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Highlights of China and the Yangtze

12 DAY TOUR FROM £2230

Discover the great diversity of this fascinating country from the rural to the exotic and from Beijing to Shanghai, two of the world's most sophisticated metropolitan cities and cruise the breathtaking Yangtze with its stunning surroundings.

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Xian Terracotta Warriors

Xian Terracotta Warriors

Tour Pace

Leisurely Lively Tour Pace

Tour experience

Scenic City Tour experience

Highlights


  • Beijing

  • Great Wall

  • Xi'an

  • Yangtze River Cruise

  • Shanghai

Sightseeing Highlights


  • Beijing Visit Tiananmen Square. Tour the Forbidden City and explore the Summer Palace. Travel the Sacred Way, home to the remnants of the Ming Tombs. Experience an evening at the Beijing Opera. Enjoy a traditional Chinese tea service. See the 2008 Beijing Olympics sites. Explore the hutongs by rickshaw. Get a glimpse into local life during a visit to a family home.

  • Great Wall Walk this wonder of both the ancient and new world.

  • Xi'an Explore the excavations of the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses. View the famous City Wall. Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Attend a Tang Dynasty cultural show.

  • Shanghai Stroll the famed Bund waterfront promenade. Visit the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Explore the Old Shanghai Museum. Tour Old Town. Attend a performance of the Shanghai Acrobats.

  • Yangtze River Cruise Sail along the Yangtze through the Three Gorges. Visit either the 'Ghost City' of Fengdu or the twelve-story wooden pagoda of Shibaozhai or Wanzhou. Voyage down one of the Lesser Gorges aboard a small riverboat. Visit the site of the Three Gorges Dam.

Dining Highlights


  • 10 buffet breakfasts (BB)

  • 7 lunches (L)

  • Chinese home-hosted Highlight Lunch with a local family in Beijing (HL)

  • Traditional dim-sum Highlight Lunch in Shanghai (HL)

  • 6 dinners including the Captain's Farewell Dinner on board the ship (D)

  • 3 Highlight Dinners in Beijing and Xi'an (HD)

  • 28 included meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)

First Class Travel Highlights


  • Return scheduled flights.

  • The services of one of Trafalgar's professional Tour Directors on tour.

  • Qualified local English-speaking guides throughout the tour.

  • Complimentary transfers on Day 2 from Beijing International Airport to your hotel in Beijing and on Day 12 from your hotel to Shanghai International Airport.

  • All domestic flights within China.

  • 3-night Yangtze River cruise in a Standard Stateroom with private balcony onboard Victoria Cruises' Victoria Anna.

  • Stay in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.

  • A stylish travel wallet.

  • All hotel service charges and local taxes.


Please note that baggage handling fees are not included and will be have to be paid to your Tour Director at the beginning of the tour. The fee will be approximately 1 pound per person per city visited.

Luxury Private Car UK Transfers


  • Exclusive door to door airport transfers

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Lesser Gorges

Lesser Gorges

Day 1 (Door to Door)

In-flight

Enjoy your luxury private car door to door transfer to your departure airport before your scheduled flight to Beijing.

Day 2

Arrive Beijing

We arrive in Beijing and are greeted by your Trafalgar Tour Director who will escort you to your hotel
Hotel: Hilton (D)

Day 3

Beijing

Start your day in Tiananmen Square - the heart of Beijing - before visiting the Forbidden City, the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world. We then continue on to the Summer Palace, the best-preserved imperial garden in China. Admire the enchanting natural elements and the graceful design of the temples, pavilions, halls, palaces and bridges. (BB, L, HD)
Hotel: Hilton (D)
Dining Highlights: Top off your fabulous day with an authentic Peking Duck Dinner.

Day 4

Beijing - Great Wall of China

We visit the sites of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and then walk along China's Great Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and truly one of the man-made wonders of the world. On the way back to Beijing, walk along the tree-lined Sacred Way, flanked on both sides by giant statues of animals guarding the entrances to the Ming Tombs. End your day with a performance at the magnificent Beijing Opera. While attending the opera, be treated to a traditional Chinese tea service. (BB, L, D)
Hotel: Hilton (D)

Day 5

Beijing to Xi'an

Ride in a traditional rickshaw for a behind-the-scenes tour of the hutongs, the ancient alleyways of the old residential area of Beijing, and enjoy a Chinese Home-Hosted Highlight Lunch with a local family. Then fly to Xi'an and be greeted with a Traditional Dumpling Dinner. (BB, HL, HD)
Hotel: Sheraton (D)

Day 6

Xi'an sightseeing

Xi'an is the site of one of the 20th-century's greatest archaeological discoveries - the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses. During your visit, you will be amazed by these masterpieces of realism, each soldier with a different figure, alongside horses, chariots and weapons. Next, you'll visit Xi'an's ancient City Wall, one of the best preserved fortification walls in China. (BB, L, HD)
Hotel: Sheraton (D)
Dining Highlights: This evening, indulge in a Tang Dynasty dinner and cultural show.

