Overview
For travellers who want to experience China completely, from its imperial heartland to its modern skyline, from ancient archaeological wonders to landscapes that have inspired cinema, this 15-days China tour is the definitive journey. Covering seven of China’s most celebrated destinations across a seamlessly arranged itinerary, it brings together five thousand years of civilisation, dramatic natural scenery, and the quiet pleasure of a luxury Yangtze River cruise into a single, extraordinary trip.
The journey begins in Beijing, China’s imperial capital, where Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Mutianyu Great Wall, and the Summer Palace form one of the most concentrated collections of world heritage on earth. A Business Class high-speed train carries you southwest to Xi’an, the ancient walled city of thirteen dynasties and home to the Terracotta Warriors, one of the most significant archaeological discoveries ever made. From Xi’an, the journey continues to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, where the Giant Panda Research Base and the UNESCO-listed Leshan Giant Buddha await.
The mountain metropolis of Chongqing marks the beginning of the Yangtze River experience, beginning with a spectacular night cruise along the illuminated waterfront before embarkation on the Century Voyage Yangtze River Cruise. Over three nights aboard, the cruise passes through the legendary Three Gorges, including the dramatic Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge, with shore excursions to Fengdu, an outdoor performance of the Feng Yan San Guo show, and a visit to the Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric project in the world.
The journey then moves to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan Province, whose towering sandstone pillars inspired the floating mountains in James Cameron’s Avatar. The final destination is Shanghai, where the ancient water town of Zhujiajiao, the classical beauty of Yu Garden, the colonial grandeur of The Bund, and the futuristic towers of Pudong together form a portrait of a city unlike any other on earth.
Throughout this China holiday package, guests travel by Business Class high-speed train between cities, stay in carefully selected hotels at each destination, and are accompanied by professional English-speaking local guides. Indian meals are specially arranged throughout the journey, a thoughtful detail that makes this one of the most popular China tour packages available today.
Destinations Covered
Beijing Xi'an Chengdu Chongqing Yangtze River Cruise Zhangjiajie ShanghaiHighlights
- Explore Tian'anmen Square and the UNESCO-listed Forbidden City, the former imperial palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties
- Visit the Mutianyu Great Wall with roundtrip cable car, one of the best-preserved and most scenic sections of the Wall
- Discover the magnificent Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven, two of Beijing's defining UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Travel on China's Business Class High-Speed Rail Network, connecting cities at speeds of up to 350 km/h
- Explore the UNESCO-listed Terracotta Warriors Museum in Xi'an, one of the greatest archaeological finds in human history
- Walk the Ancient Xi'an City Wall and explore the vibrant Muslim Quarter
- Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, home to China's most beloved conservation residents
- Admire the UNESCO-listed Leshan Giant Buddha, the world's largest stone Buddha carved into a cliff face
- Experience a Chongqing Yangtze River Night Cruise along the illuminated skyline of one of China's most dramatic cities
- Embark on a 3-Night Luxury Century Voyage Yangtze River Cruise through the legendary Three Gorges region
- Visit Fengdu Ghost City or Xiaoguanshan Ancient Folk Culture Park for a fascinating encounter with Chinese cultural heritage
- Watch the spectacular Feng Yan San Guo live outdoor performance, inspired by the Three Kingdoms era
- Cruise through the breathtaking Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge, the most dramatic waterway scenery in China
- Visit the Three Gorges Dam Project, the world's largest hydroelectric engineering achievement
- Explore Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the real-world inspiration for Avatar's Hallelujah Mountains
- Ride the Bailong Elevator, the world's tallest outdoor glass elevator, for panoramic views across the forest
- Take in sweeping views from Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve across Zhangjiajie's iconic sandstone landscape
- Explore Zhujiajiao Water Town, known as the Venice of Shanghai, with its ancient canals and stone bridges
- Visit The Bund, Nanjing Road, and the classical Yu Garden in cosmopolitan Shanghai
Package Includes
Accommodation in selected luxury hotels throughout the tour
Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner as mentioned in the itinerary
Business Class high-speed train tickets for all intercity journeys
Private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing tours
Professional English-speaking local guides at all destinations
All applicable government taxes and service chargesLuxury Century Voyage Yangtze River Cruise with full onboard services
Airport arrival and departure transfers
Railway station transfers throughout the journey
All sightseeing and excursions as per the itinerary
Visit to Great Wall of China and Summer Palace
Exploration of the UNESCO-listed Terracotta Army and Ancient Xi'an City Wall
Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha excursion
Chongqing Yangtze River Night Cruise
Full-day exploration of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Shanghai city tour including Zhujiajiao Water Town and Yu Garden
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Beijing International Airport, complete immigration and baggage formalities. Meet your local guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in. After a short refreshment break, proceed for a full-day city tour.
