Best of China & the Yangtze River
Ancient wonders. Modern cities. Timeless traditions. Like a classic Chinese dumpling, this tour of China is filled with flavor, zest, and delectable elements of surprise. From the hutongs of Beijing to the longtangs of Shanghai, you’ll savor every Far East experience you’ve ever craved, including a rickshaw ride through Beijing’s narrow alleyways, a walk along the Great Wall, and a 3-night cruise through the magnificent Three Gorges of the winding, wondrous Yangtze, Asia’s longest river. This truly hands-on vacation will teach you the ancient art of tea making, the calming practice of tai chi, and the delicate art of making traditional dim sum, the dumpling whose name means “to touch the heart.” Expect additional flutters when you enter the Forbidden City, stand before Xi’an’s Terracotta Army, and observe the daily habits of the native pandas of Chengdu.
March 28 - April 10,2027
From $7,302CAD per person
Special features included in this tour:
Guided city sightseeing in Beijing including visits to Tian’anmen Square and the Temple of Heaven
Welcome Peking duck dinner
Excursion to the Great Wall of China
Rickshaw ride through Beijing’s ancient hutongs with local noodle lunch
Visits to the Terracotta Warriors and the City Wall of Xi’an
Guided city sightseeing in Chengdu including Jinli Cultural Street
Traditional face-changing performance accompanied with Sichuan hot-pot dinner
Visit to the Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve
Three-night cruise through the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River with Victoria Cruises
Sampan cruise on West Lake
Tea-making demonstration with lunch at a local tea farm
Visit to Linyin Temple in Hangzhou
Visit to Yu Yuan Gardens and stroll along the Bund in Shanghai
Farewell dinner featuring Shanghai’s signature xiaolongbao dumplings
Intra-vacation flights as listed in the itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN BEIJING, CHINA
Welcome to China!
Hotel rooms are available for a mid-afternoon check-in.
DAY 2: BEIJING
Treasures of the Forbidden City
Your full-day sightseeing starts with a visit to Tian’anmen Square. Next, explore the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest palace complex in the world. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Summer Palace, a beautifully preserved imperial garden. Tonight, savor a special Peking duck welcome dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tour Highlight
HISTORY & MYSTERY Visit the largest public square in the world at Tian’anmen Square. Translated, this Gate of Heavenly Peace carries great cultural significance as the site of many important events in China’s history, including the protests and 1989. The Forbidden City harkens back to China’s great emperors, showcases ancient Chinese architecture, landscaped gardens, and displays of rare art and artifacts.
DAY 3: BEIJING-GREAT WALL EXCURSION
Heaven’s Gates & the Great Wall
This morning, visit the Temple of Heaven, founded in the 15th century. Then, head north to a village where the Great Wall of China is well preserved and walk along the wall for sweeping vistas. This mammoth fortress once stretched 4,000 miles across China’s barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Return to Beijing for some time at your leisure this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Enhanced Free Time ($)
EXPLORE MORE You may wish to attend a performance of the Peking Opera, a traditional form of Chinese theater, or a kung fu show. This and more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyGlobus.
DAY 4: BEIJING-XI’AN
Hutongs & Hot Noodles
Take a rickshaw ride through one of Beijing’s hutongs, the city’s ancient alleys. Enjoy a local noodle lunch before a short flight brings you to Xi’an this afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Local Favorite
EPIC RIDE Travel by rickshaw through the ancient alleyways and courtyards of Beijing to take in the true culture of its hutongs and Siheyuan. Get an insight to the old lifestyle in these cultural icons of Chinese tradition.
DAY 5: XI’AN
Silent Sentinels
Sightseeing begins with an enormous tomb of China’s first emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, accidentally discovered by local farmers in 1974. Marvel at the legion of Terracotta Warriors that has been guarding this burial site for 2,000 years. Later, visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, and Xi’an’s ancient City Wall, built in 1378.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Enhanced Free Time ($)
EXPLORE MORE Tonight, consider a performance of the Tang Dynasty dinner show, featuring a colorful assemblage of classical performances. This and more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyGlobus.
DAY 6: XI’AN-CHENGDU
The Many Faces of Chengdu
This morning, transfer to the train station for your high-speed train to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province and known for its flavorful food. Visit Jinli Cultural Street, a pedestrian street lined with ancient buildings featuring the architectural stylings from the late Qing dynasty. Also see People’s Park, where you may see local residents playing mahjong or practicing tai chi. Tonight, enjoy a Sichuan hot pot dinner followed by a face-changing performance.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Local Favorite
CULTURAL GEM Bian lian (face changing) is a traditional Chinese technique in which performers use masks to reflect mood changes of their character. An important aspect of Sichuan opera, the faces change faster than your eye can detect, using secrets passed down from generation to generation.
