12 Days Yangtze River Cruise Tour for Seniors

Welcome to Beijing! Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport or train station and then transferred to the hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore the nearby areas if you want. Or just have a relaxing time after a long flight.

Meal: No

Altitude: 45m

Traffic: Train/Plane, Car

Hotel: In Beijing

After breakfast in the hotel, you will head out on a city tour beginning with a visit to Tiananmen Square which is located in the city center of Beijing, and also the biggest city plaza in the world. It is the place where the Chairman Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People’s republic of China. Tiananmen in Chinese means “Gate of Heavenly Peace”, and the gate separates the square from the Forbidden city. The square contains the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China and the Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall.

Passing through Tiananmen Gate, you will be in the enormous Forbidden City. This amazing complex was the former imperial palace of the emperors of China in Ming and Qing dynasties. You may be surprised by the immense size of the palace as it contains over 9000 rooms and covers about 1,000,000m2 (10,800,000 sq ft), the size of 140 football fields. While the most fascinating parts are the splendid colorfully painted ceilings, sophisticately carved walkways and exquisite collections.

Afterwards, visit the Jingshan Park where you will get the best panoramic view of the Forbidden City so that you can take your time to enjoy the aftertaste of your “city tour”.

Then In the afternoon, you will visit the Summer Palace which is one of the finest sights in Beijing as it’s the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China. After lunch, Stroll around the beautiful garden and meander through the airy pavilions just as the imperial families once did. What a pleasant day!

Recommended optional activities: 1. Kung Fu show between 19:15~20:15 2. A breathtaking acrobatic show between 19:15~20:15.

Meal: B, L

Altitude: 45m

Traffic: Car

Hotel: In Beijing

Today we will drive out of the city to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Wall. As the sections that closer to the city are more heavily visited and renovated, while the further sections are less crowded and more authentic. We will visit Mutianyu section, which is well-preserved and has many excellent watchtowers and view points. The Mutianyu section is also the most popular one among travelers from other countries. And because of its conventional and original appearance, this section is perhaps the most frequently used one on post cards and videos of the Great Wall.

We will take the cable car firstly, then climb up along the rising towers to enjoy the most beautiful and spectacular sceneries of the Great Wall. “He who does not reach the Great Wall is not a true man”, Chinese people were told so from a young age. Hiking in the Great Wall can rank among one of the greatest experiences on earth! Descend by cable car or hiking for another 40 minutes depends on your energy, and both are quite fun to experience.

On the way back of Beijing city, we will visit the Sacred Way which is a passage with 7 kilometers long leading to the Imperial Tombs of 13 emperors of Ming Dynasty. In China, for almost all the imperial tombs, the sacred way is an inseparable part. Because the emperors were viewed as the son of the heaven and came from heaven through the invisible sacred way, they would also return to heaven through this way. To make people know that, constructing a visible way in front of the tomb became a tradition, and it represents the absolute authority of emperors. We will walk through the Sacred Way and you will see the majestic stone guard of 12 sets of mythical animals and 12 officials standing alongside the way. They are expected to escort the imperial families to heaven and forever protect and serve them.

After the long journey, we will be back to the downtown and have a short stop at the Beijing Olympic Village to have a look of the famed Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the outside.

Recommended optional activity: you can choose to taste the famous Peking Roasted Duck at Quanjude for your dinner after the whole day’s tour.

Meal: B, L

Altitude: 45m

Traffic: Car

Hotel: In Beijing

In the morning, we will start our tour today from the Temple of Heaven. It is the most perfect example of Ming architecture with original function of praying for good harvests and as a vast stage for solemn rites performed by the son of heaven. Inside the Temple of Heaven, except the main buildings, there is an interesting Echo Wall. If a person whispers close to the wall at any point, his voice can be heard distinctly at any other point along the wall. Try that by yourself, but be careful, don’t whisper any secret there~

Then spend your afternoon exploring the Hutongs which are remnants of Beijing. Hutongs are small and narrow alleys formed by neighboring quadrangle dwellings that once radiated outwards from the Forbidden City. During the Qing dynasty, the proximity to the Forbidden City of the Hutongs indicates the social status of the residents. Although today Hutongs have no such function anymore, we still can get a feel of the old Beijing life style there and also see the historical changes of Beijing city. To have in-depth experience, we will also visit a local family’s home in the Hutongs.

Late in the day, end up your Beijing tour and say goodbye to the Hutongs. We will head to the Beijing West Railway Station and board on the high speed train to Xi’an. After 5 hours, you will arrive in the Xi’an North Railway Station, and the local guide and drivers will escort you to the hotel.

