Compare China Express by G Adventures vs Pandas & Yangtze Cruise by Travel China Guide
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 16 days |
| Price From | $ 1,349 | $ 2,859 |
| Price Per Day | $ 159 | $ 179 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Internal airfare and ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | 1 lunch | N/A |
| Description |
Walk backwards in time along the Great Wall and stare down an army of Terracotta Warriors before leaping into the future of Shanghai's incredible high-rise towers on this fast-paced tour of China’s highlights. With the perfect blend of guided activities and free time to explore on your own, this adventure is made for those who want to get a taste of China in a short amount of time. |
This China small group tour, a perfect combination of popular tourist destinations, is worth all of your time and energies. You can explore rich historical and cultural heritage in Beijing and Xi'an, appreciate charming natural scenery in Guilin, observe the lovely pandas in Chengdu, relax during the 5-star Yangtze River Cruise and experience the dynamic metropolitan life of Shanghai. |
Day 1 Beijing
Arrive at any time.
Is Beijing top of your must-see list? Booking pre-trip accommodations will let you do Beijing your way before meeting up with the group.
Day 2 Beijing
Enjoy an included visit to the Great Wall.
Head out of town to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Spend time wandering around, taking photos, and picking up souvenirs.
Day 3 Beijing/Xi'an
Take the Beijing metro to visit the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Later, board a fast train to Xi'an.
Due to restrictions in China after the pandemic, the maximum daily capacity in the Forbidden City has been reduced from 80,000 to 30,000. This significant decrease in daily tickets has had a great impact on availability for both individuals and group tours to secure tickets, especially during he summer season. Our local team works very hard to secure tickets for each group. However, on the off chance we are unable to secure tickets to the Forbidden City, we will visit the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven, places of similar architecture and importance.
Day 4 Xi'an
Visit one of China’s greatest archaeological treasures—the Terracotta Warriors. After, the day is yours to explore as you wish.
Train is our main mode of transport in China and it's a great way to travel. We aim to get the best sleeping berths available on each train journey. However, train tickets availability is limited during peak travel times, including summer vacations and Chinese national holidays. As such, it is possible that the group may be separated into different carriages or assigned top sleeping berths.
Day 5 Xi'an/Shanghai
Say goodbye to Xi'an this morning and hop on the fast train to the bustling city of Shanghai.
Day 6 Shanghai
Take the train to Suzhou today for a day exploring in the city. Visit Suzhou's famed Master of the Nets Garden, one of the most beautiful in China and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the impressive Tiger Hill Pagoda and its surrounding landscape.
Day 7 Shanghai
After an orientation walk along Shanghai's famous Bund, you are free to explore the delights of this modern Chinese city. In the evening, head to the theatre for an intense acrobatic performance that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Day 8 Shanghai
Depart at any time.
We highly recommend post-accommodation to fully experience all Shanghai has to offer.
Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
Accommodation: The Great Wall Hotel Beijing - the former Sheraton
Upon arrival at Beijing Airport, please clear yourself through customs. Our English-speaking guide will meet you at the arrival hall, after which we will drive you to the hotel. Have a good rest to restore yourself for the following 16 days China tour. Or, you can take a short walk around on your own.
Day 2: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
After breakfast, your guide will offer a brief introduction to the group. The morning excursions will be the famous Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. As a palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties, it has a mysterious aura. An a la carte welcome lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) at a nicely decorated and noted local restaurant will follow allowing you to taste diversified Chinese food and Peking Roast Duck.
In the afternoon we will visit the Temple of Heaven, a delicate ancient architectural complex where emperors once offered sacrifices to the God of Heaven. Later, we'll lighten up the evening with an exciting Chinese Kung Fu Show at the Red Theatre.
Day 3: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast
No Beijing tour is complete without visiting the Great Wall. This morning, we will set off to the suburban Mutianyu Great Wall. The cable car will take you up and down since it is an energy-consuming climb. The most important thing for you is to enjoy walking on the wall and appreciate the amazing wonder.
The restaurants nearby offer poor meals that do not meet our service standard. We therefore suggest you have a sufficient breakfast at the hotel and have some fast food for lunch by yourself.
Get back to Beijing in the afternoon and have a photo stop in the Olympic sports venue, the National Stadium (also the Bird's Nest). The remaining time of the day will be arranged for you to explore a traditional local market. After that we will drive you back to the hotel.
Day 4: Beijing - Xi'an
Meals: Breakfast and Llunch
Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel
For first-time visitors, the Summer Palace, a former imperial summer resort, is one venue you should not miss. It is the largest and best-preserved imperial garden as well as a world-famous tourist resort. The next stop is the Hutongs. It is fantastic to experience the area by rickshaw and get an insight into the old Beijing culture. You will also have a chance to try your hand at Chinese Paper Cutting.
A la carte lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) will be scheduled at an elegant local restaurant.
After lunch, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Xi'an. Our professional guide will meet you outside the baggage claim area of the airport and transfer you to the hotel.
Day 5: Xi'an
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
We will visit the amazing Terracotta Army this morning to appreciate the undeniable excellent ancient craft works of the Qin dynasty. The site mostly has cheap tourist restaurants nearby, so we would like to drive you back to the city center to have a real home-cooked a la carte lunch (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price) at a local family home.
After lunch, a visit to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda & Xi'an Museum is scheduled. Also a delicious dumpling dinner will be served tonight along with the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show.
