Fly to Shanghai, China’s largest city, then transfer to your hotel.* Here, you can see the modern metropolis of the financial district juxtaposed with the older sections of the city.
Day 2 - Shanghai
This morning, tour Old Shanghai and the Bund, the city’s 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 local restaurant, then enjoy a performance of the famous Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe. (B, L, D)
Day 3 - Shanghai, Suzhou & Nanjing
After breakfast, ride 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, and then tour a silk factory and the exquisite Fishermen’s Garden. After lunch, ride to Nanjing to board your ship. You are welcomed aboard with a Western dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 4 - Mt. Jiu Hua
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 aboard for dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 5 - Jingdezhen
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. In modern times these pieces are virtually priceless—a rare copper-red Ming Dynasty vase recently sold at auction for more than $10 million. Dine aboard and sail overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 6 - Wuhan
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. (B, L, D)
Day 7 - Dongting Lake
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. (B, L, D)
Day 8 - Jingzhou
This morning, visit a town where Viking River Cruises has sponsored a much-needed elementary school. Arrive to a warm greeting from the children. Return aboard for afternoon cruising and meals. (B, L, D)
Day 9 - Three Gorges Dam
This morning, disembark for a tour of the Three Gorges Dam, an immense hydroelectric engineering project completed in 2008. After your tour, return aboard and cruise through the dam’s five-stage lock system. For the next 150 miles, you will cruise past the spectacular limestone cliffs known as the Three Gorges. First, sail through Xiling Gorge, the longest of the Three Gorges. Dinner aboard. (B, L, D)
Day 10 - Three Gorges & Lesser Three Gorges
This morning, cruise through Wu (Witches) Gorge, renowned for magnificent scenery. Then board smaller boats to the Lesser Three Gorges. Marvel at the hanging coffins of the Ba people and the ancient plank road carved into the cliffside. Return aboard for lunch, and spend the afternoon cruising through Qutang Gorge, the shortest and narrowest of the three larger gorges. (B, L, D)
Day 11 - Shibaozhai & Fengdu
This morning, tour the 12-story Shibaozhai Temple, an impressive example of Qing Dynasty architecture (c. 1650) set on the banks of the river. Lunch and dinner aboard, accompanied by scenic cruising along the Yangtze; dock in Fengdu this evening. (B, L, D)
Day 12 - Fengdu
Awaken this morning in 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 lunch and dinner and evening cruising. (B, L, D)
Day 13 - Chongqing & Xian
Disembark at Chongqing and fly to Xian, key city of the Tang Dynasty. From 618 to 907 A.D. this dynasty presided over one of China’s most glorious cultural periods. This evening, you may choose to dine surrounded by the song and dance of this colorful era, or dine and relax at your hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 14 - Xian & Beijing
After breakfast, tour the mausoleum where Emperor Qin Shi Huang was laid to rest over 2,000 years ago. Marvel at the thousands of life-sized terra cotta warriors, archers, infantrymen and horses provided to accompany him into the afterlife. After lunch, fly to Beijing, China’s former imperial capital whose rich history dates back more than 3,000 years. Check in to your hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 15 - Beijing
Travel to the Badaling Hills to walk the fabled Great Wall of China. Lunch in a local restaurant is followed by a stroll along the Sacred Way, a tree-lined avenue with massive animal sculptures guarding the Ming Tombs. This evening you can relax and dine at your hotel—or, enjoy an optional evening featuring China’s famous Peking duck and a recital by performers from the world-renowned Peking Opera. (B, L, D)
Day 16 - Beijing
This morning visit Tiananmen Square, built to accommodate over 1,000,000 people. Then, tour Beijing’s mysterious Forbidden City, completed in 1420 and off limits to visitors for 500 years. Explore its pavilions, courtyards and gardens. After lunch, walk among the elegant buildings and landscaped grounds of the 700-acre Summer Palace complex. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner of local specialties. (B, L, D)
Day 17 - Beijing
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight.* Or continue your China journey with an escorted land program that includes 3 nights in Hong Kong and 1 night in Guilin. Sightsee and shop in Hong Kong, then enjoy a relaxing day along Guilin’s scenic Li River. (B)
The following meals are included:
B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
Cruise ship operating this itinerary:
Viking Emerald
* Ports of call may vary based on itinerary and departure dates selected
Save $1,500 per person
Book by 30 April 2012—ask for offer A10
All pricing is in AUD, details appear below
For the past 15 years Shanghai has reawakened and regained its former glory as “The Paris of the East” in the 1920s and 30s. Its new skyscrapers seem to go up almost overnight, especially in the Pudong District, Shanghai's commericial center. And the air's electric with a sense of confidence and purpose.
