Jewels of China: Shanghai, Huangshan, Wuhan, Yangtze River Cruise, Chongqing) (Visa Free)

We arrive in Shanghai, China’s largest city. Located where the Yangtze River empties into the East China Sea, and sometimes referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, this exciting city mixes 21st-century skyscrapers with elegant 1930s architecture, old world tea houses and traditional pagodas and pavilions. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy the evening free at leisure. Enhance your stay with our optional luxurious upgrade to the Executive Room at the Swissotel Grand Shanghai or Similar, where unparalleled service and elegant accommodations await you in the heart of the city.

*Airport transfers are not included for land-only travelers.

Spend the morning discovering Shanghai’s unique mix of tradition and modernity. Stroll along The Bund, known for its colonial architecture and stunning views of the city’s futuristic skyline. Explore Nanjing Road, one of the world’s busiest shopping streets, lined with luxury boutiques, malls, and local shops. Continue to the City God Temple Area, a vibrant neighborhood filled with traditional architecture, bustling markets, and authentic street food. Visit Xintiandi, a trendy pedestrian zone blending historic Shikumen buildings with modern cafés, shops, and restaurants. In the evening, enjoy free time or enhance your experience with the optional tour featuring the Oriental Pearl Tower for panoramic city views, followed by a Huangpu River Cruise to see the skyline sparkle at night. End the evening with a delicious Shanghai-style dinner, a perfect finale to your day.

After breakfast, bid farewell to Shanghai and board a high-speed bullet train to Huangshan, home to China’s legendary Yellow Mountain. Upon arrival and lunch, transfer to the scenic shuttle and take the Yungu Cable Car ascending into the heart of Mt. Huangshan. Your mountain adventure begins with a scenic trek, discovering iconic wonders including the Eighteen Arhats Worshipping the South Sea, the famous Shixin Peak (“Seeing is Believing”), the towering Black Tiger Pine, and the legendary Dream Flower Pen rock formation. Arrive and check into your hotel to rest. For those with energy to spare, take a short evening stroll to Paiyun Pavilion to witness a breathtaking sunset over the peaks before enjoying a peaceful night's rest nestled atop the mountain.

Known as “The Number One Mountain Under Heaven” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mt. Huangshan offers nature at its most sublime. Weather permitting, rise early to witness an unforgettable sunrise breaking over a sea of clouds. After breakfast, set out on a scenic walk, taking in the dramatic granite formations and wind-swept vistas from Shizi (Lion) Peak, Monkey Gazing at the Sea, Qingliang Terrace, and Shuguang (Dawn) Pavilion. In the afternoon, descend the mountain via the panoramic Taiping Cable Car. Upon returning to the valley, enjoy a leisurely walk through historic Tunxi Old Street to admire traditional Hui-style architecture and local craft shops before checking into your hotel in Huangshan City for the evening.

After breakfast, board a smooth high-speed train to Wuhan, where your journey into history begins at the world-class Hubei Provincial Museum, home to thousands of years of ancient Chu relics and the legendary 2,400-year-old Bronze Chime Bells. Afterwards, spend the evening at your leisure exploring the city at your own pace. Elevate your stay with an upgrade to Howard Johnson by Wyndham Pearl Plaza Wuhan or similar in an executive room, for club floor access and benefits.

Transfer from Wuhan to Yichang. Upon arrival in Yichang, take a shuttle transfer to nearby Maoping Pier to embark on your 5-star Victoria Cruise ship. Settle into your cabin and relax as your upstream journey along the majestic Yangtze River begins.

Today, embark on a shore excursion to the monumental Three Gorges Dam located at Sandouping in Xiling Gorge. As the world’s largest power station, it is an extraordinary feat of modern engineering. Later, return to the ship and set sail through Xiling Gorge, the longest (41 miles) and deepest of the Three Gorges, enjoying panoramic views of its rugged cliffs and winding waters.

This morning, transfer to a smaller vessel for an excursion through the picturesque Shennong Stream (or Goddess Stream, depending on river conditions), surrounded by steep green ravines. Afterwards, return to the ship to sail through Wu Gorge, stretching 25 miles with quiet, mist-shrouded peaks, followed by Qutang Gorge, the shortest (5 miles) and narrowest (500 feet) gorge, famous for its dramatic sheer cliffs.

Enjoy your final full day on the cruise with a shore excursion to Snow Jade Cave or the Xiao Guan Shan Folk Culture Park, offering a fascinating look into local history, unique karst formations, and regional folk heritage. (Depending on river conditions, an alternate excursion may be substituted to Shibaozhai and its iconic wooden pagoda). Unwind and savor your final evening aboard the cruise, reflecting on the timeless beauty and monumental wonders of the Yangtze River.

Disembark this morning around 9:00 AM at picturesque Chongqing, the vibrant Mountain City. Embark on a downtown city tour visiting Jiefangbei Commercial Square, the famous Liziba Railway Station Viewing Platform where the monorail passes directly through a residential building, and the historic Mountain City Footpath. 

Afterwards, choose to enjoy the evening at your leisure, or join an optional evening tour. Savor a legendary Chongqing Hot Pot dinner before exploring the city’s surreal nightscapes, from the mind-bending Kuixing Pavilion—where ground level is actually 22 stories high—to the dazzling, cliffside wooden towers of Hongya Cave glowing against the night sky, before returning to your hotel. Elevate your time in the city by opting for an executive room upgrade at Le Meridien Chongqing, Nan'an, or similar, with club floor access and benefits.

Today, transfer to Chongqing airport for your short flight to Hong Kong. Our voyage through China ends as we board our international flight back to the US.

*Airport transfers are not included for land-only travelers.
*For travelers extending their stay in Shanghai and/or Chongqing beyond the 240-hour visa exemption, the Chongqing - Hong Kong flight will not apply, and your itinerary will be adjusted accordingly.