Yangtze River Cruise Tour with Xi’an

Welcome to Xi’an! Our guide will be holding your name sign and waiting for you at the airport or the railway station. Then you will be transferred to your hotel and have a nice rest.

Located in the center of China, Xi’an has a population of 12,952,907 and covers an area of 10,108 square kilometers. It owns a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. In addition, Xi’an has a long history with abundant historical and cultural heritage. It was the capital of more than ten dynasties in history. In Xi’an, you can enjoy more historical details while your Yangtze River Cruise Tour will enable you to appreciate the gorge scenery.

A visit to China is imperfect without visiting the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum. This morning, your tour guide will take you to visit the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, which is called the eighth wonder of the world. The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, lying in the northeast of Xi’an, is about 42.6 kilometers away from downtown. It will take you forty minutes to get there by car. The farmers from Xiyang village found the Terra Cotta Army by accident in March 1974 while they were drilling a well. So far, three pits have been excavated, covering a total area of nearly 20,000 square meters, which include almost 8,000 Terra Cotta warriors and horses. Pit No. 1 has the largest area of 14,260 square meters and the highest number of 6,000 Terra Cotta warriors and horses. These Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum is part of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, among which all warriors and horses are made from baked pottery. So why did the emperor make so many figurines? There is a story behind it. During constructing the Mausoleum of the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, the emperor ordered Li Si (a minister of the Qin Dynasty) to collect thousands of young men and maidens in advance as sacrificial objects for him. When Li Si read the imperial edict, he was stunned. He thought that such an order was bound to be opposed by civilians. Once the people revolted, there might be social unrest. But if he didn’t fulfill this order, the emperor would condemn him, and he would be executed. After considering carefully, he submitted a written statement to the emperor: “You may be offended by what I’m saying. But out of my loyalty, I’d like to make a sincere proposal to you: the demand for alive kids to be buried will lead to riots, which is not as good as pottery figures to be sacrificial objects. As thus, not only can you have the sacrificial objects, but also the Qin Dynasty would keep stable.” After seeing this, the emperor thought it was reasonable. Therefore, he changed his mind and immediately ordered Li Si to recruit skilled craftsmen from all over the country to make pottery men and horses as big as real ones. Thus, there are so many pottery figures.

After lunch, a tour guide will lead you to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Located in the Ci’en Temple in the southern suburb of Xi’an, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is about 4 kilometers from downtown. It was built by Master Xuanzang since the Tang Dynasty (618-907) as a tower for storing scriptures. The seven-story pagoda is made of black brick and stands 64.5 meters high. From ancient times to the present, it was in good condition under careful maintenance. The building of the Wild Goose Pagoda originated from a mysterious story. According to that story, in the Magadha country of India, monks in a temple believed in Theravada and ate wild goose meat, venison, and veal. One day, a flock of wild geese came from the sky. A monk saw the geese, and said: “Today we have nothing to eat, Bodhisattva should know that we are hungry”! Hardly had he spoke this word before a wild goose fell dead in front of him. He was pleasantly surprised and thus told all the monks of the temple. The monks all thought it was the Buddha who was trying to tell them not to kill for food. Therefore, they decided never to eat meat again and buried the wild goose where it fell in with a grand ceremony, built a pagoda, and named it the Wild Goose Pagoda. Xuanzang was inspired by this story. After finishing study tour in India, Xuanzang returned to China and built a pagoda, which was also named Wild Goose Pagoda.

Then you will visit the City Wall. The existing wall was built in the early Ming Dynasty and is the most complete ancient wall in China. With a total perimeter of about 14 kilometers, the City Wall was built based on the imperial city of the Tang Dynasty, and includes a series of facilities such as a moat and turret.

Apart from walking, riding a bicycle on the wall is a great way to enjoy the city. When you’re riding, you may feel back to the old times in Tang Dynasty. Bicycles are easy to rent on the City Wall, among which single and tandem bicycles are all available. Anything else, you will also watch some unique performances, such as the City Wall Folk Show, performing at the South Gate.

City wall

Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum

Today, you will leave for Chongqing by taking the estimated train D1971 09:05/13:42 after breakfast. Located in the southwest of China, Chongqing covers a total area of 82,400 square kilometers and is built leaning the mountains. The Yangtze River is the longest river in China, whose mainstream passes through this city from west to east, with a flow path of 665 kilometers. And today, your Yangtze River Cruise Tour will start from Chongqing. The route of your cruise is from Chongqing to Yichang of Hubei Province. During your trip, you can not only admire the wonderful view of the Three Gorges but also enjoy the facilities and services of the cruise. As a typical China river boat cruise, the Yangtze River Cruise Tour is sure to bring you a new experience.

After you arrive in Chongqing, a tour guide will lead you to visit the Ciqikou Ancient Town, which used to be a very busy commercial pier. During the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1636-1912) dynasties, the ancient town mainly engaged in the production and transshipment of porcelain. Many local delicacies can be tasted in this town such as Maoxuewang (Chongqing-style boiled blood curd), Qianzhangpi (dried beancurd sheets), and peanut with salt and pepper. Teahouses can be seen everywhere. When tired, you can also find a teahouse to take a rest and appreciate the customs of the old Chongqing.

