Wonders of China & the Yangtze River
$5,129.00
From $5,129* pp | 15 Days • 34 Meals *Rate is per person, land only, double occupancy.
Experience China’s marvels, and tour the ancient, modern, rural and cosmopolitan on a journey featuring a scenic cruise along the Yangtze River.
- Take your seat at an amazing acrobatics show.
- Discover the treasures of the Shanghai Museum, spanning China’s rich history.
- All aboard the Mag Lev train – reach speeds over 260 miles per hour!
- Meet a Chinese calligraphy master and learn how to write using this ancient art.
Discover the Lifeblood of China
Experience China’s marvels, ancient and modern, rural and cosmopolitan, on this fantastic 16-day tour that features a relaxing 4-night upstream cruise of the Yangtze River. Float by the dramatic scenery of the Three Gorges and steep cliffs of the Qutang Gorge. Explore the booming city of Shanghai, including Yuyuan Garden. Marvel at an acrobatic show. Stand before the 8,000 warriors in the life-size terracotta army in Xian. Interact with China’s national treasure at the Panda Breeding Sanctuary. Try your hand at the art of Chinese calligraphy and take a tai chi lesson. Discover for yourself the mysterious Forbidden City and the immense Tiananmen Square. Walk a section of the Great Wall, tour the old, narrow streets of Beijing by rickshaw and share lunch with a local family in their Hutong home.
INCLUSIONS
Accommodation
Meals as per itinerary
Tour guide
Activities as stated
Please note: Accommodation is subject to change.
EXCLUSIONS
Flights
Meals not indicated on the itinerary
Drinks
Optional activities
Visas
Comprehensive travel insurance
Items of a personal nature – laundry, telephone, room service
Tips and gratuities
Itinerary
Your tour opens in booming Shanghai, the economic capital of the People’s Republic of China. This bustling city’s futuristic skyline will leave you speechless.
High 27° Low 21° 
Shanghai Mingde Grand Hotel
Ease your way into the local culture as your Tour Manager shares a few key phrases of the native language. Then, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Shanghai. Set out for the waterfront district, known as the Bund, which runs along the Huangpu River. Famous for its impressive colonial buildings, you’ll feel as though you have stepped back into 19th-century Europe. Explore Old Town’s narrow streets and relax in the tranquil Yuyuan Garden. Enjoy lunch at a celebrated local restaurant known for its xiao long bao soup dumplings. Get to know your fellow travellers at a welcome dinner before enjoying an amazing acrobatics show.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner High 27° Low 21° Shanghai Mingde Grand Hotel
Day 3. Shanghai
Discover the treasures of the Shanghai Museum, home to artefacts that span China’s rich history. Visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center and view the centrepiece of the museum, a vast scale model of Shanghai as it will look in 2020. The afternoon is yours to explore as you wish.
Breakfast High 27° Low 21° Shanghai Mingde Grand Hotel
Day 4. Shanghai – Yichang – Board Cruise Ship
Visit a silk factory and learn how artisans create this luxurious fabric. All aboard the Mag Lev train where magnetic levitation technology allows you to reach speeds over 260 miles per hour! Next, board your flight to Hubei province. Touching down in Yichang, embark your ship for a 4-night upstream Yangtze River cruise.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner High 18° Low 9° Wendy Wu
Begin your day with a tai chi lesson on the sundeck. Sail into dramatic Xiling Gorge, the longest section of the Three Gorges. Discover the state-of-the-art site of the Three Gorges Dam. The dam, inside the first of the three gorges, is the world’s largest hydroelectric project. Tonight, enjoy the Captain’s welcome dinner and cabaret.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner High 21° Low 17° Victoria Cruises
Day 6. Cruising – Shennong Stream – Wu Gorge – Qutang Gorge
Take in the tranquil surroundings on a ride up the remote Shennong Stream in traditional pea boats. Upon returning to your ship, enjoy the majestic vistas as you sail through Wu Gorge, well-known for its 12 forest-covered peaks. This afternoon, be amazed as you sail by the dramatic steep cliffs that surround the Qutang Gorge.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner High 21° Low 17° Victoria Cruises
Day 7. Cruising – Shibaozhai
Arrive at Shibaozhai, an imposing hill along the banks of the Yangtze River. Adorning the hill is a 9-story red pagoda where you can climb the stairs to the top of Shibaozhai, the perfect place to take in the view of the river and surrounding area.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner High 21° Low 17° Victoria Cruises
Day 8. Chongqing – Disembark Cruise Ship – Chengdu
Disembark this morning in the mountain city of Chongqing and travel to Chengdu, the capital of the Sichuan Province. Spend time on your own strolling through its ancient streets with a blend of historic and modern architecture. Come to know the leisurely lifestyle and teahouse culture that makes this city captivating. Tonight, sample the fresh, bold flavours of the local cuisine.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner High 21° Low 15° Chendgdu Tianfu Sunshine Hotel
Day 9. Chengdu
Your morning begins with a visit to the Panda Breeding Sanctuary to learn how China’s national treasure is being protected from extinction. Your guided tour allows you the rare opportunity to see the Giant Panda in its natural environment. The sanctuary is also home to the Red Panda. Enjoy an afternoon visit to Du Fu Thatched Cottage, the former home to one of China’s famous poets who was often referred to as the “Shakespeare of China.” End your day by exploring Jinli Old Street with its traditional-style buildings.
