Grand China & The Yangtze Luxury River Cruise (Beijing-HK)
18 days from Beijing to Hong Kong
From man-made marvels—the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Terra-cotta Warriors—to scenes of natural beauty that inspire artists and poets, discover the vast range of this sprawling nation. Beijing offers imperial grandeur and atmospheric old-world neighborhoods; Shanghai flaunts dizzying skyscrapers and surprising art deco mansions; Hong Kong mixes East and West and the best shopping in the world. Yet China is a country where gardeners have devoted a thousand years to creating an ideal landscape in Hangzhou. Old and new, grand and intimate, China offers wondrous contrasts just waiting to be uncovered.
- 4 nights Cruising
- 13 nights Touring
- 38 meals including 1 welcome dinner and 1 farewell dinner
- 6 UNESCO Hertiage Sites
DAY 1: Beijing
Arrive at the Beijing airport and be greeted by a Uniworld representative who will escort you to the opulent Ritz-Carlton, Beijing.
DAY 2: Beijing
Your adventure begins with two quintessential experiences in China’s capital of Beijing. Off limits to commoners for 500 years, the Forbidden City was once considered the cosmic center of the universe (and for good reason, as you’ll see for yourself). Peking Duck is another cultural gem you’ll get to experience today, a complex dish originally prepared for Chinese emperors. The political and cultural capital of China and home to more than 20 million people, Beijing exemplifies everything visitors find most intoxicating about China: Spectacular ancient monuments contrast with ambitious modern high-rises, and traditional crafts flourish alongside booming international businesses. Exquisite art, stunning UNESCO sites, serene parks and teeming streets all contribute to the unique flavor of this astonishing city.
Featured Excursion:
The Imperial heritage of China’s capital—Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and Peking Duck lunch with afternoon Temple of Heaven visit and tai chi class
DAY 3: Beijing
Today is a Bucket List Moment kind of day, as you stand at last atop the ancient stones of China’s most iconic site—the Great Wall. The views are spectacular! You’ll also take a rickshaw ride through the city’s ancient hutongs—historic neighborhoods that date back to the 15th century—where you’ll have lunch with a friendly local family at their home.
Featured Excursion:
Culture, history and intrigue—hutongs and teahouses and the Great Wall
DAY 4: Beijing, Fly to Xi’an
Leave the hustle and bustle of Beijing behind today and head north to the serenity of the Summer Palace, home to one of China’s most beautiful classical gardens. From there, plunge into the past in China’s first capital, Xi’an, where you’ll be treated to a traditional (and incredibly labor intensive) dumpling banquet. You have one more special excursion to enjoy in Beijing this morning, then you’ll fly to Xi’an for the next leg of your Chinese adventure.
Featured Excursion:
Grace and art—Beijing’s Summer Palace and Xi’an’s traditional dumpling banquet
DAY 5: Xi’an
Xi’an’s famous terra-cotta army has been called the 8th wonder of the world, and it’s certainly the most extraordinary archeological find of the 20th century. Prepare to be amazed! You’ll also visit one of the holiest Buddhist temples in China and enjoy a traditional Tang Dynasty dinner show with fabulous food, music and flamboyant costumes. The imperial capital for 10 ancient dynasties, Xi’an achieved its greatest renown under the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), when it was a great international metropolis and the eastern terminus of the legendary Silk Road. Today it is the capital of Shaanxi Province and most famous for a museum devoted to the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses.
Featured Excursion:
China’s first capital—Terra-cotta Army and the Tang Dynasty dinner show
DAY 6: Xi’an, Fly to Hangzhou
Intrepid explorer Marco Polo called Hangzhou the greatest city he’d ever seen, but don’t take his word for it—judge for yourself as you get your first glimpse of this ancient Chinese capital today, celebrated throughout the centuries for its extraordinary natural beauty.
Featured Excursion:
Jade Factory visit
DAY 7: Hangzhou
China’s classically designed gardens and landscapes are a cultural treasure revered around the world, and you’ll see one of the best examples today at Hangzhou’s idyllic West Lake. Another highlight: Lingyin Temple, one of the country’s oldest Buddhist sites, providing an intriguing glimpse of the serenity and grace of the 5,000-year-old Middle Kingdom.
Featured Excursion:
Poetic vision: Lingyin Temple and Enduring Memories of Hangzhou show
DAY 8: Shanghai
After days of iconic sites and timeless Chinese landscapes, Shanghai and its futuristic skyline can be something of a shock to the system. Yet beyond the building boom and the avant-garde architecture, you can still find traces of Shanghai’s colorful and fascinating colonial-era history. Enjoy a taste of both old and new today, including the city’s famous delicacy, dim sum. Today you’ll head to Shanghai, China’s largest city. An international economic hub, it has drawn entrepreneurs from all over the world for 150 years. But while Shanghai may be the “city of the future,” you can still find remnants of its history in Old Town and the area known as the Concessions, which were controlled by European interests in the 19th century.
