Pandas & Yangtze Cruise

Giant Panda and the Yangtze River Cruise

15-Day Beijing · Xi'an · Guilin · Chengdu · Chongqing · Yangtze River Cruise · Shanghai, See Giant Panda by Cruise

15 Days 14 NightsBeijing→Xi'an→Guilin→Yangshuo→Chengdu→Chongqing→Shanghai2,300 – 4,200 USD

15Days

14Nights

7Destinations

2,300From

PandaYangtze CruiseClassicNature

Overview

Trip Overview

The best of both worlds: China's UNESCO wonders, the Li River's dreamlike karst, Chengdu's national treasure giant pandas, and a voyage along the Yangtze to the Three Gorges Dam. A grand, once-in-a-lifetime journey pairing wildlife with river cruising.

Highlights

Trip Highlights

✓Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors
✓Cruise the Li River through Guilin's Dreamlike Karst Landscape, Discover Yangshuo Pastoral
✓Sail the Longest River in China, Uncover the Engineering Miracle of the Three Gorges Dam
✓Encounter National Treasures in Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
✓Savor Local Food, Watch Immersive Performance

Day-by-day

Day-by-day Itinerary

1DAYBeijing

Day 1 Arrive in Beijing

Destination

Beijing

Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the world's great historic cities — a place where imperial grandeur and a fast-moving modern capital share the same skyline. For over 800 years it has been the political and cultural heart of the country, and its monuments — the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace — need no introduction.

BreakfastNot included · Meals on your own

MorningWelcome to China! Private transfer from Beijing Capital Airport or Daxing International Airport to your Hotel for check-in.

LunchNot included · Meals on your own

AfternoonAfter arrival, enjoy free time to adjust to the time difference and recharge for the journey ahead.

DinnerNot included · Meals on your own

EveningCheck in at Beijing Hotel and rest at leisure.

TransportPrivate airport transferStayBeijing 4-Star Hotel

2DAYBeijing

Day 2 Beijing · Tiananmen · Forbidden City · Temple of Heaven · Acrobatics

BreakfastIncluded · Inside Hotel · Breakfast included

MorningVisit Tiananmen Square and the Palace Museum to experience 600 years of royal grandeur.

LunchNot included · At own expense

AfternoonHead to the Temple of Heaven to admire the ancient sacrificial Architecture complex; enjoy a thrilling China acrobatics Performance.

DinnerIncluded · Includes welcome dinner · Beijing roast duck

EveningEnjoy an à la carte welcome dinner and taste authentic Beijing roast duck.

TransportAir-conditioned tour busStayBeijing 4-star Hotel

3DAYBeijing

Day 3 Beijing · Mutianyu Great Wall · Bird's Nest · Hutongs

BreakfastIncluded · Inside Hotel · Breakfast included

MorningTake the round-trip cable car up to Mutianyu Great Wall and take in the majestic views.

LunchNot included · At own expense

AfternoonView the Olympic venue Bird's Nest from the bus; ride a rickshaw through the old Beijing hutongs and experience Local Life.

DinnerNot included · At own expense

EveningReturn to City center for free time.

TransportAir-conditioned tour bus + cable carStayBeijing 4-star Hotel

4DAYBeijing

Day 4 Beijing → Xi'an (high-speed rail)

BreakfastIncluded · Within Hotel · Breakfast included

MorningVisit the Summer Palace, StrollingKunmingLakeside and the Long Corridor.

LunchNot included · At own expense

AfternoonTake the high-speed rail to Xi'an; upon arrival, a private car will pick you up and transfer you to Hotel.

DinnerNot included · At own expense

EveningCheck in at Xi'anHotel and rest at leisure.

TransportHigh-speed rail + private car pickupStayXi'an 4-diamond Hotel

5DAYXi'an

Day 5 Xi'an · Terracotta Army · Giant Wild Goose Pagoda · Tang-style music and dance

Destination

Xi'an

Xi'an, known as Chang'an in ancient times, is one of China's Four Great Ancient Capitals and the starting point of the Silk Road. With over 3,100 years of history and 1,100 years as a capital for 13 dynasties, it served as the political, economic, and cultural heart of ancient China. The city is home to the world-renowned Terracotta Army, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the remarkably preserved ancient city wall, offering a tangible link to China's imperial past.

