China's Cultural Delight

18 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
41 reviews  
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River Cruise
This trip is discontinued instead see:     China Delights Classic China Wild China     This 18-day odyssey explores China’s cradle of culture with an epic 11-day Yangtze cruise between Chongqing and Nanjing. See all the wonders of Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, as well as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terra Cotta Army and Old Shanghai. And, unc...

Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • See all the wonders of Beijing, Xian, Shanghai and the Three Gorges
    • Visit the birthplace of porcelain
    • See the elegant classical gardens of Suzhou
    • Explore a sacred Buddhist mountain and much more
    • Visit the enormous Tiananmen Square
    • Travel to the Badaling Hills
    • Tour Old Beijing’s hutongs (narrow alleys) via rickshaw
    • Scenic cruising along the Yangtze

What's this trip about?

    This trip is discontinued instead see:     China Delights Classic China Wild China     This 18-day odyssey explores China’s cradle of culture with an epic 11-day Yangtze cruise between Chongqing and Nanjing. See all the wonders of Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, as well as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terra Cotta Army and Old Shanghai. And, uncover the roots of Chinese civilization from Jingdezhen, birthplace of porcelain; to Mt. Jiu Hua’s remote Buddhist Temple complex; to Suzhou with its elegant classical gardens. Those who really want to understand the origins of Chinese culture should strongly consider this itinerary, our ultimate China experience.

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age range50 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityBeijing
End CityShanghai

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

Activities

  • Historic sightseeing
  • River cruise
  • Sailing

Trip includes

    • 11-day Yangtze River cruise in veranda stateroom
    • 2 nights in Shanghai: Westin, Ritz-Carlton Portman or Jing An Shangri-La; 2 nights in Xian: Sheraton, Hilton or Crowne Plaza; 3 nights in Beijing: Kerry, Regent Beijing or Ritz-Carlton (or similar)
    • Fully escorted: 16 guided tours with audio headset
    • All meals: 17 breakfasts, 16 lunches, 16 dinners, featuring regional specialties with select meals at local restaurants, including Welcome Cocktail Reception & Dinner and Captain’s Farewell Dinner
    • Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with onboard dinner and lunch service
    • Visit 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
    • Intra-China flights
    • Culture Curriculum: Attend a colorful ethnic costume show; listen to lectures on the Yangtze River, Buddhism, Mao Zedong & current affairs; enjoy a tea ceremony; learn tai chi from a master; find out how to make your own dumplings
    • All port charges
    • Free internet service, connection speed may vary

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Beijing, China
Accommodation : The Forbidden City, Beijing, China Fly to Beijing, China’s imperial capital whose rich history dates back more than 3,000 years, then transfer to your hotel.* After check-in, you have free time to relax or explore.

Day 2: Beijing, China
Meals : B, L, D Accommodation : UNESCO The Great Wall, Beijing, China This morning visit the enormous Tiananmen Square, which can accommodate over 1 million people. Then, tour Beijing’s Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Made up of nearly 1,000 buildings, it ...
Day 3: Beijing, China
Meals : B, L, D Accommodation : UNESCO Riding rickshaws, Xian, China After breakfast, travel to the Badaling Hills. There, you behold one of the most impressive and best-preserved sections of the Great Wall of China. This 4,000-mile-long series of sandstone and earthwor...
Day 4: Xian, China
Meals : B, L, D Accommodation : Terra Cotta Warriors, Xian, China Today, tour Old Beijing’s hutongs (narrow alleys) via rickshaw.† Discover the sights and sounds of traditional Chinese life. After lunch, fly to Xian, key city of the Tang Dynasty. From 618 to 907 AD, thi...
Day 5: Xian, China
Meals : B, L, D Accommodation : UNESCO Chongqing Sazu Stone Carvings, China After breakfast, tour the mausoleum where Emperor Qin Shi Huang was laid to rest over 2,000 years ago. See the thousands of life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors, archers and infantrymen that were bur...
Day 6: Chongqing, China
Meals : B, L, D Accommodation : Merchant, Fengdu, China Today, fly to Chongqing, gateway to the Yangtze, to board your ship and enjoy a Western dinner.

Day 7: Fengdu, China
Meals : B, L, D Accommodation : Shibaozhai Ricepaddies, China This afternoon, sail into Fengdu, a city dating back to the Han Dynasty. From here, embark on a tour of Snow Jade Cave, an underground labyrinth of caverns featuring dramatic karst limestone formations. Return to your ship for dinner and evening cruising.

Day 8: Shibaozhai, China
Meals : B, L, D Accommodation : Three Gorges After a morning of scenic cruising along the Yangtze, tour the 12-story Shibaozhai Temple, an impressive example of Qing Dynasty architecture set on the banks of the river. Dine aboard.

