Day 1
Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing a world-class capital with incredible mixture of historic and modern landmarks meet and transfer to hotel. Walk around by yourself if time is available.
Beijing, the capital of China, also serves as the center of politics, economy, and culture of the nation. As one of China’s six ancient capitals, with long history, splendid culture and many stunning scenic sites, Beijing has something for every traveler. With our 12 Day Downstream Yangtze Cruise Impression Tour, you can explore the perfect combination of historic culture and modern civilization by visiting the famous attractions in Beijing, including the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Hutongs and Courtyards, and etc.
Day 2
Beijing
You will have a Full day visit to the astonishing Badaling Great Wall and the Ming Tombs in this 12 Day Downstream Yangtze Cruise Impression Tour. Roasted Peking Duck is recommended for your dinner, which is exclusive in our quotation of your China tour. Feel free to contact our travel advisor about the details and cost.
Badaling Great Wall: The Great Wall at Badaling is the best representative section of the Great Wall that is worth seeing during China tour package. It is more than 7 meters high and 5 meters wide. It was the strategic point of Juyongguan Pass in ancient times. Many other fortresses and beacon towers were constructed at the strategic points. This section of the Great Wall has drawn great attention from the Chinese government since the foundation of P.R. China. It was designated a major historical site under state protection in 1961. The Great Wall was listed "a World Cultural Heritage" by the UNESCO in 1987. The Great Wall at Badaling is preserved as a historical monument and has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world.
Ming Tombs: Located at the foot of the Tianshou Mountain in Changping District, Beijing, the Ming Mausoleums, occupying an area of 120 square kilometers, is well preserved and have the biggest number of emperors buried in the world. You can not miss this attraction in 12 Day Downstream Yangtze Cruise Impression Tour.
Day 3
Beijing
Today, you will spend an exciting day touring the majestic Forbidden City, luxurious Summer Palace and Tiananmen Square in this 12 Day Downstream Yangtze Cruise Impression Tour.
Forbidden City: The Forbidden City also named the Palace Museum, shares the honor of being one of five world-famous palaces with the Palace of Versailles in France, Buckingham Palace in England, and the White House in the U.S. and the Kremlin in Russia. The palace, the most magnificent and splendid palace complex in China, is a must-see place of interest in China tour. It was built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the construction of this group of buildings took fourteen years from 1406 to 1420.
Summer Palace: The Summer Palace landscape, dominated by Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, covers an area of 2.9 square kilometers, three quarters of which is water surface. Its 70,000 square meters of building space features a variety of palaces, garden and other ancient-style architectural structures. Well known for its large and priceless collection of cultural artifacts, it was among the first group of historical and cultural heritage sites in China to be placed under special state protection. See the spectacularity of Summer Palace in China tour.
Tiananmen Square: Tiananmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace) was the main entrance to the Forbidden City during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Built in 1417, it was first named the Cheng Tian men, meaning that emperors obeyed the order of Heaven in ruling the country. It is also honored as the "Gate of the Nation" that you should visit in China tour package. As one of the largest city squares in the world, Tiananmen Square occupies an area of 440, 000 square meters--spacious enough to accommodate half a million people. In the new period of reforms and opening, Tiananmen, with its long history and rich culture, attracts people from all over the world.
Beijing Roast Duck: Beijing Roast duck is thought to be one of the most delicious dishes all over the world. Most visitors coming to Beijing in China tour will never forget to have a try. Eating Peking duck is seen to be one of the two things you are absolutely supposed to do while in Beijing.
Day 4
Beijing - 
- Chongqing
At the fourth day of 12 Day Downstream Yangtze Cruise Impression Tour, you will take a Hutong Tour in the morning. Then take a flight to Chongqing, where you will begin your amazing Yangtze Cruise in next few days.
Hutongs are the old traditional alleyways and courtyard homes which once covered all Beijing. Many still survive today and are pleasant to walk or bike through. Not much has changed and you can see how people lived in the past in this 12 Day Downstream Yangtze Cruise Impression Tour.
