China River Cruise

   
 
 

Grand China River Cruise

China Small Ship Cruises

16 Days / 8 locations in China

This is a truly Grand China experience! All of the major cities including Beijing, Xian, Shanghai and Hong Kong plus the unique Li River of Guilin – is combined with our deluxe 5 day sailing aboard the MS President 8. Enjoy 5-star accommodations and a balcony cabin while discovering the riches of China, its people, and its fascinating and diverse culture!

The China Grand River Cruise is a 16 day cruise along the Yangtze River that includes hotel accommodations, English speaking tour guides, air-fare within China, sightseeing tours, shore excursions, educational lectures, lovely dinner shows and much more. You will have a chance to see famous historical sites and things only China is known for. One of many many memories you will take home with you is a visit to the Panda Zoo in CHONGQING. You will be pleased with its serene and gentle atmosphere and have time to see how the Panda’s enjoy their home.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

BEIJING: Hutong rickshaw tour and lunch with a local Chinese Family, Kung Fu show and dinner

YICHANG: Drive through pastoral Chinese country-side

CHONGQING: Panda Zoo visit, Great Hall

XIAN: Tang Dynasty Dinner and Show

SHANGHAI: Jade Buddha Temple and thrilling Chinese Acrobat Show

GUILIN: Li River Cruise, Red Flute Cave

HONG KONG: City tour including Victoria Peak, Stanley’s Market and Aberdeen Fishing Village

LAND PORTION:

Total of 36 meals (15 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 10 dinners)

Hotel accommodations with daily buffet breakfast throughout (Chang An Grand Hotel (Beijing), Titan Times Hotel (Xian), Royal Garden Hotel (Guilin), New Century Hotel (Yangshuo), Ramada Plaza Gateway Hotel (Shanghai), Harbor Plaza Metropolis (Hong Kong) or similar!

5 intra-China economy class domestic air segments

Sightseeing with entrance fees as outlined in the program

Air-conditioned tour coaches in each city

English speaking local guides in each city

YANGTZE CRUISE: Aboard the 5***** brand new President #8

4 night upstream cruise between Yichang and Chongqing in category of your choice with private balcony

All shore excursions along the route

All on board lectures, briefings, games and entertainment arranged by our crew and Cruise Managers

VIP Package: Free wine, beer, soft drinks with lunch and dinner in our choice of restaurants, preferred seating at shows and full access to pool/spa and business center with 2 hours of free Wi-Fi daily!

Itinerary

 
Day 1     Beijing

Arrive in China's capital and transfer to your first class hotel. Meals are on your own today.

 
Day 2     Beijing
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Morning city tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Then tour the Hutong, the old part of Beijing via rickshaw bycicle. End the tour with a visit to a local family and enjoy a lunch that they will proudly cook and share with you. Tonight be part of a must see show of Kung Fu! You will love it, the costumes and choreography is exceptional and dinner is included!

 
Day 3     Beijing
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

This morning you will depart for an excursion to the Great Wall, where lunch will be served after the tour. On your way back, visit Jade factory and stop for a photo opportunity at the fabulous “Birds nest” Olympic Stadium. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner featuring the famous Peking Duck!

 
Day 4     Beijing - Yichang
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Fly to Yichang in the late morning. Upon arrival embark on a sightseeing tour of this Yangtze gateway city including lunch at a local restaurant, followed by some free time. Then transfer to the port to board your deluxe floating vessel. After check-in, dinner will be served on board!

 
Day 5     Yichang
On Board the MS Yangtze President 8
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy your excursion to the Three Gorges Dam. Upon returning to the ship, set sail as you pass through the gigantic locks on your way through the first of the three large Gorges - the Xiling Gorge. Captain’s Welcome cocktail

 
Day 6     Yangtze River
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Pass through the Wu Gorge and enjoy a special treat: sail on small motorized sampans for an excursion along either the the Shennong Stream or Daning River, both tributaries of the Yangtze. Here you will have the opportunity to view unique flora and fauna, the 1000 year old “hanging coffins” of the ancient Ba people and stop and visit local villages. In the afternoon sail through the Wu and Qutang Gorges and enjoy our special Crew Revue.

 
Day 7     Yangtze River
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Today make a stop at either Shibaozhai or Fengdu, both typical Yangtze riverside towns where your tour will highlight all of the local attractions. Then, as you sail on, prepare for our Captain’s Farewell Dinner followed by our Talent Show.

 
Day 8     Yangtze River
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

CHONGQING-XIAN (B, L) Disembark 9 am

Arrive to Chongqing, where you disembark, and your China adventure continues by land. Stop at the Panda Exhibit and visit the “Great Hall” of Chinese paintings before flying to Xian. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Dinner is on your own tonight.

 
Day 9     Xian
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

This exciting day will begin with a tour of the magnificent History Museum, where the 8000 Terra-Cotta Warriors of the emperor Qin have been buried for over 2000 years! You will have lunch at the museum and afterwards visit a lacquer factory. The evening is reserved for a fabulous Tang Dynasty dinner and show.

 
Day 10     Xian - Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Flight to Shanghai (snacks on board plane). On arrival, transfer to your hotel for check in and some rest time. This evening enjoy dinner and an amazing performance of the famous Chinese Acrobats

 
Day 11     Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

In the morning begin your sightseeing of this bustling high rise city with a stop at the Bund, the Yu Yuan Gardens and the beautiful Jade Buddha Temple. Then, after a unique Mongolian BBQ lunch, continue on Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s main thoroughfare. The balance of the day is free for dinner and exploration on your own.

Fly to Guilin in the morning, where upon arrival you will visit Fubo Hill and Elephant Trunk before checking into your first class hotel for dinner and overnight.

 
Day 12     Guilin
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

SHANGHAI-GUILIN (B, D)

Fly to Guilin where upon arrival you will visit Elephant Trunk Hill before checking into your first class hotel for dinner and overnight.

 
Day 13     Guilin
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Today you will sail down the magnificent Li River. On your way back to Guilin, visit a pearl workshop. This evening enjoy an enthralling Dance Show with dinner.

 
Day 14     Hong Kong
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

GUILIN- HONG KONG (B, L)

After breakfast and check out of your hotel, stop and tour the Reed Flute Cave followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Then transfer to the airport and bid mainland China goodbye as you fly to Hong Kong. On arrival, transfer to your first class hotel for check-in and overnight.

 
Day 15     Hong Kong
Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a thrilling half day island sightseeing tour which will include visits to Victoria Peak, Stanley’s Market and the Aberdeen Fishing Village. The balance of the day is free for last minute shopping and dinner is on your own.

 
Day 16     Hong Kong
Meals: Breakfast

After a final breakfast its time to pack your memories away as you transfer to the airport for your flights home.

 

Notes

October 17, 2014 departure- save $ 400 per person.!!

Price Includes
Daily Breakfast
Meals Daily Shipboard
Hotel Accommodation As in Itinerary With Daily Breakfast
Sightseeing and Entrances Per Itinerary
Entrances Per Itinerary
Tour Escort
Shore Excursions
Conferences and Shipboard Entertainment
Transfers Airport - Hotel -Airport
Airfare Per Itinerary
Meals Per Itinerary
Price Does Not Include
 Air Taxes
 China Visa
 Fuel Surcharges
 Port Charges & Tax
VWT-1269
1.28.15.WP26