Day 9: Three Gorges, China
Meals : B, L, D Accommodation : Three Gorges Dam For the next 150 miles, travel the most scenic stretch of the Yangtze as it forces its way through a spectacular series of limestone ridges known as the Three Gorges. During breakfast, cruise through Qutang Gorge, the sho...
Day 10: Three Gorges Dam, China
Meals : B, L, D Accommodation : Jingzhou elementary school This morning, disembark for a tour of the Three Gorges Dam, where you learn about this immense engineering masterpiece and what it means for the Chinese people and the Yangtze. Lunch and dinner are served aboard while you cruise through Xiling Gorge, the longest of the Three Gorges.

Day 11: Jingzhou, China
Meals :B, L, D Accommodation : Dongting Lake of the Yangtze River This morning, arrive in Jingzhou, where you visit an elementary school sponsored by Viking River Cruises. You are greeted and entertained by the children, then return to your ship for scenic cruising.

Day 12: Dongting Lake, China
Meals : B, L, D Accommodation : Wuhan Bells, China Sail across Dongting Lake, China’s second largest freshwater lake. Stop for a visit to the 66-foot-high Yueyang Tower, built without a single nail, and its nearby pavilions, originally built during the Qing Dynasty. Cruise overnight.

Day 13: Wuhan, China
Meals : B, L, D Accommodation : Jingdezhen Ceramicist, China After breakfast, stop in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province. Tour the Hubei Provincial Museum to see its many ancient artifacts, including a large collection of bronze bells.

Day 14: Jingdezhen, China
Meals : B, L, D Accommodation : Mt Jiuhua Temple, China Today, visit the Ceramic History Museum in this city dubbed “the Porcelain Capital” due to its 1,700-year history of making pottery. Learn how ceramics were produced in ancient times and their significance to each dynasty. Dine aboard the ship as we sail overnight.

Day 15: Mt. Jiu Hua, China
Meals : B, L, D Accommodation : Shanghai, China Marvel at the tranquil beauty of Mt. Jiu Hua, one of only four sacred Buddhist mountains. Visit one of the area’s Buddhist temples, then return to your ship for dinner.

Day 16: Shanghai, China
Meals : B, L, D Accommodation : UNESCO The Bund in central Shanghai, China After breakfast in Nanjing, enjoy a scenic journey to Suzhou, nicknamed “Venice of the East” for its intricate canals. Take a guided walk through the Old Town and along the city’s canals, then to...
Day 17: Shanghai, China
Meals : B, L, D Accommodation : Shanghai, China This morning, tour Old Shanghai and the Bund, an elegant riverfront promenade lined with historic buildings. Visit the comprehensive Shanghai Museum to see some of its extensive collection of art and artifacts. Dine in a nearby restaurant, then enjoy a performance of the famous Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.

Day 18: Shanghai, China
Meals : B After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight.* Consider extending your China journey with 2 extra nights in Shanghai to further explore this fascinating city, or choose an escorted land program that includes 3 nights in Hong Kong and 1 night in Guilin.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,120
Price per day$284
Last Updated: 8/19/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Viking River Cruises.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Viking River Cruises Reviews & Ratings

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Viking River Cruises

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Inspiring destinations, thoughtfully designed itineraries, immersive cultural explorations, state-of-the-art ships, fine cuisine, excellent service and remarkable value. All created with personal attention to every detail.

We call this the Viking Experience. It’s the way your bartender has your drink prepared at just the right moment. The gentle guidance from your tai chi master during your lesson in China. Or the handwritten directions from your concierge to the oldest coffeehouse in Vienna. Every aspect of your time with Viking, from expertly prepared meals to carefully created enrichment programs and beautifully appointed ships, is planned to bring you closer to experiencing the most from your destination.

With more itineraries in more destinations worldwide, we offer behind-the-scenes insights and opportunities that set us apart from other travel companies.

While we deliver the expected and iconic, such as visits to museums and landmarks, we also go beyond. On every itinerary, you can experience local life through such excursions as home-hosted visits or trips to local markets. We also offer the opportunity to see the working world of bakers and artisans, and the option for our guests to experience priviledged access to museums, private collections and after-hours events that we thoughtfully curate.

DISCOVER YOUR DESTINATION

Our daily shore excursions include must-see highlights and delightful surprises. These expertly guided tours bring you closer to the art, architecture, history and people of the land.

GAIN GREATER INSIGHT

Watch a local German glassblower or learn about French Impressionism. Our Culture Curriculum, an enriching onboard program, infuses every cruise and brings history to life.

CAPTURE THE CULTURE

Accompany us on a shopping trip to the local market. Walk through the door of a centuries-old cathedral or visit a contemporary art museum. Meet local fine food and wine purveyors. Our tastings and demonstrations expand your mind and satisfy your senses.

EXPLORE ASHORE

Have you yearned to visit the vaults of the famed Hermitage Museum? Attend a classical concert in Vienna? Enjoy a Tang Dynasty dinner show in Xian? Your Program Director can organize a variety of optional tours.

PERSONALIZE

An appointment at the best spa in Prague or dinner at one of Lyon’s Michelin-star restaurants? Our onboard Viking Concierge is there to assist you with special requests.

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What they’re known for
Classy European and Asian river cruises with premium offerings like personal excursions and private access to attractions.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
50 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
viking-ChiCulVik

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