【Beyond the Classics: Dive into China's Past & Future Tour】12-Day Beijing, Xian, Chongqing, Yangtze

DAY 1Arrival in Beijing and Transfer to Hotel Your English-speaking guide will greet you at the arrivals hall and escort you directly to your hotel. Check in and take some time to recover from any jet lag.

DAY 2Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven In the morning, you will visit Tian'anmen Square, one of the world's largest public squares. Continue northwest to the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site constructed in the early 15th century during the Ming Dynasty, which served as the imperial residence for over 500 years. Your guide will unveil the stories behind the emperors and concubines who once resided within its walls. The guide leads the guests on a tour of the Forbidden City Today's lunch will be served at a local restaurant, where your will savor Beijing Roast Duck. After lunch, enjoy a leisurely visit to the Temple of Heaven, where Chinese emperors once worshiped. Wander through the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Circular Mound Altar, and the Imperial Vault of Heaven as you immerse yourself in the history of this ancient religious complex. Take time to explore the surrounding Tiantan Park, with its beautiful green spaces, scenic walking paths, and tranquil retreat from the bustling city. Conclude your visit to the Temple of Heaven as the guide takes you back to your hotel. Dinner will be on your own.

DAY 3The Mutianyu Great Wall, Hutong Walking Tour Following an enjoyable breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed to visit the Mutianyu Great Wall. The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is ranked top on TripAdvisor among all the Great Wall sections, for its picturesque scenery and beautifully-restored architecture. It is about 1.5 hours' drive from downtown Beijing. In order to save time for you, we arrange a round-trip cable car to ascend and descend the Wall, instead of spending about 40 minutes climbing steps. At the Wall, you have free time to walk around, after your guide does some introductions. The cable car ascends to and descends from tower 14. Hike “the most beautiful and interesting part of the Great Wall” — between the 14th and 23rd watch towers — acknowledged by hikers as "the golden route". Today's lunch will be served at a local restaurant, where your guide will assist you in selecting dishes according to your preferences. After lunch, the guide will lead you to the Hutongs in Beijing's Dongcheng district for a walking tour, where you'll also have the opportunity to learn about applying Peking Opera facial makeup. Hutongs are historic alleyways flanked by traditional single-story courtyard houses, relics of old Beijing that are rapidly fading. As you wander through these narrow paths, you can visit local residents to experience the traditional lifestyle and learn about the preservation of these unique homes and their culture. In a workshop within the hutongs, you'll also learn how to create Peking Opera masks. Additionally, you can ascend the Bell Tower to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the hutongs. After concluding the hutong tour, the guide will accompany you back to the hotel for some rest, with dinner on your own.

DAY 4Summer Palace, "Smart" Restaurant Lunch and Beijing’s New CBD Skyline, Taking the high-speed train from Beijing to Xi'an Today marks the final day of your Beijing journey. After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you'll head out to explore the Summer Palace. The Summer Palace is the largest and most impeccably preserved royal park in China. Renowned for its natural beauty and cultural significance, the Palace has profoundly influenced Chinese horticulture and landscape design, earning the title 'The Museum of Royal Gardens'. After touring China’s ancient royal gardens, your guide will introduce you to modern Beijing and its striking new CBD skyline. You will lunch at China’s first "smart restaurant," experiencing cutting-edge technology. The waiting area resembles a theater where you can enjoy cooking-themed video games with other guests, ensuring you remain entertained. Following lunch, you will proceed to board a high-speed train from Beijing West to Xi'an North railway station at approximately 3:00 PM. The final booking confirmation will detail the train number and departure times.

DAY 5Terracotta Army Deep Dive: Exploring the Warriors, Handling Qin Relics, and a Warrior Restoration Experience, the Muslim Quarter After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you're about to begin your day's tour. Your guide picks you up from the hotel, and you set off to visit and explore the Terracotta Army. The Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang is situated at the northern foothills of Mount Li in Lintong District, Xi'an, approximately 37.5 kilometers from the city center. It takes roughly 1.5 hours to reach the site from central Xi'an. Here, you will explore the Terracotta Warriors, experience Qin Dynasty artifacts, and partake in a restoration activity. Follow a professional guide to explore the three pits of the Terracotta Warriors. At a nearby museum, get an up-close look at the first batch of restored warriors, including the renowned First Warrior, and learn about the visionary curator's initial restoration efforts. Then, in the conservation lab, touch authentic Qin Dynasty artifacts, deepening your connection to history. Finally, participate in a hands-on mini restoration experience guided by professional conservators, and take home your creation as a unique memento. After concluding your visit to the Terracotta Warriors, the guide will arrange lunch for you at a nearby restaurant. Following lunch, you will return to Xi'an's city center and visit the Muslim Quarter. Located 100 meters west of the Bell Tower in downtown Xi'an. This 500-meter-long avenue, paved with bluestones, is lined with unique stalls, souvenir shops, cafés, and bars, predominantly operated by Muslim locals. After exploring the Muslim Quarter, today's itinerary concludes, and the guide will escort you back to the hotel to rest.

