Dynasties & Riverlight: Beijing, the Yangtze & Shanghai

Beijing

Airport Meet & Greet, Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver

To ensure a seamless experience, your guide will be waiting for you outside the secure customs area with a sign with your name on it. The guide will assist you in meeting up with your private driver and accompany you to your accommodation.. Enjoy a private transfer between the airport and your hotel with an English-speaking guide.

Accommodation: Rosewood Beijing (B) (Deluxe)

Beijing

Tiananmen, Forbidden City, Summer Palace with Boat Ride with Lunch (7 hrs) - Private Tour

Spend the day exploring three of Beijing’s most photographed sites with your private guide and driver. Head to the center of the city and begin with a walk across the sprawling expanse of Tiananmen Square. Built in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty and serving as the front door to the Forbidden City, the present square is one of the largest in the world, stretching a vast 44 square hectares. Here, walk past and featuring the Tiananmen Tower, Monument to the People’s Heroes, Great Hall of the People, and the Mao Zedong Memorial. Many historically important moments have unfolded in this public setting. From here, cross the street and enter through the towering gates of the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the largest number of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. The expansive palace complex is comprised of 9,999 buildings spread across 74 hectares and protected by a 19-foot deep moat and a 32-foot tall wall, divided into two parts. The Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation, while the Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. Twenty-four emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties reigned over China from the Imperial Palace here until 1924. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Next, drive to the Summer Palace. The Summer Palace dates to the 12 th century, and this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a vast imperial encampment of temples, ornate pavilions, and halls set in a park around Kunming Lake. Occupying an area of 294 hectares, three-quarters of which is water, the compound features a sprawling archetypal Chinese garden that is a masterpiece of landscape garden design, and a truly picturesque setting to explore. The Long Corridor is a must-see – this covered walkway is decorated with more than 14,000 lavish paintings. Sail around Kunming Lake on a shared boat trip before returning to your hotel. Today’s tour involves a fair amount of walking at a leisurely pace. Comfortable walking shoes and adequate protection from the sun are highly recommended.

Accommodation: Rosewood Beijing (B) (Deluxe)

Beijing

Great Wall Juyongguan with Lunch (7 hrs) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver, Peking Duck Dinner at Dadong Restaurant (2-3 hrs) - Vehicle/Driver

The Great Wall is by far China’s most iconic architectural wonder, captivating the imagination of generations of travelers intrigued by this feat of engineering. With your private driver and English-speaking guide, head 37 miles out of Beijing to spend a full day the Great Wall at Juyongguan. The Juyong Pass is one of the three most famous impregnable passes along the Great Wall of China, together with Jiayuguan and Shanhaiguan. The pass provided a solid stronghold of protection, encircling a valley, which was the northern direct access to Beijing in ancient times. One of the earliest sections of the Great Wall, it originated during the Spring and Autumn Period of 770 and 476 BC, and was renovated in 1992. The Cloud Platform is a unique highlight of this section. The white marble construction was the base of a larger building long ago destroyed by fire. An arched doorway penetrates the platform, and on the walls of the doorway, statues of four heavenly gods and sutra scriptures were carved. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel by private vehicle.. Peking duck is an iconic dish that originated Peking duck is an iconic dish that originated in Beijing, and has been prepared since the imperial era. Enjoy a memorable dinner of this classic dish at Dadong Restaurant, a popular choice with locals and travelers alike as a fine example of this succulent dish. It is also possible to sample some non-duck dishes during your meal.

Accommodation: Rosewood Beijing (B) (Deluxe)

Beijing, Xi'an

Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver, Air - Beijing - Xi`an [(2hrs)] - Economy, Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver, Deluxe Dumpling Dinner - Vehicle/Guide/Driver

Enjoy a private transfer between the airport and your hotel with an English-speaking guide.. Board a flight with direct service from Beijing to Xi'an. Approximate flight time is 2 hours.. Meet your driver for an airport transfer with a private vehicle and English speaking guide.. While the capital of China long ago moved from Xi'an to Beijing, the culinary capital, when it comes to dumplings, remains. Experience a feast of perhaps China's most popular dish in the city it's best known for through a superb dumpling dinner at the famous Defachang Restaurant.

Accommodation: Sofitel Legend People`s Grand Hotel (B) (Premium Room), Beijing

Xi'an

Full day Terra Cotta Warriors, City Wall & Pagoda (with Lunch) - Private Tour

The Terracotta Warriors are the most iconic site in Xi’an, an impressive marvel that went undiscovered until 1974. With your private driver and English-speaking guide, spend the day visiting the Terracotta Warriors, the Ancient City Wall and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The incredible army of over 7000 soldiers, archers, horses, and chariots in full battle array has guarded Emperor Qin’s tomb since 210 BC. Incredibly, each figure is unique, and the painstaking repair and excavation continues in 3 pits, protected inside enormous hangars specially constructed for the archaeological dig. Stop for a local lunch before returning to the city center to visit the Ancient City Wall. The walls, ramparts, gates, and watchtowers form one of the oldest and most complete city defenses are still around. Built in the 13 th -century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City surrounding the city center you can walk, rent a bike or take an electric cart around the full 8.5-mile circuit, with great views of the city on either side and a deep moat surrounding the fortifications. Next, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. An important Buddhist site, the simple and elegant Pagoda is housed on the grounds of the attractive Da Ci’en Temple. The Pagoda was built in the 7th century to house the Buddhist materials that Xuanzang (Tripitaka) brought back from his epic world-famous 16-year pilgrimage to India. The Temple complex has several large halls with some great Buddhist statues and murals. At the end of the day, return to your hotel by private vehicle.

