2026 Highlights of China inc. Yangtze River Cruise

Late this evening, we report to the airport and join the overnight flight to Shanghai.

We arrive in Shanghai early this morning and after clearing Customs and Immigration formalities, we are met and transferred to our hotel for a two-night stay. There is time to rest up after the flight until mid-afternoon when we enjoy a tour of the Pudong area.  Dinner is included this evening.

We have some free time available this morning before our transfer to Shanghai Airport in time to join the flight to Yichang. There is time for a city tour before we transfer to our first-class river ship for the start of our 4 nights on the Yangtze River.

The Three Gorges Dam is the largest water conservancy project ever undertaken by man. The Dam is 2,335 metres long, 185 metres high, 18 metres wide on the top and 130 metres wide at the bottom.  The Dam has raised the river to a level of 175 metres above sea level.  The construction of the dam formally began in 1994. The body of the dam was completed in 2003, and power generation began in 2005. We enjoy a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam. Alternatively, you have the opportunity to pass through the Ship Lift (optional) and then visit the Three Gorges Dam

Before breakfast, the ship approaches the entrance of the second of the Three Gorges – Wu Gorge.  Below Wushan is the 25-mile-long Wu Gorge, with cliffs so sheer that the sun barely penetrates the precipices. This middle gorge is best known for twelve unique peaks.  Often hidden in swirls of mist, six peaks line the north side of the river, and six staggered peaks stand to the south. After breakfast, on arrival in Wushan we will disembark for a shore excursion to Shennv Stream. Return to the ship, and lunch is served.  Continue sailing upstream to the Qutang Gorge – the last, shortest and most dramatic of the Three Gorges. This afternoon you have the opportunity to take part in an optional shore excursion to White Emperor City.

After breakfast, we disembark for our shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City with 2000 years’ history. According to the Chinese legend, two officials named Yin and Wang from the Han Dynasty became immortals through practicing Taoist teachings and were then worshipped as the “Ghost King” and “Ghost Queen” after their deaths. Over time, Fengdu became associated with the afterlife and was believed to be where the dead passed through to reach the netherworld. We return to the ship for lunch and spend the remainder of the day cruising on the scenic Yangtze River.

We disembark from our river cruise ship in Chongqing after breakfast and then onto Chongqing Zoo to see the Pandas before joining the high-speed train to Xian, arriving late evening.

Today we visit the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century, the life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses as they guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. The life-sized terracotta soldiers and their horses were discovered in 1974 having been preserved in an underground vault of earth and timber for 2000 years. At the completion of our visit, we return to the city and see the ancient City Wall and Grand Mosque. This evening, we enjoy a Tang Dynasty dinner and cultural show featuring music, dance, and traditional costumes.

After a leisurely breakfast we join our high-speed train through to Beijing. Arriving late afternoon, the remainder of the day is at leisure until we meet for dinner this evening.

Our full day tour takes us 40 miles north of the city to the Great Wall. The original construction of the Great Wall started in the 7th century B.C. to keep out the warring invaders. Additional sections were added for nearly 4,000 miles. A walk along this Great Wall is truly inspiring. The afternoon is equally as memorable and of a different era as we visit the icons of the Beijing Olympics – Bird Nest and Water Cube.

Beijing has been the heart and soul of Chinese culture, politics and society for over 5000 years. We commence our sightseeing program of this fascinating city with a walk through the landmark Tiananmen Square, followed by a visit to the Forbidden City – the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world. Thereafter, we spend time at the Summer Palace – once a summer retreat for the emperors and their families and now one of China’s best-preserved imperial gardens. Enjoy this masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. Tonight, enjoy a western dinner.

This morning, we visit the Temple of Heaven where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped. The surrounding grounds of the Temple will give us an insight into the locals’ daily activities. In the afternoon we visit Beijing’s famed Hutongs near Houhai Lake. This evening, we get together to enjoy the traditional Peking duck dinner at a local restaurant.

Today we take the high speed train to Suzhou. Upon arrival, we are met and transferred to the hotel. A city, often called the “Oriental Venice”, and famous for its classic gardens. We spend two nights in Suzhou.

On our tour today, we visit the Master of the Nets Garden and the Humble Administrator’s Garden, two of the finest and most recognised gardens in China. Later, we board a traditional boat in Suzhou and cruise the canals that date back 1,000 years

This morning, we depart Suzhou and drive to Hangzhou, En route, we visit Wuzhen – a river village known for its ancient bridges. This is the China of picture books, complete with narrow streets, simple homes, tea houses and intriguing shops. We arrive in Hangzhou in the afternoon, where we spend two nights.

A full day tour visiting the Hua Gang Park and West Lake. You will appreciate the fabled scenery, such as ‘Broken Bridge’, ‘Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake’ and ‘Three Pools Mirroring the Moon’. We take a short cruise tour on the West Lake then visit the Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum. The museum presents visitors with a style of antique architecture, alongside a treasury of traditional Chinese medical science and technology. With Hangzhou being famous for Longjing Green Tea, we visit a tea plantation to taste its famous tea and learn about the ancient tea making process.

Enjoy some free time this morning until we depart by coach for Shanghai. We arrive into Shanghai late afternoon for a two night stay. We enjoy dinner together this evening.

Stroll the Bund promenade along the Huangpu River, where the old meets the modern in Shanghai; then to the Old Town with its winding alleyways lined with shops, tea houses, restaurants and to the elegant and tranquil Yu Garden. Xintiandi is a new attraction in downtown Shanghai, featuring the city’s unique “Shikumen” houses and a maze of narrow alleys which have been converted into cafes, restaurants, bars, art and retail shops. In the evening, enjoy the breathtaking Shanghai Acrobats whose circus-like acts originated during the Han Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago.

A leisurely morning before we make our way to the airport to join our direct flight back to Auckland.

We arrive in Auckland early morning.