Affordable & Meaningful Train travel for China Highlights Tour with Yangtze Cruise / 15 days

Day 01 Hong Kong - Beijing via evening train (Meals: B/-/-)

Your own arrangement to the train station in Kowloon, Hong Kong for the express train T98B (Soft sleepers, 15:00 / 15:18 next day) to Beijing. You can buy the train tickets very easy in Hong Kong. The train ticket cost about us$90 per person.
Accommodations: Over night on the train (Soft sleepers)

Day 02 Arrive at Beijing (Meals: -/L/-)

Arrive at Beijing in the afternoon. To be met at the train station. Check-in hotel, Free at leisure for the rest of the day. You do need a break after long time train travel.
Accommodations: 4* Capital Hotel or similar - for a specific hotel request you can check our Beijing hotels.

Day 03 Beijing (Meals: B/L/-)

Sightseeing: Badaling Great Wall / Ming Tombs / Spirit Way
Depart from your hotel after breakfast. Spending about 1.5 hours to be transferred outside city to the surrounding countryside to visit the Badaling Great Wall, one of the most remarkable feats of mankind, built over 2,000 years ago. You will be able to climb and walk one of the best preserved section of the ancient wall, admiring the splendid mountains scenery.
After having lunch at local restaurant, visit the fabled Ming Tombs, the resting places of thirteen emperors and their splendid treasures, passing down the Spirit Way, a road lined with statues of dignitaries, as well as huge elephants, lions, camels and horses, you will encounter the marble tombs of the Ming Dynasty emperors. Visit one of the spectacular tombs- Dingling featuring an underground palace.
Accommodations: 4* Capital Hotel or similar - for a specific hotel request you can check our Beijing hotels.

Day 04 Beijing - Xi'an (Meals: B/L/-)

Sightseeing: Beijing - TianAnMen Square / Forbidden City / Temple of Heaven

Visit the Tian An Men Square, the symbolical heart of China and gathering place for the masses. It is the biggest public square in the world, which can hold one million people. Having a free walk there, imagining the great historic events of the 20th century took place there. You will also see legendary landmarks including the Great Hall of the People and the towering 125 foot granite obelisk, Monument to the Peoples Heroes, honoring those who died in revolution.
Walking across the Golden River Bridge, enter the Forbidden City, the inner sanctum and palace where for centuries Chinese emperors ruled their world. It has 9000-room maze of courtyards, places, and ceremonial halls, where 24 emperors used to live. Forbidden City was indeed a forbidden place, where commoners were kept out for nearly 500 years in the past. Tour the palace and imagine the mystery, intrigue and incredible power that reigned here.
After having lunch at the local restaurant, visit the Temple of Heaven. It was built in the 15th century, a sacred site for ancient Beijing, where the emperor and his 1000 member entourage would retreat twice a year for religious ritual. Surrounded by enormous grounds designed in accordance with fengshshui, the Temple complex consists of the Celebrated Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a unique wooden and blue-tiled structure built without a nail. It is considered the supreme achievement of traditional Chinese architecture.
Be transferred to the train station for your overnight train Z19 (Soft sleepers, 20:28/07:58 next morning).
Accommodations: Over night on the train (Soft sleepers)

Day 05 Arrive at Xi'an (Meals: -/L/-)

Sightseeing: Xi'an - Shanxi Provincial History Museum / Old City Wall / Bell Tower

