Track the Yangtze Flyway’s rarest birds on a luxury river cruise, while uncovering the hidden cultural gems of China’s great river—from Shanghai’s bustle to Sichuan’s wilds.
Overview
Track the Yangtze Flyway’s rarest birds on a luxury river cruise, while uncovering the hidden cultural gems of China’s great river—from Shanghai’s bustle to Sichuan’s wilds.
Trip Highlights
- Yangtze River Cruise
- Shanghai city, the Bund
- Nanjing East Road
- Zhujiajiao Water Town
- French Concession
- Reed Parrotbill
- Wuyuan ancient villages
- Pied Falconet
- Blue-Crowned Laughingthrush
- China’s “Porcelain Capital.” Jingdezhen
- Jiujiang city
- Baer's Pochard
- Wuhan city
- Yellow-Crane Pavilian
- Yichang-Chongqing Cruise
- Chengdu City Tour (Giant Panda)
Itinerary
The tour covers most of the famous historical cities along the Yangzte river and the most rare species in or nearby these cities, starting from Shanghai, then finishing in Chengdu
Explore Shanghai’s blend of ancient heritage and modern glamour, from cultural relics to iconic skylines.
- Morning: Hotel pickup at 8:00 am, followed by a traditional Shanghai-style breakfast at a local eatery. From 10:00 am to 11:30 am, choose between two options:
- Visit the Shanghai Museum East Pavilion, home to over 130,000 cultural relics (ceramics, jade, calligraphy, and bronze works) – ideal for history enthusiasts.
- Admire a panoramic city view from the observation deck of a modern skyscraper in Pudong, showcasing Shanghai’s striking skyline.
- Afternoon: Lunch at a popular local restaurant from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, featuring freshly prepared Cantonese dim sum and regional specialties. From 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm, browse souvenirs and local products at the Shanghai Pudong Souvenir Market. Then, visit Yu Garden from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm – a masterpiece of Ming-dynasty garden design with elegant pavilions, arched bridges, and tranquil ponds. Afterward, enjoy a traditional Chinese tea ceremony nearby and explore the adjacent small commodity market.
Evening: Dinner from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm at a local restaurant specializing in traditional Shanghai cuisine (e.g., braised pork belly, sweet-and-sour spare ribs, and tofu with crab roe). From 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, embark on a night sightseeing tour, visiting Chenghuang Temple, the Bund (lined with colonial-era buildings and offering views of Pudong’s futuristic skyline), and Nanjing East Road (a bustling shopping street). Return to the hotel at 9:00 pm
Discover Shanghai’s spiritual side, ancient water towns, and historic foreign concessions.
- Morning: Hotel pickup at 8:00 am, followed by dim sum breakfast in a traditional Shanghai teahouse. Visit Jing’an Temple from 9:00 am to 10:00 am – a serene Buddhist temple in the city center, renowned for its golden rooftop and peaceful atmosphere.
- Afternoon: Travel to Zhujiajiao Water Town from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Enjoy a canal boat ride and lunch at a local farmhouse restaurant serving rustic Jiangnan dishes. The town is famous for its narrow canals, stone bridges, and architecture from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Return to the city at 3:00 pm and stroll through Xintiandi and the historic French Concession until 6:00 pm, admiring European-style buildings, relaxing in cozy cafes, or browsing boutique shops.
- Evening: Dinner from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, with options ranging from Sichuan hotpot and Chinese seafood to modern fusion cuisine. Return to the hotel at 7:30 pm.
A day dedicated to birdwatching in Shanghai’s natural habitats, focusing on rare and migratory species.
• Morning: Drive to Nanhui for birdwatching, with primary targets including the Reed Parrotbill and Marsh Grassbird; various shorebirds may also be spotted.
• Afternoon: Continue birdwatching to spot migratory species such as flycatchers Warblers, thrushes. Overnight at a hotel near the train station.
Travel to Wuyuan and explore its ancient villages, known for traditional architecture and rural charm.
- Morning: Take a high-speed train from Shanghai to Wuyuan (approximately 4 hours), arriving around lunchtime. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Visit the Blue-Crowned Laughingthrush site and the ancient villages nearby. Overnight in Wuyuan.