Breakfast & Lunch High 21° Low 15° Chendgdu Tianfu Sunshine Hotel
Day 10. Chengdu – Xian
This morning we fly to the ancient city of Xian, surrounded by the best-preserved city wall in China and where the illustrious Silk Road concludes. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Xian dumpling banquet.
Breakfast & Dinner High 19° Low 11° Xian Grand New World
Day 11. Xian
Today, explore the incredible excavation site of the Terracotta Warriors. This vast clay army, 8,000 strong, was created to guard China’s first emperor in the afterlife. You’ll be amazed at the detail – each soldier has a different face. Lunch today is a Xian speciality – hand-pulled noodles. Tonight you may choose to enjoy an optional Tang Dynasty dinner and show, complete with Imperial cuisine.
Breakfast & Lunch High 19° Low 11° Xian Grand New World
Day 12. Xian – Beijing
This morning, fly to the capital of China – Beijing. Contemplate history during a visit to Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public spaces in the world. Next, discover the Forbidden City, an awe-inspiring 15th-century complex of palaces, courtyards and gardens that were once home to the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner High 19° Low 8° Beijing Zhongle Six Star Hotel
Day 13. The Great Wall
Discover the Great Wall, China’s legendary landmark. Live out a lifelong dream as you visit the picturesque Juyongguan section to walk along this celebrated structure. Next, visit a jade workshop to learn how local artists create these masterpieces. On your way back to Beijing, relive the excitement of the 2008 Summer Olympics when you view Olympic Park, the Water Cube and the famous Bird’s Nest Stadium. Tonight, you may opt to attend the Peking Opera and explore the Donghuamen night market.
Breakfast & Lunch High 19° Low 8° Beijing Zhongle Six Star Hotel
Day 14. Beijing
Visit the Temple of Heaven where the emperor came twice each year to pray. Relax amidst the locals doing their morning exercises. Later, take a thrilling rickshaw tour through the oldest part of Beijing. With an interpreter, learn about a local family’s way of life and share lunch with them in their Hutong home. They will also teach you the art of dumpling making. Next, spend time with a Chinese calligraphy master and learn about this ancient art. Your final stop features a traditional tea ceremony. Later, enjoy a special farewell dinner including Peking Duck.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner High 19° Low 8° Beijing Zhongle Six Star Hotel
Day 15. Beijing – Tour Ends
Breakfast
- China is 12 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (13 hours during Daylight Saving Time).
- No significant elevation is encountered.
- The currency in China is known as Renminbi Yuan (RMB).
- China generally uses AC 220 volts.
- Why not consider a pre and post tour extension. Start and end your holiday rested.
September 2017.
Sep 6, 2017 – Sep 20, 2017 $5,149
Sep 20, 2017 – Oct 4, 2017 $5,149
Sep 27, 2017 – Oct 11 2017 $5,149
October 2017.
Oct 11, 2017 – Oct 25, 2017 $5,149
November 2017.
Nov 1, 2017 – Nov 15, 2017 $5,149