Journey To China
May offers comfortable temperatures across much of China, ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Spring flowers are in full bloom, creating picturesque landscapes, especially in places like the Yellow Mountains and Yunnan Province. The crowds are generally smaller compared to peak summer months, allowing for a more relaxed exploration of popular attractions like the Great Wall and Forbidden City.
May hosts several cultural festivals, including the Cheung Chau Bun Festival in Hong Kong and the Sisters' Meal Festival in Guizhou, providing unique insights into local traditions. Additionally, the pleasant weather is perfect for cruising the Yangtze River.
May 8-11th | Beijing
May 11-13th | Xi'an
May 13-15th | Chengdu
May 15- 18th | Yangtze River
May 18 - 20th | Shanghai
May 20th | Departure
May in China generally offers mild and comfortable temperatures, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities and sightseeing. The spring rains begin to taper off in many regions, leading to clearer skies and increased sunshine.
Northern areas experience warm days and cool nights, while southern regions start to feel more humid but are not yet at their summer peak. Central China enjoys pleasant temperatures with occasional light showers.
Nearly all foreign visitors to Mainland China will require a visa. An invitation letter will be provided for your visa application, but we are not able to obtain a visa on your behalf. It is your responsibility to obtain a valid visa and any other required documentation for your journey. Applying for a tourist visa approximately 60 days before your departure is recommended.
For more advice on Chinese visas, please consult CIBT, our recommended visa service provider.
Click CIBT for more details.
These guidelines are for reference only. Scenset holds no responsibility for travel restrictions. Travelers are responsible for ensuring the right documentation to travel.
Welcome to Beijing! Today is all about settling in and relaxing after a long flight.
Upon arrival in Beijing, an English-speaking assistant will greet you at the arrivals hall and escort you to your private transfer.
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Hong Kong may be modern and Xi’an may have a long history, but Beijing is a mix of both. Serving as China’s capital since the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368 AD), Beijing’s past, present, and future are forced together in the crowded neighborhoods and streets of the city. Despite a divide between new and old, one thing about Beijing has remained constant for centuries: hard-handed political power, as well as thriving intellectual and artistic thought, continues to influence China and the world.
Check into your hotel and settle into your accommodations for the remainder of the day and evening.
The rest of the day has been left for you to unwind and relax.
Why we love it for you: Situated in the heart of Beijing's Forbidden City and WangFuJing, The PuXuan Hotel and Spa offers a harmonious blend of history and modern luxury. A mere 8-minute walk from Dongsi Subway Station and within proximity to iconic landmarks like the National Art Museum of China, this hotel pays homage to the city's rich heritage while offering an unparalleled experience.
The guestrooms boast walk-in wardrobes, TVs, safes, and handcrafted furniture. Guests can indulge in a 24-hour gym and rejuvenate at UR SPA, offering a fusion of modern science and ancient healing methods. Two exceptional restaurants cater to diverse palates with French cuisine and traditional Cantonese dishes, complemented by the well-designed spaces of the Tea Room and Lobby Bar. With proximity to key attractions and a commitment to luxury, The PuXuan Hotel and Spa promises an intuitive, authentic, and explorative stay beyond the conventions of luxury.
Take a full-day tour of this fascinating city with a local guide.
Take a full-day tour of this fascinating city with a local guide by private car.
Meet your English-speaking guide in the hotel lobby. First, explore the magnificent Forbidden City, the former imperial palace that served as the heart of Chinese power for 600 years. Marvel at its grand architecture and rich history as you wander through its vast courtyards and halls.
Then, climb Jingshan Hill in nearby Jingshan Park for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Forbidden City and Beijing. This man-made hill, created from the earth excavated to form the palace moat, offers the perfect vantage point to appreciate the scale and layout of the imperial complex.
Finally, dive into the authentic culture of Beijing by exploring the narrow alleyways of the hutongs. Experience daily life in these traditional neighborhoods, interact with local residents, and sample street food delicacies like jianbing and baozi while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere that defines the true spirit of the city.
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Take a full-day tour of this wonderful city with a local guide.
Meet your English-speaking guide in the hotel lobby.
