Call us toll-free now
Book with an expert for free:
1 778 807 9750
Too much? We’ll call you. Drop your number in the box:
Call us anytime. 24/7
View 10 photos
Cultural treasures & Yangtze cruise
China in 16 Days, 14 Nights in Destination
From
$6,619
$4,299
/person
-35%
Hannah
Travel crafter
Discover China’s history, culture, and landscapes on this complete tour. Explore from the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors to the Bund in Shanghai. Plus, enjoy an unforgettable four-day cruise on the Yangtze River!
Trip Highlights
- Beijing
- Shanghai
- Xi'an
Included
All flights
Accommodation
All transfers
Activities
Some meals
Availability
Departures available until December 2025
Available Group tours
Solo travelers from + $1,800
- WHAT'S THIS?
Categories available
superior included
- WHAT'S THIS?
Select a day to go to next step
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
1 | ||||||
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
30 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
Categories Available:
superior
From $4,299
Selected
- 11 nights in Superior category hotels and 3 nights on board of a Yangtze river cruise.
Accommodation: 14 Nights
Itinerary
Embark on a rich journey in China through its history and culture. Begin with Beijing's Forbidden City and Great Wall. In Xi'an, marvel at the Terracotta Warriors before cruising the Yangtze from Chongqing, visiting Fengdu, Qutang and the Wu Gorges, and the Three Gorges Dam. Finish in Shanghai, exploring the Bund, Yuyuan Garden, and Old Bazaar.
1st Day: Canada - Night on board
Arrive at your Canadian departure airport, ready to board your flight* to China. Night on board.
*If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
2nd Day: Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, the enormous capital of China, famed for its ancient sites such as the iconic Forbidden City, and as being the gateway to some of the most visited portions of the Great Wall. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Beijing.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Jinjiang Fuyuan Hotel or similar
93 Reviews
See our full selection
3rd Day: Beijing
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, enjoy a tour of the fantastic Temple of Heaven, a religious complex used by the emperors of the Qing and Ming dynasties. Here you have the opportunity to watch the locals practising Tai Chi in the tranquil surroundings. Afterwards, visit a local Pearl workshop for an insight into the production of these precious jewels. Return to the hotel and spend the afternoon at your leisure. We recommend an optional Hutong tour* through central Beijing. Overnight stay in Beijing.
*Optional excursion to Shichahai Hutong & Lama Temple: Hop on a rickshaw, the most popular form of transportation in recent years, and visit Bell Tower and Drum Tower from the outside before stepping into one of the local Siheyuan courtyard houses of Hutong to learn about Chinese paper cutting. Finally, visit the Lama Temple, also known as the Yonghe Temple, which is considered as the largest and most perfectly preserved Buddhist monastery in present-day China.
Important note: Visits may be rescheduled due to weather, operational or political events. We suggest you not to book tours with third parties in case of any penalty due to cancellation.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Jinjiang Fuyuan Hotel or similar
93 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Half-day Temple of Heaven visit
Light
See more
Tour of Hutong District & Lama Temple
Moderate
See more
4th Day: Beijing
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day exploring Beijing at your leisure, visiting the sights or delving into the fabulous cuisine. Alternatively, we recommend an optional excursion to Tiananmen Square & the Forbidden City.* Overnight stay in Beijing.
*Optional full-day Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City excursion with Peking duck dinner: Explore the iconic Tiananmen Square to then head to the Forbidden City, an impressive palace complex and home to the former Imperial Chinese Palace for the years spanning from the Ming to the Qing dynasties. It is the world's most visited attractions and showcases immaculate Chinese design and architecture. Also, visit the Tea House to then admire the enigmatic Summer Palace. After the tour, try the famous Peking Duck for dinner. Watch the chef slice the golden-brown duck, so that you can admire his skills and the thin crispy skin. You will also learn how to eat this dish correctly.