Accommodation: Sofitel Legend People`s Grand Hotel (B) (Premium Room), Xi'an

Xi'an, Chongqing, Yangtze River Cruise

Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver, Air - Xi`an - Chongqing [(1hr)] - Economy, Airport/Pier - Vehicle/Guide/Driver, Embarkation

Meet your driver for an airport transfer with a private vehicle and English speaking guide.. Board a flight with direct service from Xi'an to Chongqing. Approximate flight time is 1 hour.. Transfer between the airport and the pier with a private vehicle, driver, and English speaking guide.. This afternoon, board the Yangzi Explorer for your cruise downstream to Yichang. After you’ve settled into your cabin you can join your fellow guests in the Explorer Bar. The large windows allow you to enjoy the night-time cityscape of Chongqing as we sail deeper into the Three Gorges region of the mighty Yangtze River

Accommodation: Sanctuary M.S. Yangzi Explorer (5*) (BLD), Xi'an

Fuling, Yangtze River Cruise

Breakfast on Board, Optional: Tai Chi, 816 Underground Project or 816 Town Discovery - Shared, Lunch on Board, Welcome Dinner & Optional "The Beacon of Three Kingdoms" Show, Dinner on Board (Included)

Start your morning with traditional Chinese exercise and work up an appetite for the buffet breakfast.. This morning, choose between a pair of shared shore excursions- either visit to an intriguing, secret project, hidden in the mountains of Fuling - the 816 Underground Project/Nuclear Engineering Site, or a visit to 816 Town. The 816 Underground Project is the world’s largest, artificial military cave. Over 50 years ago, more than 60,000 constructers, came to Jianzi Mountains, an uninhabited place among mountain ranges and forest, to start work on a top-secret construction project of a monumental scale. The work continued for 17 years and was nearly completed when the government decided to suspend it, before any nuclear material could be produced. Now as the secrets of military caves are revealed, you will be able to look at the true face of 816 project hidden for 50 years. Alternatively, you can choose to visit 816 Town, where the workers of Project 816 lived for 30 years while working on the number one top-secret project for the Republic. The gate of the town still retains the appearance of the 1970s, the time of its construction. As you pass through it, the green bricks, red walls, and green windows all tell tales of a different age when the area was bustling with workers. You will see the old factories, canteens, auditoriums that paint a picture of mid-20th-century China. Please let us know at time of booking which optional activity you would like to join today. This must be pre-selected before embarkation.. In the evening, enjoy VIP seats at an epic, large-scale live performance of The Beacon of Three Kingdoms. The performance will be a cultural feast with the Three Gorges Harbour as the stage, the culture of The Three Kingdoms as the theme, and the spirit of loyalty and righteousness as the soul. Based on the famous 14th-century novel ‘The Romance of the Three Kingdoms’, the story is part historical, part legend, and part mythical. The dreamlike performance includes horseback battles, lighting and water effects, 3D holographic projects and fireworks. For those who choose to disembark at Zhongxian County for the Three Kingdoms Open Air Show, a late dinner will be available upon their return. Guests who decide to remain onboard can indulge in an à la carte dinner before guests reconvene for karaoke and a live band performance.

Accommodation: Sanctuary M.S. Yangzi Explorer (5*) (BLD), Fuling

Wu Gorge, Yangtze River Cruise

Breakfast on Board, Cruising Through the Three Gorges & Shennong Stream, Lunch on Board, Trek the Wushan Goddess Sky Road - Shared, Dinner on Board (Included)

Today, sail across Qutang Gorge in the morning glow. Qutang Gorge, also known an Kui Gorge and Ba Gorge, is the first gorge of the Three Gorges Yangtze River. Admire the splendor of the green peaks and tranquility of the river. After breakfast, start a full-day tour of Wushan. Drive to Dachang Ancient Town, built in the Western Jin Dynasty with a history of more than 1,800 year. It used to be an important distribution center for salt, medicinal materials, and mountain products in the region. The town was relocated with more than 30 ancient residential buildings, 3 city gates, and 2 ancient temples It has become the only completely preserved ancient town in the Three Gorges reservoir area. After the tour, take a two-hour boat ride down the Daning River and return to Yangzi Explorer. Along the way, you will pass through the essence of Emerald Gorge, which is rarely visited by  tourists, and enjoy the beauty of Wushan Lesser Three, namely Emerald Gorge, Bawu Goge and Longmen Gorge. Look at the towering peaks, the verdant hillsides, the scattered springs and waterfalls, the hanging coffins of Ba people in mysterious caves and ancient villages.. After lunch, join a shared excursion to explore the Wushan Goddess Sky Road. Embark on the Yangzi Explorer Trail, named after your ship, the Yangzi Explorer. Stroll among the cliffs at an altitude of about 3,200 feet, and overlook Goddess Peak and the Yangtze River. Going deeper, you will board the private lookout of Yangzi Explorer. The 12 peaks of Wushan will be right in front of you. A champagne reception awaits you here, exclusive to Yangzi Explorer passengers. In the evening, drive back to the ship and enjoy the dinner on board.