Day 7

Xi'an - Chongqing - Cruising the Yangtze

Today we visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an ancient holy place for Buddhists. We then fly to Chongqing, where we visit the giant pandas at the zoo before boarding your Victoria Cruises ship for the spectacular journey down the Yangtze River. (BB, L, D)
Hotel: Standard stateroom on the Victoria Anna

Day 8

Cruising the Yangtze River

Depending on river conditions, visit either the "Ghost City" of Fengdu, or Shibaozhai, home to a twelve-story wooden pagoda, or the new relocation village for families which were displaced as a result of the Three Gorges Dam. This evening, join the Captain's Welcome Cocktail Party. (BB, L, D)
Hotel: Standard stateroom on the Victoria Anna

Day 9

Cruising the Yangtze River

We sail through the Three Gorges, starting with Qutang Gorge, the shortest and narrowest, but also the most dramatic. We board a small riverboat and explore one of the enchanting Lesser Gorges of either the Daning River or Shennong Stream. Back on board the ship, we continue through the splendid scenery of the Wu Gorge, framed by the Twelve Peaks of the Wushan Mountains. Later, sail through the Xiling Gorge, the longest and deepest with cliff walls rising to 4000 feet. Finally, we sail through the amazing Three Gorges Dam ship locks. (BB, L, D)
Hotel: Standard stateroom on the Victoria Anna
Dining Highlights: This evening attend the Captain's Farewell Dinner.

Day 10

Cruising the Yangtze River - Yichang - Shanghai

Today we visit the monumental work of civil engineering of the Three Gorges Dam: a 17-year, $70 billion project, involving the transportation of more than 350 billion cubic feet of rock and earth and the displacement of over 1 million people from the 150,000 acres of land which will gradually be flooded by the resulting 397-mile long reservoir. We then disembark in Yichang and fly to Shanghai. (BB, L, D)
Hotel: Regal International (D)

Day 11

Shanghai sightseeing

Embark on a Shanghai city tour featuring visits to Old Town, the Bund promenade, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower for superb city views and the Old Shanghai Museum. Also included as part of your tour is a delicious Traditional Dim Sum Highlight Lunch at a local restaurant. This evening, enjoy a performance of the amazing Shanghai Acrobats. (BB, HL, D)
Hotel: Regal International (D)

Day 12

Depart Shanghai

Say farewell to China as we transfer to Shanghai International Airport for your return scheduled flight back to the UK. On arrival at your UK airport, your driver will greet you and escort you to your waiting luxury private car for your door to door transfer to your home. (BB)

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Please note: Substitute visits to other sights along the Yangtze may be necessary depending on water levels or other factors.

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Sheraton Xi'an (D)

This elegant Victorian Hotel is an ideal base to explore the many highlights of Xi'an. Facilities include an indoor heated pool, sauna and gym and a number of dinning options ranging from casual to á la Carte.

Regal International (D)

The Regal International is centrally located on Heng Shan road walking distance from the Xu Jia Hui commercial district. Facilities include a number of restaurants, bar, health club, tennis courts, spa with jacuzzi pools.

Hilton (D)

Set in Beijing's bustling shopping district, the Hilton Beijing is just ten minutes from the iconic Tiananmen Square and close to major Beijing attractions. Facilities include two restaurants, two bars and an indoor swimming pool.

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Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Optional Excursions

Please ask your Tour Director for advice on optional excursions that can be enjoyed while on tour.

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Dining

Dining

Hong Kong Extension

Recently reunited with China in 1997 after years of British rule, Hong Kong has always remained true to its Chinese roots and culture. Spend time discovering the traditions of this dynamic city offering a vibrant blend of Eastern and Western culture. It is certain to leave you exhilarated. Shop at Stanley Market, a mecca for bargain hunters, explore Hong Kong Island and drive up to Victoria Peak for a panoramic view of the city and harbor. Visit Repulse Bay and the Fishermen's Village at Aberdeen.

Included in your 4-day grand city stay:

3 nights at the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers (D) with breakfast*

Flight from Shanghai to Hong Kong

All transfers

Half-day Hong Kong Island Tour

Prices from only £555 per person
Single supplement from £270 per person

* Hotel subject to change.

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Preferred Departures Definite Departures

We are aware that you need to plan your travel arrangements early to take advantage of our early booking discounts. To assist you, we have designated a number of tours as “Preferred Departures” based on their reliable booking history. We have also highlighted our “Definite Departures” that are now guaranteed to operate.

Prices based on per person sharing a twin or double room. For single room supplements and triple room reductions please call for details.

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