Chongqing, a famous historical and cultural city in China, has a history of more than 3,000 years and a glorious revolutionary tradition. The local culture was originated in the area centered at Chongqing, the place of the ancient Ba. The focal point of the unique Yangtze Three Gorges Dam, Chongqing is a tourist attraction as well as a commercial city. Explore Chongqing in this 12 Day Downstream Yangtze Cruise Impression Tour.
Day 5
Yangtze River Cruise
Embark the cruiser in the morning. Lunch and dinner will be served on board. Start your cruising on the Yangtze River in this 12 Day Downstream Yangtze Cruise Impression Tour. You'll enjoy a wide range of upscale activities comforts and entertainment on ship also the carefully-planned excursions designed to maximize your experience of the Yangtze' dramatic scenery. Go ashore in Fengdu the folkloric "ghost city".
The Yangtze River, or Chang Jiang, is the longest river in China and Asia, and the third-longest in the world, after the Nile in Africa and the Amazon in South America. Yangtze cruise tour is really amazing.
The river is about 6,385 km long (3915 mi) and flows from its source in Qinghai Province, eastwards into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It acts as a dividing line between North and South China. As the largest river in the region, the Yangtze is historically, culturally, and economically important to China.
One of the dams on the river, the Three Gorges Dam, is the largest hydro-electric power station in the world and viewable in China tour package. The section of the river flowing through deep gorges in Yunnan province is part of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas: a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A hundred miles east of Chongqing, Fengdu city has been completely covered by the rising waters of the dam, and its residents have been relocated to the other side of the river, but the ghostly temple itself remains intact. The 15-minute climb up gives a little chance to stretch your legs in this Yangtze cruise tour, if the boat has put you in a stupor, there’s a cable car.
Day 6
Yangtze River Cruise
Visit the great Three Gorges, including Qutang Gorge in the morning, go shore to experience a drifting along the Three Little Gorges, and then sailing passing by Wu Gorge and most of Xiling Gorge in this 12 Day Downstream Yangtze Cruise Impression Tour.
Qutang Gorge: Qutang Gorge, the shortest and most majestic of the Three Gorges, is a mus-see attraction in Yangtze cruise tour. The two banks of the Qutang Gorge contain numerous scenic spots. Southwest of the Qutang Gorge is the Kui Gate, also called the Qutang Pass. Two peaks, Mt. Baiyan (White Salt Mountain) in the north and Mt. Chijia soar above the horizon. The two mountains resemble a gate that might have been created by Heaven and placed here on earth. Here, the Yangtze River looks like a narrow belt winding its way through the deep canyons. The deep gorge, fast-moving water, and chains of mountains form an imposing picture. Because of the Kui Gate, the Qutang Gorge is also known as the Kui Gorge.
Three Little Gorges: The Three Little Gorges refer to the three gorges of the lower reaches of Daning River (the largest branch of Yangtze River) in Wushan County - Dragon Gate Gorge (Longmen Xia), Misty Gorge (Bawu Xia), and Emerald Gorge (Dicui Xia). Because of the beauty of Three Little Gorges, it has been said that although Wushan Three Little Gorges are not the Three Gorges of Yangtze River, they are almost the same. The Three Little Gorges, regarded as a bright pearl of the Yangtze River, offer tourists a chance to experience another way of life which is calm, natural and simple in this China tour.
Wu Gorge: WuXia Gorge is forty-five kilometers long, extending from the mouth of the Daning River in Wushan County. Also called Da Xia (Large Gorge), the WuXia Gorge is comprised of Golden Helmet and Silver Armor Gorge (Jinkui Yinjia Xia) and Iron Coffin Gorge. As strange peaks, grotesque rocks as well as fog and clouds surround the gorge, it is usually the most notable of the three gorges. Because of the long and deep canyons in the WuXia Gorge, the daily period of sunlight is short which impedes the dispersal of air borne moisture within the gorge and so creates clouds and fog in a variety of fantastic shapes. How wonderful Yangtze cruise tour is!
