Itinerary Details
1 Arrive Beijing, China
Big, bold, bewildering: no adjective is too grand for the Chinese capital. It is a living, breathing timeline on the rushing banks of the Hai, where red lanterns flicker in the narrow alleys of hutong districts, the scents of Pekinese cuisine waft over busy markets, and each skyscraper looms larger than the last.
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2 Beijing | Iconic SitesWalk in the footsteps of past emperors and their royal processions at the Temple of Heaven, explore the Forbidden City’s National Palace Museum and reflect on the legacy of Tiananmen Square.
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3 Beijing | The Great WallLeave the crowds behind as you scale the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China, a wonderfully preserved, off-piste stretch of this iconic monument, before delving into one of Beijing’s traditional hutong neighborhoods. In this old-world maze of lanes and alleyways, visit the home of a local family for a rare glimpse into a bygone age.
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4 Xi’an | Silk Route LegacyStashed away like plundered gold, Xi’an is the China of your imagination. This grand city was once the final knot at the end of the Silk Route, its streets a raucous mix of faiths and fortunes, and still bristles with mystique today. Tour its 14th-century city walls or climb its square pagodas but leave the most awe-inspiring sight of them all for last: the Terracotta Army, a highlight of any visit to this ancient place.
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5 Xi’an | Terracotta ArmyBuilt from clay to safely guide the first emperor, Quin Shi Huang, into the afterlife, the thousands-strong Terracotta Army, complete with horses and chariots, is a true sight to behold. Delve into the army’s history with your private guide, who can unravel the secrets of this epic sight.
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6 Chengdu | Cultural HotpotFor many travellers, Chengdu means one thing: pandas. But Sichuan’s capital is a bubbling hotpot of local culture, where afternoons can be spent playing chess beneath the trees of the People’s Park, and the evenings browsing the night markets for a fiery introduction into Sichuanese cuisine.
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7 Chengdu | Giant Panda EncounterMeet China’s most famous mascots on a guided tour of the Chengdu Panda Breeding Center. Learn more about the history of panda conservation, and meet some of the adorable, 100-plus giant and red pandas currently in the center's care.
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8 Lhasa, Tibet | Sky-High Cradle of BuddhismEven if Lhasa were not the ancient cradle of Buddhism, it would be hard to refute the misty, spiritual quality of its geography, perched like an eagle’s nest on a lofty plateau. But faith is inescapable in this rich, altitudinous dream: fluttering prayer flags and monks’ crimson robes, butter lamps flickering in ornate temples, bazaars stocked with prayer beads, and grand palaces and shrines.
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9 Lhasa | Monastic TraditionsVisit the seventh-century Ani Tsankhung Nunnery and the Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s most revered religious structure. In nearby Barkhor Bazaar, lose yourself among prayer beads and wheels, carpets, and thangkas. Then, see artisans at work in the Dropenling Tibet Handicraft Development Center. Later, pause at the serene Sera Monastery, watching the dramatic theological debates held in the courtyards.
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10 Lhasa | Potala PalaceClimb to the Potala Palace, the shining-white jewel in Lhasa’s crown. Commissioned by the Dalai Lama in 1645, the vast citadel became the winter residence of nine Dalai Lamas; take time to wander its sacred prayer halls, rich with icons, idols and lavish frescoes depicting key scenes from Buddhist scripture.
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11 Cruising the Yangtze River, China | Artery of Rural ChinaSpilling out of the Tibetan plateau, the great Yangtze runs 3,915 miles through soaring mountains and fertile farmlands, serving as the lifeblood to a third of China’s population. Steep gorges dwarf the forests and villages that cluster upon the banks – a fairytale setting for an intrepid, luxury cruise. From Chongqing, a former walled fortress and China's de facto capital during World War II, set sail aboard the sumptuous Yangzi Explorer II, sailing deep into the dramatic Three Gorges region.
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12 Cruising the Yangtze River | Hidden MarvelsStart with tai chi on the deck before breakfast. Disembark in the small city of Fuling and visit the 816 Nuclear Military Plant, a massive yet unfinished Cold War era bunker. Back on board, continue your journey downstream, observing villages and farms set amid the lush mountainscape.
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13 Cruising the Yangtze River | The Three GorgesFrom your floating palace, explore the crystal-clear waters and forested slopes of Shennong Stream aboard a traditional sampan boat, pausing at a traditional trackers’ village for a fascinating glimpse into a rural Chinese community. Once your voyage reaches the vast engineering spectacle of The Three Gorges Dam, dine on a farewell feast of Chinese delicacies with your fellow guests.
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14 Shanghai | Evolution of an Eastern IconGone are the days of a quiet, mysterious trading post on the East China Sea: Shanghai is the future, a glittering, global metropolis whose space-age buildings speak volumes of its sky-high ambitions. But beyond the gleaming malls and towering five-star hotels of China’s largest city, the old Shanghai still flaunts her jewels: the architectural gems of the Bund waterfront, wooden teahouses, curved-roof pavilions and beautiful gardens with lotus-strewn ponds.
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15 Shanghai | Canals of ZhujiajiaoStep away from Shanghai’s futuristic bustle on a guided tour of Zhujiajiao, nicknamed “the Venice of Shanghai.” In this peaceful town of gently winding waterways, glide past historic houses and beneath bridges on a private boat ride, watching life tick by as it has for centuries.
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16 Shanghai | Walking the BundToday, walk along the Bund, Shanghai’s most popular promenade, and then explore the Shanghai Museum viewing exceptional collections of historically significant art and housewares. Savor lunch at a local restaurant, and later stroll the streets of Old Town and visit the 16th-century Yu Garden, with its pavilions and ponds.
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17 Depart ShanghaiMeals:
