Yangtze Cruise+Ethnic Adventure
Overview
A well-design private China travel package in 20 days combining nature and adventure of minority culture! First, witness Shanghai's history and modern man-made marvels. Next, enjoy cruising on the two most spectacular water wonders in China, The Yangtze River and Li River! Then, travel off the beaten track and experience the unique ethnic culture in Lijiang, Dali and Longsheng. A pleasant surprise maybe in Chengdu and Leshan...
Duration: 20 days & 19 nights
Destinations: Shanghai - Yangtze Cruise - Chengdu - Dali - Lijiang - Guilin - Hong Kong
Starting Point: Shanghai
Ending Point: Hong Kong
Customize Your Tour:
☑ Travel Dates ☑ Your Interests ☑ Your Travel Style
Itinerary Expand All
Upon your arrival at Shanghai airport or rail station, you will be greeted by your private tour guide holding a sign with your name at the exit. You will be transferred to the hotel and enjoy the rest of day by yourself.
For your leisure time, it’s suggested to visit some sites which are not included in your itinerary but you may want to explore by yourself, such as the Former French Concession, where is the area of Shanghai once designated for the French; and Shanghai Museum (Closed on Monday), which is a large museum of ancient Chinese art.
After breakfast at hotel, start your Shanghai exploration, absorb the beauty and culture essence of Shanghai today. Shanghai is the first city in mainland China where the East meets the West, so its alluring mixing culture is the biggest highlight of the city. Our first spot is Yu Garden, located in central Shanghai, it is the best-kept and most famous private classic garden in Shanghai. Walk through the elegantly carved gates and corridors to discover the elaborate designed halls, rooms, artificial hills, and get to know the back stories that happened in the past 400 years. Walk out of the garden, you will see a bustling bazaar, named Yuyuan Market or Chenghuangmao Market packed with local specialty foods and snacks.
Later have a stroll through Shanghai’s old small alleyways – the lilongs, to witness yourself how local people live their daily life. Enjoying Shanghai local delicacies at local restaurant for lunch will further satisfy your curiosity about local life and cuisine. Shanghai’s colonial architecture is always a big draw. The Bund has a remarkable collection of 19th to 20th Century colonial buildings, which were originally banks, commercial and trade buildings, hotels, customs house, etc.
Then we head for Shanghai Lujiazui Financial District, where skyscrapers are rising high. Get in Shanghai World Financial Center, one of the tallest buildings in the city to view Shanghai’s skyline and also look into China’s future.
Meal: B
The guide escorts you to the airport for the flight to Yichang. Upon arrival, be picked up to the pier and board the cruise ship.
Meal: B
Morning visit to the Three Gorge Dam: it is the world's largest power station in terms of installed capacity (22,500 MW). Later, sail through the Three Gorges dam ship locks and Xiling Gorge.
Important Notes
- Itineraries and times are subject to change according to river conditions. Viewing of Xiling Gorge from the vessel may not always be available in daylight hours, depending on river and traffic conditions, and time of the year.
Meal: B, L, D
Excursion to Daning River and explore the exceptionally beautiful Lesser Three Gorges or Shennong Stream depending on the arrangement of the cruise company. Pass through Wu Gorge/Qutang Gorge. If river conditions permit, may have an optional excursion to White Emperor City, at the entrance to Qutang Gorge, where some ancient architecture can be seen and Tuogu Tang (Entrusting Son's Hall) is the most attractive one.
Meal: B, L, D
On board, shore excursion to "the Ghost City" --Fengdu or Shibaozhai depending on the schedule of the cruise companies.
Meal: B, L, D
Arrive Chongqing – 9:00am: Disembark at picturesque Chongqing, the “Mountain City”. Your tour guide in Chongqing, will meet you at the cruise, and transfer you to the rail station, from where you will take a high speed train to Chengdu. Be met at Chengdu rail station and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is free for your own exploration.
For your leisure time, it’s suggested to visit Kuanzhai Alley or Jinli Old Street. As one of the three conservation districts of historic sites of Chengdu City, Kuanzhai Alley consists of three parallel Chinese old-style alleys. Jinli Old Street is favored by both locals and travelers with laid back atmosphere. It is especially beautiful at night when the lanterns are lighted. Enjoy the tasty Chengdu delicacies and have fun in the teahouses, bars, pubs, boutique shops…
Meal: B
In the morning, visit Giant Panda Breeding Research Base,which is home to nearly 50 pandas, and has just inspired the Kung Fu Panda 3 movie creators to portray a secret panda village. It will be perfect to see the pandas in the morning when they enjoy bamboo breakfast and have fun at the outdoor grassy land. Learn more about pandas, their evolutionary process & life habit, by visiting the panda delivery room.
Then, transfer to Leshan for a boating in Min River to see the Giant Buddha, the largest stone-carved Buddha in the world sitting by the side of Mount Lingyun. We’d like to suggest entering the park for a visit, walking along the plank road to get close looks to the Giant Buddha. Due to the fame of the Giant Buddha, the plank roads are always crowded and take time in waiting. If you don’t like this kind of visiting, a cruise along the river in front of the Giant Buddha is available to choose instead of entering the park. After the tour, drive back Chengdu.