Xiling Gorge: Xiling Gorges is the longest part of the Three Gorges system with dangerous rapids like Xietan, Qintan and Kongling, collectively known as the Three Rapids of Xiling. The whole Gorge area is covered with high mountains, gullies, dangerous shoals and hidden reefs of various sizes. The beautiful Xiling Gorge looks like a colorful and scenic landscape painting, that is, the giant Yangtze Bridge and eye-catching scenery on the two banks in this Yangtze cruise tour. In the springtime, vivid flowers blossoming make the Xiling Gorge more gorgeous. The main sightseeing spot are Huangling Temple, Lantern Shadow Gorge, Military Books and Precious Sword Gorge, Nanjin Pass, Ox Liver and Horse Lungs Gorge, Three Travelers' Cave.
Day 7
Yangtze River Cruise
In the final day of sailing in this 12 Day Downstream Yangtze Cruise Impression Tour, we'll sail through the Xiling Gorge a rushing passage of rapids embraced by emerald terraced hills. Today's shore excursion includes the new Three Gorges Dam site, the world's largest construction project. After finishing the excursion, you will be back on board and the ship continues sailing to Wuhan.
Starting from Xiangxi (Fragrant Stream) Kou of Zigui County in the west and ending at Nanjin Pass in the east, Xiling Gorge, zigzagging about 49 miles, is the longest gorge among the three gorges of the Yangtze River. Because of numerous reefs and odd-shaped stones existing in rapid shoals that you can see in Yangtze cruise tour, the gorge is also well known for its danger.
The Three Gorges Dam is a hydroelectric river dam that spans the Yangtze River in Sandouping, Yichang, Hubei, China. It is the world’s largest electricity-generating plant of any kind. The dam body was finished in 2006. When the whole project is completed, it will contain 32 main generators, each with a capacity of 700 MW. Except for a planned ship lift, all of the originally planned components of the project were completed on October 30, 2008, when the 26th generator was brought into commercial operation. Six additional generators in the underground power plant are being installed, not expected to become fully operational until around 2011. The total electric generating capacity of the dam will then reach 22,500 MW. See spectacularity of Three Gorge Dam in this Yangtze cruise tour.
Day 8
Yangtze River Cruise
Today, you will disembark in Wuhan for a brief city tour during this 12 Day Downstream Yangtze Cruise Impression Tour. This city has both an ancient history and a thriving present.
Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei Province in central China, is situated on Jianghan Plain, a river-crossed fertile land created by the Hanjiang River joining the Yangtze River. Wuhan is a routine port for a Yangtze River cruise. Divided by the Yangtze, the city is known as the "Three Towns of Wuhan" with Hankou and Hanyang on the west bank, and Wuchang on the east. Explore the city with both an ancient history and a thriving present in 12 Day Downstream Yangtze Cruise Impression Tour.
The main focus of the day in this China tour will be Hubei Provincial Museum, which houses more than 200,000 pieces of historical relics. The main exhibitions include potteries, porcelains, jade, bronze vessels, ancient weapons and traditional musical instruments, among which the Bronze Chime and Bells and the sword of Gou Jian are national treasures.
Day 9
Yangtze River Cruise
In the morning of the ninth day of 12 Day Downstream Yangtze Cruise Impression Tour, the ship will berth at Guichi Port where you will land to climb up the Huangshan Mountain (Yellow Mountain).
Praised as "the most fantastic mountain under heaven", Huangshan Mountain has been one of the ten most famous mountains in China from ancient time that you must see in China tour package. The mountain boasts not only unmatched natural scenery but also its rich Taoism culture and historical relics. It also has four top wonders, which are strange pines, fantastic stones, sea of clouds and hot springs.
