21 Day China Odyssey & Yangtze River

Your China adventure awaits! Your holiday will begin with an international flight to Chengdu. Upon arrival at Chengdu Airport, you will be welcomed by your tour guide and escorted to your hotel. The city of Chengdu is famous for its delicious cuisine, particularly for its spicy Sichuan peppercorns. Spend some leisure time exploring the city, relaxing and preparing for your first full day of touring.

This trip of a lifetime begins with a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The centre is renowned for its breeding program and is home to giant pandas and their gorgeous cousins, the red pandas. Founded in 1987, the conservation facility is home to more than 100 giant pandas and is one of the city's most popular attractions. Afterwards it’s back to the city of Chengdu where you can enjoy a traditional Sichuan hotpot.

Today we'll head to Jinli Old Street, a historic area that boasts a seamless fusion of ancient and modern China. A busy commerical area since the time of the Qin Dynasty (221 to 206 BCE), today this beautifully restored pedestrianised street is lined with teahouses where waiters dress in traditional style clothing, and small shops peddling handicrafts. Spend the rest of the afternoon perusing the old street at your leisure before heading back to the hotel.

Upon your arrival in Xi’an, you'll be greeted by your tour guide and escorted to your hotel. One of the oldest cities in all of China, Xi’an has more than 3,000 years of recorded history. As one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, it has served as the capital city during several of the most significant dynasties in China’s history.

Xi’an is now home to a great number of precious and ancient relics, but it is best known as the starting point of the famous Silk Road and the home of the Terracotta Army.

Take the afternoon to relax or explore at your leisure, ahead of your full day of touring tomorrow.

Prepare to be humbled as you begin your Terracotta Warriors tour with our experienced local guide, who will walk you through more than 1,000 years of Xi’an's history. The city served as China’s capital for 13 dynasties and has a wealth of history. You will visit the remarkable Terracotta Warriors, considered the eighth Wonder of the World and discovered by accident in 1974. This magnificent army consists of more than 7000 soldiers, archers, horses and chariots that has guarded Emperor Qin’s tomb since 210BC. Each figure is unique and the painstaking repair and evacuation continues to this day. Next you will visit an informative factory where you can learn more about the creation, conservation and history of the Warrior vaults.

After lunch, walk through the bustling marketplace of Moslem Street, or Hui Min Jie, a vibrant and atmospheric area, that has been home to the Hui people for centuries; it's full of street food stalls peddling delicious food and shops where you can purchase souvenirs.

Today we'll visit the serene Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple was once used by a large team of scholars to translate Buddhist texts into Chinese and has subsequently become a holy place for pilgrims. Later, we'll explore the Ancient City Wall, which is one of the oldest and best-preserved city walls in all of China. Enjoy a stroll around the perimeter and take in the spectacular views from atop.

Today, experience the exhilaration of transport via high-speed train from Xi’an to Beijing. Beijing is a metropolis in northern China and the country's capital. It is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China and offers countless historical treasures and fabled attractions. Upon arrival in Beijing, you'll be welcomed by your tour guide and escorted to your hotel. Take some time to relax or explore the local area at your leisure.

Enjoy a full day of leisure in Beijing and take some time to explore on your own. Taste the local delicacies, check out the popular shopping districts or perhaps visit a museum. Beijing has plenty to offer for everyone.

Today you will set out with your tour guide to discover Beijing’s most memorable imperial treasures. Stand in Tiananmen Square and be awed by one of the largest and grandest public plazas in the world. Enter through the imposing walls of the Forbidden City, once the domain of the Ming Dynasty, for an exclusive tour of this vast complex of courtyards, halls, palaces and lanes.

In the modern city of Beijing lies a place where you can still catch a glimpse of its storied and ancient past; that place is known as Shichahai. Shichahai is an area where most local residents still live in siheyuan – traditional courtyard-styled houses dotted along old hutongs (narrow laneways). A trip to Beijing is arguably not complete without paying a visit to Shichahai. On this immersive tour you'll these atmospheric laneways by rickshaw and enjoy a meal with a local family.

An incredible day awaits! Travel into the rugged mountain landscapes north of the city to the magnificent Great Wall of China. From the top of this famous, ancient structure, take in the exceptional views. Continue on your journey to learn about Jade, China’s most precious and celebrated stone and its manufacturing process at the largest Jade factory in Beijing. Later, you will visit the 2008 Summer Olympic Games Sites, including the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube and be awed by their imposing size. After your day spent exploring, enjoy a complimentary oriental foot massage at a traditional Chinese medical centre where you'll learn about alternative treatments for illness and have the chance to consult a Chinese medical professional.