Arrive at Xi'an in the morning. Xi'an is one of the most important cities in China's history and nowadays. It was the first Chinese city to open up its doors to the Ancient world during the Tang dynasty when Xi'an blossomed as the first and important stop on the Silk Road.
To be met at the train station. Check-in hotel, then have city tours to visit the Shannxi Provincial Museum and city wall. Xi'an Old City Wall is the most complete city wall survived in China as well as one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. The wall was built in the Tang dynasty (618 -907) and enlarged in the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). The construction of the Xi'an City was formally started in the seventh year of Emperor Hongwu reign (1374) and completed in the eleventh year of Hongwu reign (1378). After its completion, the circumference of the city wall was 13.75 kilometers long in an oblong shape. Its height is 12 meters; its top is 12-14 meters wide and its base, 15-18 meters wide.
Located in the southern part of Xi'an, the Shaanxi Provincial Museum is the largest comprehensive museum in the province. It is also the fist national level grand museum equipped with modern facilities. It exhibits primarily historical relics of past dynasties and displays precious art treasures and stone carvings of the Han and Tang dynasties. Walking through the exhibits in the museum is like walking through the 3000 years of China history.
Ever since the ancient times, many imperial capitals have been located in Shaanxi. Over the history, Shaanxi has served as capitals for 13 feudal dynasties such as the Zhou, the Qin, the Han and the Tang etc., nurturing very rich ground and underground cultural relics. With the establishment of Shaanxi History Museum, there have been concentrated around 370,000 pieces of cultural relics. They are in large quantities, of complete varieties and of high quality and grade. Among them are listed bronze objects, terra-cotta figures, gold vessels and silver vessels and the murals in the tombs of the Tang Dynasty etc., most of which are treasures with workmanship excelling nature. It attracts large numbers of visitors both at home and abroad. It is an absolute must for every visitor to the city.
Finally have a tour to Bell Tower, which is the most well-preserved and best-known one among many ancient cities of China. It was originally built in the Yingxiang Temple in 1384, at the intersection of West Street and Guangji Street. Then in 1582, it was moved to its present pivotal position, in the very heart of the city at the junction of four main streets extending to the east, south, west and north, for rebuilding and later restorations. With magnificent carved beams and painted rafters, this classical building is truly elegant.
Accommodations: 4* Bell Tower Hotel or similar - for a specific hotel request you can check our Xi'an hotels.

Day 06 Xi'an - Chongqing via afternoon train (Meals: B/L/-)

Sightseeing: Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses / Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Depart from your hotel after breakfast, after 45 min. driving to surrounding countryside to visit Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological excavations of the20th century. It has been regarded as THE 8TH WONDER OF THE WORLD! Over 2,200 years ago, the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang in search of immortality, ordered the construction of a vast army of 8,000 life-sized Terra Cotta warriors and buried with him to protect his empire after his early death. They were discovered accidentally in 1974 by farmers digging a well. For history lovers, the sight is truly breathtaking.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the main constructions in the famous Buddhist temple-Da-Ci-En Temple is situated at south of the Xi'an city. The pagoda is one of the most distinctive and outstanding landmarks for Xi'an.
Known as the best-preserved Buddhist temple complex, the Da-Ci-En Temple was initially built in 589, during the Sui Dynasty (581-618), named as Wulou Temple. Later in AD 647 of the Tang Dynasty, the temple was rebuilt in memory of Empress Wende- the mother of Emperor Tang Gaozong. The temple subsequently gained its present name.
In AD 652, the Big Goose Pagoda was built to store the sutras and the figurines of Buddha, which were brought from India by a famous Buddhist translator and traveler Tang Sanzang, also known by his Buddhist name as Xuanzang. The Big Goose Pagoda is a brick-tower architecture, with a height of 64 meters (210 miles), occupies a base 25 meters by 25 meters (82 feet) square. Its walls and doors are carved with vivid and exquisite figures of Buddha, reflecting the profundity in the paintings of the Tang Dynasty.
Be transferred to the train station for your overnight train 2334 (Soft sleepers, 16:58/07:27 next morning) to Chongqing.
Accommodations: Over night on the train (Soft sleepers)

Day 07 Arrive at Chongqing (Meals: -/L/-)

