Explore the Diverse Culture of China with a Yangtze River Cruise
14 Days Explore the Diverse Culture of China with Yangtze River Cruise
21 Mar 2026 / Twin/double Share – Price Per Person
£2,657.00
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14 Days Explore the Diverse Culture of China with Yangtze River Cruise
Product code：CS14-04
A fully scheduled, English-guided, small-group journey designed to make travel to China simple for first-time and culturally curious travellers.
This 14-day itinerary brings together China's imperial heritage, UNESCO World Heritage sites and regional cuisines, moving smoothly from Beijing to Shanghai via high-speed trains and a luxurious 5-star Yangtze River cruise.
With accommodation, transport and expert English-speaking guides arranged throughout, travellers can focus on the experience itself — without the complexity of planning a multi-city journey independently.
Key Highlights:
- Explore Beijing's imperial landmarks including the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and hike the Mutianyu Great Wall with cable car access
- Discover Xi'an's 2,200-year-old Terracotta Warriors and cycle atop the Ancient City Wall, then meet giant pandas at Chengdu's Breeding Research Centre
- Visit the 71-metre Leshan Giant Buddha and experience hands-on Sichuan cuisine with a cooking class at the Sichuan Cuisine Museum
- Cruise through the dramatic Three Gorges aboard a 5-star Yangtze River ship, visiting Fengdu Ghost City, White Emperor City, and the Three Gorges Dam
- Experience Shanghai's blend of tradition and modernity at Yu Garden, the Bund, and Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town, with seamless travel via high-speed rail across five cities
Guaranteed Departure: This tour is guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 2 passengers. Small-group experience limited to 12 travelers during peak season. Spanish, Japanese, and Cantonese guides available upon request.
Payment Terms: We require a 30% deposit upon reservation, with the balance due 45 days prior to departure. For bookings made within 45 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking. Please apply discount code DEPOSIT30 when paying your deposit.
Cities Overview
- Beijing
- Xi’an
- Chengdu
- Chongqing
- Yangtze River
- Shanghai
£2,657.00
Tour Highlights
Follow the journey through these amazing destinations
Select an image to get started
1
Beijing
China's imperial heart and modern capital
2
Xi’an
China's ancient gateway and enduring citadel
3
Chengdu
Pandas, spice, and the soul of laid-back China
4
Chongqing
A high-octane blend of futuristic neon meets rugged mountain city
5
Yangtze River
A majestic voyage through the timeless heart and soaring grandeur of China
6
Shanghai
Where East meets West at a breathtaking pace
Bestseller
Terracotta Warriors
Bestseller
High-speed train
A Majestic Voyage Through Three Gorges
Arrive in Beijing and meet your local guide at the airport.
You will be transferred to your hotel in the city center, giving you time to settle in and recover from your flight.
Meals: ✗
You will be transferred to your hotel in the city center, giving you time to settle in and recover from your flight.
Meals: ✗
The day begins at the Temple of Heaven, where local residents gather for morning exercises, offering insight into daily life in Beijing.
Continue with a Hutong rickshaw tour and a visit to a local family, providing a closer look at traditional residential culture.
In the afternoon, visit Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City to understand China’s imperial history and political center.
End the day at Jingshan Park for panoramic views over the historic city layout.
✓ Breakfast | ✓ Lunch
Continue with a Hutong rickshaw tour and a visit to a local family, providing a closer look at traditional residential culture.
In the afternoon, visit Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City to understand China’s imperial history and political center.
End the day at Jingshan Park for panoramic views over the historic city layout.
✓ Breakfast | ✓ Lunch
Visit the Summer Palace, a former royal garden known for its lakes, corridors, and landscaped scenery.
Continue to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, one of the best-preserved stretches, with round-trip cable car included.
Walk along the wall to see its watchtowers and mountain setting before returning to Beijing in the afternoon.
✓ Breakfast | ✓ Lunch
Continue to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, one of the best-preserved stretches, with round-trip cable car included.
Walk along the wall to see its watchtowers and mountain setting before returning to Beijing in the afternoon.
✓ Breakfast | ✓ Lunch
Transfer to Beijing West Railway Station and travel to Xi’an by high-speed train.
Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an important Buddhist site linked to the Tang Dynasty.
Cycle along the Ancient City Wall to experience how Xi’an’s historical center blends with modern life.
Finish the day with a stroll through the Muslim Quarter, known for its long-established Islamic community.
✓ Breakfast
Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an important Buddhist site linked to the Tang Dynasty.
Cycle along the Ancient City Wall to experience how Xi’an’s historical center blends with modern life.
Finish the day with a stroll through the Muslim Quarter, known for its long-established Islamic community.
✓ Breakfast
Spend the morning visiting the Terracotta Warriors and the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
Learn how the underground army was created to guard the emperor’s tomb.
