THE YANGTZE BLUES

Day 1 : Arrival Beijing  

After arrival at Beijing International Airport, you will be greeted by a guide and transferred to the hotel. Take the day to relax in the hotel, or explore at your leisure.

The focus of this tour is the cruise on the Yangtze River, but we also enjoy a number of cultural highlights before we embark on our river adventure. Options include the vast space of Tiananmen Square, the palatial Forbidden City, or the Summer Palace. A visit to the Great Wall of China will inspire history enthusiasts, whereas the Temple of Heaven will provide an insight into the relationship between emperors and heaven and earth. The Terracotta Warriors will surely amaze, while Xi’an’s city wall is the most complete such remaining structure in China.

The cruise component of the tour offers a pleasant tempo, stopping for visits to view the distinctive Shibaozhai Pagoda situated on an island; the ancient Shenny Stream; and the spectacular Three Gorges Dam. We finish the tour with an insight into Shanghai’s top attractions.

Overnight in Beijing Swissotel 5*.

Day 2 : Beijing (B / L / -)

Today we visit the three top sites in Beijing. Tiananmen Square is the symbolic heart of China and a gathering place for the masses. It is one of the largest public squares in the world and can accommodate one million people.

We take a walk around this imposing area and get a perspective of the Great Hall of the People and the towering 125-foot granite obelisk, the Monument to the People’s Heroes that honours those who died in the revolution.

Next up is the Forbidden City, the inner sanctum and palace where for centuries Chinese emperors ruled their kingdom. This building features a 9,000-room maze of courtyards and ceremonial halls where 24 successive emperors lived. Commoners were kept out of this site for nearly 500 years.

The final stop of the day is the Summer Palace. This was built in 1888 as a retreat for the rulers of the land. We then enjoy a lakeside cruise on Kunming Lake, with views of the hills, bridges and pagodas that grace the palace grounds.

Lunch is at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Beijing Swissotel 5*.

Day 3 : Beijing (B / L / -)

Today we explore the imperial altar at the Temple of Heaven.

This historic sacrificial altar was built in 1420 A.D. and it is a place where emperors prayed for bumper harvests after making a sacrifice. The UNESCO World Heritage listed temple symbolises Chinese concepts about the origins of the universe, especially the relationship between the human world and heaven. Emperors have an esteemed position in this order; they are expected to be the direct link between mankind and heavenly bodies. The layout and design of this temple has also influenced architecture across the Far East for centuries. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is the main attraction, a triple-gabled circular building, composed of three levels, with a marble stone base. The temple was constructed during the Ming dynasty by the same emperor responsible for ordering the creation of the Forbidden City.

Then visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall – the longest fully restored segment of this fortification that is open to tourists. This area is more quiet and remote, with pines and cypress in abundance. This portion of the wall was strengthened in 1404 and further reinforced in 1568 during the Ming Dynasty. This section of the barrier features parapets that enabled soldiers to fire arrows at the enemy from both sides. The granite design of the Mutianyu section is considered one of the best architectural features of the fortification, with 23 watchtowers rebuilt in their original style. Transport to the wall is via cable car, while the trip down is by cable car too.

Overnight in Beijing Swissotel 5*.

Day 4 : Beijing - Xi’an (B / L / -)

We transfer to the train station for the rapid train to Xi’an where we overnight.

Rest of the day will be free at leisure.

Overnight in Xi’an Sofitel Renmin Square Hotel 5*.

Day 5 : Xi’an (B / L / D) 

Our excursion today reveals an important part of China’s history.

We explore one of the world’s greatest archaeological finds, the Terracotta Warriors of Xi’an. These were discovered accidently in 1974 by a group of farmers digging a well. The site features sculptures of soldiers, chariots and horses and they were created to accompany China’s first emperor to the afterlife. The soldiers all vary in rank, posture, height, uniform and facial features and it is believed there are still thousands of warriors and hundreds of horses and chariots still buried in three adjoining pits. The Terracotta Army ranks among a handful of must-see attractions in China.

An afternoon visit to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the Great Mosque.

