty Show were perfect. She set up a cooking lesson for us with a private family in Beijing that was the best. Each and every one of our requests were honored and planned specifically for us. A special trip to Wuhan, off the normal tourist path was delightful. We finished the trip with a visit to Shanghai Disney. So thankful to this organization for the trip of a lifetime.

MartinBaxter58

5.0

After completing an upstream Yangtze River Cruise from Yichang to Chongqing we had a couple of days in Chongqing itself. We decided to organise a full day private city tour and as a result I did some research on the internet as to the options. I quickly discovered that Top China Travel (TCT), who are based in Guilin, not only had the best option but also the best prices. I contacted TCT and was immediately contacted back by Yocky Yang. She was excellent in all aspects in organising the tour for us. All communications (her English was amazing) were made through WhatsApp which worked really well, payment was made through PayPal. The actual Full Day Tour included Peoples Hall and Square, Three Gorges Museum, Huguang Guild Hall, General Stilwall Museum and the Erling Park. A huge and excellent lunch (spicy Sichuan cuisine) was also included. Our guide David (who contacted us the day before to agree hotel pickup timing) was excellent, super friendly, spoke excellent English and was incredibly knowledgeable about all aspects of Chongqing. He pretty much let us dictate the speed in which we moved from one place to another, and there were no shopping stops !!! At the end of the tour we expressed a wish to visit Hongyadong as we had heard good reports of this quirky bar / restaurant complex and its amazing views. As we didn't know the way he offered to walk us there which was a nice touch, indeed we had a few drinks together which finished the wonderful day of nicely. Both Yocky Yang at TCT and David our tour guide are highly recommended.

FromCanada514

5.0

We still can't believe that we've spent 11 days of dream in China, organized for us by TCT Guilin. The pick ups at the different airports went without a hitch. our guides were warm and so friendly, although a few were quite busy with their IPhone. The hotels recommended were outstanding. The breakfast at The Marriott were excellent. The terra cotta army in Xian is a marvel. The dumpling banquet in Xian was somewhat below our expectations though. The cruise on the Yang Tse river, a once in a lifetime experience though a bit too short. Don t hesitate to upgrade to the suite on the Victoria cruises (Victoria Selena), you won't regret it, a panoramic view of breath taking intensity....quite interesting shore excursions, they are worth the money. We would hesitate one second to book another and longer trip with TCT Guilin.

