17 Day China Discovery with Yangtze Cruise and Flights

Beijing

After breakfast, visit Tiananmen Square, the second-largest public square in the world! Tiananmen Square is named after the Tiananmen (“Gate of Heavenly Peace”) located to the north of the square, separating it from the Forbidden City. The square contains the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the National Museum of China and the Mausoleum of Chairman Mao Zedong, and holds great cultural significance as it was the site of several important events in Chinese history.

Accommodation: Fuyong Yulong Hotel or similar, Beijing
Meals included: breakfast

Optional activities at an additional cost. To be booked and paid for locally.

Forbidden City Tour for approximately AU$78 per person - Hailed as a landmark of Beijing and the centre of imperial China during the Ming and Qing dynasties, Forbidden City is a great place to be if you want to learn about Chinese culture and history. 

Peking Duck Dinner for approximately AU$38 per person - Authentic Peking Duck Banquet served with all the traditional accompaniments.

The Great Wall of China

Today’s highlight is an excursion to the majestic Great Wall at Juyong Pass. This is one of the three most famous passes along the Great Wall of China, together with Jiayuguan and Shanhaiguan. 60 km from downtown Beijing, Juyong Pass was the northern route to Beijing in ancient times. Once here, there is plenty of time to learn about the wall’s constriction and you’ll have the chance to climb a portion of this 6,000 km marvel. On the way back to Beijing, we stop at one of the largest jade exhibitions in Asia. Then, after lunch, see skilled artisans at work at a Cloisonné Factory. Cloisonné is a famous traditional enamelware, known as the ‘Blue of Jingtai’ in China, with a history of over 500 years.

Accommodation: Fuyong Yulong Hotel or similar, Beijing
Meals included: breakfast

Optional activities at an additional cost. To be booked and paid for locally.

Musical Performance for approximately AU$73 per person - “The Golden Mask Dynasty” Show or “Kong Fu Legend” Show

Beijing

Enjoy a tour to the Summer Palace, the largest preserved ancient garden in China and a former summer resort for Emperors followed by a visit to the Chinese Herbal Institute to learn about traditional Chinese medicine as you enjoy a rejuvenating foot massage which has existed for thousands of years.

Accommodation: Fuyong Yulong Hotel or similar, Beijing
Meals included: breakfast

Optional activities at an additional cost. To be booked and paid for locally.

Hutong Life & Panda House Tour for approximately AU$78 per person - A rickshaw will take you around the intricate winding hutongs to admire the old courtyards. They are maze-like and deep and exactly as they were a long time ago. You are invited to visit a local family’s house to experience authentic Beijing life. Next, visit the Panda House in Beijing Zoo to see China’s adorable national treasure – the Giant Panda.

Beijing  Wuxi

Take a high-speed train to Wuxi, an ancient city richly endowed with natural attractions. Wuxi boasts a reputation for being the ‘Land of Fish and Rice’. Enjoy the scenery as we pass by Lake Tai, the third-largest freshwater lake in China. This evening, we will stroll along the trendy yet traditional Nanchang Street composed of both ancient and modern architecture juxtaposed with the peacefulness of the waterside town and fashionable life of Wuxi.

Accommodation: Wuxi International Hotel or similar, Wuxi
Meals included: breakfast

Wuxi to Suzhou

This morning visit one of the largest freshwater pearl exhibitions in the country.

After lunch, travel by coach to Suzhou, an extraordinarily elegant city with its canals, stone bridges, and meticulously designed gardens. Suzhou has been referred to as ‘Paradise on Earth’ by Chinese poets and writers since ancient times. It is also known as the ‘Garden City’ due to its many classical gardens, renowned for their charming natural beauty. Visit the Lingering Garden, which is among the finest in China.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Suzhou Taihu Lake or similar, Suzhou
Meals included: breakfast

Optional activities at an additional cost. To be booked and paid for locally.

Grand Canal Cruise for approximately AU$33 per person - Take a cruise along the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Grand Canal of over a thousand years to view life along what was known as ‘China’s golden waterway’ in its heyday. 

Western Buffet Dinner for approximately AU$48 per person - Enjoy a sumptuous western style buffet dinner with at your hotel, a relaxing way to wind down the day.

Suzhou to Hangzhou

This morning visit a silk spinning mill and learn how silk is created from mulberry-munching silkworms to produce the finest thread and cloth.

After lunch, travel by coach to Hangzhou, described by Marco Polo as “the most beautiful and magnificent city in the world”. Upon arrival, take a boat ride on the serene West Lake, noted for its scenic beauty which blends naturally with many famous historical and cultural sites.

Accommodation: Merchant Marco Garden Hotel or similar, Hangzhou
Meals included: breakfast

Optional activities at an additional cost. To be booked and paid for locally.

Impression West Lake for approximately AU$78 - This evening, enjoy an open-air performance, a masterpiece created by Zhang Yimou, the director of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics Games Opening Ceremony.

Hangzhou to Shanghai

Experience tea-tasting at the Dragon Well Tea Plantation.

Then travel by coach to Shanghai, a vibrant metropolis and the commercial centre of China. Upon arrival, walk along the famous Bund, a mile-long stretch along the Huangpu River. Lined with the colonial architecture of European design, it is the best place to capture the Western influences of the old days. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure strolling along the bustling shopping district, Nanjing Road.

Accommodation: Wassim Hotel or similar, Shanghai
Meals included: breakfast

Optional activities at an additional cost. To be booked and paid for locally.

Huangpu River Cruise for approximately AU$38 per person - Cruising on the Huangpu River has become a must for most visitors to Shanghai.