Meal: B, L
In the morning, be met at hotel and transfer to airport for a flight to Dali. Be greeted by your guide in Dali airport and then transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is free for your exploration.
Meal: B
In the morning, visit Dali Ancient Town. The town's layout was uniform, with five main streets from south to north and eight main streets from east to west, while marketplaces were neatly arranged within the town, which has remained unchanged to this date. Then enjoy boating at Erhai Lake -- one of the seven biggest fresh water lakes in China. Afternoon is free at leisure.
Meal: B
Continue the journey to Lijiang by private car. On the way, see Bai people's Residential Houses at Xizhou--the typical town with Bai's characters, the houses here are decorated with woodcarvings, colored patterns, marbles and wash drawings, which represents the masterpieces of Bai's architecture. The morning market at Xizhou is also a nice place to get close to Bai people’s daily life.
After check in hotel in Lijiang, follow your guide to visit Lijiang Old Town, originally called Dayan, it is a very well preserved old town built by Naxi people with unique cultural background. It was listed as the World Cultural Heritage Sites in 1997. Then visit Black Dragon Pool Park, located at the foot of Elephant Hill, it shows visitors picturesque scenery with a large crystal pool, luxuriant trees, a snow-capped mountain and historic buildings in graceful shapes.
Meal: B, L
In Lijiang, it’s super nice to have one day at leisure, especially after days scheduled tours. Immerse yourself in the old town exploring each sites, ride bikes to nearby more original villages, such as Baisha Ancient Town, Shuhe Ancient Town, or enjoy the sunshine somewhere…
Meal: B, L
After breakfast, you will be picked up and transfer to the start point of Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking route (altitude: 1790m) in 2-hour’s driving. You will finish the first section at Naxi's House in around 2hrs, where you will have lunch and have a rest. The 2nd part in the afternoon is about 3.5hrs. Steep yourself in this marvelous gorge and river, and enjoy the The most difficult section is called 28 zigzags which lead you to the highest point at altitude of 2650m. You will overnight in a guest house.
Meal: B
After a sweet night and good breakfast, continue the trekking. Most of the roads are descend and much easier. At noon time you will reach the end of the trekking, Tina's House, for lunch. Transfer back to Lijiang after a full rest.
You May Want To Know:
- The weather conditions at Tiger Leaping Gorge can change quickly and sometimes can cause landslides which may affect travel. Therefore, your guide may have got to revise the itinerary to take account of the local road and weather conditions.
Meal: B, L
In the morning, be met at hotel and transfer to Lijiang airport, for a flight to Guilin. After check in hotel, the rest of the day is free for your own exploration. Guilin is well known for its eye-popped natural landscape under the heaven. Comparing to its nearby county Yangshuo which is loved by tourists, Guilin is more life style. Here you are suggested to savor a bowl of Guilin noodles. As its name, Guilin noodle is the most popular and fastest meal in Guilin, not only for breakfast, but sometimes for lunch or dinner as well. A walk around the central lakes to find the Elephant Trunk Hill – the symbol of Guilin is also a nice option.
Meal: B
3 highlights of today are: Palace of Prince Jingjiang-- commonly known as Wang Cheng (Prince City), located in the inner city of Guilin, it was originally the official residence of Zhu Shouqian, the great nephew of Zhu Yuanzhang (the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty). Reed Flute Cave-- known as "Natural Art Gallery", it is famous for its fantastic stalactites and stalagmites formation. Mount Yao (by round-way chair-lift)-- the highest mountain in Guilin city, which boasts brilliant natural views in different season and have a panoramic view about the whole city.
Meal: B, L
Enjoy the cruise trip on Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo, the best part of the river with picturesque scenery of islets, limestone peaks, villages, bamboo groves... Disembark at the beautiful small town famous for its Karst landscape--Yangshuo. At Yangshuo, you can have a free afternoon for your own exploration to the West Street or the nearby rural farmlands. In the evening, you can watch the optional evening show ‘Impression Sanjie Liu’ on the natural stage along Li River.
Meal: B, L
This morning, choose your bike and then be guided to the countryside of Yangshuo to exercise your feet and witness local peaceful village life. Less traffic paths will be chose, to get away from the crowded tourists points. Stops can be done along the way, for opportunities of taking photos, having rest. While riding your bike, enjoy the stunning countryside scenery, with rice paddies, water buffalo, rivers…
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY
- one hour bamboo rafting on Yulong River. Comparing to Li River, Yulong River is more exquisite and the hand-driven bamboo rafting offers a more peaceful and enjoyable experience. It’s full of fun.
Meal: B, L
Drive to see Longji Rice Terraces via Guilin. Built into the hillsides, the terraces look like great chains or ribbons as they wind from the foot to the top of the hill. This ingenious construction makes best use of the scarce arable land and water resources in the mountainous area. Overnight at the guesthouse of Ping An Village.
Meal: B, L, D
View the beautiful rice terraces in the morning. Then drive back to Guilin for your flight to Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, you can continue your trip or take the homebound flight.
Meal: B, L
End of service.