China Tour with Yangtze River Cruise & International Flights
Soak up the rich history and culture of China on an 18-day tour including a three-night Yangtze River cruise. Travelling from Beijing to Shanghai, discover iconic sites such as the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army and the Forbidden City, see the giant pandas and step back in time in ancient temples. Your tour includes return international flights between Australia and China, all internal transportation by air, cruise, high-speed train and coach, Yangtze river cruise on a deluxe ship, premium nightly hotel accommodation on land, daily breakfast, select additional meals and much more.
Discover the best of China on a comprehensive 18-day tour (including international flights), taking in bustling cities, ancient landmarks and spectacular natural beauty along the way. Travel by exhilarating high-speed bullet train, plane, boat and coach from Beijing to Qufu, Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Xi’an, Jingzhou and Shanghai, all whilst staying in premium accommodation.
Check out Five Amazing Wonders to Witness in China.
What You’ll Love…
The Tour – The best of China including bustling cities, ancient icons and the beauty of the Yangtze River
In China’s captivating cities, ancient history coexists with the frenetic energy of modern life. Immerse yourself in the electric atmosphere of Beijing and visit its iconic sites including Tiananmen Square, the ornate Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and the world-famous Great Wall of China. Stroll the famous Bund in Shanghai with its melting pot of architecture, indulge in a spot of world-class shopping on Nanjing Road and learn more about China’s history with a visit to Shanghai Museum. In Xi’an, marvel at the ancient city walls, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square and the thousands of ancient sculptures of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Terracotta Army, which date back as far as the third century BC.
China is also home to spectacular landscapes and you’ll have the chance to soak this natural beauty on a cruise of the famous Yangtze River, giving you an opportunity to see the country from an altogether different angle. Board the five-star Century Paragon ship for a three-night cruise and soak up beautiful scenery as you pass Gorge Wu, Gorge Qutang, the Shen’nv Stream and the colossal Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric dam.
Plus, see China’s iconic giant pandas at Chongqing Zoo, the Longmen Grottoes and the fifth-century Shaolin Temple, one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries in the western world which has featured in countless Kung Fu movies.
The Accommodation – Premium and luxury hotels all the way
After busy days exploring, rest easy in premium accommodation including the five-star, award-winning Shangri-La Hotel Qufu. Cruise in ultimate comfort on the Century Paragon ship for your Yangtze River cruise, which features an indoor swimming pool, a spa, cinema, games room and more.
Your Package Includes
- Return international flights between Australia and China
- All internal transportation including air, cruise, high-speed train and coach
- Three-night Yangtze river cruise on a deluxe ship
- Premium nightly hotel accommodation on land including five-star Shangri-La
- Daily breakfasts and select additional meals detailed in the itinerary
- Soft drinks with all meals during the cruise
- All admission fees for destinations listed (unless otherwise stated)
- The services of an English-speaking tour guide
- Service charge for all guides and bus drivers and hotel porter fees
- Taxes and fuel surcharges
Return economy flights from Sydney or Melbourne (maximum travel time 16 hours) are included in your package. Departures from Adelaide, Brisbane or Perth will incur a surcharge of AU$300 per person, payable directly to the tour operator. You may choose to depart earlier or return later for a surcharge.
DAY 1 – DEPART FOR BEIJING
Departure for Beijing on an overnight international flight.
DAY 2 – BEIJING
Arrive at in Beijing, where you’ll be welcomed by your tour guide and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight: Wyndham Beijing North Hotel or similar
DAY 3 – BEIJING
After breakfast, visit Tiananmen Square, then enter the walls of the ornate Forbidden City, the emperor’s palace – off limits to commoners for centuries. You will also visit the Temple of Heaven.
Overnight: Wyndham Beijing North Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
DAY 4 – BEIJING
Enjoy your day excursion to the ancient Great Wall, originally built as protection from the Huns and other Nomadic tribes which never completely fulfilled its purpose.
