Get immersed in China’s captivating culture, and explore fabled landscapes from the Three Gorges to the karst mountains of Guilin, on a journey to great cities and stunning rural landscapes in five distinct regions.

Request a Tailor-Made Itinerary Request Itinerary or Ask Us A Question or Call 855-215-8690
 China's Yangtze River
China's Yangtze River
 Rice Terraces in Longji
Rice Terraces in Longji
 The Great Wall at sunrise
The Great Wall at sunrise
 Shanghai's Yu Yuan Gardens
Shanghai's Yu Yuan Gardens
 The Terra-Cotta Warriors of Xi'an
The Terra-Cotta Warriors of Xi'an
 Temple of Heaven, Beijing
Temple of Heaven, Beijing

China and the Yangtze River: A Tailor-Made Journey

15 days from $5,925

Get immersed in China’s captivating culture, and explore fabled landscapes from the Three Gorges to the karst mountains of Guilin, on a journey to great cities and stunning rural landscapes in five distinct regions.

Request a Tailor-Made Itinerary

or call 855-215-8690
Accommodations

* Click on hotel name to visit hotel web-site.

Shichahai Shadow Art Hotel

Beijing, China

The Shichahai Shadow Art Hotel is located in Beijing’s hutong district, a historic neighborhood of narrow, cobbled alleyways, street vendors, and typical courtyard houses. Rooms are clean and comfortable, with simple furnishings that befit a traditional hutong home. The spacious courtyard offers sitting areas and a shadow puppet stage, where guests are invited to watch live shows and learn about the puppets. A buffet breakfast is served in the lobby, and a café and bar are also on-site. The Shadow Art Hotel enjoys a central location near the Bell and Drum Towers, the Forbidden City, and Houhai and Shichahai lakes. 

Grand Mercure Xian Renmin Square

Xian, China

Located within the ancient city walls of Xian, a short walk from the Bell and Drum towers and the Muslim Quarter, Grand Mercure Xian on Renmin Square offers a comfortable base from which to explore this historic city. The hotel is part of the Accor Hotels complex, and offers a selection of guest rooms and suites that combine chic Chinese design with modern touches. Dining options include an all-day restaurant with an international menu and a lounge for snacks and drinks. The fitness center, swimming pool, and massage service provide guests with a chance to work out or relax in an environment surrounded by courtyards and landscaped gardens. Guests also have access to restaurants and leisure facilities at other Accor hotels within the complex.

Jolie Vue Boutique Hotel

Guilin, China

Overlooking the Elephant Trunk Hill, the symbol of Guilin, Jolie Vue Boutique Hotel is a stylish hotel in the heart of the city.  Its 99 rooms and suites offer a variety of views and sizes, and all are tastefully appointed and well equipped with modern amenities. Along with restaurant that serves up Western and Chinese cuisine and stunning views, the hotel features a café, tea house, fitness center, and a playground. 

Yangshuo Moondance Resort

Yanghshuo, China

The Yangshuo Moondance Resort is a lovely country house set in a lush river valley a 15-minute drive from the center of town. Rooms are comfortable and airy, with private balconies and flat-sceen TVs among other amenities. The grounds include gardens and pool, with lots of space for kids to play. The resort includes a restaurant that serves Western and Chinese fare and a cozy lobby with a fireplace, and barbecues are sometimes held on the lawn.  Guests can also rent bikes to explore or enjoy an in-room massage.  

Li-An Lodge

Longji, China

The views from Li-An Lodge over a sea of rice terraces are hard to beat. With a wooden, rustic exterior, the lodge stays true to its village surroundings. Inside, the artistic flair of its owner—a renowned photographer—shines through, with photographs and artwork adorning the walls. Each of the 16 rooms has its own theme relating to different aspects of Chinese culture. With spacious balconies and an intimate atmosphere, Li-An Lodge provides a relaxing stay in one of the most beautiful settings in China.

Victoria Cruises

Yangzte River, China

The five-star ships of Victoria Cruise Lines are specially designed to navigate the Yangtze River. Cabins and suites offer private balconies and en suite bathrooms, as well as several English-speaking television channels. Restaurants with picture windows serve Western and Chinese cuisine curated by a celebrity chef. Other on-board amenities include a gift shop, a fitness center, a health clinic, and a massage room. The ships feature a full program of enriching activities and entertainment, from lectures on culture or geology to calligraphy or tai chi lessons to dance performances. 

Central Hotel Shanghai

Shanghai, China

Located in Puxi district in the heart of bustling Shanghai, close to tourist attractions such as the Bund with its colonial architecture, the excellent Shanghai Museum, People’s Square and the famous Nanjing Road shopping street, Central Hotel Shanghai offers guests a comfortable stay and is an ideal base from which to explore this exciting city. The hotel offers modern guest rooms and a good range of leisure facilities and dining options, and due to its location, you can find a number of good restaurants and bars within walking distance to the hotel and convenient access to public transport and taxis.