Important note: Visits may be rescheduled due to weather, operational or political events. We suggest you not to book tours with third parties in case of any penalty due to cancellation.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Jinjiang Fuyuan Hotel or similar
93 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Full-day Tour of Beijing
Moderate
See more
5th Day: Beijing
Breakfast at the hotel. Set off on an exciting excursion to the best-preserved section of the Great Wall of China. The Juyongguan section is the most-visited part of the wall and is the best representation of the former splendour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Of unimaginable length, the wall can be seen from space. On the way, admire the countryside and stop at an impressive Jade exhibition, where you can learn about the historic significance of this precious stone. Arrive at the Great Wall where you have a minimum of two-hours to learn about the history of the wall and enjoy walking on this ancient relic of the past.
Back to Beijing, stop at the Olympic Park, where you can admire the beautifully architected Bird's Nest Stadium and Water Cube Aquatics Centre. Return to your hotel. We recommend an optional Golden Mask Show, a beautiful cultural performance.* Overnight stay in Beijing.
*Optional Golden Mask show: Set in the era of the Golden Mask Dynasty, a legendary age in China, the story tells the story of a queen, who wears a golden mask, and creates a splendid dynasty. It is a fabulous insight into China's history and arts.
Important note: Visits may be rescheduled due to weather, operational or political events. We suggest you not to book tours with third parties in case of any penalty due to cancellation.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Jinjiang Fuyuan Hotel or similar
93 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Great Wall and Olympic Park Tour
Moderate
See more
Golden Mask Dynasty Show
See more
6th Day: Beijing - Xi'an
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the train station for an exciting bullet train journey to Xi'an. Arrive, transfer, and check-in to the hotel. Afterwards, enjoy free time to get to know your new surroundings. Try walking around the neighborhood, or join an optional night tour* to get a deeper view of the local highlights. Overnight stay in Xi'an.
*Optional night tour: Take an evening tour, beginning with the North Square of the Wild Goose Pagoda, then heading all the way to The Grand Tang Mall, also known as Datang Everbright City. This pedestrian-friendly park offers a captivating experience that transports you back to the Tang Dynasty with lights, statues, and stalls.
Important note: The bullet train journey Beijing - Xian takes around 4-5h. Your guide will escort you to the train platform in Beijing and the next guide will wait for you in Xian station. There will be no guide present on board of the train. In addition, there is no Wifi connection on the train.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Titan Central Park or similar
48 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Xian evening tour and Datang everbright city
Moderate
See more
7th Day: Xi'an
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, discover one of China's most iconic sights as you enjoy a visit to the Terracotta Warriors Museum. Approximately 8,000 sculpted figures were buried alongside Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, and today you can see this once in a lifetime sight for yourself. Each figure is impressively crafted and unique.
Be blown away by the intricacy and the sheer number of the figures as you learn about their significance. Visit the terracotta workshop and get closer to the warriors while learning traditional crafting techniques. Next, dive to visit Great Mosque and Muslim Quarter, where you will challenge yourself to take a food adventure and enjoy your shopping time there. Spend the rest of the evening at your leisure. Why not enjoy a show that showcases the history of Xi'an?* Overnight stay in Xi'an.
*Optional Tang Dynasty show with dumpling banquet dinner: Enjoy the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with fabulous music and dancing from the era of the Tang Dynasty, China's golden age. The show is a unique way to get to know the historical culture of the ancient city of Xi'an. Enjoy a dumpling banquet for dinner, included with this activity!
Important note: Visits may be rescheduled due to weather, operational or political events. We suggest you not to book tours with third parties in case of any penalty due to cancellation.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Titan Central Park or similar
48 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Visit to the Terracotta Warriors and Xian's Muslim Quarter
Moderate
See more
Tang Dynasty Show with Dumpling Banquet Dinner
See more
8th Day: Xi'an
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy a free day to explore Xi'an at your own pace. Be sure to dive into the local food scene and sample the delights of one of Xi'an's street food markets. Alternatively, take part in a full day tour of Mt. Huashan.* Overnight stay in Xi'an.