Then you will go to the Chaotianmen Pier to take the Yangtze River Cruise. After helping you go through the formalities, the guide will get off the cruise ship. The cruise ship stops boarding at 20:30 and leaves at 21:00.

Ciqikou Ancient Town

Ciqikou Ancient Town

This morning, you can sleep until naturally wake up and then have breakfast. A rich breakfast buffet is served every morning. If you get up early, you can also play Tai Chi with the crew before breakfast. Tai Chi is traditional Chinese boxing. Playing Tai Chi can strengthen the body, promote blood circulation, improve heart and lung function, and ease the nervous system. Not only the elderly people but also the young people should practice Tai Chi as much as possible.

Besides Tai Chi, reading a book or having a cup of coffee on the deck after breakfast is also a good way to relax. In addition, you will appreciate the mysterious and wonderful gorge scenery.

Today you will have a shore excursion to visit Shibaozhai Pagoda. Located on the north bank of the Yangtze River in Chongqing, Shibaozhai Pagoda is famous for its unique architecture. As a column and tie wooden construction building in China, Shibaozhai Pagoda has a total floor of 12. It is built leaning the huge boulders. Shibaozhai Pagoda is also called the Pearl on the Yangtze River. Standing on the pagoda, you can enjoy the beautiful view of the Yangtze River.

If you pay (extra charge) for a visit to Fengdu “Ghost City” on the cruise, then your next stop will be there. Fengdu “Ghost City” is situated on the north bank of the Yangtze River in Fengdu County, downstream of Chongqing. It is well-known for its various underworld-style buildings and sculptures. In the “Ghost City”, you can see Naiheqiao (a bridge before the road to hell), Huangquan Road (the road to hell), Wangxiangtai (a terrace in hell from which the dead can see their homes in the mortal world), Yanwangdian (the Palace of Hell), and other underworld-style buildings. When you come to the “Ghost City”, you may feel like you have come to the real underworld and have a deep understanding of the “Chinese Ghost Culture”.

In the evening, a captain’s welcome reception will be held on the cruise ship. During the reception, you can enjoy the elaborate performances prepared by the crew. You will have a good time tonight.

Shibaozhai

Fengdu Ghost City

Today you will visit the Three Gorges, which include Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge from west to east.

Each of the Three Gorges has its unique scenery. With a total length of 8 kilometers, Qutang Gorge is the shortest one in the Three Gorges. The cliffs on both sides of Qutang Gorge tower into the clouds, as if they are connecting the sky and the earth. When the cruise is sailing in the Qutang Gorge, it is like cruising in a cave. Then you must be able to feel the steepness of the cliff and the depth of the gorge.

Starting from the entry of Daning River in the west and ending at Guandukou in Hubei Province in the east, Wu Gorge is about 40 kilometers long. On both sides of Wu Gorge, there are continuous green hills and picturesque peaks, which are surrounded by clouds. When you get there, it’s like walking into a gallery of twists and turns.

When the cruise arrives at Wu Gorge, you will change a small boat to visit Goddess Stream. Located on the south bank of Wu Gorge, the Goddess Stream is a unique gorge in Wu Gorge and is famous for its beautiful scenery. It is a secluded pristine gorge with lush vegetation, strong currents, and beautiful flowers. All this gorge scenery will make you intoxicated in it.

Xiling Gorge has a total length of 66 kilometers. As the longest part of the Three Gorges, Xiling Gorge is known for its waterway and stones. In Xiling Gorge, waterway twists and turns, and grotesque stones stand on the cliff with various shapes. During the voyage, you will feel very breathtaking. The spectacular scenery makes tourists at home and abroad linger on.

At night, a Captain’s farewell dinner will be held on the cruise. There will be a splendid dinner for you. The captain will make a speech and give you his blessing.

Three Gorges

Goddess Stream

Today, you’ll visit the world-famous Three Gorges Dam Site. Located in Sandouping, Yichang City, the Three Gorges Dam Site has a total length of 2,308 meters. Before the Three Gorges Dam Site was built, millions of people who lived in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China’s longest river, were affected by floods during every flood season. To control the flood, the Three Gorges Dam Site was built. With a normal water level of 175 meters and a flood control capacity of 22.5 billion cubic meters, the Three Gorges Dam has achieved remarkable flood control effects. In addition, the Three Gorges Dam Site is also a hydroelectric power station that has greatly reduced the cost of power generation in Hubei Province.

Then the Yangtze River Cruise Tour is coming to an end. You will take a bus to the Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal. From there, our guide will take you to Yichang Railway Station or Yichang Airport for your return.

Hope you choose us again and have a pleasant journey!

The Three Gorges Dam

The Three Gorges Dam

Author: Yan Ran

Proofreader: Lexie