Enjoy the morning at leisure or take time to explore Beijing one last time. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Hangzhou by the mind-blowing bullet train. The train reaches an unbelievable 320km/hr! Upon arrival at Hangzhou, you will be met by your tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Take some time to relax and prepare for your tour tomorrow.

Tour the Temple of Heaven and practice the martial art of Tai Chi. Tai Chi is an internal martial art system which places emphasis on the development and control of Chi energy (consciousness) within the body. The Temple of Heaven is a sprawling complex of religious buildings located in the southeastern section of central Beijing. The site was constructed by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties who would host annual ceremonies of prayer for good harvest here.

Today, we'll embark on an exciting tour of Hangzhou city, renowned for its beauty and abundance of cultural heritage. It is also the political, economic and cultural centre of the Zheijang Province and one of the most popular tourist destinations in China. You will also visit the West Lake area in Hangzhou, comprising of the West Lake and the surrounding hills, which have inspired famous poets, scholars and artists since the 9th century. It is considered one of the most beautiful landscapes in China, and is home to numerous temples, pagodas, pavilions, gardens, causeways and artificial islands. While you’re in the West Lake scenic area, visit a tea plantation, here you will learn about tea picking and processing.

Today, you will be transferred from Hangzhou to Suzhou via bus. Upon arrival, you will be able to spend some time exploring the Master of the Nets Garden. The garden is one of the finest gardens in China, and for which Suzhou is renowned. You will explore the garden and admire the effortless cohesion of art, nature and architecture that has attracted thousands of visitors since 1140 CE.

After breakfast, spend the morning perusing the most famous silk factory in China to understand the manufacturing processes of silk and its rich history before you are transferred to stunning Shanghai via bus. Upon arriving in Shanghai, you will visit the Nanjing walking district and discover the history and culture of this magnificent city. You will then continue to the Bund by the Huangpu River and witness the collision of the old and modern sides of the city. Shanghai is equally beautiful and diverse – and undeniably memorable.

Spend today at your leisure. Shanghai is host to a great number of historical and cultural sites; be sure to ask your tour guide for advice on the best places to visit. They will be thrilled to make some recommendations.

Today you'll travel from Shanghai to Yichang by high-speed train. Upon arrival, board the Yangtze River Cruise ship and settle in before departure tomorrow. The Yangtze River is the largest in Asia and the third largest in the world. It is renowned not only for its impressive size, but also for the natural beauty that surrounds it. The river begins in the remote mountainous regions and winds its way through stunning gorges, lush and fertile regions and connects with numerous lakes and waterways.

Your first day on the Yangtze River will begin with a beautiful buffet breakfast before setting out on your first optionalshore excursion to the Three Gorges Project. The Three Gorges Dam Site is one of the largest construction projects undertaken by mankind and is the biggest hydropower project in the world. It’s a magnificent and awe-inspiring sight. You may also choose to visit the Tribe of the Three Gorges, the only large scenic spot that has not been influenced by the Three Gorges Dam project, showcasing the abundant Ba Culture and Shu Culture. In the evening, you will return to the ship and attend the Captain’s Welcome Banquet and enjoy a splendid evening of dancing!

Today you may choose to enjoy an optionalshore excursion to the mesmerizing Shennong Stream. The stream flows through three beautiful gorges including the Mianzhu Gorge, Parrot Gorge and Longcangdong Gorge. Each gorge is renowned for its unique and stunning scenery. The Shennong Stream is also home to the Hanging Coffins – which are ancient coffins containing the remains of descendants of the Tujia people. It’s an eery yet memorable experience. Another excursion choice for today is to visit the White Emperor City. It's an ancient temple that is located atop Baidi Mountain on the northern bank of the Yangtze River in Fengjie County. In the afternoon, you will return to the ship in time for lunch and enjoy the crew's performance in the evening.

Today is a scheduled optionalshore excursion to the legendary Shibaozhai. The site has a history of over 400 years when it was built into the side of a 200-metre-tall hill. The striking nine story red pagoda was built in 1819 to make it easier for people to reach the Buddhist temple at the very top of the hill. If you are feeling brave, you may also choose to attend an excursion to visit the Fengdu Ghost City which is also known as the “City of Ghosts”. You will see the temples built on Ming Mountain that depict the punishment instruments and demon paintings, demonstrating the Chinese people’s imagination of hell. In the evening you will enjoy the Farewell Dinner and pack your bags in preparation to disembark the cruise the following day.

Today, you will disembark the cruise ship and be transferred to Chongqing International Airport for your scheduled flight home, unless you choose to extend your stay and continue to explore other mesmerising cities. You’ll be returning home with knowledge of a new culture, connections with new friends and memories to last you a lifetime.

Arrive home today