*Optional Mt. Huashan daytrip with cable car: Known as one of China’s Five Sacred Taoist Mountains, Mt. Huashan has five main peaks and only one hiking trail that is 15 kilometres long from south to north. You will explore this mountain of great religious significance by cable car and then visit on foot the main area on the summit. Although Mt Huashan is famous for the dangerous cliffside plank trails, this tour only includes a visit to the safer accessible areas. These areas have wider trails but some parts might include stairs or some steep slope.
Please note: This optional activity is not apt for people with vertigo, fear of heights, reduced mobility, etc.
Important note: Visits may be rescheduled due to weather, operational or political events. We suggest you not to book tours with third parties in case of any penalty due to cancellation.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Titan Central Park or similar
48 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Mt. Huashan Daytrip by Cable Car
Active
See more
9th Day: Xi’an - Chongqing - Yangtze river
Breakfast at the hotel. Early in the morning, transfer to the station and take a bullet train to Chongqing (around 6 hours of travel). Arrive at Chongqing station, where your guide will greet you to begin a brief tour of Chongqing and the ancient town of Ciqikou.
Ciqikou is situated on a hill overlooking the Jialing River, in the western part of Chongqing city. This lively area is filled with shops and restaurants. Afterwards, visit the People’s Liberation Monument of Chongqing, built in 1945 to commemorate the victory over the Japanese in World War II. In the afternoon, embark on an unforgettable cruise on the Yangtze River. Overnight on board.
Note: Add an optional supplement to book a cabin with better views on the fourth floor. You can do this in the next step of the reservation.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Yangtze Gold Cruise or similar
See our full selection
Activities
Chongqing's Ciqikou city tour
Moderate
See more
Room upgrade Yangtze cruise
See more
10th Day: Yangtze river
Full board. Today you’ll wake up on the ship and enjoy a wonderful first stop: Fengdu. Disembark and take a guided tour to discover the intriguing “Ghost City” and its mythology and beliefs about the afterlife.
It is said to be a place where the spirits of the dead make their journey to the afterlife. It contains the so-called Temple of the King of Hell, with statues and sculptures representing demons and deities of the underworld, and the Bridge of Helplessness which, according to legend, only the virtuous can cross without difficulties. After the visit, return to the ship. Overnight on board.
Note: You will be able to add extra activities offered on board. These can vary depending on the season, weather, or Yangtze’s water level.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Yangtze Gold Cruise or similar
See our full selection
Activities
Visit to Fengdu
Moderate
See more
11th Day: Yangtze river
Full board. During the day you can enjoy views of the canyons, gorges, and banks that branch off from the Yangtze. Relax on board while enjoying the scenery! You will also pass through the pristine Qutang Gorge and the Wu Gorge, and make stops to explore these incredible natural sites. Overnight on board.
Note: You will be able to add extra activities offered on board. These can vary depending on the season, weather, or Yangtze water level.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Yangtze Gold Cruise or similar
See our full selection
Activities
Nature highlights tour
Moderate
See more
12th Day: Yangtze river - Yichang - Shanghai
Breakfast on the cruise. In the morning, begin with an excursion to the Three Gorges Dam, the largest power plant in the world. This engineering marvel successfully halted the cyclical floods that once ravaged downstream cities like Wuhan and Shanghai.
After the visit, transfer to Yichang train station, where you will board a high-speed train to Shanghai (around 7 hours of travel). Arrive and transfer to the hotel to complete check-in. Overnight stay in Shanghai.
