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yin and yangtze - 15 days

Yangtze River Gorge Tour Information
Starts in: Beijing
Ends in: Shanghai
Prices and Departures: Click here
Local Payment Required: No
Breakfast: Daily, Lunch: 5, Dinner: 5
Hotel rating: 3 - 4
Guide: Yes (for groups of 6 or more)

Day 1: Beijing
Welcome to China and the start of your holiday! Enjoy an arrival transfer to our hotel. Overnight - Beijing

Day 2: Forbidden City
Beijing - breakfast. After a short group meeting we embark on a sightseeing tour of the nation’s capital and home of the 2008 Olympics. Tiananmen Square, partly framed by illustrious Chang-an Avenue, is essentially the heart of Beijing and is a public arena for the people and stage for Chairman Mao mausoleum. Across from the square is the Gate of Heavenly Peace. Up above the gate and looking out across to all his people, is Chairman Mao. Perhaps today, he is looking at a different Beijing, one that is quickly entering the 21st century. Heading back a few centuries, we step into the Forbidden City, the walled city of the former Chinese emperors, it was only opened after the last emperor was overthrown in 1911. Encompassing architecturally stunning temples and halls, the complex of the Forbidden city is an assault on the eyes. Later, we take rickshaws to explore the Hutongs of Beijing. As our trusty rickshaw driver peddles us through the network of alleys and old back lanes, we gain a fascinating snapshot of the city’s traditional way of life. Welcome dinner and overnight - Beijing

Forbidden city and Great Wall

Day 3: The Great Wall
Beijing - breakfast. Today, we drive to Badaling, where we can walk on a section of the famous Great Wall. A symbol of total Chinese genius, the Great Wall is a cultural icon. At least 20 dynasties were involved in its construction. Stretching some 6700 kilometres, we walk along just a small chunk of this massive masterpiece of human endeavour. Later we visit the Ming Tombs where some 13 emperors were interred and a cloisonne workshop, viewing the step-by-step process of this curious, yet quite beautiful art form. Tonight we attend a Chinese Acrobatic performance. Lunch and overnight – Beijing

Day 4: Summer Palace
Beijing - Xi’an - breakfast. At the Summer Palace on Kunming Lake, we view the lavishly decorated temples, halls and courts, reconstructed in 1902. The Long Corridor, a hand painted 730m covered walkway, offers gentle respite from the elements. This afternoon, even the most hardened nonshoppers can’t help coming away with a few goodies at the Silk Alley markets. Name-brand attire, bling-bling jewellery, knock-off handbags and shoes are popular acquisitions. Later we travel by train to Xi’an viewing enroute the Beijing 2008 Olympic Stadium and aquatic centre. Overnight – sleeper train

Day 5: Xi’an / Terracotta Warriors
Xi’an - breakfast. Xi’an is Shaanxi Province is perhaps most famous for Emperor Qin’s Terracotta Warriors. Discovered in 1974 by local farmers digging a well, the 7,000 lifesized soldiers, some 2,200 years old, stand battle-ready in excavated pits under the cover of a modern protective hanger. We tour the archaeological site and Terracotta warrior replica workshop and Huanqing Hot Springs, a scenic spot in the shadow of Li Mountain. Tonight, we offer our Tang Dynasty dinner and show. Check out our Tang Dynasty bolton for more details. Lunch and overnight - Xi’an

Day 6: Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Xi’an - breakfast. This morning we bike ride (solo or tandem) atop the amazing old City Wall dating back to the Ming dynasty, offering unique views of the city and residence below. Visits to the Big wild goose Pagoda, the Muslim Quarter and Great Mosque. Lunch and overnight – Xi’an

