China Getaway 8 Nights

Duration: 8 nights

Experience China with a relaxed eight night getaway exploring the epic Yangzi River, as well as the bustling cities of Beijing and Shanghai.

Day 01 - ARRIVE IN BEIJING

Arrive at Beijing International Airport where you will be met by a Sanctuary representative after customs who will transfer you to check-in at our partner hotel, the Peninsula Hotel Beijing. The evening is at leisure.

Overnight: The Peninsula Hotel Beijing (partner hotel)

Day 02 - TIANANMEN SQUARE & FORBIDDEN CITY

After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, it is time to visit the largest city square in the world, Tiananmen Square (440,000 m² - 880m by 500m). Tiananmen Square has great cultural significance as it was the site of several important events in Chinese history. The name of Tiananmen Square came from the name of Tiananmen Gate (literally, Gate of Heavenly Peace) located to its north, separating it from the Forbidden City.

The last stop on today's tour is the fascinating Forbidden City. The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty in 1420 to the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1912. For almost five hundred years, it served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political centre of Chinese government.

After a half day tour, return to the hotel and the remainder of the day at leisure to explore Beijing.

Overnight: The Peninsula Hotel Beijing (partner hotel)

Day 03 - THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

Buffet breakfast at the hotel followed by a tour to one of the seven wonders of the world, "The Great Wall of China". Today you have the opportunity to visit a part of the Great Wall of Mutianyu, this section of the wall is located in Huairou County, some 70 kilometres northeast of Beijing.

To reach the Great Wall, take a cable car ride where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery before walking on the monumental manbuilt structure.

After a half day tour, return to the hotel and balance of the day at leisure.

Overnight: The Peninsula Hotel Beijing (partner hotel)

Day 04 - BEIJING TO CHONGQING - M.S. YANGZI EXPLORER

This morning you will transfer by private car to Beijing Airport to board your flight to Chongqing.

Arrive at Chongqing Airport where a Sanctuary representative will assist and transfer you to the 5 star deluxe Sanctuary M.S. Yangzi Explorer. On board, you will be welcomed by the reception staff, who will assist with your check-in.

Dinner will be a set a la carte menu on board.

The ship will set sail on its downstream course in the evening 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.

Overnight: Sanctuary M.S. Yangzi Explorer

Day 05 - FENGDU

Start your morning with traditional Chinese exercise and work up an appetite for the buffet breakfast. Learn from our certified Taichi master and experience the soothing art form in the outdoor observation deck area or inside the Tang Theatre.

After breakfast, discover the authentic method to preparing tea in China. Understand the benefit from each type of tea, the equipment used in a tea appreciation ceremony, the procedure in producing the finest tea and finally tasting the product.

Afterwards it's time to learn to make dumplings. Our chef will personally teach you the many secrets of the Chinese kitchen and show you the proper technique that is used in Chinese dumpling making.

After lunch, there will be a shore excursion to Fengdu. Fengdu is a charming river village noted for its elaborate Daoist temple and bustling markets. There is the option to choose an alternative excursion to gain a unique glimpse into one of China's remote communities. Mingle with the locals and see how school children receive their early education. Gain a deeper understanding of the impact of the Three Gorges Dam Project on the local farming families - the relocation process, their feelings upon being informed of the programme, compensation issues and their current livelihood.

In the afternoon, enjoy a complimentary afternoon tea with pastries in the Explorer Bar, before a lecture presentation introducing the Yangzi River.

The evening will begin with the Captain’s Welcome Reception – meet with the Captain and other department heads of the ship. This is followed by the Welcome Dinner – enjoy our wide selection of meals from our a la carte menu, designed by our international award-winning chef.

Overnight: Sanctuary M.S. Yangzi Explorer

Day 06 - QUTANG GORGE, WU GORGE, SHENNONG STREAM, & XILING GORGE,

Early this morning the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer will enter Qutang Gorge through the majestic Kui Men - two imposing cliffs, which resemble a towering door into some otherworldly destination. Just 8 kilometres (6 miles) in length, Qutang Gorge is the narrowest stretch of the river on your cruise itinerary, only 150 metres (485 feet) at its widest point. The banks are guarded by sheer cliffs soaring 1,200 metres (3,900 feet) in height while the river water gushes forward channeled along by the great force built up at the Kui Men which marks the western extremity of the gorge.

After breakfast, you will enter Wu Gorge, noted for the sheer, looming appearance of the numerous peaks which mark this portion of the river. The cliff faces rise so sharply that legend relates that the “sun rarely penetrates to the river”. The most famous of the peaks is the Shennu Peak (Goddess Peak), also called the “Observing the Clouds Peak”, which is believed to represent the figure of the maiden Yao Ji, the 23rd daughter of the Queen Mother of the West.

Later this morning you will cruise Shennong Stream. Disembark from the ship at Badong and board a ferry which will transfer you to a local longboat (sampan) poled by Tujia boatmen. The scenery is unrivaled anywhere along the middle course of the river, crystalline waters, rich forest and towering rock formations. The Shennong region is home to several species of endangered flora and fauna including the elusive Golden Hair Monkey and many varieties of medicinal plants.

After lunch, there will be a presentation by an expert on the Three Gorges Dam Project, followed by an open discussion.

Following afternoon tea, you will have the chance to view Xiling Gorge. The Three Gorges Dam sits in the first part of Xiling Gorge. This is the longest of the gorges, measuring some 76 kilometres (47 miles) in length.

Later in the afternoon, try Chinese brush painting and calligraphy – watch and participate as the art instructor shows and explains the method of Chinese painting and writing.

This evening is the Emperor Farewell Dinner – participate and dress up with the crew members. After dinner, enjoy an evening of well-prepared entertainment by our crew members.

Overnight: Sanctuary M.S. Yangzi Explorer

Day 07 - THREE GORGES DAM PROJECT, YICHANG TO SHANGHAI

After breakfast you will arrive at the Three Gorges Project Dam Site and Exhibition Centre for a private tour. This tour will serve as a general introduction to the project site which is currently the world's largest engineering project.

The Three Gorges Dam Project was started in 1992 and was completed in 2009. This is the largest dam on earth, generating 18,200 megawatts of hydroelectricity. The dam's generators generate enough clean energy to reduce China's reliance on highly polluting coal by up to 50 million tons annually. However the dam will also submerge 13 cities, 140 towns, 1,352 villages and over 600 industrial factories - not to mention the more than 1,200 archaeological projects and 1.2 million people that have had to be resettled.

After the Dam visit, return to ship and set sail for Yichang, the final stop on your cruise. Your tour coordinator will transfer you to the airport for the flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival at Shanghai, you will be transferred to the Peninsula Hotel Shanghai for check in. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Overnight: The Peninsula Hotel Shanghai (partner hotel)

Day 08 - THE BUND, YU GARDEN & OLD TOWN

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, depart from the hotel to see the famous "Bund". The Bund is located in an area of Huangpu District in central Shanghai. The area centres on a section of Zhongshan Road within the former Shanghai International Settlement, which runs along the western bank of the Huangpu River.

Next stop, visit a garden that many consider to be one of the most lavish and finest Chinese gardens in the region, the Yu Garden. The garden was first established in 1559 as a private garden created by Pan Yunduan, who spent almost 20 years building a garden to please his father Pan En, a high-ranking official in the Ming Dynasty,

After a half day tour, return to the hotel and balance of the day is at leisure to explore Shanghai.

Overnight: The Peninsula Hotel Shanghai (partner hotel)