China Highlights

Begin your day with your daily hotel buffet breakfast, featuring a large selection of Asian and Western cuisine. You will then set out with your trip leader to visit the famous Beijing Zoo to see China’s national treasures – the loveable Giant Pandas. Afterwards you will continue the tour with a visit to Tiananmen Square, one of the largest and grandest public plazas in the world. Enter the imposing walls of the Forbidden City, once the exclusive domain of the Ming Dynasty, for an extensive tour through this vast complex. Experience a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony while sampling China’s locally-favoured brews at a Tea House. Return to your hotel in the evening, relax and refresh or enjoy an optional evening performance – Kung Fu Legend, before this evening’s meal of Peking Duck.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you will learn about Jade, China’s most precious and celebrated stone, and its manufacturing process at the largest Jade factory in Beijing. Afterwards, you will travel into the rugged mountain landscapes north of the city to the magnificent Great Wall of China. Once on top of this ancient defensive structure, you’ll find that some sections may be quite steep, but the views are magnificent and the experience is truly unforgettable. You will then visit the 2008 Olympic Games sites including the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube. Return to the city and enjoy your evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today is a leisure day, and you are free to explore the city on your own. You may choose to explore the Summer Palace, ranked amongst the World Heritage Sites in 1998 by UNESCO. The palace radiates beauty and the grandeur of the royal gardens need to been seen to be believed. You also have the option to join the Hutong Tour and explore the Hutong neighbourhood, one of Beijing’s rapidly disappearing traditional districts, on a rickshaw. In the evening you will board a soft sleeper overnight train and travel to Xi’an.

Meals: Breakfast

During your first day in Xi’an you will visit the Wild Goose Pagoda. The temple was originally used by a large team of scholars to translate the Buddhism Scriptures into Chinese and subsequently became a holy place for pilgrims. You will then have time to visit the Provincial Museum, which documents China’s archaeological finds which date back to the Neolithic Age (20000 years ago), all the way to the dynasties from 980 AD. In the evening, you may choose to join the optional evening entertainment – Tang Dynasty Dance Performance.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today you may enjoy a morning of leisure to explore the ancient city of Xi’an. For a period of more than 1,000 years Xi’an served as China’s capital city and as such, is home to a great number of precious relics and historical sites. You may choose to join our optional tour to visit the Terracotta Warriors and Moslem Street. The Terracotta Warriors Site is considered the eighth wonder of the world and was discovered by accident in 1974. You will see the army of over 7000 soldiers, archers, horses and chariots that has guarded Emperor Qin’s tomb since 210BC. Each figure is unique and the painstaking repair and evacuation continues to this day. After lunch, walk through the famous Moslem Street, where many souvenirs and delicious local snacks can be sampled.

Meals: Breakfast

Today, you will be transferred to the airport for you flight to Shanghai, China’s vibrant financial and artistic centre. Upon arrival you will be met by your tour guide and begin a tour of the city. You will visit the Shanghai Nanjing walking district and the Shanghai Museum to learn more about Shanghai’s local culture and history. In the evening, enjoy some leisure time or choose to join the optional Huangpu River Cruise. A cruise along the Huangpu River gives visitors an opportunity to see many of Shanghai’s famous sites such as the People’s Hero Monument, the Bund, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the bustling International Passenger Station of Shanghai Harbour, the docks, the Wusong ancient gun fort relics and the dramatic skyline of the Pudong business district.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Early morning you will be dropped to the train station for train to Yichang. It is a speed / bullet train departs Shanghai around 0700h and reaches Yichang at around 1520h (timings are subject to change). Upon arrival, you will embark the cruise ship and commence your memorable 4-night cruise down the Yangtze River.

Meals: Breakfast

Today’s activities include; a morning Tai Chi lesson and a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Site. The Three Gorges Dam Site is one of the largest construction projects undertaken by mankind and is the biggest hydropower project in the world. This evening you will return to the ship and attend the Captain’s Welcome Banquet and enjoy the evening entertainment with a Chinese dancing ball.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you will enjoy a shore excursion to Lesser Three Gorges – a shinning pearl hidden in remote mountains. They are much smaller, narrower and are surrounded by dramatic scenery. Along the Yangtze River you will appreciate the beauty of the Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge and visit the ancient plank road, Mengliang Stairway and the Hanging Coffins. You will land at Badong and travel to the Shennong Stream via a small wooden boat. You will then return to the ship and continue sailing into the western section of Xiling Gorge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you will enjoy your final shore excursion to the legendary Shibaozhai, which has a history of over 400 years. The literal translation of Shibaozhai is ‘Precious Stone Fortress’, as the red stone pavilion was built against the side of a 200 metre tall hill. The 9 story red pavilion was constructed in 1819 to allow people to reach the Buddhist temple at the very top. Prior to its construction, people reached its peak using a system of chains. In the evening you will enjoy the Farewell Dinner and pack your bags in preparation to disembark the cruise ship tomorrow.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning you will disembark the cruise ship in the magnificent city of Chongqing. After checking into your hotel you may choose to spend a day of leisure exploring the city.

Meals: Breakfast

Your last day on tour will be spent visiting the Panda House in Chongqing Zoo. Afterwards, you will visit the Ciqikou Village – an historical street with buildings in the Ming and Qing architectural style. Afterwards you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home or you may choose to extend your stay and continue to explore the mesmerising cities of China. We hope you enjoyed your journey to China with us!

Meals: Breakfast