Featured Excursion:
Glamour, skyscrapers, art deco gems and famous dim sum
DAY 9: Shanghai
Today you have the luxury of an entire day to explore Shanghai however you wish. Tonight, experience yet another cultural highlight of your journey—a thrilling performance by the dazzling and gravity-defying Shanghai Acrobats. Spend the day exploring Shanghai on your own. If you have a taste for heights, step out onto the Oriental Pearl Radio and TV Tower’s glass-floored observation deck— some 1,100 feet above the Pudong district. Browse through the shops on Nanjing Road or see what China’s modern artists are creating at the China Art Museum.
Featured Excursion:
Spectacular Shanghai Acrobatic Show
DAY 10: Shanghai, Fly to Yichang (Embark)
From Shanghai you'll fly to Yichang.
Featured Excursion:
School visit in Yichang
DAY 11: Cruising the Yangtze River
The Three Gorges Dam was a hugely expensive and controversial undertaking, a project that involved relocating entire villages threatened by the rising waters of the Yangtze. The dam itself is an engineering marvel that you can see from a breathtakingly up-close perspective today. The Yangtze is the third-longest river in the world (only the Nile and the Amazon are longer), and the days you spend onboard your ship will show you some of its most beautiful sights. Limestone cliffs, sheathed in greenery, loom above the water; mountains, wreathed in mist, tower in the distance. The river itself, deep and powerful, busy and serene, will work its enchantment as it carries you past bucolic fishing villages, hillside rice paddies, ancient cliff carvings and historic temples. Relax and prepare to be dazzled.
Featured Excursion:
Powering China’s future—Three Gorges Dam
You are invited to a Captain’s Welcome Reception before dinner. Later, enjoy evening entertainment.
DAY 12: Cruising the Yangtze River, Shennong Stream
Today is destined to be a highlight of your journey—a full day cruising the Yangtze River’s mystical, beautiful and completely mesmerizing Three Gorges, with scenery that has captivated artists and poets for thousands of years.
12 April 2019
Executive Suite
Private balcony, cozy sitting area, comfy robes and slippers, fine bath products, satellite TV, individually controlled air-conditioning, and mini bar
Travel at 60 and Uniworld booking conditions apply. Please contact us for more information.
PRICES: All prices are per guest in Australian Dollars based on double occupancy unless otherwise noted. Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice. Availability of all stateroom categories cannot be guaranteed. Fares for single guests are available upon request. Additional restrictions may apply. If you have purchased your airfares with Uniworld River Cruises (Australia) Pty. Ltd. and/or you have purchased a cruise-tour package with Uniworld River Cruises (Australia) Pty. Ltd. that includes air, your entire package price will be guaranteed at time of initial payment. For current pricing, please refer to our website.
RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENTS: A deposit of at least 10% of the cruise-tour fare (cruise-tour plus pre and or post land extensions, less applicable discounts), per person is required within 72 hours of reservation. Final payment is due at least 120 days prior to departure. Reservations will be cancelled if final payment is not received in a timely manner. For all guests booking air travel through Uniworld River Cruises (Australia) Pty. Ltd., promotional or otherwise, an additional non-refundable deposit of A$1,500pp, unless otherwise stated, is required at the time of booking. Upon receipt of air deposit your airfare, tax and fuel surcharges are final. Your travel agent shall, on receipt of any monies, hold such monies for each and every person named in the booking until the booking is confirmed at which times those monies shall be remitted promptly by your Travel Agent to us. All such monies received by us will be deposited as required by law. We will be entitled to keep for each account any interest earned on such monies. It is a condition of our confirmation or your booking and acceptance of your cruise, may be disbursed by us as and when we see fit or in respect of the services to be provided or fees payable under the cruise program, and the payment of a deposit or otherwise for your cruise or cruise/tour, shall be deemed to be a direction to disburse such monies as aforesaid.
ITEMS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PUBLISHED PRICE: These include, but are not limited to, airfares to and from your destination except where specified; airport/departure taxes; aircraft seat assignments, cost of passport and visas; taxes; excess baggage charges; laundry; phone calls; all items of a personal nature; items not included on regular menus; expenses for additional sightseeing not specified in the itinerary; and health, accident, baggage, or travel protection plans.
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