BreakfastIncluded · Within Hotel · Breakfast included

MorningVisit the Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang Museum and feel the awe of the underground army.

LunchNot included · At own expense

AfternoonMake a mini terracotta warrior by hand and experience Qin terracotta craftsmanship; visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.

DinnerIncluded · Dumpling banquet included

EveningEnjoy a dumpling banquet and watch a wonderful Tang-style music and dance performance Performance.

TransportAir-conditioned tour busStayXi'an 4-star Hotel

6DAYXi'an

Day 6 Xi'an · Ancient Town Wall · Muslim Quarter · Big Mosque

BreakfastIncluded · Within Hotel · Breakfast included

MorningClimb the Ming Dynasty Ancient Town Wall and enjoy a panoramic view of Xi'an.

LunchNot included · At own expense

AfternoonTaste local Food Snacks in the Muslim Quarter; visit the Big Mosque and Shaanxi History Museum.

DinnerNot included · At own expense

EveningFree time to experience the night views of Xi'an.

TransportAir-conditioned tour busStayXi'an 4-star Hotel

7DAYXi'an

Day 7 Xi'an → Guilin (by plane)

BreakfastIncluded · Inside Hotel · Breakfast included

MorningPrivate car transfer to the airport, then fly to Guilin.

LunchNot included · Self-arranged

AfternoonUpon arrival in Guilin, airport pickup and visit to Reed Flute Cave and Elephant Trunk Hill.

DinnerNot included · Self-arranged

EveningCheck in at GuilinHotel, free time to rest.

TransportFlight + private car airport pickupStayGuilin 4-star Hotel

8DAYGuilin

Day 8 Guilin → Yangshuo → Guilin · Li River cruise

Destination

Guilin

Guilin, in the northeast of Guangxi in southern China, is one of the country's most celebrated landscapes, a place whose limestone karst peaks, winding rivers and misty caves have inspired painters and poets for more than a thousand years. Founded as a commandery town in the Qin dynasty, it grew into a prosperous administrative and cultural centre on the route between the Central Plains and the far south. Its name, meaning 'forest of osmanthus', comes from the fragrant trees that still line its streets each autumn.

BreakfastIncluded · Inside Hotel · Breakfast included

MorningCruise downstream along the Li River to Yangshuo (about 4 hours), enjoying karst landscapes along the way.

LunchNot included · Self-arranged

AfternoonStrolling West Street, Cycling Yangshuo countryside, experience the Pastoral scenery.

DinnerNot included · Self-arranged

EveningReturn by car to Guilin and check in at Hotel.

TransportCruise + private carStayGuilin 4-star Hotel

9DAYGuilin

Day 9 Guilin → Chengdu (high-speed rail)

BreakfastIncluded · Inside Hotel · Breakfast included

MorningTake a first-class high-speed train to Chengdu.

LunchNot included · Self-arranged

AfternoonUpon arrival in Chengdu, check in at Hotel and explore Night market Food Street.

DinnerNot included · Self-arranged

EveningFree time.

TransportHigh-speed rail + private car station pickupStayChengdu 4-star Hotel

10DAYChengdu

Day 10 Chengdu → Chongqing (high-speed rail) · Board the cruise ship

Destination

Chengdu

Chengdu is Sichuan's capital and the slow-living heart of southwest China — a city where tea, pandas and mouth-numbing hotpot set the pace. It has been a cultural and trade hub on the Chengdu Plain for over 3,000 years, and today it is best known to travellers for three things: the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, its teahouse lifestyle, and one of the most celebrated food scenes in the country.

BreakfastIncluded · Within Hotel · Breakfast included

MorningVisit the Giant Panda base and Kuanzhai Alley.

LunchNot included · At own expense

AfternoonTake the high-speed train to Chongqing.

DinnerIncluded · Included

EveningBoard the Yangtze River cruise ship and begin the Three Gorges journey.

TransportHigh-speed rail + cruise shipStayYangtze River Cruise

11DAY长江游轮

Day 11 Yangtze River Cruise · Fengdu Ghost City/Shuangguishan

BreakfastIncluded · Within Hotel · Breakfast included

MorningShore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City (deluxe cruise) or Shuangguishan (standard cruise).

