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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Treasures of China & Yangtze River Cruise

15-day escorted rail and cruise tour through Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Yangtze River

Illustration of Treasures of China & Yangtze River Cruise

Great Rail Journeys' 15-day Treasures of China and Yangtze River Cruise departs London Heathrow and travels through China's imperial heartland and modern metropolises, ending near Shanghai. A UK Tour Manager and local guides accompany the entire escorted group. The journey spans four high-speed rail segments connecting Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Chongqing, interspersed with three-night stays in four and five-star hotels. The centrepiece is a three-night luxury cruise aboard the five-star Century Glory through the Yangtze River gorges. Days combine structured guided tours (the Forbidden City, Terracotta Army, Chengdu pandas, the Three Gorges Dam) with some free time in Shanghai and Beijing. Meals, internal transport, flights, and all excursions are included. This suits history enthusiasts, repeat rail travellers seeking five-star comfort, and guided explorers who prefer an organised itinerary with expert-led discovery of ancient sites and modern engineering alongside time to rest in quality hotels.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement is GBP 1,100 (priceSingleFrom 4,899 vs priceFrom 3,799), which is 29% of the double-occupancy rate.
  • China visa must be applied for in person at a China Visa Centre; this is not included and requires separate handling before travel.
  • Three optional shore excursions on the Yangtze (Fengdu Ghost City, White Emperor City, and War Fire of the Three Kingdoms show) are payable locally and not included in the tour price.
  • Group size reaches up to 40 travellers.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: In flight

    Overnight flight to China's capital

    Meet the Tour Manager and fellow travellers at London Heathrow and board an overnight flight to Beijing via Hong Kong.

  2. Day 2overnight: Beijing

    Free time on arrival in Beijing

    Arrive in Beijing, met by a local English-speaking guide and transfer to a central four-star hotel near Wangfujing Street. Rest of the day is free to relax or explore. Dinner together at the hotel.

    Meals: Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Beijing

    Walking along the Great Wall of China

    Travel to Mutianyu to admire a beautifully restored section of the Great Wall. Take a cable car to the wall and explore towers and parapets. Stop for photos and lunch on the way back. Evening Peking duck dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Beijing

    Exploring Beijing and the iconic Forbidden City

    Guided sightseeing tour including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the 15th-century Temple of Heaven. Lunch at a local restaurant. Evening free to dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  5. Day 5railovernight: Xi'an

    From imperial Beijing to the Silk Road city of Xi'an by rail

    Board a First Class high-speed train from Beijing to Xi'an (750 miles, approx. 5.5 hours, up to 186mph). Check in to four-star hotel. Dumpling banquet for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Xi'an

    Ancient Xi'an and the jaw-dropping Terracotta Army

    Visit the Terracotta Army (8,000+ sculptures). Lunch at a restaurant. Explore the Ming Dynasty city walls and Muslim Quarter including the Great Mosque. Evening at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  7. Day 7railovernight: Chengdu

    Tang Dynasty Xi'an and to Chengdu by rail

    Relaxed morning then transfer to railway station. High-speed train to Chengdu with picnic lunch on board. Check in to the city's oldest five-star hotel. Dinner of Sichuan specialities at the hotel restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Chengdu

    Chengdu's pandas and historic temples

    Morning visit to the Panda Research Centre. Lunch at a restaurant. Visit the Buddhist Wenshu Temple and stroll along Jinli Street. Rest of the day free to explore and dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  9. Day 9railovernight: Yangtze River (Century Glory)

    Morning tea ceremony and boarding our Yangtze cruise ship

    Visit a teahouse in People's Park. Lunch at a local restaurant. High-speed First Class train to Chongqing. Dinner at a local restaurant. Board the five-star Century Glory cruise ship.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: Yangtze River (Century Glory)

    The verdant hills of Shuanggui Mountain National Park

    Optional tai chi lesson on board. Shore excursion to Shuanggui Hill National Forest Park. Optional excursion to Fengdu Ghost City (payable locally). Cultural activities on board before dinner. Optional War Fire of the Three Kingdoms show (payable locally).

