By Land and By Water

breakfast

Shanghai lies at the mouth of the Yangtze River, where it meets the East China Sea. Today, a comfortable high-speed train journey of more than seven hours will take you to Yichang, on the upper reaches of the Yangtze. Your cruise ship will be waiting at the port. Settle into your comfortable, spacious outside cabin and prepare for four relaxing and memorable days on China’s longest river.

Yangtze River Cruise

lunch and dinner

Enjoy a scenic cruise through the Yangtze River’s Three Gorges, each with its own distinctive landscape. Some stretches are narrow and dramatic, with steep cliffs rising from the water, while elsewhere the mountains slope more gently, making way for farmland and fruit orchards. A range of excursions is planned, including a visit to the Three Gorges Dam, a boat trip along a peaceful tributary of the Yangtze, and a visit to either Fengdu’s Snow Jade Cave or Xiaoguanshan Folk Culture Park. Please note that excursions are subject to change depending on weather and navigation conditions.

lunch and dinner

Enjoy a scenic cruise through the Yangtze River’s Three Gorges, each with its own distinctive landscape. Some stretches are narrow and dramatic, with steep cliffs rising from the water, while elsewhere the mountains slope more gently, making way for farmland and fruit orchards. A range of excursions is planned, including a visit to the Three Gorges Dam, a boat trip along a peaceful tributary of the Yangtze, and a visit to either Fengdu’s Snow Jade Cave or Xiaoguanshan Folk Culture Park. Please note that excursions are subject to change depending on weather and navigation conditions.

lunch and dinner

Enjoy a scenic cruise through the Yangtze River’s Three Gorges, each with its own distinctive landscape. Some stretches are narrow and dramatic, with steep cliffs rising from the water, while elsewhere the mountains slope more gently, making way for farmland and fruit orchards. A range of excursions is planned, including a visit to the Three Gorges Dam, a boat trip along a peaceful tributary of the Yangtze, and a visit to either Fengdu’s Snow Jade Cave or Xiaoguanshan Folk Culture Park. Please note that excursions are subject to change depending on weather and navigation conditions.

Enjoy breakfast on board before arriving in Chongqing in the morning. Home to more than 30 million people, Chongqing is China’s largest municipality and the final stop on your Yangtze cruise. One of the day’s highlights is a visit to the observation deck at Raffles City. For an additional fee, payable on site, you can also try the thrilling sky swing while taking in panoramic views across the vast city.

Afterwards, transfer to the railway station and board a modern high speed train to Xi’an. Once an imperial capital and an important stop on the ancient Silk Road, Xi’an has played a central role in Chinese history. If time allows, you can take a leisurely evening stroll through the Old Town.

Today's highlight is the Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor. One of the most celebrated attractions on any tour of China, it was also among the country's first sites to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Explore the three excavated pits and the exhibition hall housing the bronze chariots discovered nearby. The remarkable preservation of this 2,200-year-old clay army is sure to impress. In the afternoon, visit Xi'an's iconic Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, located within the Buddhist Da Ci'en Temple, also known as the Temple of Great Mercy. Built during the Tang Dynasty, the pagoda is one of China's oldest surviving structures of its kind. End the afternoon at the Great Mosque in the city centre. Xi'an has a large Muslim community and has welcomed people and cultures from abroad since the Han Dynasty, when the city served as the eastern starting point of the Silk Road.

Terracotta Warriors

After breakfast, begin the day with a visit to Xi'an's magnificent City Wall before transferring to the railway station. A final high-speed train journey of around five hours will take you to Beijing, China’s capital. Upon arrival, you will be taken to your hotel.

Xian City Wall

Today, visit the Summer Palace, the next UNESCO World Heritage Site on your journey. Its classical Chinese gardens and impressive architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into the country’s imperial past. Set beside Kunming Lake, the complex is home to the famous Marble Boat and a 700-metre-long covered walkway decorated with intricate artwork. Both offer excellent photo opportunities.

In the afternoon, travel north of Beijing to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, one of the highlights of any visit to China. Generally less crowded than other sections, Mutianyu offers sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. Take a cable car up to the wall, where you will have time to walk at your own pace and admire the remarkable structure as it winds across the landscape. Return to Beijing in the evening.

Summer Palace

round trip cable car in Mutianyu Great Wall

Begin the day at Tiananmen Square, where Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. The square is home to the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall and the Monument to the People’s Heroes and is surrounded by several important national buildings. At its northern end stands Tiananmen Gate, beyond which lies the Forbidden City, enclosed by imposing red walls. Explore the grand ceremonial halls of the Outer Court before continuing to the smaller buildings and courtyards of the former imperial private quarters. The immense scale of the palace complex is sure to impress.

In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Heaven in southern Beijing. Once reserved for emperors who came to pray for good harvests, the historic complex is now open to the public. Its surrounding park is also a popular gathering place, where local residents meet to play cards, sing, and exercise.

Forbidden City

Depending on your departure time, you will be transferred to the airport for your return or onward flight.