- Highlights
- Itinerary
- Accommodation
- Inclusions/Exclusions
- Important Info
Highlights
On this tour prepare to be amazed by the sheer scale and complexity of ancient and modern Chinese engineering wonders as you explore re-discovered artifacts, experience the cultural diversity of the Great Mosque and cruise the pulsing life blood of China, the Yangtze River, with its spectacular scenery.
Itinerary
Day 1- Arrive in Xi'an
Your guide will meet you at the airport or train station on your arrival in Xi'an. On the way to your pre-booked four or five star inner city hotel, your guide will point out the highlights and history of Xi'an. Spend the rest of the day exploring this ancient capital city.
Meals included: None
Day 2 - Xi'an
The highlight of your tour today is the world-renowned Terracotta Army. Be amazed by the scale and detail of the thousands of individual terracotta warriors, horses and chariots that stand guard in the underground tomb of the first Emperor of China, Qin, to protect him in the afterlife. Other archeological finds can be viewed at the Shaanxi History Museum, which houses a huge collection of artifacts dating from the prehistoric to the relatively recent past. You may have an opportunity to enter at the top of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the most significant Buddhist pagodas in Xi'an, you can observe Xi'an’s 1,400 years of history, while locals can be seen going about their daily activities on a peaceful walk in the temple.
Meals included: Breakfast
Note: As the Shaanxi History Museum is closed each Monday, the tour may be altered.
Day 3 - Xi'an - Chongqing 
Your tour resumes exploring the ancient Xi'an City Wall, running 13.75 km enclosing the old capital. In the middle of the old block of Xi'an stands the Great Mosque, the oldest and largest Islamic mosque in the country, believed to have been built in the mid-7th century. The peaceful Drum and Bell Tower Square offers a chance to relax and get some great photos.
You will then be driven to the airport to catch the flight to Chongqing. On arrival, time permitting, you will be taken to visit Ciqikou Old Town, a microcosm of ancient China once famous for its porcelain. Later you will embark on the luxury Yangtze River Cruise ship which will weigh anchor at 9.00pm. A necessary presentation covering safety, orientation and river briefing will be conducted upon embarkation.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4 - Yangtze River Cruise 
As you cruise along the Yangtze River today, take the opportunity to enjoy the scenery and go ashore for an excursion to Fengdu Ghost City or Shibaozhai, depending on the water level or cruise. Fengdu holds importance in Chinese mythology as the final resting place for all souls, represented in the series of temples and grotesque images found in the town. In the evening, sit back and enjoy the Captain’s welcome party and be entertained by a Chinese folk dancing and music performance.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Note: Shore excursions may vary due to different cruise lines and some are optional tours.
Day 5 - Yangtze River Cruise
Cruising continues today sailing along the Yangtze River where you will encounter the spectacular Qutang Gorge and the pretty Wu Gorge. Information about the three gorges area, including the ancient Plank Road, Mengliang Stairway and Hanging Coffins will be provided by a knowledgeable river guide. Dock at Badong where you can enjoy the natural beauty along the crystal Shennong Stream by taking a small wooden boat tour, or take a shore excursion to Lesser Three Gorges in Wu county. Resume the cruise, sailing into the western section of Xiling Gorge. Tonight at the ship’s farewell party you are welcome to join a performance by the cruise staff.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Note: Shore excursions may vary due to different cruise lines and some are optional tours.
Day 6 - Depart from Yichang
After breakfast, disembark at Maoping Pier in Yichang, where a shore excursion will take you to one of the largest hydroelectric projects in the world, the Three Gorges Dam. Indulge yourself with a tour around the colossal dam and the awesome scene of millions of tons of water being discharged (if it is the rainy season). A shuttle bus will carry you to the Yichang Three Gorges Tourism Center. Transfers will then take you to the airport or train station for travel to your next destination.
Meals included: Breakfast
Note 1: An optional excursion is available: disembark at Maoping Pier then board sightseeing ferry sailing through the TGP Ship’s elevator to join the tour of the Three Gorges Dam. Payment needs to be made on board should you choose to join this excursion.
Note 2: Flight or train to other destinations is available upon request at a surcharge. Optional tours to other cities are also available.
