Day 01: Arrive Shanghai

Upon arrival in Shanghai, we are met and transferred to our hotel. Hotel check-in is from 3:00 PM. Once a small fishing village, Shanghai has grown into one of the world’s largest and most modern metropolises.

Overnight: Sunrise on the Bund, Shanghai (2 nights)

Day 02: Shanghai

Discover bustling Shanghai on a city tour. We’ll first visit Yu Garden, a prime example of a classical Chinese garden that dates back to 1559. This tranquil world of bamboo groves, koi-filled ponds and Ming Dynasty pavilions remains a serene sanctuary in contemporary times. After this cultural exploration, we head to Tianzifang, a network of alleyways filled with cafes, bars and boutiques. We round the day off with a stroll past the European style villas and buildings of the Former French Concession. We then proceed to the famous Bund, a waterfront promenade lined with European-style buildings. (B, L)

Day 03: Shanghai/Yichang (Train)/Yangtze River Cruise

Transfer to Shanghai Train Station, where we take the high-speed train to Yichang (7-8 hours – upgrade to flight available, please contact us for details). Upon arrival at Yichang, we are met and shuttled to Mauping, where we embark on our river cruise.

Overnight: Victoria Jenna Cruise (4 nights) (B, D)

Note: The cruise itinerary provided in this itinerary is for reference – actual cruise itinerary will vary.

Day 04: Yangtze River Cruise

This morning, wake up to beautiful river views and perhaps join optional Tai Chi practice (available each morning on the cruise). The highlight of today is a tour through Three Gorges Dam, which spans the Yangtze River and is the world’s largest power station. This evening, enjoy a welcome reception and delicious dinner, followed by a Minorities and Dynasty costume show. (B, L, D)

Day 05: Yangtze River Cruise

Today, we enjoy a stunning excursion through the beautiful green gorges of Shennong Stream. On board, savour stunning views of the green gorges surrounding us. An optional afternoon excursion to the White Emperor City is also available. (B, L, D)

Day 06: Yangtze River Cruise

On the final day of our cruise, we explore beautiful Shuang Gui Mountain, with its lovely scenery and interesting temples. In the evening, we are sent off in style with a Captain’s farewell banquet. (B, L, D)

Day 07: Yangtze River Cruise/Chongqing/Xi’an (Train)

After buffet breakfast, our river cruise disembarks at Chongqing. We are transferred to Chongqing Train Station, where we take our high-speed train to Xi’an (approx. 5.5 hours). Upon arrival in Xi’an, we are met and transferred to our hotel.

Overnight: Somerset Xindicheng, Xi’an (2 nights) (B)

Day 08: Xi’an

Our exploration reveals Xi’an’s ancient past, which dates back over 3,000 years. The highlight of the tour is the acclaimed site of the Terracotta Warriors, which consists of 8,000 figures built under the order of the emperor to accompany him to the afterlife.

We will also discover the vibrant Muslim Quarter, which is home to the Grand Mosque. This impressive building is the largest mosque in China and dates back to 742 AD. It comprises a series of interconnected 18th-century courtyards built in a Chinese style, with Islamic decorative motifs. It was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1985. The Muslim Quarter is packed full of Muslim food, snacks and local souvenirs.

Our final stop is at Shaanxi History Museum. As the regional capital and doorway to the Silk Road, Xi'an was one of the richest, most well-protected cities in all of China. The famous Shaanxi History Museum introduces us to area's rich culture, from Emperor Qin Shihuang to the present day. (B, L)

Day 09: Xi’an/Luoyang (Train)

This morning, we discover Xi’an’s ancient City Wall. Today's wall represents one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. The first city wall of Chang’An was begun in 194 BCE. The existing wall was started during the Ming Dynasty in 1370.

We will also experience Small Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the most significant pagodas in the city. This pagoda was built between 707 and 709.

After our experience in Xi’an, we are transferred to the train station for our high-speed train to Luoyang (approx. 1.5 hours). Upon arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel.

Overnight: Peony Plaza, Luoyang (2 nights) (B, L)

Day 10: Luoyang

Today, discover Longmen Grottos, one of three main treasure houses of stone inscription art in China. Longmen Grottos is a complex of some 2,100 caves with more than 100,000 statues and 3,600 inscriptions carved on stone tablets. In Chinese, Longmen means the 'Dragon Gate'. In this amazing display of art and craftsmanship, you'll find Buddha that range in size from tall (17.14m) to small (2 cm) and everything in between.

We will also see the Museum of Imperial Carriages of the Emperor of Zhou Dynasty, where we see sacrificial pits full of ancient sculptures and skeletons dating back to before 220 BC. We end with an exploration of Luoyang Old Town District, filled with ancient architecture, and Guanlin, the tomb and memorial temple of Lord Guan, which dates back to 1596. (B, L)

Day 11: Luoyang/Anyang/Beijing (Train)

We are transferred by road to Anyang. In Anyang, we are met and have the chance to discover Yin Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Yin is the ancient name for present-day Xiaodun village, where inscriptions on bones and tortoise shells, the oldest characters in the world, were discovered in 1899. The ruins cover a total area of 24 square kilometers (9 square miles), preserving a great number of bronze, stone, bone and jade articles. The 87-kilogram Simuwu four-legged square bronze caldron is the biggest bronze article in the world.

Afterwards, transfer to the station for our train to Beijing (approx. 3 hours). Upon arrival, we are transferred to our hotel.

Overnight: Sunworld Hotel Wangfujing, Beijing (3 nights) (B, L)

Day 12: Beijing

We first discover Tian’anmen Square, the biggest city square in the world and the site of numerous history-changing events and ceremonies. We then explore the Forbidden City, China’s largest and most complete ancient building. In 500 years, 24 emperors lived here. Afterwards, see the Temple of Heaven, an iconic building dating from the 16th century. We end our day tour with a visit to the Summer Palace and a boat ride. This site is the largest preserved garden in China, and includes more than 100 ancient mansions, towers, halls, temples and bridges. (B, L)

Day 13: Beijing

Experience the legendary Mutianyo Great Wall (including round trip cable car), built during the mid-6th century. We then embark on a rickshaw Hutong tour through Old Beijing. Our final stop is the Ming Tomb and DIngling Tomb, one of thirteen imperial tombs of the Ming Dynasty. (B, L)

Day 14: Depart Beijing

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and are transferred to the airport in time for our departure flight. (B, L)

B=Breakfast, S=Snack, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 2 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
Email us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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