BEIJING, XIAN, SHANGHAI, GUILIN, YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE AND HONG KONG
How can you begin to discover a country so vast, so ancient, so diverse? Our China tour with Yangtze River cruise doesn’t waste a moment, ensuring that you’ll experience the most intriguing, renowned sights on what is truly a trip of a lifetime. Count on your smarTours® guides to navigate the innumerable details of travel in China and add nuanced narrative to everything you’ll see—from Tiananmen Square to the Terracotta Army, the Great Wall to giant pandas. We’ll break the trip to meander along the fabled Yangtze, China’s longest river, on a scenic four-night cruise. And we’re not done yet! We wisely complete this escorted package with a visit to colorful, hectic, exciting Hong Kong.
For COVID-19 updates, please scroll down to our “Before You Depart” section.
Itinerary at
a Glance
- 2 Nights in Shanghai
- 3 Nights in Beijing
- 2 Nights in Xian
- 4-Night Yangtze River Cruise
- 2 Nights in Guilin
- 3 Nights in Hong Kong
Tour
Highlights
Your Tour
Includes
- Round-trip airfare from the Los Angeles (flights from New York-JFK at additional cost) (passengers may also book this tour without flights)
- Airfare taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- All intra-China flights and ground transportation
- Accommodation at deluxe hotels
- Deluxe Yangtze River cruise aboard Victoria Cruises Premier ship in outside cabin with picture window and private balcony.
- 35 meals: 16 full-buffet American breakfasts, 10 lunches, and 9 dinners
- Comprehensive sightseeing tours, admission fees included
- All shore excursions
- English-speaking Tour Director and local guides
Tour Itinerary
Guided Tour Pricing
Prices and dates below include round-trip airfare from Los Angeles (LAX) or New York (JFK) at an additional cost. Travelers may choose to purchase the tour only, and arrange their own arrival in destination.
| Depart | Return | Depart - Return | Best Value Pricing - Reserve by Sep 03, 2021 |
Reserve After
Sep 03, 2021 Price Increase |
Select Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2022 | w/ eCheck Discount | Sale | After Sale | ||
| March 16 | April 2 | Mar 16 - Apr 2 | $3,399 | $3,499 | $3,799 |
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| April 20 | May 7 | Apr 20 - May 7 | $3,499 | $3,599 | $3,899 |
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| May 4 | May 21 | May 4 - May 21 | $3,599 | $3,699 | $3,999 |
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| June 1 | June 18 | Jun 1 - Jun 18 | $3,799 | $3,899 | $4,199 |
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| September 21 | October 8 | Sep 21 - Oct 8 | $3,599 | $3,699 | $3,999 |
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| October 12 | October 29 | Oct 12 - Oct 29 | $3,599 | $3,699 | $3,999 |
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| October 19 | November 5 | Oct 19 - Nov 5 | $3,599 | $3,699 | $3,999 |
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| November 2 | November 19 | Nov 2 - Nov 19 | $3,499 | $3,599 | $3,899 |
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Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Mar. & Jun. 2022 Departures: Single room supplement is $949.
Apr. – May & Nov. 2022 Departures: Single room supplement is $999.
Sep. – Oct. 2022 Departures: Single room supplement is $1,099.
NEW YORK DEPARTURES: add $150 if departing from New York (JFK).
MS JENNA CABIN UPGRADES:
Rates are based on included Superior Cabin with private balcony. Upgrade to higher category cabins:
- Junior Suite, Observation or Bridge Deck with private balcony: add $549 per person
- Shangri-La Suite, Promenade Deck Deck with private balcony (on request): add $1,499 per person
MS JENNA AMENITIES PACKAGE UPGRADE: add $110 per person
Visit our featured accommodations section and click on the MS Jenna for more information
China visa fee is not included.
For more information on this tour, please contact us here or call us during business hours (Mon-Fri, 9:00am – 5:30pm EST) at 800-337-7773.
Reservations and Payments
Reservations can be made by phone (1-800-337-7773) and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the time of reservation. Deposits are $99 per person for all 2021 departures, and $300 per person for all 2022 departures. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Baggage fees may apply. Space and prices subject to availability. Please see the smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete booking information.
Optional Tours Customize your trip with these optional tours.
Pricing is subject to change. Payment (non-refundable) should be made by cash or credit card (VISA, MasterCard or AmEx, subject to service charge).
Featured Accommodations
Before You Depart
COVID-19 UPDATE
Departing the U.S.: For the safety of everyone in the group, smarTours has implemented some COVID-19 travel requirements which apply to all tours regardless of destination. To learn more, click here.
Returning to the U.S.: In accordance with U.S. entry requirements, smarTours will arrange testing for the group in destination. Full details and requirements can be accessed here. More details including cost will be added when available.
