China Yangtze

Today we depart for Beijing, the political, economic, and cultural centre of the People’s Republic of China. 

After arriving in Beijing, we transfer to our hotel, where we’ll settle in for the next four nights. This evening, enjoy a buffet dinner at the hotel. 

New Otani Chang Fu Gong (4 nights)

In the morning, we stroll through historic Tiananmen Square, where Mao Zedong first raised the flag of the People’s Republic of China. We then visit the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace where only the Emperor and his family once resided. Our tour concludes at the Temple of Heaven, where we will see the magnificent Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.

Tour Beijing’s Hutongs by rickshaw and visit a local family to learn more about Chinese culture. Together with our hosts, we’ll shop at a local market for ingredients before taking part in a dumpling-making lunch. Afterwards, we visit the Summer Palace, once the retreat of the imperial family and the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China. Here, we’ll also enjoy a scenic cruise on Kunming Lake, the palace’s man-made lake. 

Today’s highlight is a visit to the Great Wall of China, whose origins date back over 2,000 years to the reign of Emperor Qin. The section we explore at Mutianyu was built during the Ming Dynasty and is among the best-preserved. Back in Beijing, we stop at the National Stadium, known as the Bird’s Nest, for photos before enjoying a special Peking Duck dinner this evening.

Xi’an, once the starting point of the Silk Road, combines the heritage of an ancient capital with the energy of a modern city. After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll head to Huyi District to experience rural life and even try painting in the region’s well-known folk-art style.  

Crowne Plaza Xi’an (2 nights)

A full day excursion takes us to the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, one of China's greatest rulers and the builder of the Great Wall. Discovered in 1974, the tomb contains some 6,000 life-sized terracotta warriors and horses—the emperor’s guardians in the afterlife. We will then visit the Forest of Stone Steles Museum which exhibits ancient carved stone and calligraphy art. This evening brings a special treat: after a delightful dumpling dinner at a local restaurant, we'll head to a theatre for a Tang Dynasty performance.  

This morning, we will explore Xi’an’s massive City Wall— over 50 feet thick and one of the best-preserved military structures in China, followed by a visit to the Wild Goose Pagoda. This evening we transfer to the airport for our flight to Guilin, known as China’s most scenic region.

Sheraton Guilin Hotel (2 nights) 

This morning, we explore Daxu, an ancient town where history lingers in cobbled streets, stone bridges, and traditional houses. We’ll also have the chance to visit a local family to learn about their daily lives. In the afternoon, we continue to the Reed Flute Cave, admired for its colourful stalactites and stalagmites, before visiting Elephant Trunk Hill, the symbol of Guilin, and ending the day at a lively local market.

A scenic boat ride along the Li River reveals miles of breathtaking scenery, with traditional farms and mist-shrouded mountains rising from the riverbanks. Since ancient times, this landscape has inspired countless poems and paintings. Our cruise ends in the colourful market town of Yangshuo, where we will have the opportunity to join a cooking class followed by dinner. 
 

Green Lotus Hotel (1 night)

Today, we return to Guilin and take a high-speed train to Chongqing, the starting point of our Yangtze River cruise. After dinner, we board our ship and settle in for the journey ahead. 

Century Victory (3 nights) 

After breakfast, take an excursion to Fengdu Ghost City, famous for its ghost culture and its blend of Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist traditions. In the afternoon, enjoy a choice of onboard activities and lectures.   

As we cruise the Yangtze River, striking scenery surrounds us—steep cliffs, jagged peaks, waterfalls, and terraced hillsides. Qutang Gorge, just 8 kilometres long, is considered the most dramatic of the Yangtze gorges, with cliffs that soar nearly 1,000 metres above the river. Wu Gorge, stretching 44 kilometres, is admired for its serene valleys and the famous “Twelve Peaks” rising along its banks. Later, we board a smaller boat to explore the Shennv Stream, a narrow tributary framed by towering cliffs and unspoiled landscapes. 

This morning, we disembark at Maoping Port and join an excursion to the Three Gorges Dam site, the largest hydroelectric project in the world. The dam created a vast reservoir stretching more than 600 kilometres through the gorges we have just cruised. After our visit, we transfer by coach to Yichang for lunch before continuing to the airport for our flight to Shanghai.

Crowne Plaza Shanghai (3 nights)

Our day begins at the classical Yuyuan Garden, a Ming Dynasty masterpiece of pavilions, ponds, and winding pathways. We then stroll the Bund for sweeping views of the city skyline before stopping for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we visit the Jade Buddha Temple, famed for its exquisite jade statues, and the day concludes with dinner and a special acrobatic performance.

Often called the “Venice of the East”, Suzhou is known for its classical gardens, canals, and silk industry. Enjoy a full-day tour with visits to the Humble Administrator’s Garden and the Master of the Nets Garden, a canal cruise, and the Silk Spinning Factory. In the late afternoon, we return to Shanghai. 

This morning has been left at your leisure to rest or finish packing for the journey home. This afternoon we transfer to the airport for our journey back to Canada.