China Multi Centre holiday including Yangtze Cruise

Day 1 UK

• Depart London Heathrow on British Airways for overnight flight to Shanghai

Day 2 Shanghai

• On arrival private car transfer to hotel
• Stay at Four Seasons for three nights in a superior room on a bed and breakfast basis

Day 3 Shanghai

• Full day private tour of Shanghai including lunch

Day 4 Shanghai

• Full day private tour to Suzhou, Zhou Zhuang & the Water Village including lunch

Day 5 Shanghai - Yichang

• Departure private car transfer to Shanghai Airport
• Flight from Shanghai to Yichang on Shanghai Airlines
• On arrival private car transfer to cruise ship port
• Four nights aboard the MS Yangtze Explorer in a deluxe cabin

Day 6 Yichang - Three Gorges

The ship will pass through the ship locks of the Three Gorges Dam Project and continue westward to Chongqing.   The average passage time for a ship through this lock system takes approximately 3-4 hours. After lunch, you will be transferred overland to the site of the Three Gorges Dam Project, currently the largest dam construction project on earth. Your visit to the dam will include a stop at the highest point above the project for some panoramic views of the site. Continue on to the scale model where a comprehensive description of each phase of construction is given. Finally a stop will be made near the ship locks for a look at how this phase of the project is proceeding. Following your visit to the Dam Site you will return to the pier and re-board your ship. The vessel will then set sail on her upstream course through the Three Gorges region. The ship will pass through the western part of the Xiling Gorge. The longest of the Gorges, the Xiling is 76 kilometres (47 miles) in length. One of the most memorable passages in the Xiling Gorge is through the Yellow Ox Gorge (Huangniu Xia) where the river widens and sweeps under the Huangling Temple. The temple stands amid groves of orange and pomelo trees (a variety of citrus related to the grapefruit)

Day 7 The Three Gorges - Qutang Gorge

This morning, the ship will reach Badong, a bustling river port which lies at the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Shennong Xi, an important tributary river. You will disembark from the ship (at Badong) and will board local longboats poled by Tujia boatmen, the traditional mariners of the great junks, which once plied the waters of the Yangzi above the Xiling Gorge. The scenery is unrivaled anywhere along the middle course of the River - crystalline waters, rich forest and towering rock formations - the original landscape little altered for thousands of years. 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. Your longboat will travel for approximately two hours before beaching on a bend in the river and allowing you some time to explore the shore before returning to its confluence with the Yangzi. After arriving back at Badong, you will disembark from your long boat and return to the ship. You will spend the balance of the day sailing through the last two gorges, the Wu Gorge and the Qutang Gorge

Day 8 Qutang Gorge - Wanzhou

Disembark this morning, for a shore excursion to Wanzhou. Located 360 kilometers downstream from Chongqing, spreading out over both banks of the river, this mountain city is known as the gateway to the East Sichuan Basin. The city received its name during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) and became a Foreign Treaty Port in 1902. A visit to the village is a shore excursion that will provide a unique glimpse into one of China's remote communities. Gain insight, 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 farm families - the relocation process, their feelings upon being informed of the program, compensation issues and their current livelihood.

Day 9 Wanzhou - Chongqing - Chengdu

• This morning, the Yangzi Explorer will reach Chongqing where, after breakfast, you will disembark
• Departure private car transfer to Chongqing Airport
• Flight from Chongqing to Chengdu on Sichuan Airlines
• On arrival private car transfer to hotel
• Two nights at the Sheraton Chengdu Lido Hotel in a superior room on a bed and breakfast basis

Day 10 Chengdu

• Full day tour to Dufu Thatched Cottage, Wuzhou Temple, Panda Sanctuary and Wangjiang Park with lunch

Day 11 Chengdu - Beijing

• Departure private car transfer to Chengdu Airport
• Flight from Chengdu to Beijing on Air China
• On arrival private car transfer to hotel
• Three nights at the Peninsula Hotel in a deluxe room on a bed and breakfast basis

Day 12 Beijing

• Full day private tour to Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Summer Palace including lunch

Day 13 Beijing

• Full day private tour to Great Wall at Badaling and Ding Tomb including lunch

Day 14 Beijing - UK

• Departure private car transfer to Beijing Airport
• Flight from Beijing to London Heathrow on British Airways

All tours are based on a minimum of 2 people