Accommodation
Inclusions / Exclusions
Inclusions
- Admission fees: to sightseeing spots and activities specified.
- Activities as specified in the itinerary.
- Accommodation: 4-Star or 5-Star hotel with breakfast based on double/twin occupancy as specified.
- Excellent professional English-speaking guide.
- Ground transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with licensed driver as specified.
- Transportation: Economy class domestic flights between Xi'an/Chongqing, and Yangtze River cruise ship.
- Travel agency liability insurance during the tour.
- Government taxes and fees.
Exclusions
- International/domestic flights and trains to Xi'an; flights/trains from Yichang.
- China visa.
- Gratuities to guides & drivers and any expense of personal nature.
- Meals: Except the meals included on the Yangtze River Cruise ship, other lunches and dinners are excluded allowing you flexibility around meal choices. Your guide will make recommendations and order for you, if required.
- Our tour package does not include Travel Insurance. Please purchase the Travel Insurance before your trip to protect for any unforeseen circumstances.
- CNY150.00/per person of the service charge on the Yangtze River cruise.
Important Information
FOR PRIVATE TOUR
- This is a private tour for your group of family or friends. There will be no other travellers in the group apart from you.It’s always available for your schedule!
- Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended
- Prices based on twin occupancy.
- The prices shown are not valid during China’s Official Holidays (such as National Day and Chinese Spring Festival).
- The tour guide may adjust the itinerary due to closure of the museums each Monday.
- Optional tours to Suzhou, Hangzhou or nearby Watertown, and other destinations are also available
- Any city not included in the existing tour package can be blended into as Private tour.
- Entering and exiting China from Hong Kong and Taipei are also available.
- Stays at entering and exiting cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei) can be extended.
FOR SMALL GROUP TOUR
- This is a small group tour with fixed itinerary and guaranteed departures.
You’ll travel with other like-minded people. - Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- The tour guide may adjust the itinerary due to closure of the museums on each Monday
- A transfer from your hotel to Hongqiao or Pudong Airport in Shanghai is available upon request at a surcharge.
- Stays at entering and exiting cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei) can be extended.
- Prices based on twin occupancy.
- The prices shown are not valid during China’s Official Holidays (such as National Day and Chinese Spring Festival).
- The maximum number of passengers in a small group tour is 12 people.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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Booking Information
After purchase, you will receive a receipt and a Purchase Confirmation email with a Passenger Information Form. The Passenger Information Form must be completed within 72 hours of the purchase.
Any special requests, preferences and optional extras MUST be clearly stated in your Passenger Information Form. Any change requested after submitting your Passenger Information Form cannot be guaranteed, is strictly subject to availability and will incur surcharges as outlined in the Schedule of Fees below.
On purchasing this tour product, you are bound by the General Terms and Conditions, in addition to the specific terms and conditions outlined in this Important Information.
Surcharges
Please note: online credit card payment and PayPal payments incur surcharges.
Tour Start Dates
Private and custom tours can be scheduled to commence on any day. Multi-day small group tours start on set dates as indicated in the booking calendar for the specific tour.
Cities for Commencement of Tours
Beijing is the city in which multi-day small group tours start. Multi-day tours with set itineraries booked as a private tour, commence in Beijing, unless otherwise arranged with ChinaTours.com. Tours booked as custom tours can start in any destination listed on the ChinaTours.com website.
Flights
Full service flights included, where applicable. For international flights: full service flights included only if tour includes travel to/from Hong Kong, Taiwan, North Korea, or as part of Indochina tour packages. Domestic flights included as part of a tour package are provided by select Chinese domestic airlines. Flight carrier will be specified in itinerary provided on finalization of booking. Note: the maximum baggage allowance for domestic in China is 20 kilograms for economy class domestic flights, 30 kilograms for business class, and 40 kilograms for first class. Flight class upgrades are available on request at an additional charge.
High Speed Trains
First class seat for five star (Luxury) tour packages and second class seat for four star (Superior) tour packages.
High Speed Train Seat Upgrades
Seat upgrades are available on high speed trains on request at an additional charge and subject to availability. A limited number of first class seats are available on high speed trains. ChinaTours.com cannot guarantee high speed train seat upgrades due to third party or supplier’s shortage.
