Travel from Guangzhou’s illuminated waterfront to Zhangjiajie’s sandstone peaks, then follow the Yangtze toward Suzhou and Shanghai. Discover Lingnan architecture at Chen Clan Ancestral Hall and Yongqing Fang before exploring Wulingyuan, Tianzi Mountain and Tianmen Mountain’s glass skywalk. A Three Gorges cruise adds shore visits and river scenery, followed by Suzhou’s classical gardens and Shanghai’s Bund. This ten-day route connects southern city life with mountain landscapes, rail journeys and a passage along the Yangtze.
What makes this route special
Cruise the Pearl River and see Guangzhou’s evening skyline
Visit Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Yongqing Fang and Canton Tower
Explore Zhangjiajie’s Wulingyuan scenery, Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain
Ride the Bailong Elevator as listed in the Wulingyuan itinerary
Visit Tianmen Mountain and its glass skywalk
Cruise through the Three Gorges, including Fengdu and Shennv Stream
Visit the Three Gorges Dam, then continue to Suzhou and Shanghai
Your day-by-day itinerary
Arrive in Guangzhou and cruise the Pearl River
Arrive at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport for pickup, then take a Pearl River night cruise in the evening. From the water, see Guangzhou’s waterfront landmarks and city lights, including the Canton Tower across the river. Stay at the Guangzhou Zhujiang New Town Meilun Meihuan Hotel; an English-speaking guide accompanies the day. The cruise offers a gentle introduction to the city after arrival and sets the scene for the following day’s look at its Lingnan architecture and neighborhoods.
- Transport
- Airport pickup is planned; transport to the cruise is not described separately.
- Guide
- English-speaking guide is planned.
- Accommodation
- Guangzhou Zhujiang New Town Meilun Meihuan Hotel; your quote will confirm the number of nights.
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Yongqing Fang and Canton Tower
Visit Chen Clan Ancestral Hall and Yongqing Fang in the morning, then go to Canton Tower in the afternoon. A package ticket is planned for the hall and tower. At the ancestral hall, carved wood, brick and stonework showcase Lingnan craft traditions; Yongqing Fang’s older Xiguan lanes sit alongside cafés and contemporary shops. Canton Tower brings a broad view across the city. Together, the day connects Guangzhou’s local architectural heritage with its modern skyline.
- Transport
- Your quote will confirm local transfers in Guangzhou.
- Guide
- No day-specific guide assignment is stated.
- Accommodation
- Guangzhou hotel; property and night allocation will be confirmed with your quote.
Train from Guangzhou to Zhangjiajie
Transfer to Guangzhou South Railway Station and take high-speed train G6080, departing at 09:36 and arriving at 14:53. In the evening, visit Seventy-Two Marvelous Towers in Zhangjiajie. The rail journey carries you from Guangzhou’s dense cityscape toward the mountain region of western Hunan, while the illuminated towers add a lively first look at Zhangjiajie after dark. Your trip details will confirm the Zhangjiajie station pickup and the exact Pullman hotel for the night.
- Transport
- Hotel transfer to Guangzhou South; G6080 high-speed train, 09:36–14:53; Zhangjiajie station pickup to be confirmed.
- Guide
- Guide arrangements for this day will be confirmed with your quote.
- Accommodation
- Pullman Hotel; your quote will confirm the property and location.
Wulingyuan, Yuanjiajie and the peak forests
Spend the day in Wulingyuan Scenic Area, following a route through the Bailong Elevator, Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Jinbian Stream and Ten-Mile Gallery. The day combines elevated views across sandstone peaks with forested paths and valley scenery. Ride the Bailong Elevator to reach Yuanjiajie, then take in the rock formations that define this part of Zhangjiajie. The route is a full day outdoors; your trip details can confirm walking distances, stairs and the sequence of the stops.
- Transport
- Local sightseeing transfers will be confirmed with your quote; Bailong Elevator is part of the day plan.
- Guide
- Guide arrangements for this day will be confirmed with your quote.
- Accommodation
- Hotel details will be confirmed with your quote.
Tianmen Mountain and board the Three Gorges cruise
Visit Tianmen Mountain and its glass skywalk in the morning, then travel by high-speed rail from Zhangjiajie to Chongqing and board the Three Gorges cruise before 9:00 p.m. The mountain’s cable car and glass walkway frame the first half of the day; the evening transfer begins the river journey. Train times and the cruise boarding deadline need to align, so confirm the connection when arranging your dates. The day shifts quickly from mountain views to a night aboard the Yangtze.
- Transport
- Tianmen Mountain access; Zhangjiajie–Chongqing high-speed train; cruise boarding before 21:00 is stated, but train details are absent.
- Guide
- Guide arrangements for this day will be confirmed with your quote.
- Accommodation
- Three Gorges cruise; your quote will confirm the cabin and nights aboard.
Fengdu Shuanggui Mountain and the cruise reception
Go ashore at Fengdu Shuanggui Mountain, where Buddhist and Taoist sites and local legends shape the visit. Later, return to the cruise for the captain’s welcome reception as the ship continues through the Three Gorges region. The change from mountain scenery to river travel gives the day a quieter rhythm, with time aboard between shore excursions. The reception marks the start of the cruise experience and offers a chance to take in the river setting after the day ashore.
- Transport
- Yangtze River cruise and Fengdu shore excursion.
- Guide
- Guide arrangements for this day will be confirmed with your quote.
