Please note: A visa is required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter China.
Explore ancient China, a country deeply rooted in culture and history. See bustling Beijing, experience Xi’an and savor Shanghai. You’ll visit the Great Wall of China take a cruise full of breathtaking views, along the Yangtze River and be captivated by the beautiful harmony between East and West.
Trip costs include:
- Air transportation with a major airline, airport transfers and escorts
- All internal flights
- The services of a bilingual Go Ahead Tour Director
- A licensed local city guide in Beijing, Chongqing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hong Kong
- 12 nights accommodation in comfortable, well-located hotels with twin beds and private bath or shower
- 4 nights aboard a river cruise ship in twin-bedded cabins with private shower
- All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling and local taxes
- Buffet breakfast (B) daily
- 9 lunches (L) while on land
- 5 three-course dinners, including wine or beer (D) while on land
- All shipboard meals and porterage
- Private motorcoach
- Guided sightseeing and entrance fees to select sights as described
- Go Ahead travel gift and membership in our World Traveler Club, which includes credit toward your next tour
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 - Fly to China
Begin your journey with an overnight flight on a major airline to China.
Day 2 - Beijing
Welcome to Beijing! A Go Ahead representative greets you after you clear customs and accompanies you to your hotel.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight)
Day 3 - Beijing
Delve into more than 2,000 years of Beijing history with a series of guided sightseeing tours over the next three days. This morning, make your way across Tian’anmen Square and through the Imperial Palace, a maze of palaces also known as the Forbidden City. This afternoon, admire the architecture and gardens of Temple of Heaven Park.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included entrances: The Imperial Palace
Day 4 - Beijing
Stroll along bridges and gardens on a visit to the Summer Palace on the shores of Kunming Lake. Stop for lunch before a shopping excursion to Wangfujing Street, a pedestrian area lined with shops. Savor one of Beijing’s historic culinary specialties tonight at an optional Peking duck dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch
Included entrances: Summer Palace
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$59 USD |
Peking Duck Dinner
While in Beijing, originally called Peking, trying the city’s signature dish is a must. Savor every bite as you dine on duck and side dishes and enjoy an authentic Chinese experience you’ll never forget.
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Day 5 - Beijing
Head outside Beijing today to set foot on one of the world’s most astounding feats of human endeavor, the Great Wall. Then continue to the foot of Tainshou Hill, where the 13 Ming Tombs lie scattered, before your guided tour of a silk market. After tonight’s included dinner, attend an optional Kung Fu show.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included entrances: Ming Tombs
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$45 USD |
Kung Fu Show
This exciting theatrical performance, The Legend of Kung Fu, tells a story of a young boy who dreams of becoming a kung fu master one day. The show’s performers, a collection of some of the country’s best kung fu artists, put on a spectacular display that will leave you mesmerized.
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Day 6 - Yangtze Cruise
Enjoy a free morning in Beijing. After an included lunch, fly to Yichang today to embark on your cruise of the Yangtze River. The largest river in Asia, the mighty Yangtze is said to be the cradle of Chinese civilization.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch (in flight), dinner
Day 7 - Yangtze Cruise
Make your way upstream today and pass through Xiling Gorge, the first and longest of the Yangtze River’s Three Gorges. Jagged cliffs of stratified rock loom over the river, which zigzags through Xiling Gorge. Continue to Wu Gorge, where mists hang over forest-covered mountains.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 - Yangtze Cruise
Drift along the Lesser Three Gorges aboard a ferry and a peapod-shaped craft called a sampan during this morning’s included excursion. Reach Qutang Gorge and stare up at the steep, sheer cliffs for a view of the Meng Liang staircase.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9 - Yangtze Cruise
Today your cruise ship docks for an on-shore excursion to either Wanxian, known as the “Gateway to Eastern Sichuan,” or Fengdu, site of 48 Tang temples.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10 - Xi'an
Disembark from your cruise in Chongqing, where a local guide leads you on a tour of this mountain city. Your tour includes visits to the Chongqing Zoo, home to China’s famous pandas, and to the General Stillwell Museum. After lunch, board your flight for Xi’an.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included entrances: General Stilwell Museum, Chonqing Zoo
Day 11 - Xi'an
On today’s tour of Xi’an, marvel at the Terracotta Warriors, an underground battle formation of 8,099 life-sized pottery warriors buried with Emperor Quin Shi Huáng. Visit the Great Wild Goose Pagoda and Temple of Great Goodwill. Tonight, opt to enjoy dinner in a local restaurant, followed by a not-to-be-missed Tang Dynasty Show performance.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch
Included entrances: Terracotta Warriors, Great Wild Goose Pagoda
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$75 USD |
Tang Dynasty Evening
After a Chinese dinner at a local restaurant, enjoy a colorful performance of the famous Tang Dynasty’s period of rule over Xi’an portrayed through traditional Chinese dances, music and costumes. Regarded as the best Tang Dynasty performance in Xi’an, this event is sure to please.
