China Tours - Yangtze Essence 10 Days tour |
Along the Yangtze River 15 Days
Discover the mighty Yangtze River in comfort and style aboard the 5 star Victoria Prince, specially configured for sailing the world's third largest river. Cruise 7 nights on a leisurely journey exploring the historic and beautiful sights, from small local villages to ancient Chinese cities such as Wuhan and Nanjing; from the natural wonders of the awe-inspiring Yangtze Three Gorges and Yellow Mountains to the man-made wonder of the incredible Three Gorges Dam Project. |
Day 1: BeijingUpon arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2: Beijing
Explore the courtyards and palaces of the Forbidden City, once the exclusive enclave of Ming Dynasty emperors. Full day tour also includes the Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square ¨C where you meet with a master kite maker and try your hand at this traditional pastime. Ride a rickshaw through a Hutong, one of Beijing's old Chinese settlements, then visit a primary school and meet with a resident family to learn about life in this rapidly changing city. This evening, gather for a Peking Duck Dinner.
Explore the courtyards and palaces of the Forbidden City, once the exclusive enclave of Ming Dynasty emperors. Full day tour also includes the Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square ¨C where you meet with a master kite maker and try your hand at this traditional pastime. Ride a rickshaw through a Hutong, one of Beijing's old Chinese settlements, then visit a primary school and meet with a resident family to learn about life in this rapidly changing city. This evening, gather for a Peking Duck Dinner.
Day 3: BeijingExperience the thrill of walking on the Great Wall, an ancient fortification that stretches for thousands of miles across the rugged mountains north of Beijing. Then visit the Ming Tombs, burial site of 13 Chinese emperors.
Day 4: Beijing / XianVisit the Summer Palace, a tranquil retreat with lakes, gardens and pavilions ¨C once the summer home of China's emperors. Then transfer to the airport for your flight to Xian, China's ancient capital for 13 Dynasties. This evening, enjoy a Dinner Show featuring song and dance of the Tang Dynasty.
Day 5: Xian
The Terra Cotta Army is China's most important archaeological site, where thousands of life-sized warriors and horses have been uncovered amazingly real in detail and buried 2,000 years ago to guard the tomb of China's first emperor. This evening, enjoy a dinner of savory dumplings, a regional culinary specialty.
The Terra Cotta Army is China's most important archaeological site, where thousands of life-sized warriors and horses have been uncovered amazingly real in detail and buried 2,000 years ago to guard the tomb of China's first emperor. This evening, enjoy a dinner of savory dumplings, a regional culinary specialty.
Day 6: Xian / ChongqingVisit the ancient fortress walls of the city, with an optional bike ride atop the walls. Later, fly to Chongqing and enjoy a brief tour, including the Panda Hall at the Zoo.
Day 7: Embark Victoria Prince / Cruising / Fengdu
Following breakfast, board the Victoria Prince to begin your 7-day odyssey down the legendary Yangtze River. This afternoon's excursion explores the famous "Ghost City" of Fengdu. Numerous temples, some dating to the 14th century, feature fantastic carvings and depictions of spirits and beings from the "Underworld" of Chinese mythologies.
Following breakfast, board the Victoria Prince to begin your 7-day odyssey down the legendary Yangtze River. This afternoon's excursion explores the famous "Ghost City" of Fengdu. Numerous temples, some dating to the 14th century, feature fantastic carvings and depictions of spirits and beings from the "Underworld" of Chinese mythologies.
Day 8: Cruising / Three Gorges and Lesser GorgesCruise through the most dramatic scenery along the Yangtze River. First is Qutang Gorge, the narrowest and most spectacular of the Three Gorges. Later, small motorized boats take you up the Daning River through the picturesque Lesser Gorges, spectacular canyons dotted with the sites of ancient hanging coffins. Later, the ship cruises Wu Gorge, passing by the famous Goddess Peak. During dinner the ship is scheduled to enter the ship locks of the Three Gorges Dam.
Day 9: Cruising / Three Gorges Dam
This morning's excursion visits the Three Gorges Dam Site to learn about this extraordinary engineering feat and its impact on China and the 1.5 million people displaced by the project. Cruising continues through the afternoon, with a variety of educational lectures and entertainment on board.
This morning's excursion visits the Three Gorges Dam Site to learn about this extraordinary engineering feat and its impact on China and the 1.5 million people displaced by the project. Cruising continues through the afternoon, with a variety of educational lectures and entertainment on board.
Day 10: Cruising / Wuhan
Visit the Hubei Provincial Museum, known for an outstanding collection of ancient artifacts excavated from a 2,400 year-old tomb. On display are musical instruments, lacquer ware, bronze vessels, and gold and jade decorative objects. Upon returning to ship, set sail for Mt. Huangshan.
Visit the Hubei Provincial Museum, known for an outstanding collection of ancient artifacts excavated from a 2,400 year-old tomb. On display are musical instruments, lacquer ware, bronze vessels, and gold and jade decorative objects. Upon returning to ship, set sail for Mt. Huangshan.
Day 11: Cruising / Mt. HuangshanA full day excursion to Mt. Huangshan, the most famous and perhaps most beautiful of China's legendary mountain peaks. A 10 minute cable car ride ascends 3,800 feet to the summit. Enjoy breathtaking vistas of ancient pine forests, unusual stone formations and craggy mountain peaks. Return to ship for dinner and overnight cruising to Nanjing. (Jiuhuanshan, "Mountain of Nine Lotuses" may be substituted if weather and road conditions do not permit travel to Huangshan).
Day 12: Cruising / NanjingNanjing is an ancient city that traces its origins to 472 B.C. Today, it's a vibrant and growing metropolis, the capital of Jiangsu Province. A full day tour includes the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and the Confucius Temple, a holy shrine to this ancient philosopher. En route to the temple, explore the bustling bazaar of stores and cafes housed in traditional Qing Dynasty shop-houses.
Day 13: Arrive ShanghaiDisembark from the ship and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon sightseeing explores the Bund - Shanghai's grand waterfront boulevard, and the historic French Concession, and the Urban Planning Hall. This evening, thrill to the feats of Shanghai's famed Acrobats.
Day 14: Shanghai
Today is at leisure to explore on your own.
Today is at leisure to explore on your own.
Day 15 ¨C Depart Shanghai
Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight or extend your stay in Guilin or Hong Kong
Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight or extend your stay in Guilin or Hong Kong
All Departures Are Guaranteed
15 Days from $2,649 Land Only Cabin with Balcony
15 Days from $2,649 Land Only Cabin with Balcony
| Depart | Return | Per Person Double | Single | |
| Apr 24 | May 08 | $2,649 | $4,289 | |
| May 08 | May 22 | $2,849 | $4,489 | |
| May 22 | Jun 05 | $2,849 | $4,489 | |
| Jun 19 | Jul 03 | $2,649 | $4,289 | |
| Jul 17 | Jul 31 | $2,649 | $4,289 | |
| Sep 11 | Sep 25 | $2,899 | $4,539 | |
| Sep 25 | Oct 09 | $2,899 | $4,539 | |
| Oct 09 | Oct 23 | $2,899 | $4,539 | |
| Oct 23 | Nov 06 | $2,899 | $4,539 | |
| Nov 06 | Nov 20 | $2,899 | $4,539 |