Sightseeing: Chongqing - Erling Park / Chongqing Zoo / Ciqikou

Arrive at Chongqing in the morning. To be met at the train station. Check-in hotel, then have city tours in Chongqing. Located at the juncture of the Yangtze River and the Jialing River in the southwestern China, Chongqing Municipality is the largest, land and water communications hub, industrial and commercial center of the entire upper Yangtze River region. It is the best point to start the world famous Yangtze Cruise. Renown as a "mountain city" because of its buildings on hillsides and mountains surrounding the city, streets are staggered one above the other on the hills that overlook the river, making the city a magnificent sight to behold. The splendid scenery of this famous mountain city attracts many tourists from home and abroad.
Visit Erling Park, Located on the Eling(Goose Hill), the park used to be an ancient private garden named "Li Garden" made by Mr. Li Yaoting from 1909-1911 A.D. With its good location and beautiful natural scenery, it is one of the best places to have a birds-eye-view of the whole city.
Chongqing Zoo, The zoo is located at the western suburb of the main urban area. It occupies more than 60 hectares of land and there are 230 kinds of more than 4500 rare and precious wild animals be shown in this zoo throughout the year, among them 80 percent of the animals belong to world rare species and national protecting important animals. Pandas are most popular among of that. In the Panda Ground at the foot of a hill and by a little stream, visitors can see charmingly native giant and lesser pandas and their offspring. Visitors can actually play with them and take pictures with them.
The Ciqikou Ancient Town (old name Longyin Town) is located 14 KM to the west of Chongqing city. It used to be a very important water and land communication hub in the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911 A.D). Its history can be traced back for more than 1700 years. There are 14 ancient stone slab streets flanked with houses, shops in traditional styles. Tea bars, the local artists studios and the Shu Embroidery workshops are three notable attractions. There are more than a hundred tea bars with their own particular characteristics in such a small town. Here friends enjoy a chat or meet to discuss business. You will have opportunity to meet the locals and enjoy the unique folk opera in the tea bars.
Be transferred aboard your cruise ship. - for a specific hotel request you can check our Yangtze Cruise Ships Comparison .

Day08 Yangtze Cruise (Meals: B/L/D)

09:00 Embark the cruise ship and set sail.
15:00-18:00 Shore excursion to Fengdu.

Day09 Yangtze Cruise Yangtze Cruise (Meals: B/L/D)

06:30-07:00 Sail through Qutang Gorge.
08:30-10:30 Sail through Wu Gorge.
10:30-14:30 Drifting along Shennong Stream
21:00 Pass through dam ship locks.

Day10 Yangtze Cruise Yangtze Cruise (Meals: B/L/D)

09:00-10:00 Sail through the eastern part of Xiling Gorge.
10:00-12:00 Pass through the ship lock of Gezhouba Dam.
18:00-21:00 Shore excursion to Jingzhou City.

Day 11 Yangtze Cruise - Wuhan - Hangzhou via afternoon train (Meals: B/L/- )

Sightseeing: Wuhan - Guiyuan Buddhist Temple / Yellow Crane Tower

Arrive in Wuhan at11:30 in the morning. Disembark from the ship, continue your trip to Yellow Crane Tower. Located near the southern end of the Yangtze River Bridge in Wuhan, the Yellow Crane Tower is the one of the four most famous towers in China. The tower inspired many ancient poets and artists. Now it is the symbol of Wuhan city. The original Yellow Crane Tower was first built in 223 A.D, but was destroyed and rebuilt many times in successive dynasties. The current reconstruction was completed in 1985. This tower is51.4 meters high, is five-storied with yellow tiles and red pillars, overlapping ridges and interlocking eaves, more magnificent than the old one.
Guiyuan Buddhist Temple, Guiyuan Temple is one of the four largest Buddhist temples in Hubei Province as well as an important Buddhist temple in China. It was first built in the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Guiyuan Temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times in its history and the present temple dates from the early Republic of China (1912-1949). The temple is famous for its beautiful structures, Buddhist scriptures, The statues of Weito (the temple guardian) carved of oak, the 500 disciples of Buddha (arhat ) with various looks and gestures.
Be transferred to the train station for your overnight train K21 (Soft sleepers, 17:13/10:00 next morning) back to Hangzhou.
Accommodations: Over night on the train (Soft sleepers)

Day12 Arrive at Hangzhou (Meals: -/L/-)

Sightseeing: the West Lake / Pagoda of Six Harmonies

Arrive at Hangzhou. Be met then visit the beautiful West Lake. Have a boat cruise on the West Lake. As one of the most famous tourist attractions in China, for centuries, the West Lake has been well known both for its picturesque landscape and for cultural heritage surviving yet illustrating the past dynasties. The landscape area of the West Lake includes the surrounding hills and nearby historical sites as well as the lake itself. The Chengde Mountain Resort was the former out palace of Emperor Kang Xi and other Qing rulers of the time. The palace structures along with the temple built in the place show the different styles of architecture by various Chinese nationalities. The mountain resort possesses scenery featuring those of both north and south China.
After having lunch at local restaurant, visit the Pagoda of Six Harmonies. Located on the northern bank of the Qiantang River, south of Hangzhou city, the Pagoda of Six Harmonies first built in 970 A.D but destroyed in war. What we see today is a brick and wooden structure rebuilt in 1153 A.D. With 59.89 meters high, the pagoda is the best place to have a bird-eyes-view of the scenery around Qiantang River.
Then be transferred back to your hotel. Free at leisure in the evening.
Accommodations: 4* New Century Hotel or similar - for a specific hotel request you can check our Hangzhou hotels.