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 11overnight: Yangtze River (Century Glory)

    Marvelling at the Yangtze's breathtaking gorges

    Optional tai chi before breakfast. Optional excursion to White Emperor City (payable locally). Sail through Qutang and Wu Gorges. Afternoon sailing excursion along Shennong Stream. Captain's farewell banquet and on-board cabaret show.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  12. Day 12railovernight: Shanghai

    The incredible Three Gorges Dam and to Shanghai by rail

    Dock in Maoping. Shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam. Lunch then transfer to Yichang station. High-speed train to Shanghai with picnic dinner on arrival. Check in to five-star hotel near East Nanjing Road.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  13. Day 13overnight: Shanghai

    Exploring the ancient water town of Zhujiajiao

    Guided tour of Zhujiajiao's canals, bridges and pagodas. Lunch. Visit a silk mill, the Garden of Cultivation and a scenic canal cruise. Return to Shanghai. Evening free to dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  14. Day 14overnight: Shanghai

    Tradition and history in China's biggest city

    Guided sightseeing tour: Yu Garden, Yuyuan marketplace, French Concession (free time for lunch), Jade Buddha Temple. Farewell dinner at a Yunnan cuisine restaurant. Evening cruise along the Huangpu River past the Bund and Pudong.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  15. Day 15rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, board the Maglev train (265mph+, First Class) to the airport. Fly from Shanghai to London Heathrow via Hong Kong, arriving this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Cable car ascent and walking along the restored Great Wall at Mutianyu, exploring towers and parapets.
  • Day 6Visit to the Terracotta Army in Xi'an, viewing over 8,000 sculptures.
  • Day 8Morning visit to the Chengdu Panda Research Centre to observe giant panda cubs.
  • Day 11Sailing through the Qutang and Wu Gorges on the Yangtze River, followed by an afternoon excursion along Shennong Stream.
  • Day 15Maglev train ride at 265mph or more from Shanghai city to the airport.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 10 nights' 4 & 5-star hotel accommodation
  • 3-night cruise onboard Century Glory
  • First & Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Flights from London Heathrow to Beijing via Hong Kong
  • Flights from Shanghai to London Heathrow via Hong Kong
  • All internal flights
  • Breakfast each day
  • 10 lunches
  • 9 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Optional excursion to Fengdu Ghost City (payable locally)
  • Optional War Fire of the Three Kingdoms show (payable locally)
  • Optional excursion to White Emperor City (payable locally)
  • Visas for China (must be applied for in person at China Visa Centres)

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes all internal rail travel: First Class high-speed rail on four segments (Beijing to Xi'an, Xi'an to Chengdu, Chengdu to Chongqing, and Yichang to Shanghai), plus the Shanghai Maglev train to the airport. International flights London to Beijing and Shanghai to London are also included.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
This is a fully escorted tour. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group from start to finish, and local English-speaking guides join in each city. All excursions and internal transport are organised.
What accommodation is provided?
The tour includes 10 nights in four and five-star hotels (Peace Hotel Beijing 3 nights, Grand Mercure Renmin Square Xi'an 2 nights, Xi Zang Hotel Chengdu 2 nights, Pullman Shanghai Jing'an 3 nights) and 3 nights on the five-star Century Glory cruise ship on the Yangtze River.
When does this tour run?
Great Rail Journeys operates 10 departures across 2026 and 2027, in March, April, May, August, September, October, and November.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included every day. Great Rail Journeys also includes 10 lunches and 9 dinners, including a dumpling banquet in Xi'an, Peking duck dinner in Beijing, Sichuan specialities in Chengdu, and a farewell dinner in Shanghai.
How much walking is involved?
Day 3 involves a cable car to the Great Wall and exploration of towers and parapets. The tour includes guided walking tours of city sites, temples, and historic quarters. Optional tai chi lessons are offered on the cruise, but no strenuous hiking is described.

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