- Accommodation
- Three Gorges cruise; your quote will confirm the cabin and nights aboard.
Qutang Gorge and Shennv Stream
Sail through Qutang Gorge and take a smaller boat for the Shennv Stream excursion, followed by a farewell dinner. The steep gorge cliffs give way to a narrower waterway, creating two distinct river landscapes in one day. Time aboard the cruise connects the excursions and offers a pause to watch the scenery unfold. The day combines a dramatic stretch of the Yangtze with a more intimate tributary setting before the route continues toward the Three Gorges Dam.
- Transport
- Yangtze cruise and small-boat excursion at Shennv Stream are planned.
- Guide
- Guide arrangements for this day will be confirmed with your quote.
- Accommodation
- Three Gorges cruise; your quote will confirm the cabin and nights aboard.
Three Gorges Dam and rail to Suzhou
Disembark for the Three Gorges Dam and Visitor Center, then transfer to Yichang railway station for the high-speed train to Suzhou. A driver meets you on arrival, and one night at Holiday Inn Express Suzhou Yangtze River is planned. This day connects the scale of a modern engineering landmark with the next eastbound leg of the journey. Your available time at the dam will depend on the train departure chosen for your dates.
- Transport
- Three Gorges Dam shore visit; transfer to Yichang station, high-speed train to Suzhou and driver pickup on arrival. Your quote will confirm the train departure.
- Guide
- Yichang driver departure transfer and Suzhou driver pickup are planned; Guide arrangements for this day will be confirmed with your quote.
- Accommodation
- Holiday Inn Express Suzhou Yangtze River; 1 night with breakfast.
Suzhou gardens and the Bund
Visit Lingering Garden, Panmen and Huqiu Hill in Suzhou, then travel to Shanghai and see the Bund in the evening. The day moves from carefully composed garden views to Panmen’s historic water-and-land gate and Huqiu’s Yunyan Temple Pagoda. In Shanghai, the Bund’s historic riverfront faces the city’s modern skyline across the Huangpu River. Stay at Shanghai Zhenping Holiday Inn Express before the final airport transfer.
- Transport
- Suzhou–Shanghai transfer is stated; mode and timetable will be confirmed with your quote.
- Guide
- Guide arrangements for this day will be confirmed with your quote.
- Accommodation
- Shanghai Zhenping Holiday Inn Express; 1 night with breakfast.
Depart from Shanghai
The route concludes with a driver-only airport transfer in Shanghai, without a guide. The airport and pickup time will be arranged around your confirmed flight, so share your flight details when organizing the transfer. No sightseeing or overnight stay is planned for this final day, and international flights are separate from the tour. After Guangzhou, Zhangjiajie, the Three Gorges and Suzhou, the transfer brings the journey to a close in Shanghai.
- Transport
- Airport drop-off in Shanghai; Your quote will confirm the airport and pickup time.
- Guide
- Airport drop-off; the package note says departure day is driver-only without a guide.
- Accommodation
- No overnight stay.
What your proposal covers
- Private transport as per group size
- 9 breakfasts
- Attraction tickets
- English guiding for 9 days
- 9 nights in twin-share deluxe rooms
- Lunches and dinners
- International flights
- Personal expenses
Payment & cancellation
| Payment due | Share of trip price |
|---|---|
| On trip confirmation | 30% deposit |
| One month before the trip | 70% balance |
| Time before arrival | Cancellation fee |
|---|---|
| More than 45 days | Only costs incurred for flights, cruises and other exceptional services. |
| 45–30 days | 25% |
| 29–16 days | 50% |
| 15–7 days | 80% |
| Less than 7 days | 100% |
| Percentage fees are based on the total trip price. | |
Questions and answers
VISAS
For the latest information on visa procedures, processing times and requirements, please kindly refer to website https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/
INSURANCE
We will arrange essential insurance coverage for your trip to Mainland China. Meanwhile, we strongly recommend you purchase separate comprehensive travel insurance to cover trip cancellation, medical expenses, luggage loss, repatriation and other associated additional costs. As a minimum requirement, the insurance policy must include medical coverage, which including medical evacuation and repatriation. For this part, you are free to select your preferred insurance provider.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
If you are traveling during a Chinese public holiday, please note that while tourist attractions remain open, they may be crowded with domestic visitors. Festivities often span several days, during which some businesses may close, and coach, air, and train services could be impacted. The major Golden Week holidays occur annually around 1 to 5 May and 1 to 7 October.
ACCOMMODATION
Your accommodation is chosen for its convenience, comfort, or character. Hotels are generally of a four-star standard in major cities. Please note, there is no international classification system, so facilities and quality may differ from those in your home country.
LUGGAGE
Each traveller is permitted a maximum of two pieces of luggage: one suitcase with a maximum weight of 20kg and one piece of hand luggage with a maximum weight of 5kg. This requirement applies to domestic trains and flights. We recommend packing only what you can carry independently, as you will be responsible for handling your luggage on and off trains or air-checked. Please note: If your luggage exceed the limits, kindly inform your travel designer in advance, and we will arrange a suitable vehicle for you.
TRAVEL MONEY IN CHINA
We recommend having access to multiple sources of money while traveling. A combination of payment methods, including mobile payment apps, cash, and cards, will offer the most security and flexibility. Mobile payment apps like WeChat and Alipay are often more widely accepted than international cards or cash in China. You will need an internet connection when in China to use the apps.