DAY 6Ancient City Wall, Xi'an to Chongqing by train After enjoying breakfast and completing the checkout process at the hotel, meet with the guide in the lobby, then proceed to visit the Ancient City Wall of Xi'an. The walls, ramparts, gates and watchtowers form one of the oldest and most complete city defenses still around. Built in the 13th century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City, it s surrounding the city centre. You can walk alon the wall with great views of the city on either side. Upon the conclusion of your tour, your guide and driver will accompany you to Xi'an North Railway Station, where you will take a high-speed train to Chongqing. You will arrive at Chongqing North Station around 5 PM, where your guide will meet you. You’ll first be taken to the hotel to rest briefly, followed by dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner, your guide will show you the stunning night views of the mountainous city of Chongqing. Concluding the tour, the guide will escort you back to the hotel to rest.

DAY 7E'ling Park, Liziba, Panda House at Chongqing Zoo, Transfer to the cruise terminal for boarding, departing Chongqing at 9:00 PM. The guide and driver will collect you from the hotel to begin your visit to Chongqing city. Liziba Light Rail Station Liziba is the name of a station on Chongqing Metro Line 2, where you can witness the spectacle of the light rail passing "through the buildings" in this "mountain city." Located within a small building, every time a light rail train enters or exits Liziba station, it creates the spectacle of "light rail passing through the building." Goose Neck Park Very popular with the locals who come here to enjoy the gardens, play Mahjohngg, make music or just relax. Enjoy nice views over the river and Chongqing. Lunch at a local restaurant, where you can sample local Sichuan cuisine. Your guide will assist in ordering based on your preferences. After lunch, the guide will assist you with checking into the hotel in Chongqing, where you can relax. Panda Room in Chongqing Zoo In Panda Room, visitors can see the giant and lesser pandas and their offspring. After the tour, the guide and driver will take you to the cruise pier to board the cruise, embarking on your Yangtze Cruise journey. Dinner is at your arrangements.

DAY 8During the cruise, Some Additional optional shore excursions, Shore excursion-Xiaoguanshan Ancient Folk Culture Additional optional shore excursion-Fengdu's "Ghost City". Shore excursion-Xiaoguanshan Ancient Folk Culture Depending on river conditions, an alternate excursion may be substituted to Shibaozhai. Additional optional shore excursion (river conditions permitting) to Fengyan Sanguo "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" Show (evening)

DAY 9Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, Goddess Stream, Additional optional shore excursion Navigating through the scenic Qutang Gorge and cruising along Wu Gorge. Shore Excursion—Goddess Stream. Depending on river conditions, an alternative excursion to Shennong Stream may be offered. An additional optional shore excursion to White Emperor City is available.

DAY 10Shore Excursion-Three Gorge Dam Site, Arrive at the Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal, Yichang to Shanghai by plane Shore Excursion-Three Gorges Dam Site, alternative optional excursion: Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift. After the morning tour, take a shuttle to the Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal. There, your guide and driver will meet you and transfer you to Yichang Airport for your flight back to Shanghai. You’ll arrive at Shanghai Pudong Airport at approximately 23:30 PM. After being greeted by your guide and driver at the airport, you’ll be escorted to your hotel in Shanghai. Once check-in is complete, you may retire to your room for some rest.

DAY 11Shanghai in Progress (Shanghai Tower and the Bund in-depth), Yuyuan Garden Your local guide will lead you to ascend Shanghai's tallest building, the Shanghai Tower, offering a monumental view over the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and a sweeping panorama of the city. Amidst the bustling crowds, board a public ferry across the Huangpu River, drifting slowly from the modernity of Pudong to the historical depths of old Shanghai, crafting the latest chapter of its story. Begin your historical journey at the Bund, the landing site of foreigners centuries ago. Each building narrates tales of its golden era, and you'll discover the traces of time etched into its structures, reflecting the ebb and flow of history. Wander through alleys to observe local life, where residents cope with the city's housing pressures by dwelling in confined spaces. Take a moment to relax in a restaurant, savoring exquisite Shanghai delicacies. You'll also have the chance to experience China's most popular method of ordering takeout. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant near The Bund. Here, you can savor a wide range of cuisines. After lunch, continue your tour with an afternoon visit to Yuyuan Garden. With a history exceeding 400 years, the Yuyuan Garden offers a wealth of attractions—from the dragon-lined walls and ancient trees to tranquil paths and historic halls filled with valuable antiques. After concluding today's tour, the guide will escort you back to the hotel for some rest.

DAY 12Transfer to Shanghai Pudong Airport In accordance with your departure flight schedule, your guide will arrive at the hotel at the agreed-upon time to escort you to Shanghai Pudong International Airport, where you will board your flight and conclude your journey through China.