Treasures of China & Yangtze River Cruise

Your fascinating discovery of China begins today in Beijing. Meaning "northern capital," Beijing has been the principal city of many dynasties, most notably the Ming and Qing from 1403 to 1644. As such, it brims with ancient marvels while remaining a modern city.

On arrival, transfer independently to our four-star hotel to check in, and then the remainder of the afternoon is yours to get to know Beijing. Our hotel is near Wangfujing Street, a pedestrianized area that has been the commercial heart of Beijing for centuries. These days, it reflects the modernity of the Chinese capital, as it is lined with high-end retailers; however, tradition is never far away.

Hidden down a side street is Wangfujing Snack Street. To wander down here is to explore a microcosm of authentic Chinese fast food. Look out for the Beijing specialty of sugar-coated fruit on a stick, mutton skewers from Xinjiang and the fermented tofu of Hunan province. Returning to the hotel this evening, join the Tour Manager and your fellow travelers for our first dinner together. Overnight Beijing.

• Dinner

The largest manmade project on Earth, the Great Wall of China stretches from the eastern sea to the western desert. While it's not a single wall, more than 13,000 miles of these historic fortifications snake across mountains and plateaus, designed to keep out foreign invaders and protect the lucrative Silk Road.  

This morning, after breakfast, we travel to the rolling hills around Mutianyu, where we admire a beautifully restored section of the Great Wall. Taking a cable car to the wall itself, we are free to explore the towers and walk along parapets in the strikingly fresh air. The views of the local countryside are beautiful, especially when the trees are in bloom, but the Great Wall mesmerizes as it meanders for hundreds of miles in each direction. 

On our way back to Beijing, we stop for photo opportunities and lunch. This evening, we enjoy an authentic experience as we dine at a Peking duck restaurant. At large, circular tables, we savor an array of traditional dishes, with the star of the show being the duck itself. Overnight Beijing.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, our expert local guide joins us for a sightseeing tour of this fascinating city. Our explorations begin at Tiananmen Square, the site of the 1989 protests. This vast open space is flanked by austere official buildings and the tomb of Mao Zedong, who founded the People's Republic of China here in 1949.  A portrait of Mao hangs above the bright red Tiananmen Gate, signifying the entrance to the Forbidden City - the world's largest palace - inhabited for 500 years by royals and courtesans, with most people barred from entry. We stroll through breathtaking palaces, ornate grand halls, peaceful gardens and quintessential Chinese architecture that stands as a testament to China's long history. 

After lunch at a local restaurant, our exploration continues with a visit to the 15th-century Temple of Heaven. This magnificent complex of Ming-era religious buildings symbolizes the Confucian belief in the harmonious relationship between Earth and heaven through striking circular altar temples in a landscaped park. 

We return to our central hotel where the rest of the evening is free to dine independently. Overnight Beijing.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Heading to the railway station this morning, we leave the capital aboard the First Class carriages of a modern, high-speed train bound for Xi'an. The 750-mile journey between Beijing and Xi'an is completed in a little over five-and-a-half hours. Traveling at speeds of up to 186mph, we dash through eastern China, experiencing the country's rapid urbanization first-hand as we pass through Shijiazhuang and Zhengzhou - both cities sporting shimmering skyscrapers and urban populations of more than five million.  

Our destination of Xi'an is known as one of the first "world cities". It has a remarkable history due to its position at one end of the Silk Road, which stretched through Central Asia all the way to Mediterranean Europe, facilitating trade across the continents.    

After checking in to our five-star hotel, we round off the day in style with a dumpling banquet for dinner. Overnight Xi'an.

• Breakfast, Dinner

The first emperor of China, Qin Shin Huang, is famed today not only for giving his name to the country we know, but also for the sculptures that guard his massive mausoleum near Xi'an. After breakfast, we marvel at the astonishing Terracotta Army discovered by farmers in 1974. This mind-blowing collection features more than 8,000 terracotta sculptures of warriors, horses and chariots in formation, with each life-sized and unique statue representing the emperor's armies. Recognized by UNESCO, the world's greatest archaeological discovery is utterly captivating. 

