Highlights of China with Yangtze Cruise

Itinerary

• Day 1 • Fly to Beijing

  Travel from the UK on an overnight flight to Beijing.

• Day 2 • Arrive in Beijing and welcome dinner

  This afternoon, you’ll land in Beijing, China’s vast, lively capital, and be welcomed by your local tour manager and city guide upon arrival, before heading to a local restaurant for dinner.

• Day 3 • Tour of Beijing with local lunch

  After breakfast, begin your day in Beijing with a visit to Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, before exploring the Forbidden City, the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties between 1420 and 1911, and the first UNESCO World Heritage Site of the tour. This magnificent palace encompasses 114 buildings, including an important imperial library, and showcases centuries of history and culture.

• Day 4 • The Great Wall of China and Qianmen Street

  Following breakfast, today’s wish-list highlight is a visit to the Great Wall of China, at Badaling. This remarkable fortification, stretching over 1,500 miles across northern China, was originally constructed more than 2,000 years ago. You can choose to walk up to the wall or, if you’d prefer, take a cable car ride up (at your own expense), where the views from the top are breath-taking!

• Day 5 • Summer Palace, tea ceremony experience & a high-speed train journey to Xi'an

  Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before visiting the Summer Palace, the former summer retreat of China’s emperors and their families. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is positioned around the vast Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, and is renowned for its landscaped gardens, ornate pavilions, pretty bridges and the famous marble boat.

• Day 6 • Terracotta Army visit & Muslim Quarter and optional Xi'an Tang Dynasty show

  After breakfast, visit the world-famous Terracotta Army, an extraordinary collection of life-sized warriors, horses, and chariots buried over 2,000 years ago. In the afternoon, explore Xi’an’s vibrant Muslim Quarter and see landmarks like the Great Mosque, then stop to view the Bell Tower before returning to your nearby hotel. Enjoy dinner at leisure, with the option to attend the Xi’an Tang Dynasty Show, a spectacular celebration of traditional music and dance.

• Day 7 • Xi'an City Wall, Small Wild Goose Pagoda and high-speed train journey to Chengdu

  Have breakfast before travelling to Xi’an City Wall, one of the oldest and largest city walls in China, originally built in the 14th century during the Ming Dynasty. Next, visit the Small Goose Pagoda, a Buddhist pagoda constructed over 1,300 years ago during the Tang Dynasty, known for its slender brick design and historical significance as part of the Jianfu Temple complex. After lunch, board a second high-speed train to Chengdu. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

• Day 8 • Panda Research Centre, the People's Park teahouse and Kuanzhai Alley

  Enjoy breakfast before visiting the Panda Research Centre, one of China’s key conservation sites where you can observe giant pandas and, season permitting, young cubs. Return to the city to explore People’s Park, enjoy tea in a classic teahouse, and see the famous Marriage Corner. Continue to Kuanzhai Alley, a Qing-dynasty district filled with traditional courtyard architecture, teahouses, shops, and local snacks, with time to wander before lunch. In the evening, conclude the day with a traditional Chinese hot pot dinner, a popular, social dining experience.

• Day 9 • Wenshu Temple, high-speed train journey to Chongqing, ride on the Liziba Monorail and board Yangtze Victoria Cruise

  After breakfast, visit Chengdu’s tranquil Wenshu Temple before taking a high-speed train to Chongqing. Explore key sights including Jiefang Bei, the Liziba Monorail, and Kuixing Pavilion with views of the city’s unique “8D architecture.” After dinner and a panoramic drive to see the illuminated skyline, board your Victoria Cruises ship for a three-night Yangtze River sailing with optional excursions available.

• Day 10 • Yangtze cruise and visit to Mount Shuanggui near Fengdu

  After breakfast, enjoy sailing downstream before a shore excursion to Mount Shuanggui, known for its historic temples and tranquil surroundings. Return to the ship for lunch, time on the viewing decks, and onboard lectures. In the evening, join the Captain’s welcome reception followed by a buffet dinner, with an optional additional shore excursion available.

• Day 11 • Yangtze Cruise, travel through the Three Gorges

  After breakfast, cruise into the breathtaking Three Gorges, sailing through the dramatic Qutang and misty Wu Gorges before transferring to a smaller boat for a scenic trip along the tranquil Goddess Stream. Back onboard, continue through the long and towering Xiling Gorge. This evening, enjoy the Captain’s farewell dinner.

• Day 12 • Disembark, visit to the Three Gorges Dam and a high-speed train journey to Suzhou

  After breakfast, disembark for a guided visit to the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric power station, before transferring to Yichang for a high-speed train to Suzhou with a packed lunch provided. On arrival, head to your centrally located hotel on a pedestrian street. Dinner is at leisure, allowing you to explore local dining options at your own pace.

• Day 13 • The Lingering Garden, a cruise on Suzhou's canals and visit to a Silk Factory and Silk Museum

  After breakfast, visit Suzhou’s UNESCO-listed Lingering Garden before enjoying a 40-minute canal cruise past traditional houses and stone bridges. Continue to a Silk Factory and Museum to learn about the city’s long silk-making heritage, followed by lunch featuring local cuisine. Later, transfer to Shanghai and check into your centrally located hotel, with dinner at leisure.

• Day 14 • Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Urban History Development Museum, Shanghai's Bund and East Nanjing Road and optional Shanghai evening river cruise

  After breakfast, visit the Oriental Pearl Tower for panoramic city views before exploring the Shanghai Urban History Development Museum at its base. Then stroll along the Bund and enjoy free time on East Nanjing Road for shopping, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. The evening is at leisure, with the option to take a Huangpu River cruise to see Shanghai’s illuminated skyline and historic Bund.

• Day 15 • Morning at leisure, optional Shanghai tour and fly back to the UK

  After breakfast, enjoy free time for sightseeing or last-minute shopping, or join an optional tour of Shanghai, visiting Fuxing Park and the historic Xintiandi district with its renovated Shikumen houses. Stop for lunch to savor Shanghai Xiaolongbao before returning to the hotel for a farewell dinner, then transfer to the airport for your midnight departure.