Today, first, set out on a journey to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, a well-preserved section of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall located about two hours north of Beijing. Take a gondola ride up to the wall, then spend approximately two hours hiking along this magnificent structure, marveling at its impressive brickwork and the stunning views of the surrounding rugged terrain.
Then, descend from the wall via an exhilarating toboggan ride, providing a unique and memorable end to your Great Wall adventure.
Finally, travel to the Summer Palace, approximately 30 minutes from Beijing, to explore the opulent gardens and pavilions. Immerse yourself in tales of imperial intrigue as you stroll through the regal pathways, and conclude your visit with a peaceful boat ride across Kunming Lake, the centerpiece of this magnificent royal retreat.
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In the early morning light of The Temple of Heaven - once the place where rulers would come to pray for good harvests - a master will take you on a spiritual and physical journey through an equally ancient Chinese tradition. Tai chi is at once meditation and martial art, a morning ritual as essential to the Temple as the motifs that adorn its walls. After your practice, you’ll explore the grounds, discovering the Temple of Heaven’s architecture, history, and its most secluded people-watching spots.
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Your guide and private chauffeur will escort you to the train station and help you check in for your train. Upon arriving in Xi'an, your local guide will meet you in the arrival hall with your private vehicle on standby to take you to your hotel.
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At Beijing West Station station, you will be escorted to the high speed train platform.
- Beijing West: Departs in the early afternoon
- Xi'an North: Arrives in the early evening
First Class
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Check into your hotel and relax.
Why we love it for you: Ideally situated inside the city walls, a mere ten-minute drive from such key historical sites as the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and Great Mosque, the Sofitel Legend is a modern escape where you can recharge after long days of exploring the ancient capital.
This hotel used to have over 400 rooms but recently remodeled and now has 71 spacious rooms and suites, decorated with luxurious art deco flair. Guests can use the hotel’s fitness center and indoor pool for free. This 5- star spot has earned a reputation as the city’s best hotel. Dine at the on-site restaurant Dolce Vita, which serves authentic Italian food with fresh ingredients.
Take a full-day tour of this fascinating city with a local guide.
First, visit the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors, located about an hour outside Xi'an. Spend a couple of hours exploring the vast array of life-sized clay soldiers, each with unique features, buried to protect China's first emperor in the afterlife.
Then, return to the city to explore the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an impressive 8th-century structure that symbolizes Xi'an's rich Buddhist heritage and architectural influences from across Asia. Follow this with a visit to the Great Mosque, a unique blend of Chinese and Islamic architecture, especially beautiful at sunset.
Finally, visit the wonderful atmosphere of the Muslim Quarter. Take in the neon signs, exotic aromas, and sampling delicious local specialties from street vendors, experiencing the living legacy of the Silk Road in modern Xi'an.
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Start your day ascending to an imperious height of 12 meters, the only way in or out of downtown Xi’an is to pass through cavernous openings in the oldest, largest, and best-preserved city wall in China. But the best way to experience the fortifications is by cycling on top of them. The 14km, hour-long circuit is the best way to soak in views of the ancient city within and the modern metropolis without.
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Your guide and private chauffeur will escort you to the train station and help you check in for your train. Upon arriving in Chengdu, your local guide will meet you in the arrival hall with your private vehicle on standby to take you to your hotel.
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At Xi'an North station, you will be escorted to the high-speed train platform.
- Xi'an North: Departs in the early afternoon
- Chengdu East: Arrives in the late afternoon
First Class
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Upon arrival at the hotel, check in and relax.
Why we love it for you: Overlooking Tianfu Square, The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu offers a cosmopolitan experience at the heart of this iconic Chinese city. Featuring 353 rooms, including 55 suites, this contemporary-styled hotel resides in China’s emerging southwest and offers modern hospitality infused with traditional Chinese flourishes. Savor top-tier culinary experiences at Li Xuan, a Chinese fine dining restaurant, and visit the Sichuan Science and Technology Museum across the square, or access the city’s further reaches via the central metro station only steps away from the hotel’s front door.
Located about an hour and a half outside of Chengdu, Dujiangyan Panda Base is a favorite choice for getting up close with giant pandas. The first wild pandas were first spotted in this area in 1953 and the bamboo-covered hills of the conservation center replicate the iconic animal’s natural habitat. The ultimate goal of Dujiangyan panda base is to boost the population and prepare the pandas for life in the wild. Be sure to look out for the keepers, who may well be hanging out with China’s national animal dressed as pandas themselves.