After lunch at a restaurant, we discover more about the melting pot of cultures that resulted from the Silk Road inside the Ming Dynasty city walls. The existence of Muslim merchants in Xi'an can be traced to the Tang dynasty and the atmospheric streets of the Muslim Quarter contain impressive sights, including the Great Mosque, reconstructed in the 14th century. 

We admire the blend of Chinese and Islamic architecture in the mosque's minaret and turquoise-roofed prayer hall before an evening at leisure. Overnight Xi'an.

• Breakfast, Lunch

There's a relaxed morning after breakfast at our Xi'an hotel before we are transferred to the railway station. With a picnic lunch to enjoy aboard a high-speed train, we journey to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, for a two-night stay.

This province is famed for its food, especially the flavorsome dishes that are revered even amongst other celebrated Chinese cuisines - a source of pride further recognized when Chengdu became UNESCO's first-ever City of Gastronomy.  

On arrival in Chengdu, we are transferred to the city's oldest five-star hotel. Dating from 1988, its attractive exterior recalls the Buddhist architecture of Tibet, while the stylish interior blends traditional design with modern comfort. It is here that we gather this evening to embrace the flavors of Sichuan as we enjoy a dinner of local specialties in the hotel restaurant. Overnight Chengdu.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sichuan may be famed for its food, but there is another reason that people flock here. This morning, after breakfast at our five-star hotel, we visit the Panda Research Base.   

Chengdu is known as the giant panda capital of the world, and we get to admire these adorable creatures as they lounge in their large enclosures. Originally founded in 1987 to house six rescued giant pandas, more than 200 panda cubs have since been born at the research center. A national symbol of China, morning is the best time to see these charming and characterful animals.   

We get to know Chengdu more after lunch at a restaurant as we visit the Buddhist Wenshu Temple, the city's largest. Dating from the 7th century and dedicated to the bodhisattva of wisdom, we embrace the aroma of incense, carved sculptures, tranquil gardens and the hum of chanting in this peaceful haven. Next, we stroll amongst the historic teak buildings of lantern-lined Jinli Street, viewing traditional craft shops and snack stalls. The rest of the day is free to explore and dine independently. Overnight Chengdu.

• Breakfast, Lunch

An authentic slice of Chengdu life awaits us after breakfast today as we visit a teahouse in People's Park. Set beside a small boating lake, we sit down on bamboo chairs for a cup of Chinese tea and explore the park's artful landscaping and beautiful bonsais. 

We are transferred to the railway station after lunch at a local restaurant for our high-speed train service to Chongqing in First Class. Situated on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, we board our deluxe cabins on our five-star cruise ship - ready to sail along Asia's longest river to Yichang for the next two days. 

Journeying through some of China's most dramatic and beautiful scenery is complemented by our wonderful floating hotel's excellent facilities, including a cinema, library and indoor swimming pool. Stepping out onto the sundeck or relaxing in the lounge both provide perfect vantage points from which to admire the spectacular views. Dinner is served onboard as our route unfolds. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Waking up on our modern ship, there is the option to take part in a relaxing tai chi lesson onboard before breakfast. After, you are free to take in the timeless waterside scenery as we float along the Yangtze.

Should you wish to step ashore, there is an optional excursion to nearby Fengdu Ghost City (payable locally and pre-booking on our ship is advised). This vast, 2,000-year-old temple complex is dedicated to the afterlife and is found nestled high on Ming Mountain. The unique architectural styles and sculptures are fascinating and include a giant face carved into a hillside rock known as the "Ghost King".  

Back on board, we can relax after lunch and enjoy a selection of cultural activities. After dinner, we end our day with a complimentary excursion to see a War Fire of the Three Kingdoms show. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our remarkable Yangtze cruise continues as we immerse ourselves in the region's stunning gorges.