Birdwatching in Wuyuan, followed by a trip to Jingdezhen, China’s “Porcelain Capital.”
- Morning: Go birdwatching, with a focus on spotting the Pied Falconet.
Afternoon: Drive to Jingdezhen. Explore the city’s porcelain workshops, markets, and studios – a deep dive into China’s renowned ceramic heritage. Overnight in Jingdezhen
Drive to Jiujiang, Passing through north of Poyang Lake, in search of a very rare duck species here, the Baer's Porchard. Take the high-speed train to Wuhan in the afternoon
Visit the famous Yellow-crane Tower in the morning, then transfer to Yichang in the evening to get on Cruise Ship. Night on Cruise Ship.
A multi-day cruise along the Yangtze River, go through the world-famous Three-Gorge Dam, taking in scenic landscapes, historic sites, and the river’s natural beauty.
Explore Chongqing’s unique architecture, historic districts, and vibrant urban culture.
• Morning: Meet the guide at the hotel lobby at 9:00 am. First, visit Liziba Monorail Station from 9:30 am to 9:45 am to witness the iconic design where the monorail passes through a building. Then, explore Ciqikou Old Town from 9:45 am to 10:45 am – wander its old streets, try local snacks, and experience its historic charm.
• Afternoon: Stroll through Eling Park and/or a nearby cultural and creative zone around 11:15 am. Have lunch afterward. From 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, visit the Three Gorges Museum to explore the region’s history and culture. From 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm, walk through Jiefangbei Square – a symbol of Chongqing, surrounded by a bustling commercial district with shops and snack streets.
• Evening: Dine at a local restaurant. After dinner, opt for a night cruise on the Yangtze River or Jialing River to admire the city’s illuminated buildings and bridges, creating a spectacular nighttime panorama
Chengdu City Tour, Visit to Kuanzhai Alleys
Highlights: Wander through well-preserved Qing Dynasty courtyards . Explore main streets for local snacks (san da pao, sugar-fried chestnuts) and side lanes for quiet photo ops .
Cultural Touch: Experience traditional Sichuan folk arts like face-changing (bian lian) or ear cleaning.
Visiting to Dongjiao Memory (Cultural & Creative Park)
Highlights: Explore a revitalized industrial site with graffiti walls, art galleries, and cozy cafes . Capture photos with vintage factory equipment and enjoy the city’s youthful vibe.
Alternative: For history lovers, swap for Wuhou Shrine (memorial to Zhuge Liang) to dive into Three Kingdoms culture .
Lesure Walking to Chunxi Road & Taikoo Li
Highlights: Take photos with the famous "Climbing Panda" sculpture at IFS. Stroll through Taikoo Li, where modern luxury stores blend with traditional courtyard architecture .
Relaxation: Grab coffee at a boutique café or browse local handicraft shops.
Trying Sichuan Hot Pot for Dinner.
Visit Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Centor in the morning, then take the international flight home.
The tour can extend to visit the whole Sichuan Province to see more bird species, Sichuan is No.1 bird hotspot in China, the province has recorded more than 700 species of birds, more details of birding in Sichuan, please check : Sichuan - China Birding Tours
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- All Meals – Local cuisine served at authentic local restaurants
- Accommodation – Premium-standard hotels in urban areas; Premium hotel room on Cruise
- All Local Ground Transportation – Daily-use private car/van, transfers: high-speed trains or flights (where required for the trip) will be arranged via the most convenient routes
- Professional Tour Guide – English-speaking cultural/bird guide in each city/destination
- All Entrance Fees – Covering all birdwatching sites and scenic spots included in the itinerary
- Daily Refreshments – Complimentary drinking water, tea, coffee, and fresh fruits
Cost Excludes
- International/Domestic Flights – Arrival flights to the tour’s starting city(Shanghai) and departure flights from the tour’s concluding city (Chengdu)
- Alcoholic Beverages – All alcoholic drinks
- Travel Insurance – Comprehensive travel insurance coverage (including trip cancellation, medical, and personal accident insurance)
- Service Gratuities – Tips for the birding guide and drivers (a suggested daily gratuity amount will be provided based on the size of the group)







