Iconic China & the Yangtze

Small Group Journeys

Iconic China & the Yangtze

Beijing · Xi’an · Chengdu · Chongqing · The Yangtze River · Shanghai

14DAYS
6DESTINATIONS
12GUESTS (MAX)

OVERVIEW

A grand introduction to China, connected by its greatest river.

A thoughtfully paced journey through Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Chongqing, The Yangtze River, Shanghai, combining celebrated places with time for local context and personal discovery.

  • The Great WallBeijing
  • The Terracotta ArmyXi’an
  • Giant panda conservationChengdu
  • Riverside night viewsChongqing
  • The Three GorgesThe Yangtze River
  • The Bund at duskShanghai
1Beijing2Xi’an3Chengdu4Chongqing5The Yangtze River6Shanghai

Indicative route · Locations are schematic; transport is confirmed during planning.

Your journey, day by day.

DAY 1

Arrive in Beijing

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Beijing

Arrive and continue to your accommodation. Settle in at your own pace, with a gentle neighbourhood walk or time to rest depending on your arrival. An introduction to local food offers a first sense of Beijing.

STAY IN Beijing

Sample day · Visits, guides, meals and transport are confirmed in your final proposal.

DAY 2

Beijing · The Great Wall

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Beijing

Make time today for the great wall, with walks and exploration at a pace that suits you. Discover a city that holds its history close while moving confidently forward. Beyond the monumental courtyards of the Forbidden City, hutong lanes lead to quiet neighbourhoods, family kitchens and contemporary galleries. Venture into the mountains for the Great Wall, then return to a beautifully prepared Peking duck dinner. Beijing is a compelling first chapter in any journey through China. Adjust the length of each visit to your interests and leave part of the afternoon free for independent discovery or a quiet pause.

STAY IN Beijing

Sample day · Visits, guides, meals and transport are confirmed in your final proposal.

DAY 3

Beijing · The Forbidden City

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Beijing

Make time today for the forbidden city, with walks and exploration at a pace that suits you. Discover a city that holds its history close while moving confidently forward. Beyond the monumental courtyards of the Forbidden City, hutong lanes lead to quiet neighbourhoods, family kitchens and contemporary galleries. Venture into the mountains for the Great Wall, then return to a beautifully prepared Peking duck dinner. Beijing is a compelling first chapter in any journey through China. Adjust the length of each visit to your interests and leave part of the afternoon free for independent discovery or a quiet pause.

STAY IN Beijing

Sample day · Visits, guides, meals and transport are confirmed in your final proposal.

DAY 4

Continue to Xi’an · A first perspective

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Xi’an

After breakfast, continue to Xi’an using the transport best suited to the final route and operating schedules. Allow time for the transfer and a comfortable break. Settle into your accommodation, take a gentle neighbourhood walk and enjoy regional flavours. Leave the main visits for the full days ahead.

STAY IN Xi’an

Sample day · Visits, guides, meals and transport are confirmed in your final proposal.

DAY 5

Xi’an · The Terracotta Army

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Xi’an

Make time today for the terracotta army, with walks and exploration at a pace that suits you. The old city walls still frame a place that once stood at the centre of empires. Meet the extraordinary Terracotta Army, trace the legacy of the Tang dynasty and wander lanes alive with the aromas of cumin, fresh bread and hand-pulled noodles. Xi’an brings archaeology and everyday life into wonderfully close conversation. Adjust the length of each visit to your interests and leave part of the afternoon free for independent discovery or a quiet pause.

STAY IN Xi’an

Sample day · Visits, guides, meals and transport are confirmed in your final proposal.

DAY 6

Continue to Chengdu · A first perspective

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Chengdu

After breakfast, continue to Chengdu using the transport best suited to the final route and operating schedules. Allow time for the transfer and a comfortable break. Settle into your accommodation, take a gentle neighbourhood walk and enjoy regional flavours. Leave the main visits for the full days ahead.

STAY IN Chengdu

Sample day · Visits, guides, meals and transport are confirmed in your final proposal.

DAY 7

Chengdu · Giant panda conservation

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Chengdu

Make time today for giant panda conservation, with walks and exploration at a pace that suits you. Chengdu balances its lively streets with an enviable talent for taking things slowly. Spend a morning learning about giant pandas, sit in a park teahouse and discover the layers of Sichuan cuisine. Beyond the city, wooded mountains and quieter towns offer easy extensions to a stay full of flavour and character. Adjust the length of each visit to your interests and leave part of the afternoon free for independent discovery or a quiet pause.

