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Best of China
Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- Dine At The Great Wall: Be the envy of your friends with a private chef-prepared buffet lunch on a quiet stretch of the Great Wall of China
- Summer Palace Cruise: Glide across Kunming Lake aboard a traditional vessel to admire the gardens and ancient pavilions of the Summer Palace
- See The Terracotta Warriors: Descend into dark excavation pits to glimpse the life-sized clay soldiers of the ancient Terracotta Army in Xi'an
Short Description
Be prepared to enjoy 13 days with 3 nights along the Yangtze River on board the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer, small-group shore excursions, and exclusive access to local attractions beyond the tourist trail.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Beijing
Be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. After settling in, the remainder of the day is yours at leisure. Later this evening, get to know your APT Tour Director and fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception.
Stay: Three Nights: Raffles Beijing Hotel
Day 2: Beijing
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Board a traditional vessel for a cruise around the World Heritage-listed Summer Palace in Beijing. Here you will find a variety of palaces, gardens and pavilions, as well as Longevity Hill and manmade Kunming Lake. Admire the scenery as you are served tea and cakes.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE - Sightseeing
Following dinner, you may choose to attend a fascinating Peking Opera show at Qianmen Liyuan Theatre, watch an exhilarating Kung Fu Show at the Red Theatre, or explore Silk Alley market. Your sightseeing begins today with a tour of Tiananmen Square. Enlarged to four times its original size in the 1950s, Tiananmen is the world’s largest city square. After the tour, head to the World Heritage-listed Forbidden City, the largest surviving palace complex on earth. Located within the Imperial City of Beijing, the Forbidden City was home to 24 Chinese emperors between 1420 and 1924. Entrance to the city was once at the sole discretion of the emperor, but today visitors are able to access this extraordinarily preserved site. Enjoy dinner at leisure.
Day 3: Beijing, Great Wall Of China
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Indulge in a private lunch at the Great Wall of China.
Today, set out for the Great Wall of China, which winds its way from the Yellow Sea up into the Gobi Desert for more than 6,000 kilometres. Travel back to Beijing this evening and indulge in an authentic Peking Duck banquet served with all the traditional accompaniments.
Day 4: Beijing, Yichang, Embark Ship
After the morning at leisure, transfer to the airport and fly to Yichang. On arrival, transfer to your luxury river ship and settle in for your cruise along the Yangtze River.
Stay: Four Nights: the luxurious Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer
Day 5: Xiling Gorge, Three Gorges Dam
Cruise along the Yangtze River through China’s most picturesque area, the spectacular Three Gorges region. Pass through the longest of the Three Gorges, Xiling Gorge, cruising through Yellow Ox Gorge and under Huangling Temple, built around 770 BC – 476 BC and set amid groves of orange and pomelo trees. Later this afternoon, arrive at the Three Gorges Dam and take a tour of the world’s largest engineering project. After the Captain’s Welcome Reception this evening, enjoy a special Welcome Dinner.
Day 6: Shennong Stream, Wu Gorge, Qutang Gorge
Disembark your ship at Badong and transfer by ferry to a traditional Chinese sampan (longboat). As you cruise on this longboat, poled by a local Tujia boatman, you’re able to absorb the serenity of the river and take in the rich surrounding forest and towering rock formations. After lunch back on board, continue to the tranquil and spectacular Wu Gorge. Noted for its sheer peaks and towering cliff faces, the gorge is surrounded by the Wu Mountains and is the second of the Three Gorges system. Later, your ship will graciously glide between the majestic Chijia Mountain and Baiyan Mountain to enter Qutang Gorge, the shortest, narrowest and most dramatic of the Three Gorges. Also considered the most beautiful, the two peaks of Qutang Gorge rise up alongside the Yangtze River some 1,300 metres. As you cruise past the south bank, look out for the ancient inscriptions that are engraved into the white chalk cliff faces. In the afternoon, there is the opportunity to attend a fun hands-on arts and crafts demonstration on board. This evening, you can indulge in a delicious dinner with your fellow guests and APT Tour Director.
