Description
The Tour
12 days/11 nights - discover the delightful scenery along the Yangtze River on this tour combining a 4-night cruise with a visit to China's must-see cities - Shanghai, Xian and Beijing. The total length of this cruise is 625km (416 miles) and is considered by most Chinese to represent the single most scenic area in all of China. Centuries of poetry, essays and paintings have instilled a great reverence for the region.
Day 1: London - Shanghai
Fly overnight from Heathrow to Shanghai with Virgin Atlantic.
Day 2: Shanghai
Transfer to the Holiday Inn Vista for 2 nights. Rest of the day is at leisure. (D)
Day 3: Shanghai
Enjoy a full-day private city tour today - the sights include Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, the Bund and Xintiandi. (B/L)
Day 4: Shanghai - Yichang
Morning at leisure, then transfer to Shanghai airport for your flight to Yichang. Transfer to the port at Yichang where you will board the Orient Royal Cruise (East King or East Queen) for your pre-cruise night. This evening, enjoy dinner on board. (B/D)
Day 5: Cruising on the Yangtze
Depart at approx 8.00am. Pass the east part of Xiling Gorge, famous for its strangely shaped cliff faces. After lunch, enjoy an afternoon shore excursion at the Three Gorges Dam Project. (B/L/D)
Day 6: Cruising on the Yangtze
Pass through the west part of Xiling Gorge this morning and enjoy a shore excursion at Shennong Stream. Pass through Wu Gorge, home of the Wu Mountains, and experience a landscape of dazzling peaks and rocks. Later this afternoon, pass through Qutang Gorge, where the river carves its way between overhanging mountains on both sides. (B/L/D)
Day 7: Cruising on the Yangtze
After breakfast, enjoy a shore excursion to Shibaozhai - a gem of Chinese architecture. Alternatively, the shore excursion may visit Wanzhou or Fengdu. (B/L/D)
Day 8: Chongqing - Xian
After breakfast, the cruise ship arrives into Chongqing port at approx 9.00am. After disembarkation, enjoy a city tour with lunch before transferring to Chongqing airport for your flight to Xian. Transfer to the Grand New World Hotel for 2 nights. (B/L/D)
Day 9: Xian
Enjoy a full-day excursion to the Terracotta Warriors, Wild Goose Pagoda and Grand Mosque. (B/L)
Day 10: Xian - Beijing
After breakfast, visit the Yangling Han Tomb Museum, then transfer to Xian airport for your flight to Beijing. Transfer to the Novotel Xinqiao for 3 nights. Afternoon visit to the Temple of Heaven. (B/D)
Day 11: Beijing - Great Wall
Today a full-day excursion includes a visit to the Great Wall and Ming Tombs. (B/L)
Day 12: Beijing
After breakfast, embark upon a full-day excursion to the Summer Palace and the Forbidden City. (B/L)
Day 13: Beijing - London
Transfer to Beijing airport for your Air China flight to London Heathrow. (B)
Tour Notes
- Tour operates with a minimum of 6 people.
- Please note that the cruising itinerary is subject to change.
- There is no special dress code on board the cruise ship.
- Domestic flight tickets from Shanghai to Yichang, Chongqing to Xian and Xian to Beijing will be provided on arrival in Shanghai.
2008 departure dates (from the UK)
23, 30 Mar; 13, 27 Apr; 11, 25 May; 15 Jun; 13 Jul; 07, 21 Sep; 05, 19 Oct; 02 Nov.
2009 departure dates (from the UK) Please call for details.