5 Days Chongqing, Yangtze Cruise & Wulong Karst Tour

Day 1 Chongqing Arrival & Transfer to Wulong (L)

Highlights: Pick-up in Chongqing – to Wulong

Welcome to Chongqing , the Port City of Yangtze River Cruise! On this day, you’ll have the chance to fully experience the uniqueness of the Mountain City and culture of Yangtze River. First, be escorted to Three Gorges Museum at the city downtown. The vast collection of more than 280 thousand pieces of precious historical relics will let you have an amazing understanding of the great Yangtze River and formation of the magnificent Three Gorges, and also tell you the gradual thriving of Chongqing from 3,000 years ago, to its war defense in 20s century, and developmental path to be one of the 4 prosperous municipalities in China. Stepping out from the museum, have a nice look at the People’s Assembly Hall that is popular with fancy classical exterior design and was listed into the History of Architecture compiled in London in 1987.

Later, be transferred to take Chonqing Rail Transit Line 2 from Huanghuayuan Metro Station to Liziba Metro Station to look at the city’s prototype from a different angle. Then, get off to have the never-seen magic of the train going through 11-storey block of flats , existing only in the fantastically structured Chongqing built against mountains.

After that, travel up to E’ling Park and embrace the impressive panorama of Chongqing City which has been highly praised as “Little Hong Kong” with its well-arranged row upon row of modern skyscrapers and two winding rivers surrounding.

After the tour, be transferred to Wulong County which is about 190 kilometers away from Chongqing (about 2.5 hours’ driving). Wulong is famous for the Wulong Karst landscape with giant dolines, natural bridges and caves, inscribed as a part of South China Karst UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. Accommodate in Wulong County tonight.

Day 2 Wulong Karst – Chongqing & Board your Ship(B, L)

Highlights: Longshuixia Gap, Hongya Cave, Chaotianmen Dock

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and escort you to Wulong Tourist Center for todays’ sightseeing. After arrival at Wulong Tourist Center, you’ll first hop on a sightseeing bus to the largest natural bridge cluster in Asia – Three Natural Bridges where you can appreciate exceptionally high natural bridges with long stretches of deep unroofed caves. Take the sightseeing elevator down the valley bottom and enjoy your hiking by passing Tianlong (Sky Dragon) Bridge, Tianfu Post House (the shooting place of Zhang Yimou’ s movie “The City of Golden Armor”), Qinglong (Azure Dragon) Bridge and Heilong (Black Dragon) Bridge. Surrounded by magnificent Karst Mountains, miraculous caves, beautiful waterfalls, you’ll immerse into the wonderland made by incredible nature.

After that, continue to take a sightseeing bus at the exit to your next stop – Longshuixia Gap . It is actually a gap-style gorge and it's the important part of Wulong karst landform. Nature has spent thousands of years forming these wonderful landscapes. Here you can actually feel the Earth is older than a city and more powerful than a rocket. In this natural oxygen bar, enjoy 2 kilometers’ fun walking through the ground and witness the cliffs on both sides steep, original forests in the valley dense and waterfalls endless and gorgeous. You won’t miss One Line Sky, Dragon Pool Minoring the Moon, etc.

After the tour, be transferred back to Chongqing downtown area. If time permits, pay a short visit to Hongya Cave , the must-see highlight to appreciate the layers of featured Ba and Shu regional wooden tilted houses overlapped leaning the mountain up to 11 storeys, which looks quite glittery lit by the orange lights from nightfall. And continue to get up to the 11 level with vehicles and roads alongside to catch the sparkling nightscape of Jialing River and the nearby buildings with beautiful neon.

After the tour, be escorted to Chaotianmen Dock to board your Yangtze cruise ship between 18:00-20:00. Your memorable Yangtze River cruise will sail around 21:00! (Note: 1. There’re 13 sub-piers of Chaotianmen Dock and different ships will dock at different piers. Please check the info with your travel consultant and know where to board your ship at least one day beforehand. 2. The boarding time and departure piers change based on the ship line, water level, season, weather and other factors. Your travel consultants will ensure you have the actual departure time and boarding pier before your boarding. 3. You can have dinner or buy some snacks at Chaotianmen Square before embarkation.)

Day 3 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)

Highlights: Shibaozhai Pagoda

In the morning, wake up leisurely and enjoy the gentle sunshine shining over the tranquil and beautiful Yangtze River. It will be colorful and interesting whether you decide to stay onboard or go ashore at river stops.

