This tour introduces you to china by sailing through the picturesque Three Gorges region of the Yangtze River as you travel upstream aboard a luxurious cruise ship. This tour also gives you an enhanced experience by visiting Shanghai, China’s most modern metropolis. Then discover the 6,000 life-sized Terra-cotta Warriors in Xi’an and the imperial treasures including the Forbidden City and the Great Wall in Beijing.
Itinerary
| Day 1 | London – Shanghai Depart London on a direct flight to Tokyo. |
| Day 2 | Shanghai Upon arrival into Shanghai, you will be transferred to your hotel where you will stay for the next 2 nights. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Shanghai. |
| Day 3 | Shanghai (B, L) A full-day sightseeing tour including the excellent Shanghai Museum - home to some of the most accomplished works of ancient Chinese art and cultural relics. Visit the Bund district, renowned for its arhitecutral treasures and the Yuan Garden, an oasis of peace in the heart of this bustling city. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure in Xitandi, a newly developed district with boutiques, chic bars, restaurants and entertainments. |
| Day 4 | Shanghai - Yichang (B, L) In the morning take a flight to Yichang, transferring in the afternoon to the port, where you wboard the President Prime M/V boat (5-star), the flagship of President Cruises. All cabins have private balconies. Please note that the Yangtze Cruise itinerary is subject to change without prior notification due to local conditions, Government restirctions and water levels. We regreat that these matters are beyond our control. |
| Day 5 | Yangtze Cruise (B L, D) Set sail in the morning from Yichang through the famous Three Gorges astounding rock formations, en-route vising the Three Gorges Dam. ‘The Big Dam Project’ completed in 2006 is the world’s largest electricity generating plant of any kind. |
| Day 6 | Yangtze Cruise (B, L, D) After departing Wushan or Badong, you pass through the Wu (Witches Gorges) and Qutang Gorges, disembarkling at the Shennong Lesser Gorges; a nature reserve with wild, unspoiled scenery and crystal blue waters. |
| Day 7 | Yangtze Cruise (B, L, D) Leave the port in Shongxian and sail past the historic city of Wanxian; gateway to eastern Sichuan. Finish your trip with the opportunity to visit the intriguing ‘ghost city’ of Fengdu. Rich in Chinese folklore, the city is home to sculptures of devils. The city itself is, however, undeniably beautiful and an intrinsic part of China’s unparalleled history. |
| Day 8 | Chongqing - Xi’an (B, L) Arrive in Chongqing this morning and enjoy a tour of the old town with many scenic and historic spots dating back 3,000 years ago, and transfer to Chongqing Zoo for an exciting opportunity to see pandas playing and feeding, as well as more than 230 kinds of rare wild animals including the Red Panda. In the late afternoon, fly to Xi’an and check-in to your hotel for two nights. |
| Day 9 | Xi’an (B, L) Visit the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, one of the greatest archaeological excavations of our time. These artefacts are associated with the Wing dynasty (211-206 BC). Also experience the dramatic Wild Goose Pagoda and the Great Mosque. |
| Day 10 | Xi’an - Beijing (B) Fly in the morning to Beijing. In the afternoon, visit the Summer Palace, an oasis of serenity away from the bustling city centre of Beijing, and described as the best-preserved imperial garden in the world. Stay for three nights. |
| Day 11 | Beijing (B, L) Visit to the Temple of Heaven, China’s largest sacrificial building symbolising the relationship between Heaven and earth and deftly illustrating the evolution of one of the Earth’s greatest civilization |
| Day 12 | Beijing (B, L) A full-day excursion to the Great Wall - undualating across some 5,000km, a symbol of power steeped in the history of countless generations. The Mutianyu section is one of the best preserved parts of the Great wall and your cable car jounrey is included. In the evening you have the opporunity to have an opportunity to have an authentic Peking Duck dinner. |
| Day 13 | Beijing - London (B) Transfer to the airport in the morning for your flight back to London, arriving the same day. |
Tour Prices for 2012
| Departure Date | Standard |
| 04 Jan - 18 Mar | £2,325 |
| 19 Mar - 31 Mar | £2,539 |
| 01 Apr - 08 Apr | £2,825 |
| 09 Apr - 21 Jul | £2,675 |
| 22 Jul - 21 Aug | £2,825 |
| 22 Aug - 08 Dec | £2,740 |
| 09 Dec - 23 Dec | £2,675 |
| Single Supplement from | £510 |
Departure Dates
| Tue |
The air holidays and flights shown are ATOL Protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 3227. ATOL Protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom.