Gift Membership – Friends of Smithsonian

When you travel on a tailor-made journey, you will receive a Friends of the Smithsonian Archivist Circle membership*. Benefits include:

  • A Smithsonian annual engagement calendar with full-color images of exceptional art and artifacts, mailed in the fall.
  • Subscription to Smithsonian, the award-winning magazine of the arts, sciences, and history. Early access to Smithsonian magazine produced events.
  • Invitations to four exclusive virtual programs for Friends of the Smithsonian members with Smithsonian experts.
  • 10% discount in Smithsonian Museum Stores (good on purchases up to $200); 10% discount with the SmithsonianStore.com, and Folkways Recordings
  • Recognition in the Friends of the Smithsonian Honor Roll, displayed electronically on the National Mall in the Membership Reception Center
  • Special member rate for tickets to the Smithsonian’s IMAX® theaters and Einstein Planetarium.
  • Free admission to the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City.
  • A complimentary copy of the annual Smithsonian museum guidebook.
  • Invitation to a special welcome event for new members at a Smithsonian venue.

*Offer only available for first-time Smithsonian members. 

Reading List

Highly Recommended

Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China
Amazon.com: Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China: 9780743246989: Chang, Jung: Books
China Road: A Journey into the Future of a Rising Power
Route 312 is the Chinese Route 66. It flows three thousand miles from east to west, passing through the factory towns of the coastal areas, through the rural heart of China, then up into the Gobi Desert, where it merges with the Old Silk Road. The highway witnesses every part of the social and ec...
Mao Zedong: A Life
Mao Zedong: A Life [Jonathan Spence] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Mao Zedong: A Life
Lonely Planet China 16 (Travel Guide)
Lonely Planet China 16 (Travel Guide) [Butler, Stuart, Bremner, Jade, Chapman, Kate, Chen, Piera, Eaves, Megan, Harper, Daisy, Harper, Damian, Holden, Trent, Humphrys, Tess, Lioy, Stephen, Maric, Vesna, Masters, Tom, Mayhew, Bradley, McCrohan, Daniel, O'Malley, Thomas, Parkes, Lorna, Pitts, Christopher, Spurling, Tom, Tang, Phillip] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers.

Also Recommended

China - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
China - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture [Culture Smart!, Balcikonyte-Huang, Indre, Flower, Kathy] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. China - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
Postcards from Tomorrow Square: Reports from China
Postcards from Tomorrow Square: Reports from China [Fallows, James] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Postcards from Tomorrow Square: Reports from China
China: A Photographic Journey through the Middle Kingdom
China: A Photographic Journey through the Middle Kingdom [Guo, Guang, Tan, Ming] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. China: A Photographic Journey through the Middle Kingdom
Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China
Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China [Osnos, Evan] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China
Understanding China: A Guide to China's Economy, History, and Political Culture
Understanding China: A Guide to China's Economy, History, and Political Culture [Starr, John Bryan] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Understanding China: A Guide to China's Economy, History, and Political Culture
The Arts of China, Sixth Edition, Revised and Expanded
The Arts of China, Sixth Edition, Revised and Expanded [Sullivan, Michael, Vainker, Shelagh] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Arts of China, Sixth Edition, Revised and Expanded
River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze (P.S.)
Buy River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze (P.S.) on Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders
The River at the Center of the World: A Journey Up the Yangtze, and Back in Chinese Time
The River at the Center of the World: A Journey Up the Yangtze, and Back in Chinese Time [Winchester, Simon] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The River at the Center of the World: A Journey Up the Yangtze, and Back in Chinese Time
Death of a Red Heroine (An Inspector Chen Investigation)
Amazon.com: Death of a Red Heroine (An Inspector Chen Investigation): 9781569472422: Xiaolong, Qiu: Books
History of the World Map by Map (DK History Map by Map)
Buy History of the World Map by Map (DK History Map by Map) on Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders

*As an Amazon Associate, Smithsonian Journeys earns from qualifying purchases.

Travel Insurance

For the convenience of our travelers, Smithsonian Journeys includes a basic medical expense and evacuation plan through Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand, at no additional charge. This plan provides post-departure Medical and Dental coverage of $250,000 per person and Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage of $1,000,000 per person (U.S. Residents Only). Note: For full details regarding these coverages please review the following Plan Documents here.

In addition, we recommend that travelers purchase a travel protection plan to help protect their travel investment from unforeseen events such as cancellation due to illness, flight delays due to adverse weather, baggage loss, and more. For your convenience, Smithsonian Journeys offers an optional Travel Protection Plan administered by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand. For those interested, optional "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage is available for an additional charge. Note: Certain eligibility requirements apply and Cancel for Any Reason coverage is not available to New York residents. For full details regarding this coverage please review the following Plan Documents here.

To learn more about the Travel Protection Plan, you may visit https://www.generalipartner.com/smithsonianjourneys or call the administrator, Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand at (866) 501-3252.

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