And just as Dujiangyan’s pandas aren’t relegated to sitting in small enclosures, you won’t be confined to a spectate-only experience. Today, you’ll play your part as a volunteer, feeding the pandas, cleaning their cages, and sharing lunch (and questions) with the panda base staff.
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Next stop Chongqing - atop steep hills at the confluence of two major rivers, Chongqing is one of four municipalities controlled directly by the national government (the other three are Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin) and is China’s—and the world’s—fastest growing city. It was separated from neighboring Sichuan province as a municipality as recently as 1997, motivated in large part by the area’s poverty and need for accelerated development.
Your guide and private chauffeur will escort you to the train station and help you check in for your train. Upon arriving in Chongqing, your local guide will meet you in the arrival hall with a private vehicle to take you to your cruise.
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At Chengdu station, you will be escorted to the high-speed train platform.
- Chengdu East: Departs in the afternoon.
- Shapingba: Arrives in the early afternoon.
First Class
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This afternoon, board the Sanctuary Yangtze Explorer for your cruise downstream to Yichang.
After you’ve settled into your cabin, feel free to join your fellow guests in the Explorer Bar - its large windows are perfect for enjoying the night-time cityscape of Chongqing as you sail deeper into the Three Gorges region of the mighty Yangtze River.
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Why we love it for you? Introducing a new standard of cruising in China, the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer offers a more intimate and luxurious way to discover the Yangtze. With the largest cabins and suites on the river, all with private balconies, as well as the highest crew to passenger ratio on the river, this is a Yangtze cruise unlike any other.
The Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer also offers the finest and most personalized service on the river. Onboard facilities include a la carte dining, a luxury spa, an observation deck, 24-hour room service, a two-floor theatre, library, and beauty and fitness facilities.
Visit Fuling!
Start the day with a tea or coffee and a session of Tai Chi before breakfast.
This morning you can choose to experience one of the following two activities: The 816 Underground Project or the White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum.
The 816 Underground Project is the world’s largest artificial military cave, an intriguing secret, hidden in the mountains of Fuling. Over 50 years ago, more than 60,000 engineering soldiers came to Jianzishan, an uninhabited place among mountains and forest, to break ground on a top-secret nuclear weapons facility. After 17 years (1984), just when the facility was nearly completed, the government decided to cancel the project. The government declassified the facility in 2002, and you can now walk its eerie tunnelways and abandoned reactors.
The White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum will take you some 148 feet underwater to bring you face to face with ancient rock carvings left on the river bed many years ago. The museum tells the story of the Yangtze river, and is great for those that are interested in the flora and fauna of this area. After the museum, we’ll stop by a local market to learn about the region’s rich culinary culture. Don’t forget to make your way to the pickles - which Fuling is famous for.
After exploring, return to Sanctuary Yangtze Explorer for an à la carte lunch. Then, rejuvenate with a Chinese foot reflexology and traditional Chinese medicine demonstration in the Tang Theatre. This is followed by a welcome reception, complete with complimentary canapés.
In the evening, settle in for a buffet dinner and enjoy another serene night on the Yangzi.
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Tea, coffee, breakfast, and tai chi will be waiting for you as you awake.
After fueling up, enjoy the view from the Sun Deck as you sail through the spectacular Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge, your crew providing commentary on each gorge as you cruise along.
Today’s shore excursion is a unique ride along the Shennong Stream on a sampan - a traditional longboat rowed by a boatman. As we gently float through this stunning riverine gorge, you’ll see evidence of early settlements in the form of hanging coffins stowed high within the limestone cliffs.
Before returning from Shennong Stream, we will visit a traditional trackers village. Here, most of the homes are composed of mud, kitchens are filled with meat hung out to dry, and the residents’ beds share a room with their coffins.
Tonight, indulge on a special farewell dinner, ‘A Taste of China.' Afterwards, spend your evening either learning or dancing (or both) – you have the choice to attend a lecture on the Three Gorges Project or a live band performance.