Day 6: Xi'an
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
The City Wall Park is a good place to experience more of the local Xi'an lives, so today your first stop will be spending some leisure time in the park. We also have a special arrangement for you here. That is learning to practice Tai Chi with a master. Then ascend the ancient City Wall and have a panoramic view of the city while strolling on it. The brick road on top of the wall is broad and you can rent and ride bicycles for fun if you like.
Around noon, enjoy an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price) at a famous local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we continue to visit Shaanxi History Museum and the Great Mosque. On the Muslim Street where the mosque is located you will also find delicious Muslim food and interesting souvenirs.
Day 7: Xi'an - Guilin
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel
Catch a morning flight to Guilin. Upon your arrival, our guide will meet you outside the baggage claim area. Your Guilin sightseeing starts with the famous Reed Flute Cave, which is a 240 meter karst cave that has various shapes of stalactites and stalagmites. Then we head to the Elephant Trunk Hill. The shape of the hill is just like a giant elephant boozing water from the river with its long trunk, hence got the name. After that, we will transfer you to the hotel.
Day 8: Guilin - Yangshuo – Guilin
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to the pier to appreciate the picturesque scenery of Li River by cruising down from Guilin to Yangshuo. As the lunch on the ship is the basic Chinese box lunch, it cannot be up to your taste, we suggest you have a big breakfast at the hotel this morning.
Disembark at Yangshuo in about 4 hours, you will take a stroll on the famous West Street. Then we transfer you to enjoy the countryside scenes of rural Yangshuo. On the way, you also have a chance to visit a local peasant home and get a close touch with the country life. Finally, we drive you back to Guilin.
Day 9: Guilin - Chengdu
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Chengdu Oriental Plaza
After breakfast, catch a morning flight to Chengdu. Upon your arrival, our guide will be waiting for you outside the baggage claim area and transfer you to the hotel. We will leave you free time for lunch and rest for the remaining time of the day, and our guide is glad to offer advices of nice restaurants.
Day 10: Chengdu
Meals: Breakfast
Today we will have a pleasant date with China's national treasure giant pandas at the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The pandas are very active in the morning. You will sure be entertained when you see the cute and chubby panda bears eating bamboo shoots or playing with each other. Then, continue to the Broad and Narrow Alleys where old houses and alleys of the Qing Dynasty have been turned to tea houses, restaurants, shops and bars. Lunch is arranged on your own. You might try some local snacks in the alley or choose a courtyard restaurant to enjoy your lunch.
In the afternoon, visit Jinsha Site Museum, a significant relic of the ancient Shu civilization discovered in 2001. The Gold Sun God Bird unearthed from the site has been selected as the logo of China Cultural Heritages. After the museum, you will come to the most popular Renmin Park. Have a pot of tea there and live like a local.
Day 11: Chengdu - Chongqing
Meals: Breakfast
We remain the whole morning free for you. You can take time to explore this pleasant city further and have lunch by yourself.
In the afternoon, our guide will drop you off at the railway station and help you board a bullet train to Chongqing. It is a two hours trip. Upon your arrival, our guide in Chongqing will meet you at the station. Explore Jiefangbei CBD and Ci Qi Kou Ancient Village, where you may have dinner by yourself. Tonight, you will board a 5-star Yangtze cruise ship, which sets sail at 21:30.
Day 12: Yangtze River Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The ship arrives at Zhongxian at about 14:00. We will disembark and visit the Shibaozhai. The onshore visit will enable you to witness the majestic and delicate wooden tower along with the giant rock. The unique tower, first built in Wanli reign of Ming Dynasty, is regarded as a fairy land in Yangtze River. Re-embark and continue the cruise. This evening, you will be invited to join in the Captain's Welcome Party. Have fun!
Day 13: Yangtze River Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
In the morning, the ship will reach Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. The cruise guide on-board is expected to make a formal presentation. Get your camera ready! After lunch, we will disembark to experience an interesting excursion to the Shennv Stream by boat which will add much joy to the marvelous day. It lasts 3 to 4 hours. Back to the ship and cruise down the western section of Xiling Gorge.
Day 14: Yichang - Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Century Park Shanghai
The Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydro-electric project is your last excursion stop on Yangtze. Pack your belongings for disembarking before the visit. Afterwards, the cruise ship company will drive you to the Three Gorges Tourist Center and our local guide will meet you there. After lunch, visit Yichang Museum if time permits, then you will be taking a flight to your last scheduled destination, Shanghai. On landing in Shanghai airport, you will be met by the guide and transferred to the hotel.
Day 15: Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
After breakfast, you will start your trip from Shanghai Museum, one of the top four museums in China. Then head to the ancient Yu Garden, where you can see traditional Chinese architecture, beautiful artificial hills and ponds. We will leave you some free time there to explore the surrounding Yu Bazaar.
Around noon, you will enjoy an a la carte farewell lunch (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price) at a popular local restaurant.
Your afternoon trip will begin with a walk in the Former French Concession. Afterwards, you will be transferred to the city's landmark site, the Bund, and take a one-hour cruise tour along the Huangpu River - the mother river of Shanghai. As the symbol and a microcosm of the city, the river has witnessed the glory, humiliation, despair and prosperity of Shanghai. After the whole day of sightseeing, our guide will transfer you back to the hotel and bid farewell to you.
Day 16: Departure from Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast
Today you will check out of your hotel after breakfast, and find your own way to the airport according to your flight schedule. We will be of your assistance at any time you need. Wish you a nice journey home!