Begin with a visit to Tian’anmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world, followed by the magnificent Forbidden City, the former imperial palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties and a UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary scale and beauty. Enjoy a light Indian lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon , visit the Temple of Heaven, another UNESCO World Heritage Site where emperors once offered prayers for good harvests in one of the most serene and architecturally refined settings in all of China. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant before returning to the hotel.
- Approx. airport pick-up: As per flight arrival (sightseeing recommended from 10:00–11:00 AM for morning arrivals)
- Tour duration: 8–9 hours
Overnight at Beijing
Light Lunch & Indian Dinner
After breakfast at the hotel, depart at approximately 08:00 AM for the Mutianyu Great Wall, one of the finest and least crowded sections of the Wall, offering spectacular mountain views and a roundtrip cable car for a comfortable ascent and descent. After the visit, stop at a vegetarian restaurant for lunch.
In the afternoon, continue to the elegant Summer Palace, renowned for its Kunming Lake, ornate covered walkways, and traditional Chinese garden design, one of the most beautiful landscapes in Beijing. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant and return to the hotel.
- Approx. pick-up: 08:00 AM
- Tour duration: 9–10 hours
Overnight at Beijing
Breakfast at Hotel, Light Lunch & Indian Dinner
After breakfast and check-out, transfer to Beijing West Railway Station for your high-speed train journey to Xi’an.
Train: Beijingxi (09:55) → Xianbei (14:05) | Business Class
Upon arrival in Xi’an, once the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and the capital of thirteen dynasties, meet your local guide and transfer to the city. Enjoy a light lunch en route before beginning your sightseeing tour.
Visit the Ancient City Wall, one of the oldest and most complete city fortifications in China, offering panoramic views of the historic city below. Later, explore the vibrant Muslim Quarter, renowned for its traditional Hui architecture, cultural atmosphere, local crafts, and lively street food scene. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant before checking in to the hotel.
Overnight at Xi'an
Light Lunch & Indian Dinner
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a full-day exploration of Xi’an’s most celebrated attractions. Begin with a visit to the Terracotta Warriors Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Explore the excavation pits containing thousands of life-sized warriors, horses, and chariots created more than 2,200 years ago to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife.
After lunch, visit the iconic Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an important Buddhist monument dating to the Tang Dynasty. In the evening, stroll through the Great Tang All Day Mall, a vibrant cultural and pedestrian precinct featuring Tang-dynasty architecture, street performances, shopping, and brilliant illuminated displays after dark. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant before returning to the hotel.
Overnight at Xi'an
Breakfast at Hotel, Light Lunch & Indian Dinner
After breakfast and check-out, transfer to Xi’an North Railway Station for your high-speed train journey to Chengdu.
Train: Xianbei (09:36) → Chengdudong (13:12) | Business Class
Upon arrival in Chengdu, meet your local guide and transfer to the city centre. Enjoy a light lunch en route before visiting Jinli Ancient Street, one of Chengdu’s most atmospheric cultural districts, with its Sichuan-style architecture, tea houses, local handicraft shops, and lively pedestrian lanes. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant before checking in to the hotel.
Overnight at Chengdu
Light Lunch & Indian Dinner
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a full-day excursion to two of Sichuan’s greatest attractions. Begin with a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, one of the world’s most important conservation centres and home to China’s beloved giant pandas, an experience that consistently ranks among the most memorable of any China holiday package.
Continue to the Leshan Giant Buddha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest stone Buddha statue, carved into a cliff face at the confluence of three rivers. The scale and serenity of this monument, standing 71 metres from head to toe and constructed over 90 years during the Tang Dynasty, is genuinely humbling. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, explore the scenic area, and return to Chengdu in the evening for dinner at an Indian restaurant.
Overnight at Chengdu
Breakfast at Hotel, Light Lunch & Indian Dinner
After breakfast and check-out, transfer to Chengdu East Railway Station for your high-speed train journey to Chongqing.
Train: Chengdudong (09:30) → Chongqingxi (11:01) | Business Class
Upon arrival in Chongqing, the vast, hilly metropolis dramatically positioned at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, meet your local guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in. The afternoon is free for relaxation or independent exploration of this remarkable city.
In the evening, board the Chongqing Yangtze River Night Cruise and sail along the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, taking in the city’s extraordinary illuminated skyline, iconic bridges, and dramatic mountain topography from the water. A guided Chongqing Illuminated Night Tour follows, showcasing famous landmarks and panoramic viewpoints of the city after dark. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant before returning to the hotel.
Overnight at Chongqing
Light Lunch & Indian Dinner
After breakfast and check-out, transfer to Chongqing Chaotianmen Port for embarkation on the luxurious Century Voyage Yangtze River Cruise. Complete check-in formalities and board the ship. Explore the onboard facilities, attend the welcome reception, and enjoy a buffet dinner as the cruise begins its scenic journey through the Yangtze River, one of the great waterway experiences in the world.