Meal: B, L

Altitude: 45m

Traffic: High Speed Train, Car

Hotel: In Xi’an

Xi’an city, or call its older name Chang’an, marks the eastern end of the silk road. It almost can represent the ancient China for its abundant historical attractions and unearthed relics. The locals always say that there are two cities in Xi’an, one is overground, the other is underground. It is a endless treasure of culture and history, you will have a wonderful and unforgettable cultural tour here.

In the morning, We will directly drive to the outskirts of Xi’an city to visit its best known sight–Terracotta Warriors, one of the greatest human-made wonders in the world. It was built by Qin Shihuang, who is the first emperor of China, to guard him in his afterlife. Over 8,000 life-size soldiers were individually sculptured, and each of them have different height, body shape, hair style, costume and even facial expression! You will also see horses and chariots which are also life-size. Only 3 pits were discovered, and the majority are still buried. All the soldiers are facing east to protect the tomb of emperor Qin Shihuang. The  mysterious Qin Shihuang Mausoleum, which has not been opened yet as the existed techniques cannot guarantee excavating without destroying the inner structure and treasures, is believed to be another striking wonder once been exposed to the world. The huge scale of terracotta warriors shows how ambitious the emperor Qin Shihuang was and how sophisticated and advance the ancient Chinese artistic skills were.

Afterwards, let’s return to Xi’an and enjoy the afternoon strolling on the Ancient City Wall. Just like the function of the Great Wall, many cities in China once had massive defensive walls which belonged to the ancient military defensive systems. However, only very few city walls remained after hundred years’ vicissitudes. Among them, the one in Xi’an is the most impressive one as it is well-preserved. You not only can enjoy the panoramic views of the whole Xi’an city and take photos, but also ride a bike on the ancient wall.

End up your day tour in the lively Muslim Quarter where to take a food adventure and explore the local Muslim culture.

Recommended optional activities: 1. Rent a bike and cycling on the ancient wall 2. Enjoy a fascinating Tang Palace Dance Show in the night between 20:00 to 21:00.

Meal: B, L

Altitude: 400m

Traffic: Car

Hotel: In Xi’an

Today is another day for wonderful cultural tour. We will head to the Da Cien Temple after breakfast. This is a very famous Buddhist sutra translation site in the Tang Dynasty. If you are very interested in Chinese culture, you must have heard story about the Journey to the West. The hero — famed Buddhist master Xuanzang (Tripitaka) — brought back many precious Buddhist materials from his epic journey to India during the early Tang Dynasty. All the Buddhist scriptures he brought back were stored in the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which is in the center of the Da Cien Temple. Here you will have time to try on the traditional costume of Han Chinese — Hanfu. Typically the gorgeous Hanfu only worn by the emperors families and nobles in the solemn occasions.

Then head to the Shaanxi History Museum, we will continue to know Chinese culture in one of the biggest and most amazing museums in China. Here you can ramble in the modern exhibition halls to admire the historic relics dating from the Zhou dynasty (1046 BC).

Afterwards, fly from Xian to Chongqing, a city famous for hot pot and fabulous night views, and where your Yangtze cruise starts. Transfer to the port to board your ship.

Meal: B, L

Altitude: 400m

Traffic: Car, Flight, Cruise

Hotel: On Cruise

Today you will have a very unique experience — wake up on a cruise on the Yangtze River with the morning sunshine shining over the gentle wave and clear river. You will have a very relaxing morning on the sun deck and soak up the picturesque scenery passing by.

Life is never boring on the cruise. The luxury cruise is just like a moving 5 stars hotel so that what you can do anything you’d like to do in the hotel and even more fantastic than the hotel since you can enjoy the changing splendid views on the cruise.

We will stop to have a shore excursion to Shibaozhai Pagoda at noon, which is a must-see sight on the Yangtze River. Just like the name indicates, Shibaozhai is a ruby on the Yangtze River, with a whole body of bright red.

Optional Activity: You can also have a shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City (excluded), one of the most mysterious places in China, where believed to be a city that houses many ghosts and devils.

Meal: B, L, D

Altitude: 150m

Traffic: Cruise

Hotel: On Cruise

In the morning, embrace the lovely sunshine on the deck and say good morning to the mountains around you. We will encounter the famous Three Gorges today. There are thousands of poets have left their poems to praise the beauty and spectacularity of the three gorges – Qutangxia Gorge, Wuxia Gorge and Xilingxia Gorge.

Among the three gorges, Wuxia Gorge is the most beautiful one. There is a poem “Don’t mention streams to him who has seen a great ocean, and don’t mention clouds to him who has experienced the rains in Mount Wushan.” No matter on sunny days or rainy days, when you go through the Wuxia Gorge, you will be amazed by the breathtaking scenery of Wushan Mountain. We will have a close look at this picturesque place by shifting to a small boat. Drop down the beautiful Shennv Stream, which means the goddess stream, and row into a narrow gorge to appreciate the spectacular scenery of the vertical cliffs looked like being sliced by a huge knife and axe. Then after enjoying the unique singing and dancing show performed by the local Tujia people on the shore, we will row back to our cruise.

