Classic
Yangtze River: Chongqing – Yichang (Down Stream)
The Yangtze River is the world’s third and China’s longest river whose ebb and flow concerns the life of 300 million Chinese. It is one of the greatest river journeys by cruising down the Yangtze either from Chongqing to Yichang.
Without the existence of the 193km long Three Gorges, neither would this 4 days and 3 nights downstream Yangtze River cruise have been so well known nor would it have attracted so many visitors. With the Three Gorges Water Conservancy Project’s completion in sight, visitors have been trying to take in as much memory of its original sights as possible while wondering what the future sights will look like.
Itinerary – 13 Days/12 Nights Beijing (4N), Xian (2N), Yangtze River Cruise (3N) & Shanghai (3N)
Day 01 Arrive Beijing
Upon arrival into Beijing, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel with rest of the day free.
Day 02 Beijing (B/L)
Your tours start with the Tiananmen Square that is located in the center of the city. Your next stop will be the 600-year-old Forbidden City, the world’s largest cluster of ancient halls and palaces from where 24 emperors of feudal dynasties ruled China. Visit the beautiful Summer Palace in the afternoon.
Day 03 Beijing (B/L)
In the morning you will travel to the north suburb to see the Ming Tombs area. In the afternoon visit the highlight of your trip – the Great Wall that was built to ward off invasion of the Mongolians and Manchurians. It is said to be the only man-made construction visible with naked eyes from outer space.
Day 04 Beijing (B/L /SD )
Take the relaxing Hutong tour to get a glimpse of local’s people daily lift this morning. Visit the Temple of Heaven whose construction was laid out quite specially and are masterpieces of the Ming Dynasty and do shopping at either the Hongqiao Market or Silk Alley... Enjoy China’s No. 1 specialty – the Beijing Duck Dinner in the evening.
Day 05 Beijing – Xian (B/L)
Transfer to airport for morning flight to Xian. Upon arrival into this starting point of the Silk Road, meet and city tours including visit to the Historical Museum that is one of the best in the country and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda that was initially built in the 7th century to house Buddhist scriptures brought back from India and now symbol of the city.
Day 06 Xian (B/L/SD)
In the morning go to the Muslim quarter to see the Great Mosque that is one of the four most important ones in China. Followed by a walk on top of the old City Wall that is 12m high and 12-18m in width. Afterwards have an excursion to the Terra Cotta Warriors & Horses site – the world’s 8th wonder ever since its excavation in mid-1970. Enjoy the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show in the evening.
Day 07 Xian – Chongqing – Yangtze River Cruise (B/L)
Take a morning flight to Chongqing – the most important city in China’s southwest region. Have city tours in the afternoon to visit the Eling Park where you can get a panoramic view of the city, the old town of Ciqikou which dates back to hundreds of years and the new Three Gorges Museum. You will be transferred to the pier where you will get on board one of the ships of Victoria Cruises which departs Chongqing at 9pm.
Day 08 Yangtze River Cruise (B/L/D)
Today you will have shore excursion to Fengdu – the “Ghost City” with its temples containing sculptures of demons and devils. Take part in the captain’s Welcome Cocktail Party in the evening.
Day 09 Yangtze River Cruise (B/L/D)
This morning you will sail through the Qutang Gorge, the first of the three Yangtze gorges that is only 8km long but known for its magnificence. Then the ship docks at Wushan for an excursion to the Lesser Three Gorges that is narrower but more dramatic. Continue through Wu Gorge that is famous for its deep valley and quiet beauty and the Xiling Gorge, the longest of the three and composed of many scenic spots. Then it is quite an experience to watch the ship go through the 5-deck ship-lock that normally takes more than 3 hours. Join in the Farewell Banquet in the evening.
Day 10 Arrive Yichang – Shanghai (B)
This morning you will visit the magnificent Three Gorges Dam site. American engineers selected the current site in 1930, and dam completion is now scheduled for 2008. While the dam will create the world’s largest reservoir and has promised benefits such as flood and drought control, it will on the other hand relocate over 1.5 million people; submerge 13 cities as well as 570,000 acres of cultivated land. You will then be met at around noon time and transferred to the airport directly for your flight to Shanghai.
Day11 Shanghai (B/L)
Your full day tours will start with the Historical Display Museum which tells the city’s past in a vivid way. The next stop is the Oriental TV Tower on top of which you can get a nice view of the Bund. Further on, visit the old city bazaar and Yu Garden that is located in a crowded living area. In the evening visit the Xintiandi which is frequented by both local and foreign tourists.
Day12 Shanghai (B /L )
Another full day tours today include the best museum in China – Shanghai Museum, the Jade Buddha Temple that is often enveloped in incense smoke and the former British and French Concessions area. Afterwards you may have some free time for shopping at the Nanjing Pedestrian Shopping Street before enjoying the Acrobatic Show.
Day13 Depart Shanghai (B)
You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
City |
Hotel |
Season |
Standard |
Superior |
Deluxe |
Standard |
Superior |
Deluxe |
2 Up |
S/S |
2 Up |
S/S |
2 Up |
S/S |
Beijing |
Novotel Peace
**** |
Crowne Plaza
**** * |
Peninsula
***** |
Apr, 09 |
2813 |
982 |
3290 |
1430 |
3698 |
1829 |
May, 09 |
2928 |
1096 |
3443 |
1583 |
4022 |
2153 |
Jun, 09 |
2755 |
923 |
3096 |
1236 |
3639 |
1770 |
Jul – Aug, 09 |
2692 |
860 |
3096 |
1236 |
3513 |
1644 |
Xian |
Aurum
**** |
Sheraton
***** |
Sofitel
***** |
Sep – Oct, 09 |
2928 |
1096 |
3443 |
1583 |
4022 |
2153 |
01-15Nov, 09 |
2755 |
923 |
3290 |
1430 |
3698 |
1829 |
16-30Nov, 09 |
2746 |
915 |
3122 |
1262 |
3629 |
1761 |
Shanghai |
Grand Mercure
**** |
Renaissance Yuyuan
**** * |
JW Marriott
***** |
Dec, 09 – Feb, 10 |
2495 |
664 |
2808 |
949 |
3122 |
1254 |
01-15Mar, 10 |
2683 |
852 |
2945 |
1085 |
3417 |
1548 |
16-31Mar, 10 |
2755 |
923 |
3227 |
1367 |
3629 |
1761 |
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Remarks:
• The downstream cruise from Chongqing to Yichang has daily departures;
• Departures are limited during the low season from December, 2009 to March, 2010;
• The Standard Category is based on Victoria Rose which, having no balcony, departs on Saturdays; The Superior Category is based on Victoria Queen departing on Mondays, Victoria Star departing on Wednesdays & Victoria Empress departing on Fridays; The Deluxe Category is based on Victoria Anna departing on Tuesdays, Victoria Katrina departing on Thursdays & Victoria Jenna departing on Sundays. |