Overnight at Yangtze River Cruise
Dinner on Board
Start the day with breakfast on board while the Yangtze unfolds around you. Disembark for an included shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City or Xiaoguanshan Ancient Folk Culture Park, offering fascinating insights into Chinese mythology, history, and cultural tradition. Return to the ship for lunch and leisure time on board.
In the evening, enjoy the spectacular open-air performance Feng Yan San Guo, a large-scale live show inspired by the legendary Three Kingdoms period, staged against the dramatic backdrop of the Yangtze riverbanks. Among the highlights of any Yangtze River cruise itinerary, this performance brings one of China’s most celebrated historical eras vividly to life.
Overnight at Yangtze River Cruise
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on Board
After breakfast, enjoy an excursion to White Emperor City or Three Gorges Summit (subject to cruise arrangements). The ship then enters the heart of the Three Gorges as it sails through the magnificent Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge, the most dramatic and scenically intense passages on the entire Yangtze River cruise route, where sheer cliffs rise hundreds of metres from the water on either side.
Later, take an included excursion to Shennv Stream (Goddess Stream), known for its pristine natural scenery, towering cliffs, and tranquil tributary atmosphere. Return to the ship for dinner and evening entertainment on board.
Overnight at Yangtze River Cruise
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on Board
After breakfast on board, complete disembarkation at Maoping Port at approximately 08:45 AM. Proceed for an included excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Project Site, the largest hydroelectric project ever constructed and one of the most extraordinary feats of engineering in human history. Visits include the River Closure Memorial Park and the Three Gorges Dam Project Museum.
Following the excursion, depart by private coach to Zhangjiajie, driving through the scenic landscapes of Hubei and Hunan Provinces. Enjoy a lunch stop at a local restaurant en route.
Approximate Schedule:
- 08:45 AM: Disembarkation at Maoping Port
- 09:00–11:30 AM: Three Gorges Dam Excursion
- 11:30 AM–12:30 PM: Lunch
- 12:30–06:30 PM: Coach transfer to Zhangjiajie (with comfort stops)
06:30 PM: Arrival in Zhangjiajie & hotel check-in
Overnight at Zhangjiajie
Breakfast on Board & Lunch
After breakfast, depart for a full-day exploration of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the UNESCO-listed natural wonder in Hunan Province whose dramatic quartzite sandstone pillars directly inspired the floating mountains in James Cameron’s Avatar.
Ascend via the remarkable Bailong Elevator, the world’s tallest outdoor glass elevator, rising 326 metres through the cliff face to the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area and the iconic Avatar Hallelujah Mountain. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, with its sweeping panoramic views across the peaks, valleys, and forested gorges of one of China’s most visually extraordinary landscapes. Descend by cable car and return to the city in the evening.
Approximate Schedule:
- 08:30 AM: Hotel pick-up
- 09:00 AM–12:30 PM: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park & Yuanjiajie
- 12:30–01:30 PM: Lunch
- 01:30–05:30 PM: Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area
06:30 PM: Return to hotel
Overnight at Zhangjiajie
Breakfast at Hotel, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast and check-out, enjoy a relaxed morning before transferring to Zhangjiajie West Railway Station for your high-speed train journey to Shanghai.
Train: Zhangjiajiexi (14:38) → Shanghai Hongqiao (21:57) | Business Class
A boxed lunch will be provided prior to boarding. Relax and enjoy the scenic journey across China’s countryside. Upon arrival at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, meet your local representative and transfer to the hotel for a late Indian dinner and overnight stay in one of the world’s great cities.
Overnight at Shanghai
Breakfast at Hotel, Boxed Lunch & Late Indian Dinner
After breakfast, depart for a full-day exploration of Shanghai and its surroundings. Begin with an excursion to Zhujiajiao Water Town, often called the Venice of Shanghai, where ancient canals, stone arch bridges, Ming and Qing-dynasty residences, and local markets create a beautifully preserved portrait of old Chinese town life, just an hour from the modern city.
After a light lunch, return to Shanghai for a city tour covering some of the most iconic addresses in Asia: The Bund, the legendary waterfront promenade facing the futuristic Pudong skyline; Nanjing Road, one of the world’s busiest and most celebrated shopping streets; and the Yu Garden and Old City Bazaar, an immaculately preserved classical Chinese garden and merchant district at the heart of the old city. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant before returning to the hotel.
Overnight at Shanghai
Breakfast at Hotel, Light Lunch & Indian Dinner
After breakfast and check-out, transfer to Shanghai Airport for your onward flight, carrying the memories of fifteen days across one of the world’s most remarkable countries.
Breakfast at Hotel