Day 7: Xi’an / Pandas
Xi’an - Chongqing - Yangtze River cruiser - breakfast. Free morning or optional visit to the Louguantai Wild Animal Breeding and Protection Centre a 2hour drive from Xi’an . The centre was the first crested ibis breeding centre in China. There are also many other rare animals including giant pandas, golden monkeys, black bears, leopards, giant salamanders, white lipped deer, musk deer, vulture and owl. Returning to Xi’an , we fly to Chongqing, the start point for our exciting Yangtze River cruise. Before boarding the cruise the we can stroll along Chongqing’s People’s Square, in the city centre. Dinner and overnight – Yangtze River Cruiser

Days 8 & 9: Yangtze River Cruise
Yangtze River cruise - breakfast. Good morning from the River Yangtze! At 6340km in length, the Yangtze is the 3rd longest river in the world, neatly dividing China into north and south, and wending its way through eight very different provinces. The Upper reaches incorporating the Three Gorges are possibly the most spectacular and it is this part of the Yangtze we’ll see. The Gorges are a breathtaking sight. The first gorge we pass through is the shortest and narrowest of the three; Qutangxia Gorge. Here, the dramatic 1200m limestone peaks are often shrouded in mist and the river shoots through the narrow entrance with great haste. Next comes Wuxia Gorge, which straddles Sichuan and Hubei Provinces. Lined by twelve sheer peaks, Wuxia offers an awesome vista for some 45km. Finally is Xiling Gorge, the longest at 75km and which comprises seven smaller gorges. During our cruise, we’ll also sail through the new ship locks of the impressive Three Gorges Dam construction. Lunch, dinner and overnight (2) - Yangtze River Cruiser

Day 10: Yichang/Wuhan
Yichang/Wuhan - breakfast. Disembarking from our cruiser at Yichang, we travel onward to Wuhan (approx 4 hours drive) and hotel check in. Free time until dinner tonight. Dinner and overnight - Wuhan

Yellow Crane Pavilion, Wuhan and Lake Godess, Nanjing

Day 11: Wuhan
Wuhan - breakfast. Today we visit the striking Yellow Crane Pavilion by the river bridge in the Old City. We will also visit the respected Hubei Museum, enjoy a chrome bell performance and attend a fish banquet in one of Wuhan’s restaurants. This evening we board the overnight sleeper train to Nanjing. Overnight – sleeper train

Day 12: Nanjing
Nanjing – breakfast. The former capital of the Ming Dynasty shows just how fast China is changing with it’s cranes and builders everywhere. We visit the Fuzi Miao (Temple of Confucius) and the Memorial Hall of the Nanjing Massacre. A moving experience that charts the atrocities committed at this very site. We visit the Mausoleum of Dr Sun Yatsen – a father of modern China and revered nearly as much as Chairman Mao. Afternoon at leisure, perhaps walk the Ming era city walls, the longest city walls ever built! Overnight - Nanjing

Day 13: Suzhou
Nanjing - Suzhou - breakfast. A short train journey East is Suzhou in Jiangsu Province. The charming city boasts extensive waterways and canals dotted with traditional bridges, houses and gardens. A cruise on the Grand Canal exposes Suzhou’s beauty, as does our exploration of the humble administrator’s house and garden. Overnight - Suzhou

Day 14: Shanghai
Shanghai - breakfast. An hour’s journey bring us to bustling Shanghai. The day is free day for you to explore. Perhaps visit the Oriental Pearl TV tower, the Jade Buddha Temple, French Quarter or the Old City. Overnight - Shanghai

Day 15: Shanghai
Shanghai - breakfast. Tour ends after breakfast and included onward transfer to airport.

On the go is a specialist operator of cultural and adventure tours in China. Fun and informative group tours of China offering frequent departures at realistic prices starting in Beijing or Shanghai include highlights such as the Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing, the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, Yangtze River Three Gorges cruising, Suzhou, Guilin and Yangshuo. Specialist individual China touring itineraries including highlights such as the Silk Road, Yunnan Province, Confucius’ birthplace in Qufu, city stays in Beijing or Shanghai, Christmas tour departures and a range of regional bolt ons are also a hallmark. We can also arrange for you to conclude arrangements at Hong Kong.