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Timeless China (RDC) 2026
Itinerary
DAY 1 USA—Beijing: Fly to China
Depart from the USA on your international flight to Beijing, China’s capital city.
DAY 2 Arrive in Beijing: Arrival & Leisure Time in Beijing
Upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax and recover from your journey.
Hotels:
Grand Millennium Beijing or Similar (Standard Room) DELUXE ★★★★★
Grand Hyatt Beijing or Similar (Standard Twin) LUXURY ★★★★★
DAY 3 Beijing: Full Day City Tour
Begin your day with an in-depth tour of Beijing, a city with 3,000 years of history and the former seat of Ming and Qing dynasties. Explore Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public plaza, before entering the Forbidden City, the vast imperial palace of 24 emperors, enclosed by towering walls and filled with over 8,000 historic rooms. Continue to the UNESCO-listed Summer Palace, where pavilions, bridges, and pagodas dot the shores of Kunming Lake in a perfect example of classical Chinese landscape design. End your day with photo stops at Beijing’s modern icons—the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube—built for the 2008 Olympic Games. This evening, savor an authentic Peking duck dinner to cap off the day.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner
Hotels:
Grand Millennium Beijing or Similar (Standard Room) DELUXE ★★★★★
Grand Hyatt Beijing or Similar (Standard Twin) LUXURY ★★★★★
DAY 4 Beijing: Great Wall & Temple Tour
After breakfast, journey to the iconic Great Wall Badaling, known in ancient times as the “Long Wall of Ten Thousand Li.” Stretching over 5,500 miles, this monumental structure was built more than 2,000 years ago to protect China from northern invasions. Walk along its storied battlements and take in sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. Later, visit the Temple of Heaven, a 15th-century architectural masterpiece where emperors once prayed for good harvests through ceremonial rites.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch
Hotels:
Grand Millennium Beijing or Similar (Standard Room) DELUXE ★★★★★
Grand Hyatt Beijing or Similar (Standard Twin) LUXURY ★★★★★
DAY 5 Beijing - Xian by flight: Fly to Xian + City Wall
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Xi’an, the ancient capital at the eastern end of the Silk Road. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel before heading out to explore Xi’an’s remarkably well-preserved City Wall, originally built during the Ming Dynasty. Walk along the ramparts for panoramic views of the city and a sense of its storied past.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Dinner
Hotels:
Hilton Xian or Similar (Standard Room) DELUXE ★★★★★
The Westin Xian or Similar (Standard Twin) LUXURY ★★★★★
DAY 6 Xian: Full Day Xian Tour
Xi’an, once the imperial capital and eastern gateway of the Silk Road, is a city steeped in over 3,000 years of history. Today, visit its most iconic attraction—the Terracotta Warriors—an awe-inspiring army of 6,000 life-size soldiers and horses buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang in 200 BC to protect him in the afterlife. After exploring the site, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the elegant Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a landmark of Tang Dynasty architecture. This evening, take in a colorful Tang Dynasty dinner show celebrating Xi’an’s rich cultural heritage.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner and show
Hotels:
Hilton Xian or Similar (Standard Room) DELUXE ★★★★★
The Westin Xian or Similar (Standard Twin) LUXURY ★★★★★
DAY 7 Xian - Chengdu by highspeed train: Train to Chengdu + Local Dinner
After breakfast, transfer to the station for your high-speed train to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province. Upon arrival, meet your guide and head to your hotel for check-in. Later, stroll through the charming Jingli Ancient Street and the atmospheric Wide and Narrow Alleys, both lined with traditional architecture, tea houses, and shops. This evening, savor a dinner of Chengdu’s famous local specialties.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Dinner
Hotels:
Chengdu Sheraton Lido Hotel or Similar (Standard Room) DELUXE ★★★★★
Grand Hyatt Chengdu or Similar (Standard Room) LUXURY ★★★★★
DAY 8 Chengdu: Panda Visit + Face-Changing Sichuan Opera
This morning, visit the renowned Giant Panda Research Base, one of the world’s largest panda conservation centers, where you’ll observe these beloved animals up close in a naturalistic habitat. After lunch at a local restaurant, experience Chengdu’s laid-back culture with a traditional tea tasting at the scenic People’s Park. Experience the Magic of Face-Changing at Shufeng Yayun Sichuan Opera after dinner at the local restaurant.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner
