China by Train and Yangtze Riverboat

23 days
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Small Group Tour
Explore the rivers, mountains, villages and cities of China by riverboat and train, and learn from local experts as you discuss local culture, practice tai ji and walk the Great Wall.
From$5,449
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • I like to spend much of the day exploring
    • Whether walking through historic neighborhoods at a moderate pace or out and about on a coach, I prefer to keep my days full
    • Stairs don’t bother me, and I love to keep up with the group

What's this trip about?

    Explore the rivers, mountains, villages and cities of China by riverboat and train, and learn from local experts as you discuss local culture, practice tai ji and walk the Great Wall.

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 24 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CityBeijing
End CityShanghai

Travel Themes

  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Culinary & Wine
  • Photography
  • National Parks
  • Yoga, Meditation & Wellness
  • Relaxing Retreats
  • Holy Land

Destinations

Activities

  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Relaxing Retreat
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Yoga & Meditation

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 10

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 24

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Itinerary

Day 1 In Transit to Program In Flight

Day 2 Arrive Beijing, Orientation, Welcome Dinner Beijing

Arrive at Beijing International Airport where your Group Leader (National Guide) will be waiting for you. After check-in and a short rest, get together for a Welcome Meeting at your hotel. Note: CAEE Group Leaders are qualified National Guides who are full-time perman...

Day 3 Old Beijing Hutongs, Forbidden City, Peking Duck Dinner Beijing

Led by our Group Leader, tai ji sessions last approximately 30 minutes. No special clothes or shoes are required. Walking approximately 2 miles in and around the Forbidden City on flat, paved terrain with many chairs and benches to rest; up to 80 steps with railings. ...

Day 4 China's Land and Peoples, Summer Palace, Tian'anmen Square Beijing

Walking 1 mile in the Summer Palace on flat, paved terrain. Walking up to 1/2 mile from the coach to Tian’anmen Square.

A Talk at your hotel introduces China's Land and Peoples.

This afternoon, enjoy the beauty of the Qing Emperors’ Summer Palace where lil...

Day 5 Walk the Great Wall Beijing

The motorcoach trip to the Great Wall is about 50 miles, approximately 2 hours. Walking up to about 1.5 miles. We will take a cable car to a higher point on the wall (weather and wind permitting). Some parts of the wall are steep as it is in a mountainous area; walkin...

Day 6 Temple of Heaven, Bullet Train to Luoyang, Chinese Music Luoyang

Walk approximately 1.6 miles from the entrance to the exit of the Temple of Heaven park on flat, paved terrain. Climbing the Temple requires 27 steps. Bullet train to Luoyang is approximately 4 hrs. Toilets and storage spaces for luggage are available at each end of t...

Day 7 Longmen Cliff Carvings and Life in an Agricultural Village Luoyang

Walking approximately 1.5 miles at Longmen Grotto. For closer views of the stone carvings, climb about 100 steps with railings; you may choose to remain at the bottom of the stairs and walk along a flat, paved path.

After breakfast, depart for the 1,500 year old...

Day 8 Train to Xian, Muslim Area on Foot Xi'an

Train ride is approximately 1.5 hours.Large luggage will be transferred directly from the train to the hotel; carry-on luggage can be brought and left on the motorcoach until we reach the hotel. Walking in Muslim section is about .6 mile

Take a morning train to ...

Day 9 Xi'an University, Chinese Life Views, Shaanxi History Museum Xi'an

Walk approximately 1 mile on flat, paved terrain mostly indoors in approximately 2 hours at Museum.

We will take a motorcoach to Xi'an International Studies University, one of China's key institutions of higher learning, and meet with a faculty expert who will t...

Day 10 A Qin Emperor's Terra Cotta Warriors Xi'an

Drive is approximately 1 hour each way. Walking approximately 2 miles at the Terra Cotta Warriors on flat, paved terrain.

The huge tomb site of the Qin Emperor, containing an army of life size terra cotta figures, was one of the most astounding archaeological di...

Day 11 Fly to Chongqing, Giant Pandas, Yangtze River Sailing Yangtze River Vessel

Drive to the airport is approximately 1 hour; Flight to Chongqing is about 1.5 hrs. Drive 1 hour to Chongqing Zoological Gardens. Walking up to 1.5 miles at the Zoological Gardens. About 35 steps down to the Yangtze River Dock with railings for embarkation. Luggage mu...

