Yangtze River Cruise

Highlights of China

with a 3-night/4-day Yangtze River Cruise

12 days • Air, land & cruise
11 days • Beijing/Shanghai
From $1698 land/cruise only
(see Departure Dates and Rates)

Escorted

Your Travel Value Includes

• Airport transfers in Beijing on day 2 and Shanghai on day 12 when tour operator issues airline tickets
• All intra-China air
• Hotel accommodation in twin-bedded rooms with private bath or shower in hotels listed or similar; hotel taxes, service charges, and tips for baggage handling
• Three night cruise on the 5-star ms Victoria Katarina in an outside cabin with a balcony in Standard category; Upgrades available to Junior and Shangri-la suites
• 10 breakfasts (B), 9 lunches (L) and 8 dinners (D) featuring American and Chinese cuisines, including a Tang Dynasty Show in Xian and Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Dinners on the ship: ON HONG KONG EXTENSION: 2 additional breakfasts (B)
• Services of a professional bilingual Tour Director from arrival in Beijing to departure in Shanghai; Local host on Hong Kong extension
• Sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
• All on board activities including lectures, lessons in Chinese cooking, calligraphy, art, tai chi and acupuncture
• All on board entertainment including crew revues and talent shows
• Services of an English-speaking Cruise Director
• All local taxes
• Brendan flight bag and portfolio of travel documents

A visa is required for China.

Itinerary

Day 1, Mon. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSPACIFIC FLIGHT.

Day 2, Tue. ARRIVE BEIJING, CHINA.
Transfer to your hotel, where the rest of the day is free.

Day 3, Wed. GREAT WALL & SUMMER PALACE EXCURSION.
Head northwest to the Great Wall of China, an architectural wonder. There is plenty of time to explore the ramparts of this awesome structure. Back in Beijing, visit the splendid Summer Palace. (B,L,D)

Day 4, Thu. BEIJING.
This morning, the energetic can join an excursion to exercise with the locals in a nearby park. Then continue sightseeing with a visit to the Temple of Heaven. Built in the 15th and 16th centuries, it represents the pinnacle of Ming and Qing architecture. Next is the Xishiku Church, one of just 17 churches in China. See Tiananmen Square, reputed to be the world’s largest. Finally, visit the Forbidden City, an immense maze of palaces. The evening is at leisure. (B,L)

Day 5, Fri. BEIJING / XIAN.
A free morning to relax or explore on your own. There is an optional visit to a hutong, an ancient city alley or lane between courtyards, via rickshaw. A hutong visit is an ideal way to learn about the daily life of ordinary Beijing citizens. This afternoon, fly to fascinating Xian. (B,L,D)

Day 6, Sat. XIAN.
Your first stop today is at the ancient city wall. Next, visit a pottery workshop where you will have a chance to make your own pottery warrior. At lunch, meet a local chef for a dumpling cooking demonstration. This afternoon is a highlight tour of the magnificent Museum of Qin Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses. Tonight, attend the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show, featuring colorful classical performances of dance and song. (B,L,D)

Day 7, Sun. XIAN / CHONGQING / EMBARK CRUISE.
Fly to Chongqing, a major port city on the Yangtze. Your deluxe ship is moored here. During the next few days, when you are not sightseeing, you can attend cooking demonstrations, fashion shows and lectures on Chinese history, medicine and calligraphy. (B,L,D)

Day 8, Mon. CRUISING.
Cruise peacefully along the scenic Yangtze. Depending on river conditions, stop in Fengdu, Wanzhou or Shibaozhai, all typical little riverside villages. (B,L,D)

Day 9, Tue. CRUISING.
Continue through the first and second of the three gorges – Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. After lunch, enjoy a small boat excursion down the Daning River or Shennong Stream to see the lesser gorges (depending on river conditions). Later, sail through the Three Gorges shiplocks. (B,L,D)

Day 10, Wed. CRUISING / THREE GORGES DAM / YICHANG / SHANGHAI.
Take in the beautiful scenery as you view tiny villages clinging precariously to hillsides above the river. Then tour the gargantuan Three Gorges Dam. On arrival in Yichang, disembark and visit a local kindergarten. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. (B,L,D)

Day 11, Thu. SHANGHAI.
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing. First visit Yuyuan Garden, a 400-year-old classical garden. Next is The Bund, with its unique modern architecture. On to see a Linong, blocks of old Shanghai neighborhoods with criss-crossing lanes and alleys. Visit the Silk Museum where you spend time in its workshop and view a demonstration of the ancient process of making silk from silkworm cocoons. After a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant, enjoy an evening cruise along the Huangpu River. (B,L,D)

Day 12, Fri. DEPART SHANGHAI.
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)

Hotels
BEIJING - Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven (SF)
XIAN - Gloria Plaza Hotel (SF)
SHANGHAI - The Bund (SF)

On Hong Kong extension:
Regal Kowloon (SF)

Ask about our Worry Free Travel Plan

Exclusive All-Travel Savings

AN ALL-TRAVEL EXCLUSIVE
Receive a 5% discount!
5% Discount applies to cruise only
Based on double occupancy

Cruise Tour CA/CAE Departures & Prices Per Person

The above prices are per person based on double occupancy

Single supplement: 50% of Land/Cruise rate. Triple rooms available in Junior Suite only.

The cruise/land price includes all intra-China air from Beijing to Shanghai on Cruise/Tour CA and from Beijing to Hong Kong on Cruise/Tour CAE

For extra hotel nights in Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong ask your Brendan Specialist

Port charges are included

Prices shown include cruise accommodations in a standard outside cabin (205 sq feet) with balcony. To upgrade to a higher category, add per person:

Cabin assignments will be advised in Beijing.

* Airfares are based on departure from Los Angeles. U.S. departure taxes and other surcharges are not included and will be advised at time of booking. Airfares and taxes are subject to change.

*Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Additional restrictions may apply.