Welcome to Beijing

Your journey begins on arrival in Beijing.

Upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport, meet the local representative and transfer to your hotel.

After checking in, the remainder of the day is yours to relax after your journey and prepare for the days ahead.

There are no scheduled sightseeing activities today, allowing you to settle in at your own pace.

Accommodation: Sofitel Beijing Central / Grand Metropark Hotel Beijing or similar

Meals: Meals at own arrangement.

Mutianyu Great Wall & Old Beijing

After breakfast, begin the day with one of China's most celebrated landmarks — the Mutianyu Great Wall.

Surrounded by mountainous scenery, Mutianyu is known for its well-preserved Ming Dynasty architecture, defensive watchtowers and impressive views across the surrounding landscape.

Spend time exploring the wall and experiencing one of the most recognised symbols of Chinese history.

Nanluogu Lane

Later, return to the city and explore Nanluogu Lane, one of Beijing's best-known historic neighbourhoods.

Walk through traditional hutong streets lined with courtyards, small shops and local cafés while experiencing a different side of the capital away from its monumental landmarks.

Traditional Beijing Dinner

In the evening, enjoy a traditional Beijing copper hotpot, served individually.

Accommodation: Sofitel Beijing Central / Grand Metropark Hotel Beijing or similar

Meals

• Breakfast: Hotel breakfast

• Dinner: Traditional Beijing Copper Hotpot

Free Day – Explore Beijing Your Way

Today is free for you to enjoy Beijing at your own pace.

You may choose to shop, explore independently or simply relax.

Alternatively, two optional excursions are available.

Optional Tour A – Beijing City Highlights

• USD $109 per person

• Visit:

  • Summer Palace

  • Qianmen Street

  • Traditional Chinese Acrobatics Show

• Lunch is included.

• Minimum 4 travellers required.

Optional Tour B – Chengde by High-Speed Rail

• USD $199 per person

• Travel by high-speed rail to Chengde and visit:

  • Putuo Zongcheng Temple, often referred to as the "Small Potala Palace"

  • Chengde Mountain Resort

• Meals are not included.

• Minimum 6 travellers required.

Accommodation: Sofitel Beijing Central / Grand Metropark Hotel Beijing or similar

Meals

• Breakfast: Hotel breakfast

Imperial Beijing & Journey to Xi'an

Begin the day in the heart of Beijing at Tiananmen Square, one of the city's most recognised public spaces.

Continue into the magnificent Forbidden City, once the imperial palace of China's Ming and Qing dynasties.

Explore its grand courtyards, ceremonial halls and historic architecture while learning about China's imperial history.

Beijing Roast Duck Lunch

At lunchtime, enjoy one of Beijing's most famous culinary specialties — Beijing Roast Duck.

Temple of Heaven

After lunch, visit the Temple of Heaven, an important imperial complex historically used for ceremonies and prayers for good harvests.

Later, transfer for your onward journey to Xi'an.

Upon arrival, meet the local representative and transfer to your hotel.

Traveller Tip: This is one of the more active sightseeing days of the tour and involves considerable walking. Comfortable footwear is recommended.

Accommodation: Novotel Xi'an Daming Palace or similar

Meals

• Breakfast: Hotel breakfast

• Lunch: Beijing Roast Duck

Terracotta Warriors & Tang Dynasty Heritage

Today is dedicated to the extraordinary history of Xi'an.

Terracotta Warriors

Visit the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, one of China's most important archaeological sites.

Thousands of life-sized soldiers, horses and other figures were created more than two thousand years ago to protect the tomb of China's first emperor.

Sightseeing transport and headphones are included during the visit.

Xi'an Ancient City Wall

Continue to the impressive Xi'an Ancient City Wall, one of China's best-preserved historic city walls.

Walk along part of the fortification while enjoying views across both historic and modern Xi'an.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an important Buddhist landmark associated with the history of Buddhism and the ancient Silk Road.

Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-bright City

As evening approaches, experience the lively atmosphere of Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-bright City.

Illuminated buildings, cultural performances and Tang Dynasty-inspired architecture create an atmospheric evening experience.

Accommodation: Novotel Xi'an Daming Palace or similar

Meals

• Breakfast: Hotel breakfast

• Lunch: Included

• Dinner: Included

Historic Xi'an & Traditional Arts

Begin with a visit to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, another important historic Buddhist landmark in Xi'an.

Continue past the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, two of the city's most recognisable historic structures.

Gaojia Courtyard & Shadow Play

Visit Gaojia Courtyard, where you will enjoy a traditional Shadow Play performance.

This traditional performing art combines handcrafted shadow puppets, storytelling and music and provides another glimpse into Xi'an's cultural heritage.

After the performance, transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Chongqing.

Upon arrival, meet the local representative and transfer to your hotel.

Accommodation: VOCO Chongqing Chaotianmen Hotel or similar

Meals

• Breakfast: Hotel breakfast

• Lunch: Included

Discover Chongqing's Vertical Cityscape

Begin your exploration of Chongqing at Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, one of the city's most prominent commercial and cultural districts.

Surrounded by shopping centres, restaurants and modern city buildings, Jiefangbei offers a lively introduction to contemporary Chongqing.

Hongyadong

Continue to Hongyadong, one of Chongqing's most distinctive architectural landmarks.

Built dramatically into the hillside, this multi-level complex combines traditional-style architecture with shops, restaurants and elevated walkways, reflecting the city's unusual vertical urban landscape.

Liziba Light Rail Station

Visit Liziba Station, famous for the extraordinary sight of a light rail train passing directly through a residential building.