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Wake up with another helping of tea and coffee, served alongside an international buffet breakfast.
After breakfast, we will depart the ship and visit the Three Gorges Project Dam Site and Exhibition Centre. Spanning 2,335 meters in length and 181 meters in height, the dam is the largest and most expensive engineering project in the world. While the dam’s 32 generators will produce enough clean energy to curtail China’s reliance on coal, the project has also caused much controversy. During construction, 13 cities, 140 towns, 1,352 villages, over 600 industrial factories and more than 1,200 archaeological projects were submerged.
After exploring the massive Three Gorges Dam, it will be time to bid farewell to the crew and disembark at downtown Yichang.
Riverside Park
Riverside Park is the biggest public park in Yichang and built along the Yangtze River. It starts from the dam site of Gezhouba Project which is the first hydro-power project on the Yangtze River with a total length of 12 kilometers.
In the middle section of the park, you will see a brick pagoda standing beside the river which was built in the Qing dynasty with a history of 200 years. Young couples like to take wedding pictures there. Lots of gym equipment are set there, and locals exercise there all year round.
The new museum of Yichang
The new museum of Yichang is located in Bailinhe Road, Wujiagang District, Yichang City. The museum was officially opened in August 2019. Yichang Museum is a comprehensive museum integrating history, nature, folk customs and ancient architecture, and is the largest among the prefecture-level museums in Hubei Province and even the central region. The main construction area of Yichang Museum is 43,001 square meters, the exhibition area is 12,988 square meters, and there are 58,727 pieces (sets) of various collections, including 1,623 sets and 2,555 precious cultural relics. In December 2020, Yichang Museum was rated as the fourth batch of national first-class museums.
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Your guide and private chauffeur will escort you to the airport and help you check in to your flight. Upon arriving in Shanghai, a local guide will meet you in the arrival hall, and a private vehicle will be waiting to take you to your hotel.
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Departure Time: evening
Arrival Time: night
(Economy Class)
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Why we love it for you: The Middle House blends Italian vision with modern aesthetics, topping it all with a uniquely Shanghainese twist. Designed by an Italian architect to radiate urban sophistication, The Middle House's decor skillfully combines old and new, texture, color, and line to create a thoroughly modern luxury accommodation experience - an oasis of calm set against the dynamic backdrop of a large city.
Indulge in international, Italian, or Chinese favorites at one of the hotel's signature restaurants, escape from it all at the day spa, and rest easy with The Middle House's 24/7 bespoke service.
Today, you'll venture out and explore Shanghai with your guide.
Manufacturing and megacities may be the name card of today’s China, but Yuyuan Garden is a postcard example of a more traditional side to the country, one of beautifully manicured gardens, punctuated with rocks and trees, interspersed with green ponds and framed by white walls with circular doorways. Built in what is now downtown Shanghai by a Ming Dynasty official, Yuyuan Garden’s pavilions and bridges, rockeries and teahouse, will transport you to a world far away from skyscrapers and bullet trains.
The Former French Concession
The elegant, tree-lined streets of the former French Concession are steeped in European charm. This enclave, governed by France for almost a century until the 1940s, was once the domain of China’s rich and powerful, from revolutionaries to movie stars. Step inside the creaking hallways of mansions that have housed members of the French, Japanese, Nationalist, and Communist elite, and relive the glamor of pre-World War II Shanghai.
Shanghai Tower
China is a land of superlatives and nowhere exemplifies the extremes of this country better than the record-breaking Shanghai skyline. Ride the world’s fastest elevator to the world’s highest observation deck in China’s tallest building and feel yourself blown away by awe-inspiring views of one of the planet’s largest cities, all while learning about the architecture which makes these gravity-defying feats of engineering possible.
The Bund
Rising majestically across the river from Shanghai’s electric skyline are the sublime art deco and neoclassical buildings of the Bund, a patchwork which has earned the street the nickname of “Museum of International Architecture.” Strolling down the riverside promenade, flanked by neon on one side and marble on the other, there are few other places on earth where you can see such a vivid depiction of a city’s past and future with one turn of the head.
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Today, bid farewell to China as you fly home.
Meet your driver in the lobby of your hotel for your private transfer to the airport in time for check-in for your flight home.
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