Grand China Tour in the Footsteps of the Yangtze (All Tours Included)

Meeting at 23:00 in front of the Turkish Airlines counter at Istanbul Airport international departures terminal. Overnight stay is on the plane.

After our ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, flight to Shanghai at 01:40 with Turkish Airlines flight TK026. Landing at Shanghai Pudong Airport at 17:10 local time. After our passport and baggage procedures, transfer from the airport to our hotel by our vehicle. We complete our check-in procedures and settle into our rooms. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel in Shanghai.

After breakfast at our hotel, departure for the Shanghai tour. Our first stop will be the Jade Buddha Temple, the most important Buddhist temple in Shanghai. Founded in 1882, the temple takes its name from two precious white jade Buddha statues, one sitting and one reclining. The temple holds special significance as these statues were brought to Shanghai from Myanmar. The temple architecture is in traditional Chinese Buddhist style and it is still an active monastery used by monks. After our visit here, we will go to Yu Garden, a famous classical Chinese garden dating back to the Ming Dynasty, located in the Old City area of the city. The garden was built between 1559 and 1577 by an official named Pan Yunduan as a peaceful resting place for his family. It is filled with ponds, bridges, rockeries, traditional pavilions, ancient trees, and houses the famous Exquisite Jade Rock. Following this visit, we will have our lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we will continue our tour with The Bund, Shanghai's famous waterfront area located along the Huangpu River. Known for its early 20th-century European-style colonial buildings, it also offers the city's most iconic view together with the modern skyline of Pudong on the opposite bank. Our next stop is Tianzifang, offering a more bohemian and artistic atmosphere. After this creative neighborhood known for its narrow streets, art studios, design shops, and small cafes, the final stop of our tour is Nanjing Road, Shanghai's most famous shopping street. Offering a wide range of shopping options from luxury brands to affordable stores, the street is also referred to as the "Fifth Avenue of China". The final stop of our tour will be the Shanghai Tower. The tower was completed in 2015 and draws attention with its twisting spiral design. With a height of 632 meters, it is the tallest building in China and one of the tallest in the world. It houses offices, hotels, and some of the fastest elevators in the world. After enjoying the panoramic view of the city from the observation decks on the 119th floor, return to our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel in Shanghai.

After an early breakfast at our hotel, we complete our check-out procedures and transfer to Shanghai Pudong Airport. After ticket and baggage procedures, flight to Chongqing with local airlines. Landing at Chongqing Airport. After our baggage procedures, departure from the airport by our vehicle for a panoramic Chongqing city tour. First, we will visit Ci Qi Kou Ancient Town, one of Chongqing's oldest and best-preserved settlements with a history spanning over a thousand years. With its traditional architecture, narrow streets, teahouses, and local handicraft shops, the region offers the opportunity to closely experience the historical atmosphere of the city. Afterwards, Hongya Cave, one of the city's symbols located along the Yangtze River, will be visited. Famous for its multi-story traditional architecture and river view, this area is an ideal spot for photography. Additionally, during our tour, the Panda House will be visited to closely see the giant pandas, which are the symbol of China. During the tour, we will have our lunch at a local restaurant. At the end of our tour, transfer to the port. We complete our check-in procedures for the Yangtze River Cruise ship and settle into our cabins. Dinner and overnight stay on our ship.

We will have our breakfast on our ship accompanied by the legendary views of the Yangtze River. The comfortable services and panoramic decks offered on the ship will give us the opportunity to watch the natural beauties stretching along the river. The first special shore excursion of the ship program will take place at one of the stops: Fengdu, Shibaozhai, or Wanzhou, depending on river conditions and navigation safety. The point to be visited is determined by the ship captain and operations team, taking the most suitable conditions into consideration. In accordance with the tour program, we will have our lunch on our ship. During this shore excursion conducted with a guide, we will find the opportunity to closely get to know the historical heritage, cultural riches, and local life of the region. After the visit, returning to the ship, we will continue our journey on the Yangtze River. Dinner and overnight stay on our ship.