This morning, our ship drifts through the Qutang and Wu Gorges, two of the famous Three Gorges, both renowned for their picture-perfect scenery. This is a truly spectacular stretch of the river, as we sail under peaks that rise dramatically from the waters, and the canyons stretch out into the horizon, framing the river with craggy cliff faces and tree-covered slopes. 

After lunch, we join a sailing excursion along the Shennong Stream. Meandering like a jade dragon between forest-blanketed cliffs that soar steeply away from this beautiful waterway, the tributary cuts through the ancestral lands of the Tujia people. Following the captain's farewell banquet this evening, we enjoy an on-board cabaret show. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our luxury ship docks in Maoping this morning. After saying farewell to our crew after breakfast, our exploration of this stunning region continues as we join the shore excursion to the site of the Three Gorges Dam.  

This hydroelectric gravity dam is a fantastic renewable resource for the people of China and the largest of its kind in the world, producing record-breaking amounts of electricity. Fully operational since 2012, just 18 years after construction began, the damming of the Yangtze achieved a long-held Chinese dream first imagined in 1919 and has created awe-inspiring vistas of both human ingenuity and the power of nature as the mighty Yangtze swells upstream. 

Transferring to Yichang station after lunch, we board a high-speed train to Shanghai, with a picnic dinner ready for us on arrival. Our modern yet elegant five-star hotel is located just a block away from East Nanjing Road. Draped with illuminated signs and lined by upmarket boutiques and huge department stores, this is Shanghai's main street. Overnight Shanghai.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transferring out of the city after breakfast, we arrive in Zhujiajiao, a town famed for its labyrinth of canals and bridges.  

Sitting south of the Yangtze, the town's history stretches back centuries, and its importance can be traced to the Song Dynasty; however, it thrived during the Ming period. Today, it's renowned for its excellent state of preservation, evocative architecture and numerous bridges. On a guided tour, we explore this beautiful town, its waterways and decorative pagodas. 

After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit a silk mill in the "hometown of silk" to explore the production of this luxurious fabric that had an amazing influence on global trade more than 2,000 years ago. From here, we uncover a wonderfully preserved example of a Ming Dynasty classical haven at the Garden of Cultivation, before ending our explorations with a scenic cruise through the timeless canals, lined by historic buildings. Returning to Shanghai, the evening is free to dine independently. Overnight Shanghai.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Shanghai symbolizes China's "old-meets-new" cultural division like nowhere else. After breakfast, we set out on a guided sightseeing tour, beginning in Shanghai's old city.

Yu Garden is an oasis of calm with ornate pavilions, serene fishponds and decorative teahouses. Outside the walls, we stroll round the bustling Yuyuan marketplace. After free time for lunch in the distinctly European French Concession, we visit the historic Bund, which would not look out of place in a European city. That's because the buildings used to house Western banks and trading houses, creating a melting pot of cultures that led to the exciting "golden age" of jazz bands and cabaret bars. In addition to admiring this unique historical district, we can also take in remarkable views of the Shanghai skyline.

The evening, we enjoy a farewell dinner together at a traditional restaurant serving authentic Yunnan Chinese cuisine, before we board a ship for a cruise along the Huangpu River, absorbing views of one of the world's great city skylines - and one of incredible contrast. Overnight Shanghai.

• Breakfast, Dinner

The manmade and natural treasures of China have been revealed on this adventure, from Beijing's iconic Forbidden City and the wonder of the Great Wall to the awe-inspiring Terracotta Army. Chengdu introduced us to the country's most adorable residents, giant pandas, before a luxurious Yangtze cruise revealed China's natural beauty and modern ingenuity. Concluding in Shanghai, we sailed on the charming canals of Zhujiajiao and admired spectacular city views from the Huangpu River.

Your journey concludes this morning after breakfast at the hotel. Upon checking out, you are free to make your own way to Shanghai's airport for your onward travels home.

• Breakfast