LunchIncluded · Included

AfternoonOn board Leisure, join the onboard Culture activities.

DinnerIncluded · Included

EveningWatch the live-action performance «Fengyan Three Kingdoms» Performance (deluxe cruise).

TransportCruiseStayYangtze River Cruise

12DAY长江游轮

Day 12 Yangtze River Cruise · Three Gorges · Shennü Stream

BreakfastIncluded · Within Hotel · Breakfast included

MorningTake a cruise through the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River and take in the magnificent scenery of Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge.

LunchIncluded · Included

AfternoonTake a small boat to visit Shennü Stream and experience the beauty of the deep gorge.

DinnerIncluded · Included

EveningAttend the crew farewell party dinner.

TransportCruise + small boatStayYangtze River cruise

13DAYYichang

Day 13 Yichang → Shanghai (high-speed rail)

BreakfastIncluded · Within Hotel · Breakfast included

MorningAfter disembarking, visit the majestic Three Gorges Dam.

LunchIncluded · Included

AfternoonTake the high-speed rail to Shanghai; upon arrival, meet at the station and transfer to Hotel.

DinnerNot included · At own expense

EveningStay at Shanghai Hotel and rest freely.

TransportHigh-speed rail + private car station pickupStayShanghai 4-diamond Hotel

14DAYShanghai

Day 14 Shanghai · Yu Garden · ShanghaiMuseum · The Bund · Huangpu River Cruise

Destination

Shanghai

Shanghai is China's most cosmopolitan city — a glittering financial capital where the colonial Bund faces the futuristic skyline of Lujiazui across the Huangpu River. It has been a gateway between China and the world for over a century, and that openness still defines its character today.

BreakfastIncluded · Inside Hotel · Breakfast included

MorningVisit Yu Garden and ShanghaiMuseum to experience the charm of Jiangnan Garden and Shanghai-style Culture.

LunchNot included · At own expense

AfternoonStrolling the Bund and admire the collection of buildings in the International Architecture Exhibition.

DinnerNot included · At own expense

EveningTake a boat Night tour the Huangpu River and enjoy the dazzling Night views on both banks.

TransportAir-conditioned tour bus + cruiseStayShanghai 4-diamond Hotel

15DAYShanghai

Day 15 Departure from Shanghai

BreakfastIncluded · Within Hotel · Breakfast included

MorningEnjoy free time according to your flight schedule; you can spend your final moments leisurely at Hotel or City center.

LunchNot included · Self-arranged

AfternoonPrivate transfer to the airport and check-in assistance.

DinnerNot included · Self-arranged

EveningEnd your pleasant China journey. We wish you a smooth trip home!

TransportPrivate airport transfer

Hotels

Hotel Reference

Destination	Hotel	Rating	Room type	Nights
Beijing	Beijing 4-star Hotel	4-star	Standard Twin Room	3 nights
Xi'an	Xi'an 4-star Hotel	4-star	Standard Twin Room	3 nights
Guilin	Guilin 4-star Hotel	4-star	Standard Twin Room	2 nights
Chengdu	Chengdu 4-diamond Hotel	4-diamond	Standard Twin Room	1 night
Yangtze River Cruise	Yangtze River Luxury Cruise	5-star	Balcony Room	2 nights
Shanghai	Shanghai 4-diamond Hotel	4-diamond	Standard Twin Room	2 nights

Activities

Recommended Activities

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

View the national treasure Giant Panda up close.

Three Gorges of the Yangtze River

Magnificent gorge scenery.

Li River

GuilinThe finest scenery under heaven, with karst peak forests.

Included / Not included

Pricing

Included

Domestic flight and train tickets
HotelAccommodation (daily breakfast included)
Meals as listed in the itinerary
Professional English-speaking guide
Driver and air-conditioned tour vehicle
First entrance tickets to attractions
Yangtze River cruise (all meals on board included)

Not Included

International round-trip airfare
ChinaVisa fees
Optional paid activities
Any expenses arising from flight delays, cancellations, or force majeure
Excess baggage fees
Tips for the guide and driver

Notes

Good to Know

This itinerary is privately customized and the order may be adjusted according to your flight/train schedule.
The Yangtze River cruise includes all meals on board; please inform us of any dietary restrictions in advance.
Cruise cabins are in high demand; early booking is recommended.

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