In the afternoon, transfer to the railway station and travel by high-speed train to Chengdu.
✓ Breakfast
Learn how the underground army was created to guard the emperor’s tomb.
In the afternoon, transfer to the railway station and travel by high-speed train to Chengdu.
✓ Breakfast
Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding during the pandas’ most active hours.
Observe pandas feeding and resting while learning about conservation work.
Continue to Wenshu Temple and enjoy a tea break at a traditional teahouse.
End the day at People’s Park and Jinli Old Street, experiencing Chengdu’s relaxed pace of life.
✓ Breakfast | ✓ Lunch
Observe pandas feeding and resting while learning about conservation work.
Continue to Wenshu Temple and enjoy a tea break at a traditional teahouse.
End the day at People’s Park and Jinli Old Street, experiencing Chengdu’s relaxed pace of life.
✓ Breakfast | ✓ Lunch
Travel to Leshan to see the Giant Buddha, the largest stone Buddha statue in the world.
Learn how the statue was carved from the cliff face to calm the river waters.
Continue to Huanglongxi Ancient Town, known for its historic streets and riverside setting.
In the evening, enjoy the immersive cultural banquet Shuyanfu, combining cuisine and live performance.
✓ Breakfast | ✓ Lunch | ✓ Dinner
Learn how the statue was carved from the cliff face to calm the river waters.
Continue to Huanglongxi Ancient Town, known for its historic streets and riverside setting.
In the evening, enjoy the immersive cultural banquet Shuyanfu, combining cuisine and live performance.
✓ Breakfast | ✓ Lunch | ✓ Dinner
Visit the Sichuan Cuisine Museum to learn about regional food traditions.
Join a hands-on cooking class to experience the basics of Sichuan cuisine.
Travel by high-speed train to Chongqing and transfer to Chaotianmen Wharf.
Board the Yangtze River cruise and enjoy the captain’s welcome dinner onboard.
✓ Breakfast | ✓ Dinner
Join a hands-on cooking class to experience the basics of Sichuan cuisine.
Travel by high-speed train to Chongqing and transfer to Chaotianmen Wharf.
Board the Yangtze River cruise and enjoy the captain’s welcome dinner onboard.
✓ Breakfast | ✓ Dinner
Enjoy a relaxed morning cruising along the Yangtze River, with onboard activities available.
Take a shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City, known for its cultural and religious symbolism.
Return to the ship for leisure time and evening programs as the cruise continues.
✓ Breakfast | ✓ Lunch | ✓ Dinner
Take a shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City, known for its cultural and religious symbolism.
Return to the ship for leisure time and evening programs as the cruise continues.
✓ Breakfast | ✓ Lunch | ✓ Dinner
Optional morning visit to White Emperor City, offering views over Qutang Gorge.
Cruise through Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge, observing dramatic cliffs and river scenery.
In the afternoon, take a small-boat excursion to Goddess Stream.
Return to the ship for evening activities and overnight cruising.
✓ Breakfast | ✓ Lunch | ✓ Dinner
Cruise through Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge, observing dramatic cliffs and river scenery.
In the afternoon, take a small-boat excursion to Goddess Stream.
Return to the ship for evening activities and overnight cruising.
✓ Breakfast | ✓ Lunch | ✓ Dinner
Disembark the cruise in Yichang after breakfast.
Visit the Three Gorges Dam to learn about its scale and engineering significance.
Transfer to Yichang East Railway Station and travel by high-speed train to Shanghai.
✓ Breakfast
Visit the Three Gorges Dam to learn about its scale and engineering significance.
Transfer to Yichang East Railway Station and travel by high-speed train to Shanghai.
✓ Breakfast
Visit Yu Garden, a classical Chinese garden with traditional architecture.
Continue to Jade Buddha Temple, an active Buddhist temple in the city.
Ascend Shanghai Tower for panoramic views of the skyline.
Walk along Nanjing Road and the Bund, seeing Shanghai’s historic waterfront.
✓ Breakfast | ✓ Lunch
Continue to Jade Buddha Temple, an active Buddhist temple in the city.
Ascend Shanghai Tower for panoramic views of the skyline.
Walk along Nanjing Road and the Bund, seeing Shanghai’s historic waterfront.
✓ Breakfast | ✓ Lunch
Explore Wukang Road to learn about Shanghai’s early 20th-century history.
Travel to Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town, known for canals and stone bridges.
Stroll through the old town to observe preserved Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture.
✓ Breakfast | ✓ Lunch
Travel to Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town, known for canals and stone bridges.
Stroll through the old town to observe preserved Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture.
✓ Breakfast | ✓ Lunch
After breakfast, transfer to the airport.
Depart Shanghai, bringing the journey to an end.
✓ Breakfast
Depart Shanghai, bringing the journey to an end.
✓ Breakfast