Shanghai

This morning, visit the Shanghai Museum to see ancient Chinese art, furniture and jade. The rest of the afternoon is at your own leisure, or you may join our optional programs.

Accommodation: Wassim Hotel or similar, Shanghai
Meals included: breakfast

Optional activities at an additional cost. To be booked and paid for locally.

Jin Mao Tower, Xintiandi & Maglev Train Tour for approximately AU$68 per person - Visit the Jin Mao Tower Observation Deck (88th floor) for a panoramic view of the Huangpu River and the Bund. Then explore the affluent Xintiandi area, before experiencing the world’s fastest commercially operating train, with a top speed of 431km/h. 

Chinese Acrobatic Show for approximately AU$73 per person - ERA The Intersection of Time or SPIRAL - Tonight you can watch a stunning Chinese acrobatic show combining Chinese arts and modern technology, comparable to the tradition of the Broadway Musical.

Shanghai  Xian

Today you will travel to Xi’an. It is an ancient city in China and records the great changes of the country just like a living history book. In the evening, you can treat yourself by joining our suggested optional activities.

Accommodation: Titan Times Hotel or similar, Xian
Meals included: breakfast

Optional activities at an additional cost. To be booked and paid for locally.

Dumpling Feast & Tang Dynasty Cultural Show for approximately AU$65 per person - Xi’an was China's capital city during the Tang Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty culture plays a significant part of sharpening today’s Chinese local culture. You will be fascinated by the Tang Dynasty culture during the show while enjoying the signature local Chinese food – dumplings. You will be surprised how many types of dumplings are serving during the feast.

Xian

Today is a leisure day. Alternatively, you can join the optional Terracotta Warriors excursion and discover the secret of this mysterious Chinese historical masterpiece.

Accommodation: Titan Times Hotel or similar, Xian
Meals included: breakfast

Optional activities at an additional cost. To be booked and paid for locally.

Terracotta Warriors Excursion for approximately AU$110 per person - During this tour, you will visit the enigmatic ranks of the Terracotta Warriors in the company of our professional and experienced local guide. You may also have the opportunity of meeting the man who discovered the Warriors and learn about the moment they were uncovered by talking to one of the farmers who stumbled upon them in 1974. Followed by a visit to the famous Moslem Street, where many delicious local snacks and souvenirs are available for purchase.

 Yichang

Today you will travel to Yichang to board the Victoria Cruise Boat – your home for the next four nights as you sail along the Yangtze River. Settle into your room, then perhaps join your friends in the bar for a drink.

Accommodation: Victoria Katarina Cruise boat or similar
Meals included: breakfast

 Yangtze River Cruise (Three Gorges Dam Project)

Start your first day of cruising with a delicious on-board breakfast before disembarking to the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric power station, then press through the Xiling Gorge – the longest and deepest of the Three Gorges. Additionally, you can embark on an optional tour to meet some of the tribes of the Three Gorges if you wish. This evening, you’ll be greeted on the ship with a captain’s welcome banquet and a riveting evening of entertainment.

Accommodation: Victoria Katarina Cruise boat or similar
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Optional activities at an additional cost. To be booked and paid for locally.

Tribe of The Three Gorges and sightseeing-ferry for approximately AU$70 per person - Explore the ancient past by visiting the historical village on the water, the brook-side tribe, and the mountain-top tribe.

Yangtze River Cruise (Shennong Stream)

Transfer to another vessel and begin a relaxing excursion through the beautiful gorges of the Goddess Stream. Depending on river conditions, you may end up travelling to the gorges of Shennong Stream instead. Continue to Wu Gorge, quietly beautiful with forest-covered mountains and sheer cliffs surrounding its waters. You’ll then continue to Qutang Gorge, the area’s shortest, narrowest and most dramatic gorge. Optionally, you can take a visit to the ancient White Emperor City overlooking the Qutang Gorge during the day – just let your leader know if you’re interested.

Accommodation: Victoria Katarina Cruise boat or similar
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Optional activities at an additional cost. To be booked and paid for locally.

White Emperor City for approximately AU$70 per person - An ancient temple that is located a top Baidi Mountain on the northern bank of the Yangtze River in Fengjie County, and it is the best viewing point to appreciate the entrance of Three Gorges.

 Yangtze River Cruise (Fengdu Jade Emperor)

Today you will visit the Fengdu Jade Emperor. This scenic area fusions of astronomy, history, religion, literature, architecture, art, formed the palace, the temple, hall, tower, corridor, garden culture as the core of the culture of the tourism experience. You can also join the Fengdu Ghost City (not included) to see why it’s regarded as the “City of Ghosts”. The temples built on Ming Mountain depict the punish instruments and demon paintings, demonstrating the Chinese people’s imagination of hell. Return to the ship and continue to pass through the mountains of Eastern Sichuan.

This evening, pack your bags in preparation for disembarking tomorrow and enjoy a farewell dinner with the rest of the travellers and your crew.

Accommodation: Victoria Katarina Cruise boat or similar
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Optional activities at an additional cost. To be booked and paid for locally.

Fengdu "Ghost City" for approximately AU$70 per person - A hot destination for many visitors and Yangtze River cruise travellers. This extremely old place is featured with the culture of “ghost” in China, and also treasurable storage of the folk culture about Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism together.

Chongqing  Australia

Today you will disembark the cruise at Chongqing, which is known as the Mountain City in China. You can explore this beautiful city at your own pace before travelling to the airport for your flight home.

Accommodation: Victoria Katarina Cruise boat or similar
Meals included: breakfast
 

Arrival home

Arrive in Australia

Meals included: inflight only