Day 7: Fengdu Or Relocation Tour
Rise early to participate in a tai chi class atop the ship’s Observation Deck for a relaxing start to your day. Following breakfast, disembark for a tour of Fengdu, a graceful little ‘Ghost City’ that lies in the foothills of the mountains by the river. Fengdu is noted for its bustling markets and the many Buddha and Tao temples gathered on Ming Mountain. Alternatively, you may choose to take a ‘Relocation Tour’, which will give you an insight into the impact of the Three Gorges Dam project on local farming communities and the surrounding area. In the afternoon, choose from a range of activities. Perhaps attend a Chinese brush painting and calligraphy demonstration, learn how to play the ancient game of Mahjong, learn a few words of Mandarin, or participate in a dumpling making session run by the ship’s talented chef. In the evening, enjoy the Emperor’s Farewell Dinner, a Chinese banquet feast.
Day 8: Chongqing, Xi'an
Disembark your ship for the final time in Chongqing this morning. A strategic port since ancient times, Chongqing was established in the 11th century and has a dramatic history, having played a key role in World War II due to its mountainous landscape. Head to the Chongqing Zoo, where more than 200 varieties of wild and rare animals are on display, including the endangered Giant Pandas. This beautiful creature is fast replacing the dragon as China’s emblem and has been kept in zoos since the early Han Dynasty – over two thousand years ago. Later, visit a local restaurant for a hotpot lunch before transferring to the airport for your flight to Xi’an.
Stay: Two Nights: Xi’an, Shangri-La Hotel
Day 9: Xi’an, Terracotta Army
Today you will discover the attractions of Xi’an, one of the oldest cities in China with more than 3,000 years of history. The city was one of China’s Four Great Capitals and is the eastern point of the famous Silk Road. Visit the ancient city wall, one of the largest military defensive systems in the world, constructed in the 14th century during the early Ming Dynasty. Afterwards, travel to a clay factory where impressive terracotta soldiers are still made today. Spend the afternoon at the Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses and the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum. Here lie the three excavation pits where the collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the warriors of Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of China, were first unearthed by farmers in 1974. Watch a panoramic movie telling the story of the warriors and enjoy time to visit the three excavation pits where over 8,000 terracotta soldiers, horses, chariots and weapons are arranged in vast columns.
Day 10: Xi’an, Shanghai
Transfer to the airport and fly to Shanghai. On arrival, ride the high-speed Maglev train and watch the kilometres race towards an exhilarating 300 kilometres. Once predominantly a fishing and textiles town, rapid growth has seen Shanghai transform into a globally significant metropolis. Check in to your hotel overlooking the Huangpu River. Beyond the crisp cool veneer, Shanghai's architectural heritage is like nowhere else. From Jesuit cathedrals, Jewish synagogues and Buddhist temples to home-grown lòngtáng laneways and shíkùmén housing, lift the lid to a treasure chest of architectural style with time at leisure.
Stay: Three Nights: Shanghai, Fairmont Peace Hotel
Day 11: Shanghai
This morning, be joined by a local guide for an orientation tour through downtown Shanghai. Stop at the Oriental Pearl Tower and take an elevator to the viewing deck, where you will delight in panoramic views of the city. Standing at 468 metres high, it is one of the city’s tallest buildings and is brightly lit in different LED sequences at night. After lunch visit an authentic local silk factory for an insight into the history of Chinese silk manufacturing. This evening, after dinner at your leisure, enjoy premium seating at a thrilling acrobatic show.
Day 12: Shanghai
FREEDOM OF CHOICE - Sightseeing
Choose your activity this morning. Perhaps cruise the Huangpu River through the heart of the city, then explore Yu Garden and enjoy a traditional Chinese tea ceremony. Regarded as one of the most lavish gardens in China, Yu Garden was built over a period of 20 years by Pan Yunduan who wanted to impress his father, a high-ranking official in the Ming Dynasty. Following your tour, sit down to a dim sum lunch. Alternatively you may prefer to take part in a hands-on cooking class, during which you will learn how to make Shanghai dumplings. Your final option is a full day excursion to Jinxi, an ancient water town. Although only an hour from bustling Shanghai, Jinxi is worlds away in pace and serenity. Less developed than other nearby water towns and largely untouched by tourism, Jinxi’s romantic charm is best appreciated during a guided walking tour. Wandering through the covered corridors along the Jinxi River, you’ll discover ancient bridges arching over the town’s many water alleys. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and time at leisure before returning to the city.
This evening, savour a special Farewell Dinner with new friends at The Cathay Room in the Fairmont Peace Hotel, overlooking both the Bund and Huangpu River.