Hotels:
Chengdu Sheraton Lido Hotel or Similar (Standard Room) DELUXE ★★★★★
Grand Hyatt Chengdu or Similar (Standard Room) LUXURY ★★★★★
DAY 9 Chengdu - Chongqing by highspeed train - Yangtze River Cruise
After breakfast, take the high-speed train to Chongqing, one of China’s largest and most dynamic cities. Upon arrival, visit Liberation Square, Hong Ya Cave and the Mountain city trail. After enjoying a dinner of famed Sichuan cuisine, board your Yangtze River cruise ship and settle in for your upcoming journey.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner
Hotels:
Victoria Cruises (Isabella) or Similar (Superior Cabin) ★★★★★
DAY 10 Yangtze River cruise
After breakfast, disembark for a shore excursion to Mountain Shuanggui near Fengdu, known for its serene temples and scenic vistas. Depending on river conditions, your excursion may instead take you to Shibaozhai, home to a remarkable 12-story wooden pagoda built into the hillside.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner
Hotels:
Victoria Cruises (Isabella) or Similar (Superior Cabin) ★★★★★
DAY 11 Yangtze River Cruise
Cruise into the legendary Three Gorges today, beginning with the dramatic cliffs of Qutang Gorge and the tranquil, mist-veiled slopes of Wu Gorge. Admire the steep mountains and forested peaks that line the riverbanks. Transfer to a smaller boat for a peaceful ride along the scenic Goddess Stream, or Shennong Stream depending on water levels. Later, enter Xiling Gorge—the longest and deepest of the Three Gorges.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner
Hotels:
Victoria Cruises (Isabella) or Similar (Superior Cabin) ★★★★★
DAY 12 Yangtze River Cruise - Yichang - Shanghai: Yichang Tour + Fly to Shanghai
Disembark the cruise this morning and visit the monumental Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric power project. Afterward, enjoy a brief tour of Yichang, including a stroll through the local market and Riverside Park. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai at night.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner
Hotels:
Swissotel Grand Shanghai or Similar (Standard Room) DELUXE ★★★★★
The Portman Ritz-Carlton Shanghai or Similar (Standard Room) LUXURY ★★★★★
DAY 13 Shanghai: City Tour: Bund & Nanjing Road
After breakfast, begin your sightseeing tour of Shanghai with a stroll along the iconic Bund, lined with colonial-era architecture and offering sweeping views of Pudong’s modern skyline.Browse the bustling City God Temple Bazaar nearby. Conclude your tour on lively Nanjing Road, the city’s premier shopping street, buzzing with shops, cafés, and local flavor. Take a boat ride along the Huangpu River to admire the beautifully illuminated European-style buildings along the Bund, contrasted by the modern high-rises on the opposite bank. Drive along the city’s grand boulevards, take in the diverse architectural styles, and experience the vibrant energy of Shanghai on this unforgettable night.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner
Hotels:
Swissotel Grand Shanghai or Similar (Standard Room) DELUXE ★★★★★
The Portman Ritz-Carlton Shanghai or Similar (Standard Room) LUXURY ★★★★★
DAY 14 Shanghai: Leisure Day or Optional Suzhou Tour
Today is free for you to explore dynamic Shanghai at your own pace—browse its stylish boutiques, sample local cuisine, or stroll through vibrant neighborhoods. For a deeper cultural experience, join our optional full-day excursion to Suzhou, a historic city famed for its silk heritage and scenic waterways. Known as the "Venice of the East," Suzhou charms visitors with its stone bridges, classical gardens, and winding canals. Highlights include a cruise along the ancient Grand Canal and a visit to the serene Master of the Nets Garden, a masterpiece of Ming-era design. Return to Shanghai in the late afternoon.
Included: Breakfast at hotel
Hotels:
Swissotel Grand Shanghai or Similar (Standard Room) DELUXE ★★★★★
The Portman Ritz-Carlton Shanghai or Similar (Standard Room) LUXURY ★★★★★
Optional Tours:
Suzhou One Day tour with lunch (min 10 pax): $85 pp
DAY 15 Shanghai – USA: Depart from Shanghai
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
Included: Breakfast at hotel
DATE & PRICES
All prices are listed per person (based on double occupancy).
Notes about tour prices:
* Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 10 guests.
* Advertised land portion prices are per person in double occupancy. Airfare is not included. Please call Ritz Tours for airfare pricing
As of Jan 9, 2026