Day 1. Arrive Beijing
Arrive in China’s bustling capital and transfer to your luxurious hotel. After settling in, the remainder of today is yours at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Reception with your fellow travellers.
Day 2. Beijing
Your sightseeing begins today with a tour of historic Tian’anmen Square. Then, head to the Forbidden City, the largest surviving palace complex on earth. After time to look around, visit the impressive Summer Palace. Tonight, indulge in a Peking Duck banquet in a private room at the Quanjude Restaurant.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 3. Beijing, Great Wall of China, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today, set out for Huairou County and the Great Wall of China, visiting a jade factory on the way. Stop at the Ming Dynasty Tombs before arriving at one of the best-preserved parts of the Great Wall of China, the Mutianyu section. Enjoy great views as you ride a cable car. Tonight, attend either a Peking Opera or a Kung Fu Show.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
Day 4. Beijing, Yichang, Embark Cruise
This morning, hop on a rickshaw for a guided sightseeing tour through the hutongs (narrow streets or alleys) of Old Beijing. Explore the maze of historic alleyways and visit the home of a local family. Afterwards, board your flight to Yichang, where you’ll transfer to your river ship.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 5. Three Gorges Dam, Xiling Gorge
Set off on your cruise along the Yangtze River through the stunning Three Gorges region. Perhaps attend a lecture on the construction of the Three Gorges Dam. Arrive at the dam itself and take a tour before cruising through the longest of the three gorges, Xiling Gorge. Tonight, enjoy a Captain’s Welcome Dinner, featuring a wide selection of items from our à la carte menu, specially designed by an award-winning chef. Afterwards, enjoy a crew show.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 6. Shennong Stream, Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge
At Badong, transfer to a traditional sampan (longboat) and cruise through stunning scenery. Continue to tranquil Wu Gorge, and, late this afternoon, pass between two majestic cliffs on entry to Qutang Gorge. Later, perhaps attend an arts and crafts demonstration.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 7. Fengdu or Relocation Tour
This morning, perhaps participate in a Tai Chi class atop the Observation Deck. After breakfast, enjoy a tour of Fengdu, a graceful little ‘Ghost City’. Alternatively, take a ‘Relocation Tour’, and learn about the impact of the Three Dam project on local families. This afternoon, you may like to attend a Chinese Brush Painting and Calligraphy demonstration, learn how to play Mahjong, learn some Mandarin or enjoy a dumpling-making session. Tonight enjoy the Emperor Farewell Dinner, a Chinese banquet feast, and perhaps participate in some entertainment by dressing up along with the crew.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 8. Chongqing, Disembark Ship, Guilin, Dine Around Dinner
Disembark in Chongqing and visit the famous Chongqing Zoo, where more than 200 varieties of wild and rare animals are on display, including the Giant Pandas. Afterwards, visit a local restaurant for an authentic hotpot lunch, before transferring to Chongqing airport in the afternoon for your flight to Guilin. On arrival in Guilin, transfer from the airport to your hotel, located near the pretty Li River. Tonight, enjoy an international buffet dinner at the Li Café or enjoy a set menu of Chinese specialities at Shang Place.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 9. Guilin
Today, cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo along the picturesque Li River. After lunch on board, disembark for a visit to Yangshuo. This evening, enjoy a dinner of the famous local rice noodles.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 10. Guilin, Xi’an, Dine Around Dinner
Travel to Reed Flute Cave this morning, named after the reeds growing outside that are used for making flutes, and visit Fubo Hill. This evening, choose between a Western-style buffet dinner at Coffee Garden, or sample Chinese specialities at Shang Palace.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 11. Xi’an
This morning tour the City Wall of Xi’an, then travel via a nearby clay factory, where replica Terracotta Warriors are made, to the site of the Terracotta Army. Explore the Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses. Today, exclusive to APT guests, you’ll also receive a book on the Terracotta Army signed by one of the farmers that discovered it. Tonight enjoy a Tang Dynasty show and a dumpling feast.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 12. Xi’an, Shanghai, Dine Around Dinner
This morning, visit the magnificent Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a five-storey Buddhist pagoda built in 652. After lunch, transfer to Xi’an airport and fly to Shanghai. This evening, perhaps enjoy Chinese cuisine at the Dragon Phoenix restaurant or head to the Mosaic Café at Sofitel Shanghai Hyland for a delicious buffet dinner.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 13. Shanghai
Enjoy a stroll along the Bund, a famous stretch of riverfront. Later, visit the Shanghai Art Museum, then cruise the Huangpu River, which runs through the heart of the city. Afterwards, explore Yu Garden, one of the most lavish Chinese gardens, and look around Shanghai’s Old City. Tonight, enjoy premium seating at an acrobatic show.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
Day 14. Tongli, Suzhou, Freedom of Choice Touring, Shanghai
Today begins with a cruise through the ancient water town of Tongli. Afterwards, travel to Suzhou, located on the shores of Taihu Lake. Visit the No. 1 Silk Factory and enjoy a picnic lunch in the World Heritage-listed Humble Administrator’s Garden. Enjoy time to explore the garden, or perhaps enjoy a tour of Pingjiang Lu, a canal-lined street not far from the heart of the city’s Old Town. Back in Shanghai, enjoy a dinner of elegant French cuisine at Mr and Mrs Bund, overlooking the Bund and the Huangpu River.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 15. Shanghai
Transfer to the airport for your flight home this morning.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
Sanctuary M.S. Yangzi Explorer
Launched: 2008, Decks: 5, Length: 300 feet, Cabins: 62, Passengers: 124, Crew: 130.
See Yangzi Explorer ship plans here.
Suite Floor Plans
Private Balcony Suite Floor Plans
Categories: C, D and E. 333 square feet / 31 square metres.
See suite floor plans for Cat. C, D and E here.
Deluxe Balcony Suite Floor Plans
Categories: B and A. 420 square feet / 39 square metres.
See suite floor plans for Cat. B and A here.
* Please note all ship and suite plans are indicative only.