Avalon Waterways

Heart of China and Yangtze River Cruise

Experience China in-depth during this 17-day river cruise vacation on the famed Yangtze River. Your journey begins in Beijing, where your will visit historic sites, such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, and enjoy a variety of cultural experiences. Next, travel to Xi’an to visit the Dayan Pagoda and the terra-cotta warriors. In Chongqing, embark on your three-night river cruise aboard the Victoria Anna. On this magical cruise, you will marvel at the beautiful landscape of the Three Gorges and sail to the Three Gorges Dam site before disembarking in Yichang on your way to Shanghai. There you will tour the museum, Yu Yuan Gardens, and the Temple of the Jade Buddha. Then, travel to Guilin for a relaxing day cruise on the Li River. The sites of the one-of-a-kind port city of Hong Kong are the perfect end to your journey through China.

Included Features

SHANGHAI: Sightseeing with local guide; visit the Shanghai Museum, Yu Yuan Gardens, the Children’s Palace, and the Temple of the Jade Buddha; stroll along the Bund; attend an acrobatic show

GUILIN - Sightseeing with local guide, enjoy a Li River cruise

HONG KONG - Sightseeing with local guide, cable car up Victoria Peak, visit Stanley Market

Detailed Itinerary

Day 2 - Arrive in Beijing, China. (Thu.) Welcome to China’s capital city. Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in.

Day 3 - Beijing. (Fri.) Your full-day sightseeing starts with a visit to the FORBIDDEN CITY and its IMPERIAL PALACE, once the home of China’s Great Emperors. Nearby is TIAN’ANMEN SQUARE, the largest public square in the world spanning 100 acres. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and continue to the ZOO to see pandas. Next, see the former SUMMER PALACE, a complex of pavilions, temples, and galleries set among beautifully landscaped grounds and situated on Kunming Lake. This evening meet your traveling companions at a special Chinese WELCOME DINNER hosted by your Tour Director, featuring delectable Peking Duck.

Day 4 - Beijing. (Sat.) The GREAT WALL OF CHINA once stretched 4,000 miles across China’s barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Head north to a village where the Great Wall is well preserved and walk along the wall to enjoy sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress. Then visit a CLOISONNE WORKSHOP where you will see local artisans use the techniques of this ancient art form to turn pieces of copper into colorful decorative items. After lunch in a local restaurant, you’ll visit the MING TOMBS, burial site for 13 of the 16 Ming emperors. Tonight experience local culture at the PEKING OPERA, including a behind-the-scenes look at the colorful make-up being applied to the performers.

Day 5 - Beijing-Xi’an. (Sun.) This morning, enjoy a rickshaw ride through one of Beijing’s HUTONGS, the city’s ancient alleys. During this visit, you’re welcomed into the courtyard of a family’s home, a daycare center, and a retirement community to experience life in this historic neighborhood. A short flight brings you to the city of Xi’an in central China where you spend the next two nights. This evening enjoy “The Tang Dynasty” DINNER SHOW featuring a colorful assemblage of classical performances.

Day 6 - Xi’an. (Mon.) One of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world when China dominated the silk trade, Xi’an today is an archaeological treasuretrove. Sightseeing begins with a visit to the nearby DAYAN PAGODA, built in 652 A.D. During lunch, enjoy a NOODLE-MAKING DEMONSTRATION by a master chef and learn how Chinese noodles are made by hand. In 1974 the enormous tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, was accidentally discovered by local farmers. Marvel at the legion of TERRA-COTTA WARRIORS that has been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years.

Day 7 - Xi’an-Chongqing-Yangtze River Cruise. (Embarkation) (Tue.) This morning visit the Xi’an City South Gate; you may even see some locals practicing their morning Tai Chi. Fly to Chongqing, China’s capital during World War II. The city is high on a hill overlooking the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers. Board the Victoria Katarina for a three-night CRUISE through the breathtaking Three Gorges of the Yangtze.

Day 8 - Cruising. Wanxian or Shibaozhai or Fengdu. (Wed.) Depending on river conditions, one of the following shore excursions will be offered: Wanxian, “Gateway to Eastern Szechuan Province”, where you will see an acrobatic show, market, and possibly a school; Shibaozhai with its 400-year-old, twelve-story red wooden pagoda perched high on a cliff side; or Fengdu, where you’ll visit the Snow Jade Cave.

Day 9 - Cruising. Shennong Stream or Daning River. (Thu.) Head downstream through the first and second of the three gorges—Qutang Gorge, the shortest but most dramatic gorge, and Wu, known for its quiet beauty and forest-covered mountains. You can nearly touch the perpendicular walls rising from the riverbanks as your captain negotiates this narrow gap. After lunch disembark for a BOAT EXCURSION down either the Daning River or Shennong Stream, depending on conditions. Continue sailing through Xiling Gorge and the Three Gorges ship locks.

Day 10 - Cruising. The Three Gorges Dam Site-Shanghai. (Disembarkation) (Fri.) View tiny villages clinging to hillsides as you proceed toward Yang Jia Wang. This morning visit the Three Gorges Dam Site where the Chinese progress toward building the largest dam of its kind in the world. After lunch say farewell to your ship’s crew in Yichang and transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, China’s most populous city and center of trade and industry. Tonight there will be plenty of time to enjoy the city, and shop some of the 400 stores on Nanjing Road and the famous Friendship Store on the Bund.

Day 11 - Shanghai. (Sat.) Full day of sightseeing. Stroll along the Bund, the city’s riverfront boulevard lined with historic buildings housing banks and trade houses. You’ll visit the SHANGHAI MUSEUM and experience the YU YUAN GARDENS. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and visit the CHILDREN’S PALACE, one of China’s famous kindergartens. This evening, be amazed at a fabulous ACROBATIC SHOW.

Day 12 - Shanghai-Guilin. (Sun.) After a morning at leisure, enjoy lunch and visit the ornate TEMPLE OF THE JADE BUDDHA. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Guilin, one of China’s most beautiful areas. Tonight you may choose to join our optional trip to see trained cormorants dive for fish, the traditional Lijiang fishing method.

Day 13 - Guilin. (Mon.) Limestone mountains, their needle peaks hidden in mist, rise from the green plain surrounding Guilin. The scene conveys a sense of mystery that for centuries artists have tried to capture. Savor unique vistas during a leisurely CRUISE on the Li River where you’ll enjoy a light lunch.

Day 14 - Guilin-Hong Kong. (Tue.) Time today for an optional visit to the famous Reed Flute Cave to see some unusual stalactite and stalagmite formations. Later fly to Hong Kong.

Day 15 - Hong Kong. (Wed.) This morning’s sightseeing begins with a cable car up to VICTORIA PEAK for panoramic vistas of this one-of-a-kind port city. Continue to Repulse Bay, a popular beach area, and then to STANLEY MARKET, a narrow street jammed with stalls offering clothing, arts and crafts. The afternoon and evening are free for independent exploration. Tonight an optional sunset cruise on Hong Kong’s magnificent harbor is recommended.

Day 16 - Hong Kong. (Thu.) A full free day to explore this exciting city. You may wish to join one of our optional excursions to view the giant Buddha on the island of Lantau or an excursion to learn about Hong Kong’s history before the British colonized the area. Shopping is a highlight of Hong Kong with markets, malls and shops to fit any taste and budget. Your Tour Director will be happy to offer selections to make the most of your day. This evening is the perfect finale to a great adventure as you’re hosted at a special FAREWELL DINNER

Day 17 - (Fri.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day.

Cost of This Trip