Join in the Farewell Party held by the captain in the evening or have a wonderful dancing show. Your perfect day will end with happiness and joy.

Optional Activity: You can choose to have an excursion to the White Emperor City (excluded) where located in the Qutang Gorge. You will enjoy the best view of the Kuimen Gate in this way.

Meal: B, L, D

Altitude: 150m

Traffic: Cruise

Hotel: On Cruise

Today say goodbye to the giant cruise, we will disembark at Maoping Port after breakfast. Then stroll around the Three Gorges Dam, which is regarded as the largest hydropower project in the world. There are hundreds of films and documents talking about the project, but the best way to know it is always seeing it with your own eyes. Appreciating the marvelous surroundings and getting to know the background story behind the dam, you will be amazed by the miracle! You can even pay extra to experience sailing through the Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift if you would like to. That will be a lifetime experience as it is the world’s largest ship lift.

After visiting, we will leave for the Yichang East Railway Station and take the high-speed train to Shanghai. Upon arrival, be transferred to have hotel check-in. The rest of the day will be free for you to explore this cosmopolitan city.

Meal: B, L, D

Altitude: 5m

Traffic: Cruise, Train, Car

Hotel: On Cruise

Today say goodbye to the giant cruise, we will disembark at Maoping Port after breakfast. Then stroll around the Three Gorges Dam, which is regarded as the largest hydropower project in the world. There are hundreds of films and documents talking about the project, but the best way to know it is always seeing it with your own eyes. Appreciating the marvelous surroundings and getting to know the background story behind the dam, you will be amazed by the miracle! You can even pay extra to experience sailing through the Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift if you would like to. That will be a lifetime experience as it is the world’s largest ship lift.After visiting, we will leave for the Yichang East Railway Station and take the high-speed train to Shanghai. Upon arrival, be transferred to have hotel check-in. The rest of the day will be free for you to explore this cosmopolitan city.

Meal: B, L, D

Altitude: 2m

Traffic: Cruise, Car, Train

Hotel: In Shanghai

Shanghai is considered the most developed metropolis in China. Many people know China from this city as it represents fashion and enthusiasm.

We will have a day tour starting with exploring Shanghai Museum as a museum usually is the best place to get to know the past and present of a city in a short time. It is one of the Best Four Museums, with thousands of world-standard precious historic relics in the exhibition, dating from over 5,000 years ago to now.

The next stop is Yuyuan Garden, not far from the museum, which is a typical Chinese garden with Jiangnan style. It is hidden among high buildings, just like an oasis in the desert. This design highly meets the idea of Confucians, who believe that the “lesser hermit” lives in seclusion in the country, while the “greater hermit” does so in the city. Beautiful designs are everywhere. Jagged pavilions with exquisite decorations, glittering pools with roving fishes… outside the garden is the Yuyuan Bazaar, which is full of wonderful food stalls and traditional Chinese handicraft shops.

Let’s then go back from the man-made garden to the man-made building — Shanghai World Financial Center with a more interesting nickname — “the Eye of Shanghai”. Here you will easily get a super-excellent panoramic view of the whole face of Shanghai.

Then walk into modern Shanghai, we will visit another very popular landmark of Shanghai — Nanjing Road. It is a shopping paradise where you can buy almost any latest products from any international brand.

Later in the day, end up your tour today by strolling along the Bund, which originally is a towpath for transporting goods. Nowadays, it has become a busy trading district and you will see and feel the unique scenery of fusion of Chinese and Western cultures in this place.

Recommended optional activities: 1. Acrobatic show performed between 19:30 to 21:00. 2. Enjoying the night scene of Huangpu River on a cozy cruise (about 50 minutes)

Meal: B, L

Altitude: 2m

Traffic: Car

Hotel: In Shanghai

Today is your last day for this trip! Let’s have some relaxing activities. After enjoying your breakfast at the hotel, we will leave for the Jade Buddha Temple which houses the largest jade Buddha in the world. You will also see numerous ancient statues, Buddhist artifacts and scriptures. Just like Yuyuan, this is a place to provide you with some spaces to relax and do some thinking in the busy city.

Not far from the Jade Buddha Temple is our last stop — Tianzifang, where gathered plenty of “hidden” surprises. In the renovated traditional residential area, you will feel the dense SOHO style life flavor with ubiquitous cafe, salon, workshop and bar. Stroll along the old alleys, appreciate the Shikumen architecture, and enjoy your last relaxing hours on this tour in an open-air cafe like the local Shanghai people.

In the afternoon, our unforgettable tour comes to an end. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight. Hope to see you again soon in China!

Meal: B

Altitude: 2m

Traffic: Car, Flight

Hotel: No Accommodation