China and The Far East:
Yangzi Interlude, 13 Days

"Lets get away, far away..."

Yangzi Interlude opens the door to China. This carefully designed itinerary shows you all of China's major cities and best-known sights, in an exciting and evocative overview of a magical nation. Our visit begins in Shanghai, rich in a colonial history evident in the Bund's stately waterfront buildings, and continues to lovely Suzhou where China's classical splendors are on tranquil display. Our next stop, Xian, is China's cradle of culture. Here we pay a fascinating archaeological visit to the First Emperor's terra-cotta bodyguard - estimated at 8,000 soldiers strong. We then board 'M/S East King' to cruise along the Yangzi River through beautiful scenery and past friendly riverside villages into the center of the country. Beijing is our final stop, a city that embodies the very essence of Imperial China in the palaces of the Ming and Qing courts, the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall.

Day 1: USA or Canada - Shanghai, China

Our journey of discovery in the Orient begins as we board a flight to Shanghai.

Day 2: Shanghai

On arrival in Shanghai, we are met and escorted to our elegant hotel.

The Portman Ritz Carlton Hotel

Day 3: Shanghai

We spend the day exploring Shanghai, once known as the "Paris of the East." On the city's famous waterfront, the Bund is still faced with stately European buildings, and the old Chinese quarter shows us another of Shanghai's many faces, with dozens of meandering alleyways lined with shops, restaurants and houses. Along these twisting lanes are some of the city's sightseeing highlights: we visit the graceful Yu Yuan Garden and the Temple of the City Gods, now a thriving bazaar. We also visit the Shanghai Museum, among the finest in the world and, today or tomorrow, attend a performance of acrobatic prowess.

The Portman Ritz Carlton Hotel: B.L.D

Day 4: Shanghai - Suzhou - Shanghai

This morning we travel to the tranquil garden city of Suzhou, founded over 2,500 years ago. Suzhou's charms are embodied in its formal gardens, each exquisitely designed and constructed by great artists of late Imperial China. Today we wander among several of these living treasures as we explore the city, before returning to Shanghai late in the day.

The Portman Ritz Carlton Hotel: B.L.D

Day 5: Shanghai - Xian

Today we fly to Xian, where we visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. This outstanding collection of art features examples from the full range of Chinese history.

Shangri-La Golden Flower Hotel: B.L.D

Day 6: Xian

In 1974, a group of local farmers made "the archaeological discovery of the century" while attempting to dig a well near Xian. Our first priority today is a stop at their find, the First Emperor of China's tomb complex with its army of terra-cotta warriors.

Shangri-La Golden Flower Hotel: B.L.D

Day 7: Xian - Chongqing

This morning we fly to Chongqing, where the 'M/S East King' awaits. As we settle into our comfortable cabins, our cruise director and staff members are on hand to assist with information about shipboard facilities.

'M/S East King': B.L.D

Day 8-9: Yangzi River

The appeal of the Yangzi lies not only in the river's great natural beauty, but in the cultural and historical ties which link nearby communities with its life-giving waters. But scenic attractions should not be discounted: our cruise takes us through the legendary Three Gorges, an inspiration for Chinese poetry and painting for centuries. We travel through Qutang Gorge, the "Devil's Gate," renowned for its treacherous currents, precipitous heights and narrow width; Wu, or "Witches" Gorge, with its 12 towering peaks; and the rapids, whirlpools and seven small gorges of Xiling Gorge, longest and most exciting of the three.

'M/S East King': B.L.D

Day 10: Yangzi River - Beijing

We bid farewell to our ship and depart for Beijing, capital and cultural heart of both modern and historic China. After settling in at our hotel, an afternoon of sightseeing includes a visit to the magnificent Temple of Heaven, one of the most beautiful architectural structures in all of China.

Palace Hotel: B.L.D

Day 11-12: Beijing

Spend two days exploring the treasures of this fabled city. The heart of Beijing is Tiananmen Square, largest in the world and site of the mausoleum of Chairman Mao Zedong. We pass through the Gate of Heavenly Peace as we venture into the Forbidden City, and visit the Great Wall of China, a breathtaking sight as it meanders into the distance over rugged mountains to the north of the city. Other Beijing highlights include the quaint Liu Li Chang district. If circumstances permit, we may also enjoy a performance of Chinese opera or ballet. On our last night, we say our good-byes to China and fellow travellers at a farewell dinner at the exclusive China Club.

Palace Hotel: B.L.D

Day 13: Beijing - USA or Canada

Today we board a homebound flight home or travel on to another destination in the Orient.

Breakfast at the Palace Hotel

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

**Departures limited to 24 Passengers**

Your Yangzi Interlude land arrangements include:

  • Hotel accommodations as indicated in the itinerary or similar
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary, à la carte wherever possible; domestic bottled water with all meals
  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • All sightseeing as shown, including entrance fees
  • Services of professional escorts (tour will be locally hosted for groups of less than 6 persons)
  • All baggage handling
  • All gratuities except to your escort

Not Included:

Personal expenses such as laundry; travel insurance; excess baggage fees; communication charges; cost of obtaining passport or visas; meals, beverages or sightseeing not included in the itinerary; any airfares.

PRICING:

Please contact Quality Travel Services for updated prices.
Or use our online Travel Request Form.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shanghai

 

 

Xian

 

 

The Wu Gorge on the Yangzi River

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