Lunch is at a local restaurant and dinner is a dumplings meal at a local eatery (Option upgrade with eventual supplement : Tang Dynasty Dinner Show)

Overnight in Xi’an Sofitel Renmin Square Hotel 5*.

Day 6 : Xi’an – Chongqing (B / - / -)

Today marks the start of a unique cruise.

We board a train and head to the ancient destination of Chongqing on the banks of the Jia Ling River. This location offers a glimpse of what life used to be like in the China of old. The name of the town can be traced to porcelain production during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

After exploring the town, we board the boat in the evening for our Yangtze River cruise. The Yangtze River extends for a colossal 6,300 km, the longest river in Asia and the section between Chongqing and Yichang is considered the most picturesque stretch. Three Gorges slice their way through the mountainous topography, leaving a trail of natural wonder in their wake.

Overnight on board – Victoria Sabrina - deluxe cabin.

Day 7 : Cruise (B / L / D) 

Enjoy the pleasing tempo of a day on the river on today’s ongoing cruise.

(Optional excursion) Fengdu’s Ghost City

Shore excursion – Xiaoguanshan Ancient Folk Culture

Depending on river conditions, an alternative excursion may be substituted to Shibaozhai

(Optional excursion) Fengyan Sanguo “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” Show in the evening

Lunch and dinner are on board.

Please note: The itinerary may change according to river conditions.

Overnight on board – Victoria Sabrina - deluxe cabin.

Day 8 : Cruise (B / L / D) 

Today’s cruise reaches a major highlight as we pass through Qutang and Wu gorges.

The afternoon involves a small boat excursion to Shenny Stream, located south of Wu Gorge. The stream has nearly 10 km of free flowing gorges. Only after flooding, following the creation of the Three Gorges Dam, did Shennv Stream unveil its true face to public. It is now a serene environment with rapid water flowing through narrow gorges. The rivers in these gorges have had millions of years to carve the steep, deep rock faces and in some cases the cliffs are so tall they block out the sun. Upstream is a small village where tourists can get a glimpse of fascinating folk culture.

Depending on river conditions, an alternative excursion may be substituted to Shennong Stream.

(Optional excursion) White Emperor City

Lunch and dinner are on board.

Please note: The itinerary may change according to river conditions and cruise company.

Overnight on board – deluxe cabin.

Day 9 : Yichang - Shanghai (B / - / -) 

Today we undertake a highly informative tour.

After disembarking at Yichang, we undertake a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest power station in terms of installed capacity. In addition to electricity, the dam’s other main purpose is flood control. Construction took 12 years and it was completed in 2006.

There are five parks at the dam site offering a panoramic view of the project and lessons on hydrology, such as the right time to release stored water. The dam is also known for its ship lift that reduces the time to transit the area from four hours to 40 minutes. The Three Gorges also has a massive lock system that spans 1,607 metres.

Cable cars and golf carts are used to explore the locality on today’s tour (surcharge applies).

We then transfer to airport for the flight to Shanghai and on arrival, transfer to the hotel, with overnight in Shanghai.

Overnight in Shanghai Amara Signature 5*.

Day 10 : Shanghai (B / L / -)

A modern city with charm, we absorb the exciting metropolis of Shanghai today.

Our itinerary includes the Shanghai Museum, a facility that showcases ancient Chinese art. The exterior of this building is unmistakable with a round dome and square base, symbolising the old concept of a round heaven and square land. An audio guide will inform you through the centuries of beautiful artefacts on display. We then take a stroll in Yu Garden to see the combination of different natural elements that create a world in miniature.

A tour of the riverside Bund promenade and Nanjing Road reveals the city’s mercantile and colourful past. Prominent buildings along our walk represent Shanghai’s historic heart, such as the former British and Russian Consulates, the former Jardine Matheson Company, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank and the Shanghai Club.

We finish with an evening cruise on the Huangpu River. This provides an excellent opportunity to see the city from a different perspective. Lunch is at a local restaurant and overnight is in Shanghai.

Overnight in Shanghai Amara Signature 5*.

Day 11 : Shanghai departure (B / - / -)

After breakfast, we transfer to Shanghai Airport for the flight to your home destination and the conclusion of this excellent combined cruise and city exploration.

End of the Tour.