DAY 7: CHENGDU
Beauty in Black & White
Journey through the mountainous scenery to the Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve, home to over 170 pandas. Learn how this area protects and rehabilitates these beautiful animals. This afternoon and evening are yours to explore this city more.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Enhanced Free Time ($)
TIME & TRADITIONS Enjoy a free afternoon and evening in Chengdu. Your Tour Director will have expert advice on the best ways to relax and enjoy Chengdu. Your GlobusGO mobile app has directions and recommendations as well!
DAY 8: CHENGDU-CHONGQING (EMBARKATION)-YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
Gorgeous Gorges of the Yangtze
Take the high-speed train to Chongqing, China’s capital during World War II. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and visit the Three Gorges Museum. Enjoy some free time in the Ciqikou ancient town, also known as Little Chongqing, before boarding your ship for a 3-night cruise through the breathtaking Three Gorges of the Yangtze.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tour Highlight
NATURAL WONDERS Embark on an adventure on the Yangtze River along the most scenic section of this UNESCO World Heritage region of the Three Gorges. Breathtaking sights and legendary stories flow through the Qutang, Wu, and Xiling gorges gracing the middle reaches of this iconic river.
DAY 9: CRUISING: MOUNTAIN SHUANGGUI
Stories of the Song Dynasty
Your shore excursion today takes you to Mountain Shuanggui, known for its picturesque scenery and featuring cliff brush writings dating to the Song dynasty. Return to your ship where the afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy a variety of onboard activities. This evening, your Captain hosts a welcome party and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enhanced Free Time ($)
EXPLORE MORE You may choose to take an optional shore excursion to Fengdu, known by many in China as the “Ghost City,” to visit the mountaintop shrines.
DAY 10: CRUISING: QUTANG GORGE-WU GORGE - GODDESS STREAM
Narrow Escapes
Early this morning, you may choose to start your day with a tai chi lesson on the sun deck or simply relax and enjoy the scenery. Later, sail downstream through the first and second of the three gorges – Qutang Gorge. After lunch, disembark your ship for a boat excursion down Goddess Stream. Along the way, see picturesque scenery and mysterious hanging wooden coffins.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tour Highlight
SPECTACULAR SERENITY Sail through the shortest but most dramatic gorge, and Wu, known for its quiet beauty and forest covered mountains. You can nearly touch the perpendicular walls rising from the riverbanks as your Captain negotiates this narrow gap.
DAY 11: CRUISING: (DISEMBARKATION) THREE GORGES DAM SITE-YICHANG-HANGZHOU
The Power of Water
This morning, visit the awe-inspiring hydroelectric marvel of Three Gorges Dam Site, the largest dam of its kind in the world. Journey by coach to Wuhan, then board your flight to Hangzhou, one of China’s seven ancient capitals.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 12: HANGZHOU-SHANGHAI
Timeless Traditions
Start your tour of Hangzhou with a sampan cruise on West Lake, A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then visit Linyin Temple, followed by a demonstration of the tea-making process and lunch at a local tea farm. This afternoon, settle in for a comfortable drive to Shanghai, China’s most populous city.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Local Favorite
EPIC RIDE Flanked by temples, gardens, pavilions, and causeways, West Lake has inspired many artists and scholars for centuries. Enjoy the morning sun glowing on the water as you cruise on a sampan, a traditional wooden boat.
DAY 13: SHANGHAI
Dumplings & Dynasties
This morning, stroll along the Bund, the city’s riverfront boulevard lined with historic buildings, banks, and trade houses. Then, visit Yu Yuan Gardens, dating back to the Ming Dynasty. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Tour Highlight
CULTURE & TRADITION At dinner, get a taste of xiaolongbao, Shanghai’s most famous dish. These tasty soup dumplings are handmade with at least 18 intricate folds to close the top. The broth is the star, so eat lovingly!
DAY 14: SHANGHAI
So Long, Farewell
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.
Meals: Breakfast
Call us to book this amazing China tour!
Terms and Conditions
General Terms & Conditions:
Conditions apply. Valid on travel booked through Uniglobe Travel. All advertised prices include or disclose taxes & fees. Prices and offers are valid for new bookings only. Air only prices are per person for return travel in economy class unless otherwise stated. Package, cruise, tour, rail and hotel prices are per person, based on double occupancy for total length of stay unless otherwise stated, and are applicable for the departure date listed at the advertising deadline. Pricing that includes airfare is valid only for the departure gateway listed. Airport transfers to/from the hotel may not be included and are supplier and destination specific. Some packaged travel products for certain destinations may include flight connections at an additional cost ($). Taxes & fees due during travel or in destination are additional and may include, but not limited to, local car rental charges & taxes, one-way car rental drop fees which are to be paid upon arrival, resort fees & charges, tour ‘kitty’ or local payment, airline baggage fees, departure taxes, and cruise gratuities. Prices are for select departure dates and are accurate and subject to availability at advertising deadline, errors and omissions excepted, and subject to change without notice by the supplier. Advertising deadline: 25 Aug 2026. For full terms & conditions please speak with a Uniglobe Travel consultant.