Note: You won’t have a guide on the train from Yichang to Shanghai.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Harbour Plaza Metropolita... or similar
190 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Visit to the Three Gorges Dam
Moderate
See more
13th Day: Shanghai
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, embark on a half-day visit of the highlights of Shanghai. Step back in time in the charming traditional Yu Garden, learn about the country's artistic and cultural history at the Shanghai Museum, and explore the modern side of the city. Visit an authentic silk showroom to discover how this coveted fabric is manufactured. Return to the hotel and, in the evening, you have the option to enjoy a Huangpu River Cruise.* Overnight stay in Shanghai.
* Huangpu river cruise: View the Shanghai's city skyline from the comfort of the river cruiser as you enjoy an evening of spectacular views.
Important note: Visits may be rescheduled due to weather, operational or political events. We suggest you not to book tours with third parties in case of any penalty due to cancellation.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Harbour Plaza Metropolita... or similar
190 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Shanghai Half-day Visit
Moderate
See more
Huangpu River Night Cruise
Light
See more
14th Day: Shanghai
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, shopping, exploring the city's sights or simply relaxing in one of the city parks. We recommend an optional complete full-day tour of Shanghai*. Overnight stay in Shanghai.
*Optional Shanghai full-day city tour: The tour will start with a train ride on the Maglev, the first and only commercial rail line of its type in the world. The train is one of the fastest in the world and has the become the pride of Shanghai innovation and engineering. Then we will have an admission to the Observation Deck on the 88th Floor of Jinmao Tower where you will have the best view of the entire city of Shanghai. Next stop will be A.P Plaza. A.P. Plaza is Shanghai’s biggest market and is famous for “fake branded good”. Located underground, it has more than 1,000 stores where you can find purses, suitcases, watches, jewelries and much more. You will have 2 hours of shopping time to find many bargains you can ever imagine. Final stop will be Xintiandi Area. As a world-class restaurants, business, entertainment, culture, leisure walking Street, Shanghai Xintiandi in Shanghai is an historical and cultural character of the city.
Important note: Visits may be rescheduled due to weather, operational or political events. We suggest you not to book tours with third parties in case of any penalty due to cancellation.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Harbour Plaza Metropolita... or similar
190 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Shanghai Full-day City Tour
Moderate
See more
15th Day: Shanghai
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, searching for bargains or souvenirs in one of the many shopping centres, strolling around the colonial Bund or sampling the diverse street food. Otherwise, we recommend an optional tour of Suzhou Gardens.* Overnight stay in Shanghai.
*Optional Tour of Suzhou Gardens: Acquaint yourself with Suzhou, known as the ‘Venice of the East’ and one of the most historically significant cities of Southern China where you will first visit the Lingering Gardens. This imperial minister's ancient residence and UNESCO site showcases the beauty of Chinese traditional arquitecture and the importance of Feng Shui principles and natural harmony. You will next ride a boat ride through Pingjiang canal to make your way to the charming Old City and gaze at the Wumen brigde and Prince Zhonog's Mansion. Finally, visit the Suzhou museum and return to the hotel.
Important note: Visits may be rescheduled due to weather, operational or political events. We suggest you not to book tours with third parties in case of any penalty due to cancellation.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Harbour Plaza Metropolita... or similar
190 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Full day tour to Suzhou's gardens and canals with boat tour
Moderate
See more
16th Day: Shanghai - Night on board
Breakfast* at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the Canada. Night on board.
*Depending on your flight departure time you might not be able to enjoy the included breakfast.
Included activities
Show more
Available Activities
Show more
The price includes
- Included in all our trips. more information
- Departures from main Canadian airports.
- International flights: Canada - Beijing, Shanghai - Canada.
- High speed trains: Beijing - Xian, Xian - Chongqing, Yichang - Shanghai in second class seats. *more information
- 11 nights accommodation in Superior category hotels and 3 nights on board of the Yangtze river cruise. **more informationSee hotels included
- 14 breakfasts and Full board for 2 days on the cruise.
- Transfers in an air conditioned vehicles.
- Visits and entrance fees with English speaking guide as indicated in the itinerary.See itinerary
- All air taxes and fuel surcharge.
