Great China & Avatar Mountains & Yangtze River City Tour with Turkish Airlines for 16 Days 2027

DAY 1: ISTANBUL – BEIJING

The Beginning of the Great Journey and the First Step into China Our Far East adventure begins with our meeting at the Tourism counter at Istanbul Airport on the night of March 24 at 23:00. We depart at 02:05 on Turkish Airlines’ comfortable TK 088 flight. After an approximately 9-hour journey above the clouds, we land in the giant metropolis of Beijing at 16:15 local time. We proceed to our hotel with our private luxury vehicle waiting for us at the airport.

Evening Delight: After the long journey, we say hello to Chinese cuisine by having our first dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Beijing Guangxi Hotel 4 or similar.* (Comfortable rooms close to the city center).

DAY 2: BEIJING

Imperial Splendor: The Forbidden City and the Echo of Heaven After a rich breakfast at our hotel, we set off toward the heart of Beijing.

Tiananmen Square: In this area, the world’s largest city square, we see Mao Zedong’s mausoleum and the massive government buildings, witnessing China’s recent history.

Forbidden City (Gugong): This vast UNESCO World Heritage complex hosted 24 emperors for 500 years. As you walk among the gold-roofed pavilions of the palace, said to have 9,999 rooms, you will feel as if you are in a period film.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant prepared with fresh vegetables and traditional cooking techniques.

Temple of Heaven (Tiantan): This architectural masterpiece, where emperors offered sacrifices to the gods for a good harvest, will enchant you with its sky-blue roof built without nails. Watching the local people doing their morning exercises in its garden will be one of the most natural moments of the tour.

Accommodation: Beijing Guangxi Hotel 4 or similar.*

DAY 3: BEIJING

In the Footsteps of Legends: The Great Wall and the Summer Palace Today we go to one of the world’s seven wonders, the massive defensive line said to be visible from space.

Great Wall of China (Mutianyu): In the best-preserved and most scenic section of the wall, we climb the thousands-year-old towers stretching among green hills. The photos you take here will be among the most unforgettable memories of your trip.

Lunch: A meal break at an authentic restaurant at the foot of the wall, serving local flavors.

Summer Palace (Yiheyuan): This vast complex, the resting place of Empress Cixi, is famous for Kunming Lake and the "Long Corridor." Here we will see the pinnacle of Chinese garden art.

Optional Evening: With our guests who wish, we may attend the Beijing Opera or the famous Beijing Duck feast.

Accommodation: Beijing Guangxi Hotel 4 or similar.*

DAY 4: BEIJING – XIAN

High-Speed Train Delight and an Evening in the Shadow of Ancient Walls After breakfast, we transfer with our suitcases to Beijing West Railway Station.

High-Speed Train Experience: With our technological marvel train reaching speeds of 300-350 km/h, we arrive in Xian in about 4.5 - 5 hours. Along the way, you will have the chance to watch China’s rural life from the window.

Xian City Walls: We walk on China’s best-preserved and widest ancient city walls dating back to the 14th century. Guests who wish can rent bicycles on the walls (extra).

Muslim Quarter & Great Mosque: We dive into the most colorful district of Xian, the final stop of the Silk Road. Among the aromas of spices, we can taste exotic street foods and shop for souvenirs.

Lunch: After arriving in Xian, at a local restaurant where we will try the city’s famous regional varieties of dumplings.

Accommodation: Mercure on Renmin Square Xian 4 or similar.* (A prestigious stay close to the historical texture).

DAY 5: XIAN

Silent Guardians of History: The Terracotta Warriors After breakfast, we set off toward Xian’s most important and one of the world’s most astonishing archaeological sites.

Terracotta Warriors Museum: This massive underground army, accidentally discovered by a farmer in 1974, was built to protect the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. You will be amazed that each of the thousands of soldiers, horses, and chariots has different facial expressions, armor details, and hairstyles.

Lunch: After the museum visit, at a local restaurant serving regional specialties such as Xian cuisine’s "Biyang Biyang" noodles, prepared with fresh ingredients from the area.

Evening Delight: Free time in the evening among Xian’s illuminated city walls. Guests who wish may attend the famous "Tang Dynasty Dance Show."

Accommodation: Mercure on Renmin Square Xian 4 or similar.*

DAY 6: XIAN – CHANGSHA – ZHANGJIAJIE

From Speed to Nature: Arrival at Avatar’s Gate We head to Xian train station early in the morning.

High-Speed Train and Road Journey: We arrive in Changsha by our modern high-speed train. With our private vehicle waiting for us there, we continue to the Zhangjiajie region on an approximately 4-hour road journey. Along the way, we will have the chance to observe the rice fields and misty mountain villages of southern China.