Accommodation: Sanctuary M.S. Yangzi Explorer (5*) (BLD), Wu Gorge

Fuling, Yichang, Shanghai

Optional: Tai Chi, Breakfast on Board, Three Gorges Dam Site & Exhibition Center - Shared, Lunch (Included), Shared Transfer in Yichang, Air - Yichang - Shanghai [(2hrs)] - Economy, Airport/Pier - Vehicle/Guide/Driver, Airport (Hongqiao Domestic) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver

Continue your tai chi practice before breakfast should you wish.. This morning, join a shared visit of the Three Gorges Dam, the Great Steel Wall on the Yangtze River, and enjoy a lecture onboard from an expert explaining the story behind this great project. Spanning 7660 feet in length and 593 feet in height, the dam is the one of the largest and most expensive engineering projects in the world. While the dam’s 32 generators produce enough clean energy to reduce China’s reliance on coal, the project has also caused much controversy. During construction, 13 cities, 140 towns, 1,352 villages, over 600 industrial factories and more than 1,200 archaeological projects have been submerged and 1.2 million people resettled. Optional: Three Gorges Ship Lift Experience on VIP Deck: CNY380pp (minimum 20 guests required).. Lunch will be held at the world-famous cave restaurant - Fang Weng Restaurant - in Xiling Gorge, one of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. Fang Weng Restaurant is known as one of the “nine cave restaurants of the world”. The restaurant is built in the middle of the steep hill, located in the cave. You can enjoy the famous Xiakou scenery, the Three Gorges and the beauty of the stalactites in the cave.. As your cruise comes to an end, in the afternoon, board a shared transfer to Yichang Airport or Yichang East Railway Station to continue onto your journey through China.. Board a flight with direct service from Yichang to Shanghai. Approximate flight time is 2 hours.. Meet your driver for an airport or pier transfer with a private vehicle and English speaking guide.. Meet your driver for an airport transfer with a private vehicle and English speaking guide.

Accommodation: Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund (B) (Deluxe River ), Fuling

Shanghai

Zhujiajiao Canal Boat Ride & Yu Garden with Lunch (7 hrs) - Private, Shanghai Acrobatic Show and Dinner at Ye Shanghai

Despite Shanghai’s impressive size and modern cosmopolitan identity, there are pockets of traditional Chinese gardens and culture hidden throughout the city and its outskirts. Start the day by heading into the Yangtze River Delta near Shanghai to Zhujiajiao with your English-speaking guide and private driver. The delta area gave rise a collection of historical water towns that crisscross the countryside and have given the region the nickname of the “Venice of the East” due to the prevalence of canals. While modern architecture and infrastructure have all but made these canals obsolete, these villages have thriving centers that haven’t changed for hundreds of years. Zhujiajiao is a scenic water town easily accessible from Shanghai. Drive an hour from central Shanghai, and explore the 1700-year-old picturesque town. Its beauty lies in its lovely streams, which reflect the traditional houses built on their banks. Large and small gondola-like boats in typical Chinese style ply the waters all around the city. Marvel at the architecture during a boat ride through the canals before driving back to Shanghai for lunch. Dine at NanXiang restaurant and sample NanXiang Xiao Long Bao, a traditional style of Shanghai bun. In the afternoon, visit the Yu Gardens, the largest of Shanghai’s ancient gardens, dating to the mid-16 th century. The expansive grounds feature the architectural styles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, with six pavilions each with their own unique design, laid out in the Suzhou style. The Grand Rockery in the center of the garden is a popular photo stop, with replica peaks, cliffs, and caves. The Yu Gardens are a year-round delightful retreat from Shanghai’s frenetic pace, as the changing seasons offer a different experience and a moment of quiet contemplation. Adjacent to the gardens is the City God Temple, surrounded by a network of local snack vendors and souvenir shops that make for a colorful walk into the Yu Garden. At the end of the day, transfer back to your hotel by private vehicle.. The Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe has garnered international fame, with dazzling displays that seem to defy the laws of gravity. This evening, your private guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel for your dinner reservation at Ye Shanghai before the show. Housed in a renovated Shikumen style house, the restaurant embraces the cuisine of neighboring Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. From here, drive to the theater and settle into your seats with the help of your guide. The multimillion-dollar performance is a testament to traditional Chinese acrobatic arts, featuring stunning costumes, modern technology, and original live music during the show. The acrobats undergo years of rigorous training, starting as young as six or seven. Many performers boast 20 years of experience. After the memorable performance, transfer back to your hotel by private vehicle.

Accommodation: Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund (B) (Deluxe River )

Shanghai

Airport (PVG) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver

Meet your driver for an airport transfer with a private vehicle and English speaking guide.

Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport) ( ), Shanghai