Day 12 Shore Visit to Relocated Families in a New Yangtze Village Yangtze River Vessel

Discuss traditional Chinese medicine and consider the Yangtze's influence on China.

We will visit a new village for relocated families, exploring their agricultural market and visit a local family with a local staff member. Our host or hostess will introduce us ...

Day 13 Sail through the Yangtze Gorges, Mini Gorges Yangtze River Vessel

Today, pass through the renowned Yangze Gorges. Later, disembark at Wushan Danning River for an excursion to the Three Little Gorges, a quiet tributary of the Yangtze where we ferry upstream beneath a fantastic natural backdrop. Look up in the cliffs for 'hanging coff...

Day 14 Three Gorges Dam Site, Disembark for Train to Wuhan Wuhan

Visiting the Three Gorges Dam for approximately 2.5 hours. About 40 steps at the dam, about 30 steps disembarking the ship in the afternoon.

This morning, take a short coach ride to the Three Gorges Dam site. From an observation deck, you will have a bird's-eye ...

Day 15 Senior University, Relics at Wuhan Museum Wuhan

This morning, coach to Jianghan Senior University and meet with Chinese seniors enjoying the continuing education offered them after retirement.

Enjoy Wuhan Museum's beautiful collection of lacquer ware and other artifacts - including a large set of musical bell...

Day 16 Train Journey to the Miao Town of Kaili Kaili

Depart for Wuhan Railway Station for high speed train to Kaili. Travel through Hunan Province to the Province of Guizhou, one of China's most beautiful and sparsely populated regions.

Cross the border to Guizhou Province, where you begin to notice the difference...

Day 17 Ethnic Museum, Paper Making, Miao Music in Country Villages Kaili

Drive to Shiqiao Paper Village about 1 hour. Drive to Jidao Village about 1 hour. Performance is about 1 hour. Drive back to Kaili City about 1 hour. Western style toilets are available at villages.

This morning we stop in town at Kaili's Ethnic Minorities Museu...

Day 18 Miao Sunday Market, TCM Clinic, Coach to Guiyang Guiyang

Drive to Guiyang city: 2.5 hrs

This morning coach to a local Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic to learn about traditional treatments. Then depart for the nearby Kaili Sunday Market where Miao people come to exchange, sell and buy goods - from baskets and cookw...

Day 19 Village Folk Opera Performance, Tea Farm or Batik Workshop Guiyang

Drive to Jichang village: about 1 hr. Drive to Tea Farm OR Batik workshop: about 1 hr. Drive to hotel: about 1.5 hrs.

This morning, visit Ji Chang village whose residents are descendants of Han military units sent to Guizhou in the 15th century. Among the custom...

Day 20 Fly to Shanghai, Xin Tian Di District, Acrobatics Shanghai

Flight from Guiyang to Shanghai: about 2.5 hrs. Acrobatics performance:1 hr 40 mins.

Fly to Shanghai on early morning flight.

We coach to our hotel and check in. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to enjoy as you wish.

Performance by Shanghai ...

Day 21 Longhua Temple & Bund Riverfront Shanghai

Walking up to 1.5 miles outdoors at Bund Riverfront Promenade.

We coach to the active and lively Longhua Si, Shanghai’s largest Buddhist temple.

Depart for the Bund, Shanghai’s iconic waterfront of art deco and neo-classic buildings dating from the time of...

Day 22 Arts of China: Shanghai Museum and the Yu Garden Shanghai

Spend about 2 hours at the museum; elevators and escalators available.Approximately 30 minute coach ride to the old section; walk through a winding alley at the old section with souvenir stores on both sides for approximately 1/2 mile to the Yu Garden.

Visit the...

Day 23 Program Concludes Shanghai

Hotel check out by 12:00 Noon. See the “Travel Information” section regarding transfers. If you are an independent traveler (POP status), see “Ground Transportation from Last Location.” The Group Leader will advise as to departure times from the hotel.

Depart for Shanghai Airport for international departures or post-program travel.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,449
Price per day$237
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Road Scholar.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

Accommodation

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Meals Included
  • Number of Breakfast: 21
  • Number of Lunch: 18
  • Number of Dinner: 17
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
roadscholar-19031

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