14-Day China Tour: Shanghai to Beijing via Yangtze

Arrive at Shanghai Airport, the starting point of this 14-day China tour from Shanghai to Beijing via the Yangtze River. A private vehicle transfers you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free to rest and adjust to the time difference, or to explore the neighborhood independently before Yu Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, and Zhujiajiao sightseeing begins on the following days.

Meet in the hotel lobby for a full Shanghai sightseeing day. Begin at Yu Garden, a classical Ming-dynasty garden in the old city, then visit the Silk Museum. Continue to Jade Buddha Temple, with time for light afternoon tea at the temple vegetarian restaurant when available. Later visit the Shanghai Tower observation deck and stroll a riverside promenade for skyline views across the Huangpu.

Gallery: Yu Garden classical pavilionsJade Buddha Temple halls

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Travel by private air-conditioned vehicle to Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, a Jiangnan water town with canals, stone bridges, and a long settlement history of more than a thousand years. After lunch, continue to Tianzifang in the former French Concession, a dense lane network converted from traditional Shikumen alleyways, with time to walk studios, cafes, and craft shops before returning to your Shanghai hotel for the final night in the city.

Gallery: Zhujiajiao canal bridgesZhujiajiao water town lanes

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In the morning depart Shanghai by high-speed train to Yichang East Station, the gateway to the upstream Yangtze cruise. Your guide meets you on arrival. After dinner, transfer by air-conditioned vehicle to Maoping Pier to board the Yangtze cruise ship for the sailing toward Chongqing. Settle into your cabin for the first of four nights on the river sector of this Shanghai to Beijing itinerary.

Take a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam complex near Yichang, including the museum, 185 Platform, and memorial park as scheduled on your ship program. An optional vertical ship lift visit is available at extra cost. After returning on board, sail Xiling Gorge as the cruise continues upstream from the Yichang area toward Chongqing on this Yangtze River sector of the 14-day tour.

Gallery: Three Gorges Dam project groundsThree Gorges Dam river view

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After an early breakfast, transfer to a smaller boat for a tributary excursion on either Shennong Stream or Goddess Stream, depending on the ship's daily schedule and river conditions. Later sail through Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge, two core stretches of the Three Gorges corridor between Yichang and Chongqing. Optional: a shore visit to Baidi City at your own expense when offered by the cruise program.

Gallery: Goddess Stream canyon cliffsGoddess Stream boat passage

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In the morning visit Shibaozhai, a wooden pagoda-style structure built against a solitary riverside peak along the Yangtze. In the afternoon continue to Fengdu Ghost City or Shuanggui Mountain for temples and local river folklore linked to the ghost-city tradition along this stretch. In the evening enjoy the captain's farewell banquet on board as the cruise approaches Chongqing for tomorrow's disembarkation.

Gallery: Fengdu Ghost City temple pathShuanggui Mountain shoreline

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Disembark at Chaotianmen in Chongqing after breakfast. Stop for the Liziba metro view, where the light rail passes through a residential building, a well-known Chongqing city scene. Later transfer to Chongqing West Station for the high-speed train to Xi'an North. On arrival in Xi'an, transfer to your hotel and enjoy dinner in the city as the next stage of the tour begins.

Gallery: Liziba light rail building passage

Travel by private vehicle to the Terracotta Army Museum of Qin Shi Huang to walk the excavation pits and see ranks of life-size clay soldiers. A jade workshop stop may include carving and polishing demonstrations. In the afternoon visit the Ancient City Wall and Giant Wild Goose Pagoda as listed. Optional: an official guide inside the mausoleum museum area, or cycling on the Ming City Wall, at your own expense.

Gallery: Terracotta Army excavation pitTerracotta warriors battle ranks

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Transfer to Xi'an North Station and take the high-speed train to Luoyang Longmen Station. Continue by private vehicle to the Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site of Buddhist cave temples and cliff carvings along the Yi River outside Luoyang. Spend the afternoon among the major caves and statues before checking in at your Luoyang hotel for one night on this Shanghai to Beijing route.

Gallery: Longmen Grottoes cliff Buddhas

Drive to Dengfeng to visit Shaolin Temple and the Pagoda Forest, a landmark of Chan Buddhist and martial tradition in Henan. An optional kung fu performance is available at extra cost when scheduled. Later transfer to Zhengzhou East Station for the high-speed train to Beijing West. On arrival, transfer to your Beijing hotel and enjoy a local dinner as the final city of this 14-day route begins.

Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and begin at Tiananmen Square before entering the Forbidden City, the Ming and Qing imperial palace complex known as the Palace Museum. Walk the main axis of halls and courtyards with historical commentary. Continue to Jingshan Park for a view over the palace roofs, then explore Beijing hutongs; an optional rickshaw tour is available at your own expense. The Temple of Heaven may also feature when listed on your daily timing.

Gallery: Forbidden City palace hallsForbidden City roof ridges

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Travel by private vehicle to the Badaling Great Wall Scenic Area. Take an optional cable car or toboggan (own expense) or walk the ramparts for views along the wall and surrounding hills. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then continue along the Sacred Way to the Ming Tombs as scheduled. Later visit the Bird's Nest and Water Cube exteriors at the Olympic Park before returning to your Beijing hotel.

Enjoy free time in Beijing after breakfast until your scheduled airport transfer. This concludes the 14-day China tour from Shanghai to Beijing via the Yangtze cruise to Chongqing, Xi'an, Luoyang, Dengfeng Shaolin, and imperial Beijing highlights. Your guide confirms terminal timing so you can check in for the departure flight with luggage and travel documents ready for the journey home.