Oddly-shaped Pines - Huangshan pines are seen in every corner of Mt. Huangshan in China tour. The seeds fall into the crevices where they take root and grow with great vigor. The uneven terrain prevents the pines from growing upright. Instead they become crooked and even downward. Another feature of Huangshan pines is that many trees grow branches on one side only.
Grotesque Rocks - steep peaks stand in great numbers on the Huangshan Mountain with rugged cliffs that you will see in 12 Day Downstream Yangtze Cruise Impression Tour. The feet of the peaks reach down to the bottom of the valley and granite stone steles spread all over the valleys, mountainsides and mountaintops, forming an admirable natural picture.
Hot springs - in ancient times, it was named "magic spring". If one bathes in it, no soap is needed and many diseases will be cured, because there are many beneficial microelements in the water, which is pure and comfortable of temperature. See Hot Spring in this China tour.
Sea of clouds - Huangshan Mountain is the home of cloud and fog with the peaks as its body and the clouds as its clothes. After a snowfall and when the sun rises or sets, the sea of clouds is magnificent - the absurd stones, strange pines, peaks and the other ancient trees floating in the clouds, flickering here and there. When you are there in 12 Day Downstream Yangtze Cruise Impression Tour, it seems as if you are walking on clouds, almost like a fairy.
Day 10
Yangtze River Cruise
Excursion to Nanjing upon landing in Nanjing this morning by this 12 Day Downstream Yangtze Cruise Impression Tour, you will have a full day to tour around this city.
Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s is a great politician and forerunner of Chinese democratic revolution which started the new age of China. Covering an area of 80,000 square meters (about 20 acres), Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum is located in the Zhong Mountain Scenic Area in the east suburb of Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province. The main buildings of the mausoleum are standing on the central axis in accordance with traditional Chinese architecture style. The natural scenery surrounding is also quite beautiful. As the mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, it is considered the Holy land of Chinese people both home and abroad. With deep historical significance, magnificent architecture and beautiful scenery, it is a must see when traveling in Nanjing in this China tour package.
Day 11
Shanghai
Your Yangtze cruise tour will come to the end as the ship arrives in Shanghai at 10:00 this morning. Full day city tour including Yuyuan Garden, famous commercial street of Nanjing Road and the Bund by this 12 Day Downstream Yangtze Cruise Impression Tour.
Yuyuan Garden: It is a renowned traditional landscape garden in Jiangnan and also a historical site and tourist attraction famous at home and abroad that you must visit in China tour. It was built by a man named Pan during the Ming Dynasty. The garden is a virtual maze of caves, gardens, rockeries, paths, bridges, and buildings. Even though many people have had a hand in rebuilding the garden over the centuries, it is seamlessly blended. Every corner you turn has a new surprise, and a total different view.
The Bund: The Bund is the long corridor of Shanghai. For more than 100 years, it has been the symbol of Shanghai. Shanghai people are proud of the Bund. It shows the culture of Shanghai and the creation of modern civilization to people. The architecture along the Bund is unanimously honored as a "World Architectural Fair", including all kinds of tall buildings like the Gothic style, the Baroque style, the Roman style, the classical style, the Renaissance style and the combination of Chinese and Western style that you will see in China tour.
Nanjing Road: It is one of the landmarks of Shanghai. Most people say that if you have never been to the Nanjing Street, it is equal that you have never been to Shanghai. If you can get up early in the morning in this China tour package, you must be attracted by the Nanjing Street. At that time, the shops and restaurants are closed, but the street is quite busy. People are doing all kinds of things. Some are dancing, some are doing shadowboxing, some are playing sliding board, etc. It is just like a park, which has an outstanding compare with the street on flourishing day.
Day 12
Depart from shanghai
GWD's 12 Day Downstream Yangtze Cruise Impression Tour makes you have a wonderful time in China. We are sure that you enjoy the splendid culture and unique scenery by China tour and you can be our best ambassadors to share that experience with your friends and neighbors. We sincerely hope to see you revisit China again with your friends. Also we hope you are satisfied with our GWD’s information and service.
