Viking River Cruises - China's Cultural Delights - 16 Days Guided Tour -- Program Details
Visiting Beijing, Chongqing, Dongting Lake, Great Wall - Beijing, Jingzhou, Lesser Three Gorges, Mt. Jiu Hua, Nanjing, Shanghai, Shibaozhai, Suzhou, Three Gorges, Three Gorges Dam, Wuhan, Xian - Terra Cotta Warriors
Viking River Cruises
Day 1 Beijing
Welcome to Beijing, China’s former imperial capital whose rich
history dates back more than 3,000 years. We will meet you at the airport
and transfer you to your hotel.* After check-in, you have free time
to relax or explore.
Day 2 Beijing
This morning visit Tiananmen Square, built to accommodate over 1,000,000
people. Then, tour Beijing’s mysterious Forbidden City. Completed
in 1420, it was off limits to visitors for 500 years. Explore the elegant
palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens within its walls. After a
local lunch, tour the Summer Palace, a 700-acre complex. Walk among
its elegant buildings and landscaped grounds, considered among the finest
Chinese gardens. Tonight’s dinner features China’s famous
Peking Duck followed by a performance of the world-renowned Peking Opera.
(B, L, D)
Day 3 Beijing
After breakfast, travel to the Badaling Hills to walk the ramparts of
the fabled Great Wall of China. Lunch in a local restaurant is followed
by a stroll along the Sacred Way, a tree-lined avenue with massive animal
sculptures guarding the Ming Tombs. Tonight enjoy a dinner of local
specialties. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Beijing & Xian
Today tour Old Beijing’s hutongs (narrow alleys) via rickshaw.†
Discover the sights and sounds of traditional Chinese life. Visit a
silk carpet workshop for a demonstration of this ancient art. After
lunch, fly to Xian, key city of the Tang Dynasty. From 618 to 907 A.D.
this dynasty presided over one of China’s most glorious cultural
periods. Tonight, experience its grandeur as you dine surrounded by
the historic song and dance of this colorful era.
†Rickshaw hutong tour only available on Beijing
to Shanghai itinerary direction.
Day 5 Xian & Chongqing
After breakfast, tour the mausoleum where Emperor Qin Shi Huang was
laid to rest over 2,000 years ago. Marvel at his eternal minions—more
than 6,000 life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors, archers, infantrymen and
horses buried with him—from walkways that provide a bird’s-eye
view. After lunch fly to Chongqing, gateway to the Yangtze. You are
welcomed aboard the Viking Century Sun and enjoy a Western dinner. (B,
L, D)
Day 6 Shibaozhai
This afternoon, you tour the 12-story red pavilion Shibaozhai Temple.
An amazing piece of Chinese architecture built during the Qing Dynasty
(c. 1650), it is set on a hill high above the Yangtze. Climb up to the
top for breathtaking views of the river below. Lunch and dinner aboard.
(B, L, D)
Day 7 Three Gorges & Lesser Three Gorges
This morning, cruise past the spectacular limestone cliffs known as
the Three Gorges. During your 150-mile journey, first pass Qutang Gorge,
the shortest and narrowest of the three larger gorges. Then board smaller
boats to the Lesser Three Gorges. Marvel at the hanging coffins of the
Ba people and the ancient plank road carved into the cliffside. After
enjoying a scenic lunch stop, board your ship and cruise through Wu
(Witches) Gorge. Dine aboard and sail overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Three Gorges Dam
Enjoy breakfast aboard while traversing the 5-stage locks of the Dam.
Disembark for a tour of the Three Gorges Dam. Learn about this immense
hydroelectric engineering project and how it will affect the Chinese
people and the Yangtze. Then cruise through Xiling Gorge, the longest
of the Three Gorges. Dinner is served aboard. (B, L, D)
Day 9 Jingzhou
This morning, visit a rural village where Viking River Cruises has sponsored
a much-needed elementary school. Arrive to a warm greeting from the
children and be charmed with songs and stories. Return to your ship
for meals and afternoon cruising. (B, L, D)
Day 10 Dongting Lake
After breakfast, sail Dongting Lake, China’s second-largest freshwater
lake. From here, tour 66-foot-high Yueyang Tower and its nearby pavilions,
originally built during the Qing Dynasty. Cruise overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 11 Wuhan
After breakfast, disembark in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province. Tour
the Hubei Museum with its many historic artifacts including a collection
of ancient bronze bells. (B, L, D)
Day 12 Jingdezhen
After breakfast, tour the Ceramic History Museum. Learn how ceramics
were produced in ancient times and their significance to each dynasty.
Dine aboard and sail overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 13 Mt. Jiu Hua
Marvel at the tranquil beauty of Mt. jiu hua, one of only four sacred
buddhist mountains. Later, tour a buddhist temple and enjoy dinner onboard.
(B, L, D)
Day 14 Nanjing & Suzhou
After breakfast, enjoy a scenic motorcoach ride to Suzhou, nicknamed
“Venice of the East” for its intricate canals. Tour the
Old Town and embark on a sampan ride. Tour a silk factory and the exquisite
Fishermen’s Garden. Have lunch and continue via motorcoach to
Shanghai. Check in to your hotel and enjoy dinner with evening free
time. (B, L, D)
Day 15 Shanghai
This morning, tour Old Shanghai and the Bund, the city’s elegant
riverfront promenade. Then, visit the Shanghai Museum, featuring displays
of ceramics, bronzes and paintings. Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant,
followed by a Chinese acrobatic performance. (B, L, D)
Day 16 Shanghai
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and we will take you to the
airport for your return flight.* (B)
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