- Invitation letter for Chinese Visa.
- ATOL Protection.
*The cancellation policy applicable is according to the Terms and Conditions available and agreed at the time of your purchase
Not included
Visa (mandatory), entrances not mentioned on the itinerary, drinks, early check in, tips and any other services not mentioned in what's included.
Mandatory tips: Mandatory tips of 60 USD in cash per person are not included in the price and must be paid at the destination. These are the ONLY mandatory tips you will be required to pay during this tour and will be covering the guide tips during the whole tour.
IMPORTANT: In order to receive your invitation letter for your Chinese Visa (mandatory) it is important that all of your details and names are given to Exoticca exactly as they appear on your passport. Once you receive your invitation letter from us (approximately two months prior to departure) you will be required to make an appointment to go to the Chinese Visa Center in person with your passport with at least 6 months validity, a passport photo, a visa application form and the invitation letter to apply for your Chinese Visa. You will also be required to make another appointment to return to the Chinese Visa Center a second time to collect your Chinese Visa (it can be replaced for a home-delivery service with an extra fee). For more information about your nearest Chinese Visa Center, application form and appointment reservations please see: http://ca.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsyw/gzrz/vusa/.
Parallel to the embassy and consulate there are specialized China Visa service companies that can help with a more personalized service. Select Canada and your closest center in this website for more information: https://www.visaforchina.cn/
The cost of a Chinese Visa can range from 100 to 300 CAD / person depending on added assistance services, express delivery upgrades, etc. It usually takes around 10 days to get a visa approval.
MANDATORY: Please send copies of the passports of all passengers to customersuccess@exoticca.com once you have booked your trip in order for us to process your Chinese Visa Invitation Letter.
Please be advised that it is the traveler's responsibility to follow-up and be aware of any changes in either Visa requirements or entry conditions.
* We cannot guarantee that you and your travel companions will be allocated seats together on the train. Some train journeys and flights might be early in the morning in order to successfully follow the schedule.
** The hotels stated in the letter of invitation are not definitive; the hotels will be confirmed between 45 and 30 days before departure.
Entry requirements
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave China.
Visa
A visa is required. Contact the nearest Chinese diplomatic or consular office for more information on visa.
Currency
Chinese Yuan.
Language
Mandarin Chinese.
Electricity
220 V. Adapter required.
Health
Please consult your doctor regarding malaria prophylaxis.
Time zone
UTC + 08:00.
Other useful information
Different signs, numbers and symbols.
Tourist Office website
http://tourismchina-ca.com/
Remember to download your e-ticket to confirm the times of your flights and to complete online check-in using the airline’s website, or directly at the check-in desk at the airport.
Accommodation at the hotels is as indicated. In the event of any changes to accommodation, they will always be of the same, or a higher category. The category of hotels is not standardized across all countries in the world. For this reason, the criteria may differ depending on the destination country's own standards.
In the case of adverse weather conditions, for safety reasons or for any other reasons deemed appropriate, the order and duration of the excursions included in the itinerary may be changed or cancelled without prior notice.
This is a semi-escorted tour, during which only some of the booked activities are carried out with a local English-speaking guide. There is no 24-hour guide on site.
If you have reduced mobility, require the use of a wheelchair, or you would prefer this tour to be a private experience for you and your group, you must contact our Experts at +1 778 807 9750 before booking to ensure that your needs can be met.
While on the road, it is highly unlikely that the vehicle will be equipped with wifi or bathroom facilities, though rest stops will be made for long trips. We recommend purchasing a new SIM card at the airport or placing an e-SIM before travel to guarantee internet connection.
Pay in installments
Pay only 60% today to reserve your trip.
Pay the rest in installments depending on your departure date
Exoticca Travel Stories
Creating unforgettable memories, one traveler at a time
Want to hear from us?
The best deals on travel
Exciting promotions
Expert travel tips