Note: If you are traveling with us on a land-only basis please share your travel plans with us and let us know if you will also need to be tested with the rest of the group.
Please note entry requirements are changing rapidly. For up-to-date information, please click the links below.
- Entry requirements
- State Department Travel Advisory Updates (China, Hong Kong)
- Center for Disease Control Updates & Information (China, Hong Kong)
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Your departure flights from the U.S. and back are on China Eastern Airlines. You are expected to arrive at your gateway airport no later than 3½ hours before your scheduled departure time.
Please make sure to allow sufficient time for clearing immigration and customs if you are planning a connecting domestic flight. We recommend at least 3½ hours. Please keep in mind that flight schedules are always subject to change.
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Departure Date |
Airline | LAX | JFK | ||
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Depart |
Return |
Depart |
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| 2022: All Dates | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
ADVANCE SEAT ASSIGNMENT
China Eastern Airlines does not assign seats in advance. Seat assignments can only be arranged at the airport upon check-in, and smarTours is not involved with assigning seats. If you have a preferred seating choice, please make sure you check-in for your flight as early as possible.
LAND-ONLY TRAVELERS
International flights to/from the U.S. are not included. Land-only travelers are responsible for arranging the entry and exit flights, as well as their arrival and departure transfers. smarTours cannot be held responsible for any damage caused by air schedule changes and delays. Unused land services are non-refundable.
Main Tour: Land-only services start upon independent check-in at Shanghai hotel on Day 2 of the itinerary listed on the tour page. Land-only services end after breakfast at Hong Kong hotel on Day 18 of the itinerary listed on the tour page. Please note that smarTours will provide the invitation letters for the specific dates of our tour. If you plan on arriving earlier or staying in the country after the end of our tour, you will be responsible for securing your own invitation letter for the extra time spent in the country.
PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION
Travel to China requires a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. American citizens require a visa to enter China. Non-U.S. citizens should check with their respective consulates as to the most current visa requirements to all their travel destinations. Passengers traveling to China need to have individual visas stamped in their passports. To obtain an individual visa for China, please follow one of the following:
If you prefer to apply for your visa directly with the Chinese Consulate, you will have to apply in person. Chinese Consulates do not accept mailed-in visa applications. Please contact the Chinese Consulate nearest your area for visa requirements and application forms and fees.
If you do not reside close to a consulate, we suggest that you use a visa service to facilitate the processing of the visa. We recommend using CIBT. Please use the following link to download instructions and forms at http://www.cibt.com/home.aspx?Login=50002.
If you do not have access to a computer, and you are not able to apply for your visa in person, please contact CIBT to have a form mailed to you. If you plan to use the services of CIBT and have any questions regarding the application, please call them directly at 800-406-1523.
We recommend that you apply for the visa in person or through CIBT, at least 45-50 days before your scheduled departure to China. If you apply earlier, your visa may expire by the time you are scheduled to take your trip!
PLEASE NOTE: An invitation letter addressed to the Chinese Consulate will be e-mailed to you approximately 50 days prior to your departure date. This invitation letter will include the addresses and telephone numbers of the hotels and land operator in China. You will need to print this invitation and present it with your China visa application. When you send us your final payment, please make sure you provide us with your correct e-mail address on your tour registration form. Also, please note that visa procedures may change at any time. You should check directly with the consulate, or if using CIBT online at www.cibt.com, for the most up-to-date instructions before submitting your paperwork. Please remember that it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary travel documents before the trip.
TICKETS AND FINAL DOCUMENTS
Your airline tickets along with final instructions and additional travel tips will be sent to you 7–10 days before the scheduled departure of your tour. Please make sure to advise us in case your address changes.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Immunizations are not currently required. However, you may wish to consult your personal physician or local public health authorities about their suggestions.
CLIMATE
You may expect temperatures averaging in the 50s in March and November; 60s in April; 60s and 70s in May, September and October; and 80s in June through August. Hong Kong temperatures are warmer.
NON-INCLUDED MEALS
The hotels on this tour offer dining choices ranging from cafes/coffee shops to specialty restaurants. Average cost for dinner (excluding drinks) at a coffee shop is about $15–$20 per person. Your hotel will accept credit cards for your non-included meals.
CREDIT CARDS AND LOCAL CURRENCY
Hotels and some stores accept major credit cards. However, for “street shopping” you will need local currency or U.S. Dollars. Your hotels will be able to exchange cash to local currency. It is recommended that you bring along cash in small denominations.
BAGGAGE
Each passenger may bring one piece of checked-in luggage (suitcase) max. 44 pounds, and one carry-on not exceeding 18”x10”x8”. We recommend that you do not overpack and that you take a variety of casual separates with climate and comfort in mind.