Kihei.Goldilocks

5.0

Our tour: Beijing, Xi`an, Yangtze River Cruise and Shanghi When we first made our inquires, we thought we would be hooked up with a group but due to our dates, it turned out to be just my husband and I. It was one of the best tours we’ve been on and we travel the world. First, we were immediately notified of a hotel upgrade prior to leaving home due to a National Holiday they declared in China. Our first hotel was close to the center of Beijing and everything would be shut down due to the Military Parade scheduled. Upon arriving in Beijing at 4:30am, we learned from our “super” guide, Grace, that all tours would be shut down for that one day also. Not a problem. We ended up going to the Great Wall and the Summer Palace the day before the shut down. We had plenty of time at both locations plus a delightful lunch on the way to the Great Wall. The day after the shutdown, was to the Temple of Heaven, (actually a wonderful park with everyone doing everything from dancing to playing checkers) then on to Tian`anmen Square. Here the decorations were still up from the parade and it was starting to get crowded but we started early, the Forbidden City and the Rickshaw Hutong Tour. Lunch was part of the Rickshaw tour and was in a local Chinese home. Normally, these might be spread out over a couple of days but we had to compress due to the shutdown and didn’t feel we missed anything. Again, Grace and our driver were wonderful and she knew all the short cuts etc… Then they drove us to the high speed train. Grace arranged our tickets and even boarded the train with us to make sure we were in the right seats, Loved this girl!! We were met in Xi`an at the train station by _____and driven to the Ramada Bell Tower. First on the agenda was the Ancient City Wall. This wall is about 40 feet high and probably 15 feet across. It isYou popular to rent bikes and ride around it (lots of tandum bikes) or walking or jogging. The whole distance is about 6 miles around. (visible from Google Earth) Then on to Terracota Army Museum. This is about an hour drive out of the city. This is a large complex. I don’t know what I was expecting but I didn’t expect buildings other than the hugh one built over the warriors. Lunch was provided at a restaurant on site. Back to Xi`an and a quick stop at the Wild Goose Pagoda. Here you are given into the care of a Pogoda volunteer to take you thru the grounds. The next morning we had some time before our flight to Chongqing so ___ took us to the Shaanxi History Museum. This museum has some wonderful exhibits that are well worth the time. Our flight was met by the local guide and driver and they took us to the Victoria Llanna. I can’t tell you how fantastic it is to have these guides to move you around and look out for you. There is no way we would have known to hire a local porter to carry our luggage to the boat They put a suitcase on each end of a bamboo pole and carry it down probably 60 cement stairs to a 50 foot metal walkway on drums extending out to the boat. I had to hold on to the rail just to walk across to board the boat. No way I could have handled luggage. Our guide recommended the proper fee to the porter and fended him off when he wanted more. Registration is on board the boat. Our guide helped us with that and then off he went. On board, you are seated with a group of other travelers. We were called the Foreign Independent Travelers. We had couples from France, Israel and Australia at our table. The meals are oriental but it is easy to find something you like. Every meal was buffet except for the final night. Always breads, eggs, meat and various fruits for breakfast. Lunch and dinner had rice, chow mein, various meat and vegetable dishes and always watermelon. In the bar area, I found an ice cream bar that was my daily reward! The different Georges were beautiful. On one you stop and board smaller boats to go deeper into the Goddess stream. At about 11pm on the final night, you start through the locks of the three gorges dam. Two boats go through at a time. Take a nap so you can stay up for this transition. When we arrived in Yichang, another very competent guide came on board and collected us. Hired a local porter for us and up the hill we went to the car and driver. Then on to the Yichang Airport to catch our flight to Shanghi. Our guide walked us into the airport and made sure we had our boarding passes. In Shanghai we were again met and taken via the MagLev train to the Marriott Puxi Hotel. The MagLev operates out of the Pudong airport so if you want to ride on this, you need to arrive at the right airport. (our son said we had to do this so, there you go) Our day in a took us to the Jade Budda Temple, YuYuan Garden, Old Town, Oriental Pearl Tower (clear observation floor-like you are standing on air), Nanjing Road and the Bund. All doable in one day and at an easy pace. I’m not a shopper but did take my picture at the Apple Store to show I was there! Next morning we went to Watertown. This is a town with canals (think Venice) that is 1700 years old. Walked the streets and took a cruise on the wooden boat. Very peaceful amid the hustle and bustle of Shanghai. On to the Hongqiao Airport for a flight back to Beijing. (We were on Hawaiian Airlines so needed to go in and out of Beijing ) Our last day in Beijing we went to the Pearl Market to shop. This is where one goes to by knock offs. High end handbags, electronics, toys etc. (Flight crews go there to shop) This is not a souvenir shop. The next morning another guide and driver showed up to take us to the Beijing Airport. A guide and driver are the way to travel China and Top China Travel does it well. All guides were English speaking and paid attention to any requests we had

Michael B

5.0

Top China Travel provided a superb trip (11 days) to China. I am not all that easy to please, but TCT was perfect in every respect. The guides were knowledgeable and spoke clear English. They were flexible and accommodated every request. The hotels were all excellent and the food, in the hotels and the lunches, was first rate. I plan to return to China and will certainly book through TCT. Many thanks to the entire TCT staff!!!

Ruth Ann F

5.0

We traveled to China and southeast Asia for 33 days starting in Shanghai and ending in Kuala Lumpur. For the mainland China portion of our trip we spent 11 days with Top China Travel. It was a wonderful time and we were very happy we choose TCT. All of our guides were prompt, courteous and very knowledgable, especially William Zhang in Beijing and Snow Yu in Shanghai. Cherry Ma also did a fine job in Xi'an. We are very grateful that TCT changed our Yangtze River cruise ship from the Victoria Grace to the Century Sun 2 weeks before the start of our journey. We met a number of people on our Princess Cruise who were on the Victoria Grace and were very unhappy with their experience. Our cabin's on the Century Sun were mini suites and they were very nice. Also, the food and tours were excellent. So was the crew. We did find the boarding process to be a bit chaotic. We were not sure how our luggage was going to find it's way onto the right boat. Finally, we found a waiter from the Century Sun who assured us that our luggage would be put on board. It would have been less of a hassle had the TCT guide who met us at the Yichang airport taken us directly to the boat instead of us having to go on tour bus to the upstream part of the Yangtse due to the closure of the locks at the 3 Gorges Dam. However, it was only a minor inconveniance. We saw so much and had such great experiences. We would not hesitate to recommend TCT to any of our friends if their future travel plans included a trip to China.