Overnight: Wyndham Beijing North Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
DAY 5 – BEIJING TO QUFU
After breakfast, transfer to Qufu by high-speed train. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Shangri-La Hotel Qufu or similar
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6 – QUFU
After breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Qufu. Qufu is best known as the hometown of Confucius, who is traditionally believed to have been born at nearby Mount Ni. The city contains numerous historic palaces, temples and cemeteries. The name Qufu literally means “crooked hill” and refers to a mile-long hill that was part of the city during its time as capital of the state of Lu.
Overnight: Shangri-La Hotel Qufu or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
DAY 7 – QUFU TO ZHENGZHOU
After breakfast, enjoy some free time. In the afternoon, transfer to Zhengzhou by high-speed train. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Zhengzhou Yuda Palace Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 8 – ZHENGZHOU TO TEMPLY SHAOLIN AND LUOYANG
After breakfast, transfer to Shaolin Monastery by coach. The day is dedicated to the Sacred Mountain Song Shan and its temple, Shaolin, known for countless Kung Fu films. The Shaolin Temple was founded in the fifth century, is a Chan Buddhist temple that has long been famous for its association with Chinese martial arts and particularly with Shaolin Kung Fu. For the Western world, it is the most famous Buddhist monastery. Not far from the monastery, the pagoda forest begins, where over 220 grave pagoda are erected for the most famous abbots and monks. After the visit, transfer to Luoyang by coach.
Overnight: Luoyang Hyatt Place Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 9 – LUOYANG (LONGMEN GROTTOES) TO XI’AN
After breakfast, visit the impressive Longmen Grottoes. Longmen Grottoes literally means Caves of the Dragon Gate. These caves are devoted to Buddhists and are one of the three most famous sites of the ancient sculpture of China. After the visit, transfer to Xi’an by high-speed train.
Overnight: Grand Barony Xi’an or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
DAY 10 – XI’AN
Spend a thrilling day exploring the excavation site of the Terracotta Army, which holds more than 8,000 soldiers. Each soldier appears to have his own individual personality and many equipped with chariots and horses.
Optional tour in Xi’an: Tang Dynasty Dancing Show with a dumpling banquet in the evening.
Overnight: Grand Barony Xi’an or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
DAY 11 – XI’AN
After breakfast, visit the Shaanxi History Museum, located northwest of the great wild goose pagoda in the ancient city of Xi’an, one of the first major museums in China. Then continue to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda square as well as the city wall of Xi’an. After the visit, transfer back to the hotel.
Overnight: Grand Barony Xi’an or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
DAY 12 – XI’AN TO CHONGQING AND YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Chongqing. Upon arrival, visit the pandas at Chongqing Zoo, then embark on the cruise.
Overnight: Century Paragon
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 13 – YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE, SHIBAOZHAI
Excursion: Shibaozhai, literally “Precious Stone Fortress” is a hill along the bank of the Yangtze River. On the river side of the hill is a red pavilion of nine floors which leans against the side of the hill providing a walkway to the temple at the top of the hill. Captain’s Welcome Party (tie and shirt required for gentlemen).
Overnight: Century Paragon
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 14 – YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE, THREE GORGES
Excursion: Shen Nv Stream, a tributary stream of Yangtze River. Continue to Gorge Wu and Gorge Qutang. Captain’s Farewell Party.
Overnight: Century Paragon
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 15 – YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE, YICHANG AND JINGZHOU
Excursion: Three Gorges Dam – the world’s largest hydroelectricity project; Passing of the longest Gorge Xiling, one among the three gorges. Disembark the cruise in Yichang, and transfer to Jingzhou by coach.
Overnight: Wyndham Jingzhou or similar
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 16 – JINGZHOU, SHANGHAI
After breakfast, transfer to Shanghai by high-speed train. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel.
Overnight: Shanghai Marriott Hotel Kangqiao or similar
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 17 – SHANGHAI
First visit the Shanghai Museum (closed on Mondays), then you will have free time to shop at Nanjing Road where there are plenty of large stores and boutiques. Then visit the Bund, where you can experience the modernity of Shanghai.
Optional tour in Shanghai: Dinner and an exciting acrobatics show.
Overnight: Shanghai Marriott Hotel Kangqiao or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
DAY 18 – SHANGHAI BACK TO AUSTRALIA
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and fly back home.
Meals: Breakfast