Day 13 Hangzhou - Shanghai (Meals: B/L/- )

Sightseeing: Hangzhou / Lingyin Temple / Peak Flying from Afar / Dragon Well Tea Plantation
Shanghai Sightseeing: the Bund / Nanjing Road

Depart from your hotel in the morning to visit the Lingyin Temple including the Peak Flying from Afar. Aside from the West Lake, Lingyin Temple (Temple of Inspired Seclusion) is one of the biggest and most famous ancient Buddhist temples in China. It was first built by an Indian monk named Huili in 326A.D. The temple was named Lingyin Temple (Temple of Inspired Seclusion) for its environment is very beautiful and serene and suitable for "gods rest in seclusion".
After having lunch at local restaurant, visit the Dragon Well Tea Plantation. Dragon Well Tea is well known worldwide, the water of dragon well is sweet and nice. The green tea here enjoys very high reputation since Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.) for its four special features: green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste and smooth even appearance. Be transferred to the train station for Shanghai. Arrive at Shanghai. Be met at the train station then have city tours to visit the Bund.
Once known as the "Paris of the East", Shanghai is now a city with the population of more than 13 million, the largest economic and trade center, as well as a famous historical and cultural city in China. Have a stroll along the waterfront to experience the smells, sights and sounds of the old "Wall Street" in Shanghai. Banks, trading houses, residences, hotels and clubs all had a view of bustling Huangpu River traffic as they shared in the city's rising and falling fortunes. Then walking along the famous shopping street-Nanjing Road. It is said that shopping in Shanghai is the most varied and rewarding in China.
Free at leisure for the rest of your time.
Accommodations: 4* Downtown Holiday Inn or similar - for a specific hotel request you can check our Shanghai hotels.

Day14 Shanghai (Meals: B/-/-)

Sightseeing: Full day private tours to Yu Garden / Jade Buddha Temple / Shanghai Museum / Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Depart from your hotel in the morning to visit the Yu Garden. This delightfully restored labyrinth of tiny specialty shops, tea and snack houses centered around a Ming -dynasty mandarin Suzhou-style garden is a fascinating spot to people-watch over a pot of tea, to shop for unique souvenirs and to get a feel for Old Shanghai. It is well worth a meander through the Yu Garden, which has many scenic courtyards decorated with baroque rockery, pools and flora, all connected by corridors and passageways.
Follow with the Jade Buddha Temple. Built in 1911, it is the most famous and one of the most active Buddhist temples in Shanghai. Named for its two bejeweled white jade Buddha, one is 1000kg, 1.9 meter-high figure carved from Burmese jade brought to China in 1882, and a smaller reclining Buddha, the temple receives thousands of visitors and worshipers daily. Although Chinese New Year and the Buddha's birthday are the most popular time to visit the temple for the faithful, it is possible to witness ceremonies at other times.
After having lunch at the local restaurant, visit the Shanghai Museum. As a museum of ancient Chinese art, Shanghai Museum possesses a collection of 120,000 precious works of art. Its rich and high-quality collection of ancient Chinese bronze, ceramics, painting and calligraphy is specially celebrated in the world. The present Shanghai Museum has eleven galleries and three special temporary exhibition halls.
Then visit the Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower. With its 468 meters high (1,536 feet), the tower is the third tallest TV and radio tower in the world as well as the tallest structure in Asia. It is the best place to have a birds-eye-view of Shanghai City. With its unique and amazing design, it has become the new landmark of Shanghai and a big magnet for tourists. The viewing area is half-way up and offers a splendid unparalleled view of the Bund, the emerging new modern Shanghai. The view of Shanghai from this height fills you with wonder at the beauty that surrounds you.
Accommodations: 4* Downtown Holiday Inn or similar - for a specific hotel request you can check our Shanghai hotels.

Day15 Shanghai - Other city (Meals:B/-/-)

Free at leisure until to be transferred to the train station or airport for your next destination.

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