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$49 USD |
Xi'an City Wall Tour
Embark on a walking tour of the ancient walls that circle the city of Xi’an. This is the most complete city wall in China, and is one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.
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Day 12 - Shanghai
This morning, opt to embark on a tour of Xi’an’s city walls before your flight to Shanghai. Upon your arrival, enjoy the rest of the day to relax or explore on your own before tonight’s group dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 13 - Shanghai
Shanghai’s unique history comes alive on today’s tour. Stroll along the Bund, the city’s waterfront promenade, and Yuyuan Garden, a classical Chinese garden. Visit an active Buddhist temple, home to 70 monks. Attend an optional Chinese acrobatic performance this evening.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch
Included entrances: Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple
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$55 USD |
Dinner & Acrobatic Show
Enjoy a combination of delicious food and talented performers like you’ve never experienced before. After dinner, thrill your senses with a show that can only be likened to the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil in terms of its amazing music, creative stage props and incredible acrobatics among other impressive acts and stunts.
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Day 14 - Shanghai
Embark on an included excursion to Suzhou, a moat-encircled city of gardens and canals. Your guide will lead you through the canals to the city’s best sights, including the Lingering Garden and Tiger Hill, a park teeming with historical legends. The excursion also includes a visit to a silk factory.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch
Included entrances: Lingering Garden, Tiger Hill
Day 15 - Shanghai
Continue your explorations of the bustling city of Shanghai today.
Included meals: breakfast
Day 16 - Hong Kong
This morning, travel to the airport aboard the Shanghai Maglev “Magnetic Levitation” Train, the fastest train in the world. It can reach 220 mph in under 2 minutes. Then board a flight to Hong Kong and transfer to your hotel. Begin exploring the city on your own this evening, or join our optional Hong Kong by Night excursion.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch
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$89 USD |
Hong Kong Evening
Experience the magic of Hong Kong while taking in the city’s bustling nightlife.
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Day 17 - Hong Kong
On your last day in China, explore Hong Kong on an included guided tour. Enjoy optional guided sightseeing of the city including Victoria Peek, Aberdeen Fishing Village and Stanley Market. Later, enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your group.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
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$45 USD |
Guided sightseeing of Hong Kong
Get a complete overview of Hong Kong Island’s most beautiful and significant sites. Then, take a tour of Stanley market, Repulse Bay and Aberdeen, the vibrant waterfront harbor resort.
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Day 18 - Fly to United States
Continue your China exploration with two additional nights in Hong Kong or board your flight home.
Included meals: breakfast
(In the case of early morning departures, breakfast may not be provided.)
Extend Your Stay
Add 2 nights in Hong Kong for only $399 USD (Single room: add $210 USD)
Hong Kong is complex. On the surface it seems that every building is a sculpture of glass and steel and every pedestrian is hurrying to a meeting. But look past the shiny new surfaces to the ancient culture that gives the city an exotic flavor and its citizens a unique outlook.
Protect your investment with affordable travel protection
Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!
TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:
- Trip cancellation & interruption protection
- Medical & accident protection
- Baggage & property protection
TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.
Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.
What’s unique about these protection plans?
- Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
- Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
- Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
- Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
- In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
- The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
- Medical & Accident: $70 USD
- Baggage & Property: $60 USD
Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).
For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.
Passport & Visa
Passport Information:
In order to enter China, U.S. & Canadian citizens need a valid passport.
The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return home. Your passport must also have at least two blank pages remaining.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact the Chinese Consulate (or Hong Kong Consulate for extension) for your specific entry requirements.
Visa Information:
A visa is also required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter China. You must obtain an individual visa prior to departure. Our recommended provider, Zierer Visa Service, can be reached either by calling 1-866-788-1100 or visiting
www.zvs.com/tourkits. (If you get to a page requiring a log in, please use code 73041 to access Go Ahead's visa kits).
If you opt to apply for your visa directly with the Chinese consulate and require additional assistance and/or documentation from Go Ahead Tours, a special arrangements fee of $95 per person may be charged.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact the relevant embassies as soon as possible for your specific entry requirements.
Health
There is some risk of the following diseases in China, mostly concentrated in rural areas: dengue fever, malaria and yellow fever. Travelers should make sure to wear protective clothing and insect repellent when outside, particularly in forested or rural areas. Sun protection is also highly advisable. No vaccinations are required for entry. However, it’s always advisable to check with your health-care provider at least eight weeks prior to departure for recommendations and the latest updates on requirements. For updated information on travel in this area, call the Centers for Disease Control and Protection at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394- 8747) or visit its website at
www.cdc.gov/travel and view the sections on East Asia.
In order for you to stay healthy throughout your tour, we recommend the following:
- Drink bottled water. Refrain from drinking tap water, including when brushing teeth.
- Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they are cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
- Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication and any prescription medications.