Day 13: Depart Shanghai
After breakfast this morning, transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Availability
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8 APT Touring Travel Reviews & Ratings
Best of China
Company Reviews
Amazing trip of a lifetime from Amsterdam
Amazing 15 day Amsterdam to Budapest.
This trip exceeded our expectations.
We loved our suite the owners plus certainly worth every penny. We highly recommend this tour and apt
My wife and I have just returned from a fabulous trip
The APT duo - Andrew and Arn were friendly, helpful etc.
The food was plentiful, tasty - especially at The Playford Hotel in Adelaide - our start & finish location.
Food breaks were timely.
And we visited some iconic places - Ikara - Flinders Ranges National Park [bloody cold], Marree, a scenic flight over Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, Travelled the iconic Birdsville Track, ate a curried camel pie at the Birdsville Bakery and survived, Saw some guys make 'fools' of themselves trying to climb BIG RED in their 4WDs. O I could go on.
There are some great pubs and locals out there - see for yourselves.
Thanks once again Andrew and Arn and our fellow travellers.
Danube to experience the sight ...Magnificent night.
Where do I start ...the Paris accommodation meet every expectation, then on to Amsterdam and boarded our ship MS AMA Venita
Well, what a absolutely amazing time was had by myself and the wonderful group of fellow travelers, right from the first night my thoughts of being a solo traveler and feeling awkward disappeared .
The service from this top class crew was in my opinion top level. It would be hard to mention just one person and leave out the rest but for the group I hung out with the MS AMA Venita was renamed MS Party Ship !!
Every night the super barman Alex, put up with us and made sure we were not going thirsty I think we kept him quite busy
The Cruise Director ...Cheri Coll ......amazing,brilliant at her job,her level of energy never fell away!
The entertainment at night was fun and I attended every night, following that we had the music maestro ...Peter....his love of music showed through and he had most of us up dancing till late into evening ...Thanks Peter
My suite was just perfect. The food and service was top drawer also
Would I recommend to my friends 100%i would, I am thinking of another cruise September 2019
The highlight for me was when Captain Rozsmann turned our Party Ship around in Budapest at night when all the lights were on and took us back up the glorious Danube to experience the sight ...Magnificent night.
Do the trip, if you think this is the adventure for you. I hope you have the brilliant crew we had. Well done APT !
Were classy and there was a good variety.
Magnificent Europe River Cruise
What can I say!, Gunther, you are the Best Cruise Director Ever!!! thank you so so much for going out of your way for making it possible for Cesare and I to get from the airport to the ship on time, and we want to thank all the Crew for their fantastic service and always full of smiles, and a big thank you to the Captain and Roberto for the smooth sailing, wonderfull food.
We will never forget our Fairytale Adventure.
And a Big thank you to Rachel for giving us a wonderful and unforgettable time in Paris.
Cesare and Patricia
Details
Ship Name
Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer
Optional Activities
Customise your holiday with a range of APT Freedom of Choice inclusions.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
These once-in-a-lifetime moments allow you to experience an unforgettable world of exclusive moments, incredible cultures and charming surprises
FREEDOM OF CHOICE - Sightseeing
Personalise your holiday with a choice of included sightseeing options sure to leave you with lifelong memories
FREEDOM OF CHOICE - Dining
Choose from a variety of included dining options sure to tantalise the tastebuds of every guest
Flight & Transport Inclusions
All internal transport included (including local flights)
Group Size
Standard Group - 25 + people
Cancellation policy
For all holiday packages the following APT cancellation fees apply:
Days of Notice: Fee Per Person
100 days or more Loss of deposit
99-61 days 50% of holiday package price
60 days or less 100% of holiday package price
All cancellations must be received in writing by APT and are not effective until this notification has been received. If your holiday has commenced, 100% of the full holiday package price is charged. There is no refund for unused services or if portions of the holiday package are missed.
Additional cancellation fees may also be charged in respect of accommodation reserved outside the holiday package dates. These cancellation fees are in addition to any fees that may be levied by APT and your travel agent (if any). You acknowledge that the amounts estimated under the Cancellation Policy are reasonable and represent a genuine pre-estimate of APT’s loss. If you request changes after APT has issued your documents, APT may charge you a fee of AUD$70 per person in addition to any applicable cancellation fees.
Trip ID#:
BesOfChi
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