Imperial Jewels of China

Imperial Jewels of China

A phenomenal tour and cruise bringing to life China’s key sights in 13 days. Combining the cosmopolitan, modern city of Shanghai and the historical city of Beijing, worlds’ apart. The highlight of our tour, a relaxed cruise along the Yangtze river with it’s amazing sights and breathtaking scenery. Why not experience for yourself a tour, cruise combination with a real insight in to the culture and diversity of China. A truly amazing trip.

13 days from only £2635

Holiday highlights
• Old Shanghai
• Lesser Three Gorges
• Great Wall of China
• Terracotta Army

Included excursions
• Hebei Museum
• Silk Carpet Workshop
• Shanghai Museum
• Chinese acrobatic show
• Lesser Three Gorges
• Shibaozhai
• Tour of Chongqing
• Tour of Mausoleum, see the Terracotta Warriors
• Great Wall of China
• Tiananmen Square
• Beijing’s Forbidden City
• Summer Palace

Holiday Itinerary by Air
Day 1 UK to Shanghai - Fly overnight from London to Shanghai.
Day 2 Shanghai - Welcome to Shanghai, China’s largest city. Upon arrival we will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Day 3 Shanghai - This morning, tour Old Shanghai and travel along the Bund, the city’s elegant river front promenade. After lunch in a local restaurant, tour a silk carpet workshop. Then visit the Shanghai Museum. Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant and a Chinese acrobatic show. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 4 Shanghai & Wuhan - Morning free to further explore Shanghai. After lunch in a local restaurant, fly to Wuhan. Visit the Wuhan Museum, then transfer to Viking Century Sun, docked close to Wuhan’s historic waterfront. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 5 Yueyang - This day, visit a junior school sponsored by Viking River Cruises in this rural village. You’ll be greeted by the children and enjoy a special performance. Return to your ship for meals and scenic cruising. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 6 Three Gorges Dam - Cruise through the morning and enjoy lunch sailing along Xiling Gorge. Tour of the Three Gorges Dam where you learn about this immense engineering masterpiece. Return to the ship and sail through the 5-stage locks of the Dam. Cruise through the night.
Day 7 Three Gorges Dam & Lesser Three Gorges - For the next 150 miles, you’ll travel the most scenic stretch of the Yangtze known as the Three Gorges. Cruise through Wu (Witches) Gorge then board a smaller boat for an excursion through the Lesser Three Gorges. Lunch at a scenic stop. After, return to your ship and sail through Qutang Gorge, the shortest, narrowest and most spectacular of the three large gorges. Dinner is served aboard. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 8 Shibaozhai - This morning, visit Shibaozhai Temple, a 12-story pavilion built in 1650 then return aboard for lunch. Cruise along the Yangtze through the night. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 9 Chongqing & Xian - After breakfast, disembark and enjoy a brief tour of Chongqing. Visit the Chongqing Zoo to see the giant pandas. Lunch in a local restaurant, fly to Xian, key city of the Tang Dynasty. This evening, choose to dine surrounded by the song and dance of this colorful era, or dine at your hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 10 Xian & Beijing - In the morning, tour the mausoleum where Emperor Qin Shi Huang was laid to rest over 2,000 years ago. See the thousands of lifesized terracotta warriors, archers and infantrymen that were buried with him. After lunch in Xian, fly to Beijing, China’s former imperial capital. Check in and dine in your hotel; free time this evening. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 11 Beijing - After breakfast, travel to Badaling Hills. See the most impressive and best-preserved sections of the Great Wall of China. Lunch in a local restaurant. After, walk along the Sacred Way, a tree-lined avenue leading to the Ming Dynasty tombs. This evening, a traditional Peking Duck dinner and a recital by Peking Opera performers, or dine at your hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 12 Beijing - This morning visit Tiananmen Square, which can accommodate over 1,000,000 people. Then tour Beijing’s Forbidden City. After a lunch of localialities, see the Summer Palace. Tonight, a farewell dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 13 Beijing - After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Beijing airport for your return flight to London.

On some dates this itinerary operates in the reverse direction. Ports of call and timings may vary.

Flight departures. Heathrow.

By air - whats included
• 5 nights full board cruise
• 2 nights Shanghai, 1 night Xian, 3 nights Beijing in hotel, daily breakfast
• 12 included tours
• All meals as stated
• Return flights & resort transfers

Visa Required A Chinese Visa can be arranged at a cost of £125