Viking China Cruises: Century Sun
Century Sun Cruise itinerary from Chongqing to Nanjing
This 9-night cruise on the Yangtze all the way from Chongqing to Nanjing. You uncover the roots of Chinese civilization from Jingdezhen, birthplace of porcelain, to Mt. Jiu Hua¡¯s remote Buddhist Temple complex, to Nanjing, former capital of ancient China. This adventure is for those who want to really understand the origins of Chinese culture.
Day 1 Chongqing
You'll be welcomed by a Western dinner. (D)
You'll be welcomed by a Western dinner. (D)
Day 2 Fengdu
After a morning of scenic cruising and lunch aboard, travel from this ancient city to Snow Jade Cave where you tour this multi-level cave with its breathtaking stalactite formations. Return to your ship for dinner aboard. (B,L,D)
After a morning of scenic cruising and lunch aboard, travel from this ancient city to Snow Jade Cave where you tour this multi-level cave with its breathtaking stalactite formations. Return to your ship for dinner aboard. (B,L,D)
Day 3 Lesser Three Gorges
Eat breakfast and enjoy scenic cruising as you wind your way through the spectacular barrier of solid limestone cliffs known as the Three Gorges. Qutang Gorge is the most dramatic with peaks rising over 4,000 feet. This morning, board a smaller boat to navigate the remarkable canyons and sheer cliffs of the Lesser Three Gorges. Along the way, see archeological sites including the hanging coffins of the Ba people. Enjoy lunch at a scenic stop along the river banks. Return to your ship and cruise through Wu (Witches) Gorge, noted for its lush green mountains and the famous mist-shrouded Twelve Peaks. Dine aboard as you sail overnight. (B,L,D)
Eat breakfast and enjoy scenic cruising as you wind your way through the spectacular barrier of solid limestone cliffs known as the Three Gorges. Qutang Gorge is the most dramatic with peaks rising over 4,000 feet. This morning, board a smaller boat to navigate the remarkable canyons and sheer cliffs of the Lesser Three Gorges. Along the way, see archeological sites including the hanging coffins of the Ba people. Enjoy lunch at a scenic stop along the river banks. Return to your ship and cruise through Wu (Witches) Gorge, noted for its lush green mountains and the famous mist-shrouded Twelve Peaks. Dine aboard as you sail overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 4 Three Gorges Dam
This morning you take a behind-the-scenes tour of Three Gorges Dam, due for completion in 2009. Learn about this immense hydroelectric engineering project and how it will affect the Chinese people. As you enjoy lunch onboard, you traverse the 5-stage locks of the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest dam at 1.3 miles wide and 610 feet high. This afternoon, you sail through Xiling Gorge, noted for its narrow, looming cliffs and swirling rapids, followed by dinner aboard. (B,L,D)
This morning you take a behind-the-scenes tour of Three Gorges Dam, due for completion in 2009. Learn about this immense hydroelectric engineering project and how it will affect the Chinese people. As you enjoy lunch onboard, you traverse the 5-stage locks of the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest dam at 1.3 miles wide and 610 feet high. This afternoon, you sail through Xiling Gorge, noted for its narrow, looming cliffs and swirling rapids, followed by dinner aboard. (B,L,D)
Day 5 Jingzhou
After breakfast, visit Jingzhou, a rural village where Viking River Cruises has built an elementary school. Here, you'll be warmly greeted by the local children. Return to your ship for lunch and cruise through the night. Dinner is also served aboard. (B,L,D)
After breakfast, visit Jingzhou, a rural village where Viking River Cruises has built an elementary school. Here, you'll be warmly greeted by the local children. Return to your ship for lunch and cruise through the night. Dinner is also served aboard. (B,L,D)
Day 6 Dongting Lake
This morning, stop at Dongting Lake to visit Yue Yang Tower, a three-story wooden structure that has lonng-standing history with China's cultural community of poets and artists alike. Explore the area's beauty from the top of the tower. Return to the ship; lunch and dinner are aboard. (B,L,D)
This morning, stop at Dongting Lake to visit Yue Yang Tower, a three-story wooden structure that has lonng-standing history with China's cultural community of poets and artists alike. Explore the area's beauty from the top of the tower. Return to the ship; lunch and dinner are aboard. (B,L,D)
Day 7 Wuhan
This morning you visit Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province. Tour the Hubei Provincial Museum filled with archeological treasures including a collection of intricate bronze bells. Return to your ship for lunch. You cruise through the night with dinner served aboard. (B,L,D)
This morning you visit Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province. Tour the Hubei Provincial Museum filled with archeological treasures including a collection of intricate bronze bells. Return to your ship for lunch. You cruise through the night with dinner served aboard. (B,L,D)
Day 8 Jingdezhen
After breakfast, embark on your full-day tour, including lunch in a local restaurant and a visit to the Ceramic History Museum. Learn how ceramics were produced in ancient times and why they were significant to China's many dynasties. Return to the ship for dinner and evening departure. (B,L,D)
After breakfast, embark on your full-day tour, including lunch in a local restaurant and a visit to the Ceramic History Museum. Learn how ceramics were produced in ancient times and why they were significant to China's many dynasties. Return to the ship for dinner and evening departure. (B,L,D)
Day 9 Mt. Jiu Hua
Today you'll marvel at the tranquil beauty of Mt. Jiu Hua, one of only four sacred Buddhist mountains. After lunch, tour a number of sacared Buddhist temples here. Dinner will be served onboard as you sail through the evening. (B,L,D)
Today you'll marvel at the tranquil beauty of Mt. Jiu Hua, one of only four sacred Buddhist mountains. After lunch, tour a number of sacared Buddhist temples here. Dinner will be served onboard as you sail through the evening. (B,L,D)
Day 10 Nanjing
After breakfast, disemark. (B)
After breakfast, disemark. (B)
