China’s Landscapes & Legends: Guilin to the Yangtze

Nihao! Welcome to Beijing.

Your guide and driver will meet you at the airport or station and take you to your downtown hotel. The rest of the day is free. You can rest up, or head out and explore the neighborhood at your own pace.

Getting to Beijing
Beijing is well connected through Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) and Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), with direct flights from most major Chinese cities including Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Chengdu. High-speed rail also connects Beijing to Xi’an (4–5 hours), Shanghai (4.5–6 hours), and Wuhan (4–5 hours).

Free Time Ideas
Ask your guide for personalised recommendations to fill any free time.

Morning
Your guide will meet you after breakfast to explore Tian’anmen Square, the world’s largest public square and the site of many of modern China’s most significant events.

From there, cross into the Forbidden City, the world’s largest palace complex and former home to 24 emperors. Walk the central axis to take in Ming and Qing dynasty architecture and imperial treasures, then climb up to Jingshan Park for a rooftop view over the palace’s golden roofs, with the modern skyline rising behind.

Afternoon
In the afternoon, visit the Summer Palace, once known as the “Museum of Royal Gardens.” Wander through temples, pavilions, and bridges built around the lake, a peaceful contrast to the morning’s grand halls.

Morning
Drive around 73km northwest (roughly 1.5–2 hours) to the Mutianyu Great Wall, the longest fully-restored section, known for its 23 Ming-era watchtowers and comparatively quieter paths. Take the cable car up to the 14th tower and set out on foot through the pine forest along the ridge.

If you’re up for it, continue on to the 20th watchtower which is a good goal if you want the most complete views of the wall stretching into the distance.

Afternoon
Back in Beijing, stop for photos at the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, both built for the 2008 Summer Olympics and used again for the 2022 Winter Games. Transfer back to your hotel afterward.

Morning
Enjoy some leisure time after breakfast before your guide takes you to the station.

Afternoon
Board the high-speed train to Xi’an (around 4.5–5.5 hours). Welcome to the ancient capital of 13 Chinese dynasties, your local guide will meet you at the exit and take you to your hotel.

Morning
Your guide will drive you about 40km to the Terracotta Army Museum, built to protect Emperor Qin Shihuang in the afterlife and home to nearly 8,000 life-sized figures. Start at the largest pit, where thousands of soldiers and horses stand in formation, then move on to the second pit to see roughly 1,300 specialised figures, including kneeling archers and chariots.

(If you’re interested, you can also join a workshop to sculpt your own miniature terracotta warrior.)

Afternoon
After lunch, head back into the city to walk the Ancient City Wall, one of China’s oldest and best-preserved fortifications, with old watchtowers and a moat set against the modern skyline.

Later in the afternoon, wander into the Muslim Quarter, a lively street-food hub and one of the best places in Xi’an to sample local snacks.

Morning
Visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, inside Da Ci’en Temple, a Tang-dynasty landmark and one of Xi’an’s most recognisable symbols.

Optional Hanfu Experience: Dress in traditional Hanfu clothing which is a style central to Han culture for centuries, and walk through the pagoda grounds for some memorable photos.

Afternoon
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Guilin (around 2.5 hours). Your guide will meet you on arrival and take you to your downtown hotel. The evening is free.

Free Time Ideas
Take a walk along Binjiang Road, or try a bowl of Guilin’s famous rice noodles to kick off your stay.

“East or west, Guilin landscape is the best.”

Morning
Drive to the pier for your Li River Cruise. Over 4.5 hours, you’ll cover 84 kilometres of limestone peaks and countryside on the way to Yangshuo, farmers working the fields, water buffalo along the banks, and the river winding between it all.

Note: Lunch is served on board, with simple local Chinese cuisine.

Afternoon
On arrival in Yangshuo, your driver will meet you at the pier and take you to your hotel for a short rest. Afterward, head out into the Yangshuo Countryside by bike or electric scooter, riding through karst hills and rice paddies.

In the evening, head to West Street, Yangshuo’s liveliest strip and a genuine mix of Chinese and Western influences, good for dinner, a browse through the shops, or just soaking up the atmosphere.

Morning
Return to Guilin to visit Elephant Trunk Hill, the city’s best-known landmark, sitting at the junction of the Li and Peach Blossom Rivers. Next, head into Reed Flute Cave, where lit-up stalactites and stalagmites form shapes that look uncannily like animals and plants.

