Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer

Depart Chongqing

This evening you will board the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer for your cruise to Yichang. After settling into your cabin, the ship will set sail on its downstream course through the Three Gorges region. The total length of this cruise is 660 kilometres (402 miles) and is considered by most Chinese to represent the single most scenic area in all of China. Later in the evening, a documentary about the Three Gorges Dam Project will be shown in the Tang Theatre.

Overnight: Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer

FENGDU

Start your morning with traditional Chinese exercise and work up an appetite for the buffet breakfast. Discover the authentic method to preparing tea in China and afterwards learn to make dumplings from our chef. In the afternoon there will be a shore excursion to Fengdu, where you can visit a local Kindergarten or join in with an exercise, singing and dancing regime for the local retired Chinese residents. After a visit to the local market, accompanied by one our Chefs, you will have an exclusive visit to a traditional Chinese housing complex, where you can admire the intricate preserved architecture whilst enjoying afternoon tea. The evening will begin with the Captain's Welcome Reception, followed by the Welcome Dinner.

Overnight: Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer

QUTANG GORGE - WU GORGE - SHENNONG STREAM - XILING GORGE - THREE GORGES

Early this morning the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer will enter Qutang Gorge and after breakfast, you will enter Wu Gorge and then cruise Shennong Stream. Disembark from the ship at Badong and board a ferry to a local longboat (sampan) poled by Tujia boatmen. After lunch, there will be a presentation by an expert on the Three Gorges Dam Project. Following afternoon tea, view Xiling Gorge and later, try Chinese brush painting and calligraphy. Tonight is "A Taste of China" Dinner and afterwards, enjoy an evening of well-prepared entertainment by our crew members.

Overnight: Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer

Three Gorges & DISEMBARK IN YICHANG

After breakfast, you will arrive at the Three Gorges Project Dam Site and Exhibition Centre. The Three Gorges Dam Project was started in 1992 and building was completed in 2009. The dam will be the largest dam on Earth, 1.2 miles wide and 600 feet in height. The dam's 26 generators will generate enough clean energy to reduce China's reliance on coal but it will also submerge 13 cities, 140 towns, 1,352 villages and over 600 industrial factories, more than 1,200 archeological projects and the 1.2 million people that will be resettled as a result of the flooding. You will disembark the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer at around midday.

* Please note that the schedule is subject to change *