We will have our breakfast on our ship accompanied by the legendary views of the Yangtze River. Today, the Three Gorges, which are among the most impressive natural wonders of the Yangtze River—namely Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge—will be passed. Throughout the journey, steep cliffs, mountain silhouettes rising through the mists, and the dramatic views of the river will offer us a unique cruising experience. In accordance with the tour program, we will have our lunch on our ship. Within the scope of the program, we will further explore this impressive geography with a special shore and boat excursion organized to the Lesser Three Gorges region on the Daning River, famous for its natural beauty. In the evening hours, a passage through the ship locks, which is one of the most remarkable engineering achievements of the river journey, will take place. This special experience will take its place in our memories as one of the unforgettable moments of the Yangtze River trip. Dinner and overnight stay on our ship.

After having our breakfast on our ship accompanied by the legendary views of the Yangtze River, we complete our check-out procedures and depart for a visit to the Three Gorges Dam, one of the world's largest hydroelectric projects. During this visit conducted with a guide, we will receive detailed information about the engineering achievement of the dam and its strategic importance on the Yangtze River. Following the visit, the ship program will end at Yichang Port. After our excursion, we will have our lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, depending on the flight schedule, we will proceed to Xi'an by direct flight from Yichang, via a connection in Wuhan, or by high-speed (bullet) train. Following our arrival in Xi'an, transfer to our hotel. We complete our check-in procedures and settle into our rooms. Overnight stay at our hotel in Xi'an.

After an early breakfast at our hotel, we depart for a Xi'an city tour to one of China's richest historical regions. First, we will visit the Terracotta Army and Horses Museum, recognized by UNESCO and referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World. The museum is famous for its giant underground army buried alongside China's First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang, about 2,200 years ago to protect him. Discovered in 1974, this site is considered one of the most important archaeological excavations of the 20th century. During the tour, we will have our lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, we will visit a traditional lacquer art workshop. Then, free time for shopping on Ancient Style Street. Following the free time, transfer to our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel in Xi'an.

After an early breakfast at our hotel, we complete our check-out procedures and continue our Xi'an city tour. Our first stop will be the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The pagoda was originally built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty under the reign of Emperor Gaozong. It was used to house Buddhist materials brought from India. Afterwards, during our panoramic tour, the Xi'an Ancient City Wall, Bell Tower, Muslim Quarter, and the Great Mosque will be among the places seen. During the tour, we will have our lunch at a local restaurant. At the end of the tour, transfer to the railway station. We will arrive at Beijing railway station with a high-speed train journey of approximately 4 hours. From here, transfer to our hotel by our vehicle. We complete our check-out (check-in) procedures and settle into our rooms. Overnight stay at our hotel in Beijing.

After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for our Beijing and Great Wall of China tour. By our vehicle, we will go to Juyong Pass (Juyongguan Great Wall), one of the sections of the Great Wall of China closest to Beijing. The pass was used as an important military pass in history and is located in a strategic valley. Since its scenery is surrounded by greenery, it is especially delightful in spring and autumn. Although it offers easier climbing options compared to other sections, some parts of it are quite steep. After our visit here, we will have our lunch at a local restaurant located in this region as well. After lunch, upon our return to Beijing city center, we will go to the Olympic Stadium. After seeing and examining the stadium from the outside, return to our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel in Beijing.

After breakfast at our hotel, we continue our Beijing tour. Our first stop will be Tiananmen Square, one of the world's largest city squares located in the center of Beijing. It takes its name from the Gate of Heavenly Peace to its north, and China's national ceremonies, flag-raising ceremonies, and various official events are held here. Surrounding the square, which is a symbolic center both politically and culturally in Chinese history, are important structures such as the National Museum, the Monument to the People's Heroes, Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, and Qianmen Gate to the south. Afterwards, departure to a local restaurant where we will have our lunch. Following lunch, we will proceed to the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, completed in 1420 and known as the Forbidden City because public entry was prohibited for centuries. Having served as the home of Chinese emperors and the seat of government for 500 years, it is the world's largest palace complex with approximately 980 buildings and more than 8,700 rooms. At the end of our tour, return to our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel in Beijing.

After breakfast at our hotel, we complete our check-out procedures and continue our Beijing tour. First, we will visit the Summer Palace, the summer resort of Chinese emperors. In the late afternoon, we will visit the Houhai Area, famous for its traditional architecture and vibrant atmosphere. Afterwards, free time for shopping on Wangfujing Street. Following the free time, transfer to Beijing Airport. Overnight on the plane.

After our ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, flight to Istanbul at 00.50 with Turkish Airlines flight TK089. Landing at Istanbul Airport at 06:15 local time and the end of our tour. We bid farewell to meet on our next distinguished and enjoyable trip.