STAY IN Chengdu

Sample day · Visits, guides, meals and transport are confirmed in your final proposal.

DAY 8

Continue to Chongqing · A first perspective

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Chongqing

After breakfast, continue to Chongqing using the transport best suited to the final route and operating schedules. Allow time for the transfer and a comfortable break. Settle into your accommodation, take a gentle neighbourhood walk and enjoy regional flavours. Leave the main visits for the full days ahead.

STAY IN Chongqing

Sample day · Visits, guides, meals and transport are confirmed in your final proposal.

DAY 9

Chongqing · Riverside night views

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Chongqing

Make time today for riverside night views, with walks and exploration at a pace that suits you. Set above the meeting of great rivers, Chongqing builds its streets, bridges and neighbourhoods across dramatic hills. Explore on foot with a local perspective, take in the waterfront after dark and discover a food culture with unmistakable character. It is an absorbing beginning or end to a Yangtze journey. Adjust the length of each visit to your interests and leave part of the afternoon free for independent discovery or a quiet pause.

STAY IN Chongqing

Sample day · Visits, guides, meals and transport are confirmed in your final proposal.

DAY 10

Chongqing · Mountain-city lanes

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Chongqing

Make time today for mountain-city lanes, with walks and exploration at a pace that suits you. Set above the meeting of great rivers, Chongqing builds its streets, bridges and neighbourhoods across dramatic hills. Explore on foot with a local perspective, take in the waterfront after dark and discover a food culture with unmistakable character. It is an absorbing beginning or end to a Yangtze journey. Adjust the length of each visit to your interests and leave part of the afternoon free for independent discovery or a quiet pause.

STAY IN Chongqing

Sample day · Visits, guides, meals and transport are confirmed in your final proposal.

DAY 11

Continue to The Yangtze River · A first perspective

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The Yangtze River

After breakfast, continue to The Yangtze River using the transport best suited to the final route and operating schedules. Allow time for the transfer and a comfortable break. Settle into your accommodation, take a gentle neighbourhood walk and enjoy regional flavours. Leave the main visits for the full days ahead.

STAY IN The Yangtze River

Sample day · Visits, guides, meals and transport are confirmed in your final proposal.

DAY 12

The Yangtze River · The Three Gorges

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The Yangtze River

Make time today for the three gorges, with walks and exploration at a pace that suits you. A journey through the Three Gorges lets the scenery unfold from the water. Steep mountains rise along the banks while riverside settlements reveal the changing life of the Yangtze. Pair a comfortable river voyage with carefully chosen land visits, and connect the cruise with time in Chongqing or the historic cities beyond. Adjust the length of each visit to your interests and leave part of the afternoon free for independent discovery or a quiet pause.

STAY IN The Yangtze River

Sample day · Visits, guides, meals and transport are confirmed in your final proposal.

DAY 13

Continue to Shanghai · A first perspective

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Shanghai

After breakfast, continue to Shanghai using the transport best suited to the final route and operating schedules. Allow time for the transfer and a comfortable break. Settle into your accommodation, take a gentle neighbourhood walk and enjoy regional flavours. Leave the main visits for the full days ahead.

STAY IN Shanghai

Sample day · Visits, guides, meals and transport are confirmed in your final proposal.

DAY 14

Shanghai · A fond farewell

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Shanghai

Enjoy breakfast and a final pause in Shanghai, depending on departure time. Continue to the station or airport for your onward journey, or extend your stay in China. Transfer and transport arrangements are confirmed in the final proposal.

STAY IN Shanghai

Sample day · Visits, guides, meals and transport are confirmed in your final proposal.

Beautiful places to pause.

Stay inspiration, selected around the route. Specific properties are confirmed during planning.

DATES & SAMPLE BUDGET

The right time. The right journey.

This is a sample itinerary, available for personal planning rather than a live scheduled departure. Choose your preferred season to begin a travel brief.

Illustrative starting budget, per personUS$10,950

Based on two guests sharing. Final cost varies with travel dates, accommodation, routing and inclusions. International flights are excluded from the sample budget. No live availability is implied.

JOURNEY DETAILS

Considered from the beginning.

Planning priorities

  • A pace matched to your interests and abilities
  • Clear transfers and sensible travel days
  • Local context and language preferences
  • Stay locations that suit the route

Confirm in the proposal

  • Exact accommodation and room categories
  • Transport, admissions and meals
  • Access requirements and alternatives
  • Operator details and booking terms
Read essential travel information

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Where will your curiosity take you?

Try Beijing, Yunnan, gardens or tea.