Onboard you will enjoy different kinds of activities, like practicing Tai Chi on the boat’s sundeck, drinking a relaxing morning coffee, attending a Yangtze River history and culture lecture, or taking part in the Captain’s Welcome Party and evening shows.

Next follow a local guide and make a shore excursion to Shibaozhai Pagoda , one of the “Pearls” of the Yangtze River. A gem of Chinese architecture, this 12-story, 18th century red wooden temple on the northern bank of Yangtze River is an architectural delight full of legends and beautiful stories. (Note: Comfortable shoes are highly recommended since there will be lots of stairs to climb up!)

Optional Excursion : Take a shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City for an extra fee. Called the “City of Ghosts”, it is endowed with mysterious stories about underworld and cruel tortures and different kinds of devils and Chinese demons. Entering this ghost city, you will find many statues of demons and vivid scenes of their perfidious activities. (Note: Once again, the visit to Fengdu Ghost City requires much walking and comfortable shoes are again highly recommended!)

Day 4 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)

Highlights: Three Gorges – Shennv Stream – Captain’s Farewell Party

Today you will sail through the spectacular Three Gorges while relaxing on the sun deck and soak up the breathtaking gorge scenery passing by as you drift through Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge respectively.

In Wu Gorge you will take an enjoyable adventure to primitive Shennv Stream (Goddess Stream). Switch to a smaller boat to sail down this beautiful stream running in a narrow side gorge where you will have close-up views of high mountain peaks and hanging coffins on the steep cliff faces. After watching an entertaining music and dance show of local Tujia ethnic minority, sail back to your ship.

In the evening, you will firstly enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Party with all your mates onboard, and then watch the fascinating process of passing the ship through the Three Gorges Dam Five-stage Ship Locks at 23:00 PM.

Optional Excursion : Take a shore excursion to White Emperor City for an extra fee. Located at the entrance of Qutang Gorge, this excursion offers the best viewing spot to appreciate the magnificent Kuimen Gate.

Day 5 Yangtze River Cruise & Yichang Departure (B)

Highlights: Three Gorges Dam

After breakfast, your ship will dock at Maoping Dock. Today’s highlight is a morning excursion to Three Gorges Dam , the world’s largest hydropower project, located at the middle of Xiling Gorge near Yichang. You will marvel at this gigantic dam from different angles, learn more of the background history of the Three Gorges Dam Project and enjoy the surrounding beautiful landscape and scenery. After this excursion, you’ll take the shuttle bus arranged by the ship sending you to Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal around 12:30. The local guide and driver will meet you at the terminal and escort you to the airport or train station to catch your flight or train to next destination. Service ends!

Procedures for Leaving: enjoy breakfast onboard – pack your luggage – disembark at Maoping Dock – transfer to Three Gorges Dam (leave your luggage on the coach) – Dam visiting – take the same coach at the dam and shuttle to Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal – take our private car service.

Departure Ideas: You can take flights from Yichang Sanxia Airport to Shanghai, Xian, Beijing, Guangzhou and Hangzhou, etc. Or you can take high speed trains from Yichang East Railway Station to Wuhan (about 2hrs), Shanghai (about 8hrs), Beijing (about 7.5hrs), Hangzhou (about 7.5hrs), Chengdu (about 7hrs), Guangzhou (about 7hrs) and more cities.

What’s Included

• Professional licensed English-speaking guide
• Admission tickets for all attractions listed in the itinerary
• Accommodation as listed in the itinerary (4-star standard)
• Necessary vehicle transfers as listed in the itinerary
• Domestic flights (economy class) and high-speed trains (second class) as listed in the itinerary
• Airport (and train station) pick up and drop off
• Luggage Transfers: between airports (railway station) and hotels
• All meals as listed( “B” for Chinese and Western breakfast buffet in your hotel; “L” for Chinese Lunch in local restaurant; “D” for Chinese dinner in local restaurant.)
• Accident insurance
• Our service charge, including tour planning, handling, operational and communication charges.

Not Included

• China visa
• Personal expenses
• Accommodation not listed in the itinerary
• Single Room Supplement
• Tourist sites which are not listed in the itinerary
• Recommended optional activities
• Flights or trains not listed in the itinerary
• Excess Baggage Charges
• Optional tips to guides, drivers, etc.

Pricing Note

Final pricing is tailored to your travel dates, party size, hotel preferences and confirmed services. Your proposal will clearly list every included and excluded item.

Travel Tips

Pack comfortable walking shoes and clothing suited to the season. Keep your passport available on travel days, and tell your planner about mobility or dietary needs before departure.

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