Even the best museum, the Shanghai Museum, is but a decade old and already owns a collection of bronze that may well be the finest in the world. Still, there are a few more ancient sites worth your attention such as the pastoral, 16th century Yu Garden, an extraordinary maze of Ming Dynasty pavilions and bridges, encircled by an udulating dragon wall.
Country - China Distance from port to City - 5kms Distance from port to Airport - 50kms Currency - Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Places of Interest The Bund, Nanjing Road, Yuyuan Gardens, Old Bazaar, Xintiandi, Shanghai Museum
Wuhan
Country - China Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 0kms Currency - Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Places of Interest
Shibaozhai
Country - China Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 0kms Currency - Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Places of Interest
Chongqing
Country - China Distance from port to City - Distance from port to Airport - 20km Currency - Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Places of Interest Three Gorges, The Great Hall of the People, People's Liberation Monument
Xian
Xian is located in the southern part of the Guanzhong Plain. With the Qinling Mountains to the south and the Weihe River to the north, it is in a great geographical location surrounded by water and hills. It has a demi-moist monsoon climate and there is a clear distinction between its four seasons. Except the colder winter any season is perfect for for traveling.
Country - China Distance from port to City - N/A Distance to Airport - 20km Currency - Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Places of Interest City Wall of Xian, Terracotta Army, Mount Hua, The Bell and Drum Tower
Beijing
The capital of The People's Republic of China covers an area of some 6,870 square miles and boasts a population of over 11 million people. At the heart of this immense metropolis lies the Forbidden City. Two more examples of China's enduring culture are The Great Wall and Tiananmen Square.
Country - China Distance from port to City - 225kms Distance from port to Airport - 250kms Currency - Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Places of Interest Tiananmen Square, Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace
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Viking River Cruises
Viking River Cruises itineraries journey along the rivers of Europe and Russia, allowing you to explore fascinating destinations up close and in comfort.
Better than an ocean cruise or bus tour, our river cruises show you the best of Europe from the large cosmopolitan cities to small quaint villages.
So come aboard, unpack just once, and see it all. Spend your time exploring Europe, not getting to it, and enjoy the best of Europe with Viking River Cruises.
A river cruise with Viking River Cruises is the best way to see the real Europe up close and in depth. Explore the best of Europe from an intimate perspective, spending your time being there, not getting there.
Unlike a bus tour where you spend more time on the bus than actually seeing the country, or a hotel-hopping trip where you constantly pack and unpack, Viking River Cruises offers you fine food, great service and scenic cruising along Europe's great rivers.
Viking River Cruises visits at least one port a day on virtually every itinerary and you can explore small villages off the beaten path that are inaccessible via an ocean cruise. Docking in the heart of town, you'll have more to time to see the cities, not just travel to the cities. You'll experience ever-changing riverside scenery as well as local nightlife when your ship overnights in port.
Ship info
Viking - China River Cruises
China is a fascinating land of contrasts: mountains, plateaus, deserts, lakes and rivers…small villages and huge modern metropolises…ancient history and futuristic technology. China’s geography is widely varied, with terrain ranging from rainforests to deserts and beaches to snow-capped peaks. The Chinese landscape boasts the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, as well as the world’s third longest river, the Yangtze; all of Viking’s China itineraries include a cruise along the Yangtze River.
Viking River Cruises ships cruising the waterways of China are listed below. Click on the ship name for details about each specific ship.