Destination Transfer
Transfers from airport to hotel provided as air-conditioned vehicle with driver.
Post Tour Airport Transfer
At the completion of your tour, a transfer service from your hotel to Hongqiao or Pudong Airport can be arranged on request. Additional charges apply.
Arrive Early
Accommodation options for early arrival prior to commencement of tour are available. Bookings can be made online prior to checkout or arrangements can be made with a ChinaTours.com travel consultant.
Stay Behind
Accommodation options for stay behind after completion of tour are available. Bookings can be made online prior to checkout or arrangements can be made with a ChinaTours.com travel consultant.
Tour Guide
All ChinaTours.com tour guides are bilingual speakers with intimate knowledge of an area/city, its culture, history, people, and food, which they will share on tour. ChinaTours.com does not operate commission-based shopping tours which means our tour guides do not receive commissions for commission-based shopping stops. Small group and private tour groups of 1-2 (<3) people will be provided with a guide/driver rather than a driver and a guide.
Small Group Size
The maximum number of passengers in a multi-day small group tour is 12 people.
Optional Tours/Activities
Optional tour activities are available on request. Please contact ChinaTours.com directly to customize your optional tour activities and destinations.
Accommodation
ChinaTours.com selects international four star and five star hotels located in the inner city centre. In small, regional destinations, ChinaTours.com selects the best available hotel.
Bedding Configuration
Bedding included in accommodation is double or twin bedding (subject to availability). Special arrangements available on request; additional charges may apply due to third party or hotel request.
Adjoining/Interconnecting Rooms
Adjoining/Interconnecting rooms are available subject to passenger’s request. Additional charges may apply due to third party or hotel request.
Child/Infant Policy
Pricing for child and infant can be quoted separately.
Infant price is valid for children 0 to 2 years. Child price is valid for children aged 2 to 11 years. Adult pricing apply for passengers aged 12 years and over. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18 years or over. No unaccompanied minors allowed.
Meals
All breakfast included. Lunch and dinner are excluded allowing passengers to make their own selection for lunch and dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided on the Yangtze River Cruise only. Lunch provided on the Li River Cruise. Local guides can be consulted to provide recommendations and assist with eating arrangements on request.
Passport
Customers are required to provide valid passport details either at the time of purchase or within 72 hours of purchase. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of the booking. In this instance customers will be responsible for any costs and fees incurred.
Passport validity should be at least six months for entering China.
Visas
A tourist visa for China is a strict requirement if travelling on a foreign passport.
Please make arrangements for your visa as soon as you receive your documentation to account for any delays due to consulate operating hours and visa processing times.
From November 30, 2024 to December 31, 2025, ordinary passport holders from 38 countries can be exempted from Visa to enter China and stay for no more than 30 days for business, tourism, family visit, exchange visit and transit purposes. Those who do not meet the purposes of visit and time limit for visa free policy are still required to apply for Visas to China.
List of 38 countries: France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan and Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Gratuities/Tipping
Gratuities (tips) for services of the tour guide and driver throughout the tour are not included in the tour package price.
Insurance
ChinaTours.com tour packages do not include travel insurance. We strongly recommend purchase of comprehensive travel insurance prior to departure to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.
Schedule of Fees
For changes to travel arrangements:
- First change – No charge.
- For all subsequent changes – USD50.
- Any charges applied by a third party (for example, airline, cruise company, accommodation provider, other travel provider) cannot be waived.
Cancellation
For China tour Packages, ChinaTours.com charges cancellation fees at a percentage of the total tour package price, which are stated as follows:
- More than 60 days prior to tour start date: 15 percent cancellation fee
- 45 – 59 days prior to tour start date: 20 percent cancellation fee
- 30 – 44 days prior to tour start date: 30 percent cancellation fee
- 15 – 29 days prior to tour start date: 50 percent cancellation fee
- Within 14 days prior to tour start date: 100 percent cancellation fee
Any charges applied by a third party (for example, airline, cruise company, accommodation provider, other travel provider, credit card fee, bank fee) cannot be waived.
Terracota Army