Lunch: After our train journey, at a local restaurant in Changsha where we will taste the best examples of Hunan cuisine (mildly spicy and aromatic).

Accommodation: Pullman Zhangjiajie 4 or similar.* (A point where luxury and comfort meet in the heart of nature).

DAY 7: ZHANGJIAJIE

Avatar Mountains: Hallelujah Above the Clouds Today you will feel like you are inside a movie scene.

Bailong Elevator: We ascend to the top of a 326-meter steep cliff in seconds with the world’s highest and fastest outdoor elevator.

Yuanjiajie Mountains: We will see the massive quartz pillars that inspired the "Floating Mountains" in James Cameron’s Avatar film. We will cross the "First Bridge Under Heaven" and photograph this surreal view among the mists.

Lunch: Lunch on top of the mountain, prepared with region-specific herbs and vegetables, accompanied by panoramic views.

Accommodation: Pullman Zhangjiajie 4 or similar.*

DAY 8: FENGHUANG (Phoenix Town)

Where Time Stands Still: A Fairy Tale by the River Today we are in no rush. Leaving Zhangjiajie, we arrive in Fenghuang, one of China’s most enchanting ancient towns, after an approximately 3-hour journey.

Life Along the River: We drift among the houses on traditional wooden stilts (Diaojiaolou) lined along both sides of the Tuojiang River. We will see the local people’s daily life by the river, women in traditional clothing, and stone bridges.

Boat Ride: On a traditional boat tour on the river, we will have the chance to photograph the city from the water.

Lunch: A local menu prepared with Fenghuang’s famous smoked delicacies and fresh river fish at an authentic riverside restaurant.

Night Magic: When evening falls, Fenghuang turns into a jewel box. Free time under the fairy-tale reflection of the city’s lighting on the water.

Accommodation: Fenghuang Grand Hotel 4 or similar.* (Riverside accommodation).

DAY 9: FENGHUANG – CHONGQING

From Old China to Modern Chongqing and Boarding the Ship After a final walk in Fenghuang in the morning, we set off for Chongqing by our private vehicle.

Logistical Transition: When we arrive in Chongqing, China’s fastest-growing "mountain city," the city’s massive skyscrapers and river silhouette will greet us.

Lunch: On the way or upon our arrival in Chongqing, at a local restaurant famous for its spices, suited to the region’s energy.

Boarding: In the evening, we board our 5-star Yangtze Cruise ship, one of China’s most luxurious river vessels. As our suitcases are settled into our rooms, our peaceful 3-night journey on the Yangtze River begins toward midnight.

Accommodation: Yangtze Gold / President Cruise 5 or similar.*

DAY 10-11: YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

The Three Gorges and Fairy-Tale Valleys We enjoy life on the ship for two full days.

The Three Gorges (Qutang, Wu, Xiling): One of the world’s most iconic river passages. Take your place on the ship’s deck as we glide between steep cliffs and cloudy mountains.

Shore Excursions: At certain points, the ship will stop and take us by small boats to untouched valleys in the river’s narrow branches (Shennv Stream or the Lesser Three Gorges).

Meals: During the cruise, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served as a rich open buffet.

Accommodation: Yangtze River Cruise Ship.

DAY 12: YANGTZE – YICHANG – SHANGHAI

The World’s Largest Dam and Flight to Shanghai

Three Gorges Dam: Before leaving the ship, we visit the world’s largest hydroelectric power station and the massive ship elevators.

Flight: With a comfortable flight from Yichang Airport, we proceed to Shanghai, China’s center of finance and modernism.

Lunch: During the transfer, at a local restaurant featuring fresh produce from the Yichang region.

Accommodation: SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund 4 or similar.*

DAY 13: SHANGHAI

City of the Future: Paris of the East Our first full day in Shanghai.

The Bund & Yu Gardens: We tour the famous skyline created by classical European architecture and the futuristic skyscrapers on the opposite bank. Then we find peace in the Yu Gardens, the pinnacle of traditional Chinese garden art.

Lunch: At a stylish local restaurant serving the famous Shanghai dumpling (Xiaolongbao) and local flavors.

Accommodation: SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund 4 or similar.*

DAY 14: SHANGHAI

Our free day..

• Accommodation: SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund 4 or similar.*

DAY 15: SHANGHAI – ISTANBUL

Extra Shanghai Night and Farewell

Free Time and Shopping: You can shop on Nanjing Road, have a coffee break in the French Concession, or go up the Shanghai Tower and view the city from 632 meters.

Lunch: We take our last lunch in Shanghai at a gourmet local stop accompanied by our guide.

Return: Transfer to Pudong Airport in the evening. Flight to Istanbul at 23:05 on TK 027.

Overnight: On the plane.

DAY 16: ISTANBUL

Arrival at 06:05 in the morning.