SE - Cultural treasures & Yangtze cruise

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off on an exciting excursion to the best-preserved section of the Great Wall of China. The Juyongguan section is the most-visited part of the wall and is the best representation of the former splendour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Of unimaginable length, the wall can be seen from space. On the way, admire the countryside and stop at an impressive Jade exhibition, where you can learn about the historic significance of this precious stone. Arrive at the Great Wall where you have a minimum of two-hours to learn about the history of the wall and enjoy walking on this ancient relic of the past.

Back to Beijing, stop at the Olympic Park, where you can admire the beautifully architected Bird's Nest Stadium and Water Cube Aquatics Centre. Return to your hotel. We recommend an optional Golden Mask Show, a beautiful cultural performance.* Overnight stay in Beijing.

*Optional Golden Mask show: Set in the era of the Golden Mask Dynasty, a legendary age in China, the story tells the story of a queen, who wears a golden mask, and creates a splendid dynasty. It is a fabulous insight into China's history and arts. 

Important note: Visits may be rescheduled due to weather, operational or political events. We suggest you not to book tours with third parties in case of any penalty due to cancellation.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the train station for an exciting bullet train journey to Xi'an. Arrive, transfer, and check-in to the hotel. Afterwards, enjoy free time to get to know your new surroundings. Try walking around the neighborhood, or join an optional night tour* to get a deeper view of the local highlights. Overnight stay in Xi'an.

*Optional night tour: Take an evening tour, beginning with the North Square of the Wild Goose Pagoda, then heading all the way to The Grand Tang Mall, also known as Datang Everbright City. This pedestrian-friendly park offers a captivating experience that transports you back to the Tang Dynasty with lights, statues, and stalls.

Important note: The bullet train journey Beijing - Xian takes around 4-5h. Your guide will escort you to the train platform in Beijing and the next guide will wait for you in Xian station. There will be no guide present on board of the train. In addition, there is no Wifi connection on the train. 

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, discover one of China's most iconic sights as you enjoy a visit to the Terracotta Warriors Museum. Approximately 8,000 sculpted figures were buried alongside Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, and today you can see this once in a lifetime sight for yourself. Each figure is impressively crafted and unique.

Be blown away by the intricacy and the sheer number of the figures as you learn about their significance. Visit the terracotta workshop and get closer to the warriors while learning traditional crafting techniques. Next, dive to visit Great Mosque and Muslim Quarter, where you will challenge yourself to take a food adventure and enjoy your shopping time there. Spend the rest of the evening at your leisure. Why not enjoy a show that showcases the history of Xi'an?* Overnight stay in Xi'an.

*Optional Tang Dynasty show with dumpling banquet dinner: Enjoy the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with fabulous music and dancing from the era of the Tang Dynasty, China's golden age. The show is a unique way to get to know the historical culture of the ancient city of Xi'an. Enjoy a dumpling banquet for dinner, included with this activity!

Important note: Visits may be rescheduled due to weather, operational or political events. We suggest you not to book tours with third parties in case of any penalty due to cancellation.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy a free day to explore Xi'an at your own pace. Be sure to dive into the local food scene and sample the delights of one of Xi'an's street food markets. Alternatively, take part in a full day tour of Mt. Huashan.* Overnight stay in Xi'an.

*Optional Mt. Huashan daytrip with cable car: Known as one of China’s Five Sacred Taoist Mountains, Mt. Huashan has five main peaks and only one hiking trail that is 15 kilometres long from south to north. You will explore this mountain of great religious significance by cable car and then visit on foot the main area on the summit. Although Mt Huashan is famous for the dangerous cliffside plank trails, this tour only includes a visit to the safer accessible areas. These areas have wider trails but some parts might include stairs or some steep slope. 

Please note: This optional activity is not apt for people with vertigo, fear of heights, reduced mobility, etc.

Important note: Visits may be rescheduled due to weather, operational or political events. We suggest you not to book tours with third parties in case of any penalty due to cancellation.

Breakfast at the hotel. Early in the morning, transfer to the station and take a bullet train to Chongqing (around 6 hours of travel). Arrive at Chongqing station, where your guide will greet you to begin a brief tour of Chongqing and the ancient town of Ciqikou.

Ciqikou is situated on a hill overlooking the Jialing River, in the western part of Chongqing city. This lively area is filled with shops and restaurants. Afterwards, visit the People’s Liberation Monument of Chongqing, built in 1945 to commemorate the victory over the Japanese in World War II. In the afternoon, embark on an unforgettable cruise on the Yangtze River. Overnight on board.