It has become one of Chongqing's most recognisable examples of how the city's transport system adapts to its steep and densely built terrain.

Board the Yangtze River Cruise

In the evening, transfer to the port and board the Victoria Sabrina or similar.

Settle into your balcony cabin and prepare to begin your journey along the legendary Yangtze River.

Accommodation: Victoria Sabrina or similar – Balcony Cabin on the Second Floor

Meals

• Breakfast: Hotel breakfast

• Lunch: Included

Fengdu & Shuanggui Mountain

Wake to the scenery of the Yangtze River as the cruise continues downstream.

Near Fengdu, disembark for a visit to Shuanggui Mountain, where natural scenery is combined with cultural and historical sites.

Enjoy time exploring the area before returning to the cruise.

Optional Excursion – Fengdu Ghost City

• Travellers may choose to join an optional excursion to Fengdu Ghost City.

• Known for its temples, legends and traditional Chinese beliefs about the afterlife, the site offers a very different cultural experience along the Yangtze.

• Optional excursion: CNY 295 per person

Onboard Activities

• Return to the ship and enjoy free time onboard.

• Depending on the cruise program, guests may participate in cultural activities or simply relax and enjoy the river scenery.

Captain's Welcome Reception

• In the evening, attend the Captain's Welcome Reception, marking the formal beginning of the cruise experience.

Optional Performance – Battle of the Three Kingdoms

• Guests may also choose to attend the large-scale Battle of the Three Kingdoms performance.

• Inspired by stories from China's Three Kingdoms period, the production combines theatrical effects, historical themes and large-scale staging.

• Optional performance: CNY 295 per person

Accommodation: Victoria Sabrina or similar – Balcony Cabin on the Second Floor

Meals

• Breakfast: Included

• Lunch: Included

• Dinner: Included

Fengjie & Optional Shore Excursions

Arrive near Fengjie, where several optional excursions may be available.

Guests may choose to visit White Emperor City, a historic site overlooking the Yangtze River, or the Peak of Gorge, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Optional excursions:

• White Emperor City – CNY 295 per person

• Peak of Gorge – CNY 295 per person

Qutang Gorge

Continue sailing into Qutang Gorge, the shortest of the Three Gorges but one of the most dramatic.

Steep mountains rise sharply on both sides of the river, creating one of the most iconic landscapes of the Yangtze.

Wu Gorge

After lunch, the cruise continues through Wu Gorge, known for its winding river and high mountain peaks.

The scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as the ship passes through the narrow gorge.

Goddess River

Transfer to a smaller boat for an excursion along the Goddess River.

This more intimate journey allows you to experience quieter waterways and steep mountain scenery away from the main Yangtze channel.

Captain's Farewell Banquet

In the evening, enjoy the Captain's Farewell Banquet.

The evening may also include a performance by members of the cruise crew, providing a celebratory conclusion to the main cruise experience.

Accommodation: Victoria Sabrina or similar – Balcony Cabin on the Second Floor

Meals

• Breakfast: Included

• Lunch: Included

• Dinner: Included

Three Gorges Dam

Disembark in Yichang and visit the Three Gorges Dam.

This enormous engineering project is one of the world's largest hydroelectric power developments and is a major landmark along the Yangtze River.

Learn about the scale and significance of the dam while viewing the surrounding infrastructure and river landscape.

Optional Experience – Three Gorges Ship Lift

• Guests may choose to experience the Three Gorges Ship Lift, an extraordinary piece of engineering designed to raise and lower vessels between different water levels.

• Optional experience: CNY 325 per person

Optional Visit – Quyuan Temple

• Another optional excursion is available to Quyuan Temple, associated with the famous Chinese poet Qu Yuan.

• Optional visit: CNY 100 per person

Jingzhou Ancient City

• After lunch, continue to Jingzhou Ancient City.

• Admire the historic Jingzhou Ancient Wall, which reflects the city's long strategic importance and military history.

• The preserved fortifications provide another glimpse into China's ancient urban heritage.

Flight to Shanghai

Later, transfer for your flight to Shanghai.

Upon arrival, meet the local representative and transfer to your hotel.

Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Shanghai – Pudong or similar

Meals

• Breakfast: Included

• Lunch: Included

Jinmao Tower

Begin your Shanghai sightseeing with a visit to the 88th floor of Jinmao Tower.

From the observation level, enjoy panoramic views across Shanghai's modern skyline and the surrounding urban landscape.

Wukang Building

Return to street level and visit the historic Wukang Building.

Known for its distinctive architectural design, the building is one of Shanghai's most recognisable historic landmarks and reflects the city's international architectural heritage.

Tianzifang

Continue to Tianzifang, a network of narrow lanes filled with small shops, cafés, galleries and traditional residential buildings.

The area offers a more intimate look at Shanghai's older neighbourhoods and local lifestyle.

The Bund

Later, visit The Bund, Shanghai's famous waterfront promenade.

On one side, admire the historic European-style architecture lining the waterfront.

Across the Huangpu River, look towards the dramatic modern skyline of Pudong, creating one of the city's most iconic views.

City God Temple Ancient Street

Finish the day at Shanghai City God Temple Ancient Street.

Enjoy free time to explore the lively streets, browse local shops and sample traditional snacks.

Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Shanghai – Pudong or similar

Meals

• Breakfast: Hotel breakfast

• Lunch: Included

• Dinner: Included

Farewell to Shanghai

Enjoy your final breakfast at the hotel.

Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

Your 12-day journey concludes with memories of China's imperial capitals, historic landmarks, the dramatic landscapes of the Yangtze River and the modern energy of Shanghai.

Meals

• Breakfast: Hotel breakfast