Afternoon
Transfer to the station for the high-speed train to Chongqing, the “Mountain City” (around 4–4.5 hours). Your guide will meet you on arrival and take you to Chaotianmen Port to board your Yangtze River cruise. After checking in, you’ll have some time to explore the port area before the ship sets sail at 21:00.

Note:

• Please confirm your departure pier with the cruise line one day in advance, or by the morning of departure at the latest.
• Times in this itinerary are approximate and may shift with weather or river conditions.
• Boarding times and pier locations can change due to water levels or seasonal factors.

Wake up at your own pace to the river drifting past outside — morning mist or early sun, depending on the day. After breakfast, you can choose to join a shore excursion or simply relax on board.

Morning
Join your English-speaking guide for a shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City, a complex of temples and monasteries tied to old legends of the Chinese underworld.

Afternoon
Alternatively, an optional trip to Shibaozhai Pagoda (additional fee) is available, climb the 12-storey pagoda for a wide view over the Yangtze.

Note: This is a general guide, available excursions can vary by cruise company.

Morning
Sail through the Three Gorges, starting with Qutang Gorge, known for its dramatic cliffs and the Kui Gate, then Wu Gorge, quieter and lined with elegant peaks, and finally Xiling Gorge, known for its rougher waters and historic shoals. Commentary on deck throughout the day fills in the history behind each stretch.

Afternoon
Later, venture by small boat into Shennv Stream, a narrow canyon offering a close-up look at Wushan’s steep mountains and the old hanging coffins set high in the cliffs. You’ll also get a taste of local Tujia culture through performances on board.

The day wraps up with the Captain’s Farewell Party, a chance to share stories over dinner as the cruise nears its end.

Note: This is a sample itinerary, shore excursions vary by cruise provider, and we’ll help you choose the cruise that best fits your plans.

Morning
After breakfast, disembark at Maoping Port. Today’s main stop is the Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydropower project in China at 181 metres high. Explore the dam and its lock system, with the option to ride the world’s largest ship lift for a closer look at the scale of it.

Afternoon
Take the cruise company’s tourist bus to Yichang Cruise Terminal, arriving by early afternoon, then continue to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Your guide will be waiting on arrival to take you into the city.

Today, choose the route that suits you best.

* Classic Route: Shanghai Museum → Yu Garden → Nanjing Road & The Bund → Shanghai Tower

Morning
Visit the Shanghai Museum, shaped like an ancient bronze vessel — a nod to the old idea of “round sky, square earth.” Inside, 120,000 relics cover 5,000 years of history, including the well-known Da Ke Ding bronze vessel and the ancient Bianzhong bells of the Marquis Su of Jin.

Afternoon
Continue to Yu Garden, a classical garden tucked into the middle of the city, with traditional architecture and detailed carvings. Just outside, the Yuyuan Bazaar is a good spot for local snacks and traditional handicrafts.

Walk down Nanjing Road, then continue to The Bund, sometimes called an “exhibition of international buildings” for its 52 historic structures — with the Pudong skyline stretched out across the river.

Finish at Shanghai Tower, the second-tallest building in the world. Take the elevator up to the 118th floor (546 metres) for a wide view over the whole city as the day winds down.

* Modern Route: High-Tech Experience → Magnolia Plaza → Yu Garden → The Bund

Morning
Spend 2.5–3 hours exploring Shanghai’s smart-city side, with two experiences to choose from: operating a robot dog, or riding in a self-driving robotaxi.

Afternoon
Head up to Magnolia Plaza’s 360-degree observation deck for skyline views over the Huangpu River and Pudong, then visit Yu Garden before finishing with a stroll along The Bund as evening sets in.

Optional Activities

• Xiaolongbao Making Class: learn dumpling-making in English, from dough to steamer, working toward the traditional “18-fold” technique.
• Tong Han Chun Tang TCM Experience: visit this historic medicine shop and choose herbal sachets, medicine beads, or the museum exhibit.
• Sunset Cocktail: drink in hand as the sun sets and the Shanghai skyline lights up.
• Huangpu River Cruise: a sunset cruise past the Bund’s old façades and Pudong’s glowing towers.

It’s time to wrap up your 13-day China tour. You’ll have some free time in Shanghai to explore on your own before your guide takes you to the airport or train station for your onward journey.