Note: Add an optional supplement to book a cabin with better views on the fourth floor. You can do this in the next step of the reservation.

Full board. Today you’ll wake up on the ship and enjoy a wonderful first stop: Fengdu. Disembark and take a guided tour to discover the intriguing “Ghost City” and its mythology and beliefs about the afterlife.

It is said to be a place where the spirits of the dead make their journey to the afterlife. It contains the so-called Temple of the King of Hell, with statues and sculptures representing demons and deities of the underworld, and the Bridge of Helplessness which, according to legend, only the virtuous can cross without difficulties. After the visit, return to the ship. Overnight on board.

Note: You will be able to add extra activities offered on board. These can vary depending on the season, weather, or Yangtze’s water level.

Full board. During the day you can enjoy views of the canyons, gorges, and banks that branch off from the Yangtze. Relax on board while enjoying the scenery! You will also pass through the pristine Qutang Gorge and the Wu Gorge, and make stops to explore these incredible natural sites. Overnight on board.

Note: You will be able to add extra activities offered on board. These can vary depending on the season, weather, or Yangtze water level.

Breakfast on the cruise. In the morning, begin with an excursion to the Three Gorges Dam, the largest power plant in the world. This engineering marvel successfully halted the cyclical floods that once ravaged downstream cities like Wuhan and Shanghai.

After the visit, transfer to Yichang train station, where you will board a high-speed train to Shanghai (around 7 hours of travel). Arrive and transfer to the hotel to complete check-in. Overnight stay in Shanghai.

Note: You won’t have a guide on the train from Yichang to Shanghai.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, embark on a half-day visit of the highlights of Shanghai. Step back in time in the charming traditional Yu Garden, learn about the country's artistic and cultural history at the Shanghai Museum, and explore the modern side of the city. Visit an authentic silk showroom to discover how this coveted fabric is manufactured. Return to the hotel and, in the evening, you have the option to enjoy a Huangpu River Cruise.* Overnight stay in Shanghai.

* Huangpu river cruise: View the Shanghai's city skyline from the comfort of the river cruiser as you enjoy an evening of spectacular views.

Important note: Visits may be rescheduled due to weather, operational or political events. We suggest you not to book tours with third parties in case of any penalty due to cancellation.

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, shopping, exploring the city's sights or simply relaxing in one of the city parks. We recommend an optional complete full-day tour of Shanghai*. Overnight stay in Shanghai.

*Optional Shanghai full-day city tour: The tour will start with a train ride on the Maglev, the first and only commercial rail line of its type in the world. The train is one of the fastest in the world and has the become the pride of Shanghai innovation and engineering. Then we will have an admission to the Observation Deck on the 88th Floor of Jinmao Tower where you will have the best view of the entire city of Shanghai. Next stop will be A.P Plaza. A.P. Plaza is Shanghai’s biggest market and is famous for “fake branded good”. Located underground, it has more than 1,000 stores where you can find purses, suitcases, watches, jewelries and much more. You will have 2 hours of shopping time to find many bargains you can ever imagine. Final stop will be Xintiandi Area. As a world-class restaurants, business, entertainment, culture, leisure walking Street, Shanghai Xintiandi in Shanghai is an historical and cultural character of the city.

Important note: Visits may be rescheduled due to weather, operational or political events. We suggest you not to book tours with third parties in case of any penalty due to cancellation.

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, searching for bargains or souvenirs in one of the many shopping centres, strolling around the colonial Bund or sampling the diverse street food. Otherwise, we recommend an optional tour of Suzhou Gardens.* Overnight stay in Shanghai.

*Optional Tour of Suzhou Gardens: Acquaint yourself with Suzhou, known as the ‘Venice of the East’ and one of the most historically significant cities of Southern China where you will first visit the Lingering Gardens. This imperial minister's ancient residence and UNESCO site showcases the beauty of Chinese traditional arquitecture and the importance of Feng Shui principles and natural harmony. You will next ride a boat ride through Pingjiang canal to make your way to the charming Old City and gaze at the Wumen brigde and Prince Zhonog's Mansion. Finally, visit the Suzhou museum and return to the hotel. 

Important note: Visits may be rescheduled due to weather, operational or political events. We suggest you not to book tours with third parties in case of any penalty due to cancellation.