China & Yangtze River Cruise with Hong Kong

After crossing the International Date Line, you’ll arrive late afternoon in the “Paris of the East.” After being greeted at the airport, you’ll be escorted to your hotel, getting a first glimpse of this dynamic city, which blends a seaport legacy with sleek 21st-century architecture. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a welcome briefing. 

We’ll start the day like the locals do—with morning exercise. Ours will be in the form of a guided stroll along the Bund, the bustling Huangpu River waterfront, followed by a walk through Yu Yuan Garden. Take a deep breath and enjoy the rockeries, pavilions, and sculptures of this classical Ming Dynasty-era garden, which was created over 400 years ago to be a happy, tranquil place for the owner’s parents. The remainder of the day is free for exploration at your own pace. (You might sample the Nanxiang Steamed Buns!) We’ll gather for a buffet dinner at the hotel, followed by an optional mesmerizing acrobatic show.

A morning visit to the acclaimed Shanghai Museum introduces us to amazing ancient Chinese art and artifacts, from bronze and jade to calligraphy and coins. After lunch, we’ll fly to the capital city Beijing, which so mesmerized the world during the 2008 Summer Olympics. Our hotel is centrally located in downtown Beijing, with easy access to Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world.

Beijing and The Great Wall
Today, encounter one of the world’s wonders: the legendary Great Wall, which stretches nearly 4,000 miles across China and was built more than 2,300 years ago. After you take the cable car up to the Great Wall, you’ll have plenty of time to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and take in the vistas before heading to the Summer Palace, a former royal retreat of the Empress Dowager. Later on, join your fellow travelers for an evening banquet. On the menu: the celebrated Peking duck! 

Take advantage of a free day to explore Beijing as you wish. On an optional Hutong and Temple of Heaven excursion, you’ll explore the city’s ancient back alleys via rickshaw before enjoying lunch with a local family in their home. Last stop on this smarTours option: a visit to the Ming Dynasty masterpiece, the Temple of Heaven.

A visit to Beijing isn’t complete without seeing Tiananmen Square. Surrounded by impressive buildings and monuments, this vast square is a prime people-watching spot. We’ll then join a local expert to discover the Forbidden City, the largest ancient palatial structure in the world and home of 24 emperors throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is a true architectural masterwork and home to the National Palace Museum. Later, we’ll catch our flight to Xian, ancient capital of China over 11 dynasties and historic gateway to the silk trading route.

Ready to see one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century? You’ll be amazed by the Terracotta Army, an afterlife (and life-sized!) army of warriors, chariots and horses built over 2,200 years ago to guard the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi. This architectural treasure was unearthed in 1974 after being discovered by local farmers. Fun fact: each of the 8,000 soldiers differs in gestures and facial expressions. Our next stop is the Tang Art Museum, where we’ll view intriguing exhibits and demonstrations of Chinese culture, including folk arts, ancient painting works and calligraphy. We’ll have worked up an appetite, and good thing, because tonight’s dinner is all about dumplings, a delectable local specialty. A Tang Dynasty folklore show ends the night on a spectacular note.

After a short flight to Wuhan, we’ll transfer to Yichang in the western Hubei Province. This is the gateway to the Yangtze River Gorges. We’ll board our luxurious river cruiser later today and settle in our spacious cabins before setting sail late tonight.

Awesome scenery? Check. Amazing views? Check. Architectural feats? Check. (Plus, a toast with the captain!) Our first full day of cruising includes a stop at Sandouping village to visit and learn about the ongoing Yangtze Dam project, the world’s largest hydroelectric power project. You may consider an optional New Ship Lift tour offered by the cruise ship through the Three Gorges ship-locks towards the long, twisting passage of Xiling Gorge, where you’ll sight rushing rapids, weathered peaks, mysterious caves, and temple landmarks. Tonight, enjoy the Captain’s cocktail reception.

If yesterday wasn’t unforgettable enough, our cruise continues through the famous Three Gorges, undoubtedly the most scenic section of the Yangtze. We’ll sail through the misty Wu Gorge in the shadows of 12 soaring peaks. But we haven’t had our fill of gorges! In Wushan, we’ll board a smaller boat for a breathtaking excursion up the Shennong Stream to see the Three Small Gorges. Prepare to be awed by lofty cliffs, emerald water, lush vegetation and quite possibly a troop of monkeys on the river banks!

On our cruising today, we’ll visit the Jade Emperor Scenic Area in Fengdu. Located on the northern side of the Yangtze, this sacred site features the largest image of the Jade Buddha in the world. In the event that the ship is unable to visit Fengdu, dock in Shibaozhai to see “The Pearl of the Yangtze,” a magnificent pagoda built without nails and considered one of China’s architectural gems. (Note: Shore excursion is subject to change due to water level.) Our last night aboard the ship features a farewell banquet and cultural show.

We’ll bid farewell to river cruising in the mountain city of Chongqing, a modern river port with an ancient history spanning 3,000 years. Delight in a visit to the Chongqing Zoo where you'll see the adorable Giant Pandas. Later, board a high-speed train to Guilin, home to the magnificent karst limestone formations, mist-covered hills and bamboo groves that have inspired Chinese art through the ages.

Towering limestone pinnacles and misty waters create a storybook setting for a leisurely cruise on the Li River. We’ll see everything from water buffalo and rice paddies to fishermen on bamboo rafts. A stop in the bustling market town of Yangshuo affords free time to explore and shop. Join your fellow travelers tonight for a special dinner. 

This morning, we’ll visit Reed Flute Cave, called “The Palace of the Natural Arts” for its stunning rock formations. (One even looks like the Statue of Liberty!) Lighting lends a magical, neon atmosphere to the cave. Later, we’ll take the bullet to Hong Kong. Here, we’ll transfer to our hotel in the heart of bustling Kowloon, near the majestic harbor promenade.

Take a ride to the top of Victoria Peak for spectacular city and harbor vistas. Our morning Hong Kong tour also includes a visit to vibrant Stanley Market (bargains await!), scenic Repulse Bay and the exotic Aberdeen floating fishing village. The afternoon is at leisure for shopping or independent exploration. Be sure to sample the amazing array of delicacies in this culinary mecca. 

Experience the true “East Meets West” flavor of Hong Kong with a free day. You can also join an optional excursion via high-speed turbojet ride to Macau, a fascinating city that was once under Portuguese rule. Here the European/Mediterranean influence is evident in its fortresses and churches, yet it exudes a strong Chinese heritage. Macau is also Asia’s gambling capital if you are so inclined! This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner. 

Our tour comes to an end after breakfast. Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive package will transfer to the airport for the return flight and our journey ends as we touch down later today.