Views of unique scenery from the comfort of a luxury cruise are the highlight of the Cruising Dragon Tours! These are popular itineraries because of the dramatic changes caused by construction of the world’s largest dam and hydroelectric project. The look of this river’s beautiful scenery has changed in perspective but the changes portray the future of modern China.

 

DAY 1 Thursday depart USA
Connect on a flight across the Pacific and the International Dateline to Asia .

DAY 2 Friday arrive SHANGHAI
Arrive in Shanghai late afternoon. Clear customs and immigration. Transfer to The Bund Hotel. On your own this evening you might chose to visit the Peace Hotel and see Shanghai ’s oldest jazz ensemble.

DAY 3 Saturday SHANGHAI (B, L)
This morning sightseeing includes visits to the Bund, a tour of the new area of Pudong including the Pearl TV Tower, the Jade Buddha Temple and the Shanghai Museum .

DAY 4 Sunday SUZHOU (B, L, D)
Day tour to Suzhou , famous for traditional Chinese gardens and homes, includes the Garden of Fisherman ’s Nets, Humble Administrator’s Garden, and the Silk Embroidery Research Institute. Return for dinner and a Shanghai Acrobats performance.

DAY 5 Monday SHANGHAI/HANGZHOU (B, L)
Drive to Hangzhou , a honeymoon city located on scenic West Lake . On arrival transfer to the Sofitel West Lake Hotel.

DAY 6 Tuesday HANGZHOU/GUILIN (B, L)
Cruise on West Lake , tour Lingyin Temple with its extensive Buddhist rock carvings and climb the Pagoda of Six Harmonies for a Qiantang River view. Take the late flight to Guilin , one of China 's most scenic cities. Overnight at the Guilin Sheraton .

DAY 7 Wednesday GUILIN/CHONGQING (B, L)
Spend most of the day on a cruise along the Li River and experience the beauty of the karst rock formations. Shop in the village of Yangshuo before returning to Guilin to for the evening flight to Chongqing , which was China ’s capital during WWII. Stay tonight at the Marriott Chongqing.

DAY 8 Thursday DAZU (B, L, D)
Drive through the lush Sichuan countryside to explore Dazu’s unspoiled Buddhist grotto carvings. Return and after dinner board Victoria Cruises ship to embark on your cruise.

DAY 9 Friday YANGTSE CRUISE (B, L, D)
Cruising downstream with various shore excursions in the “ghost city” of Fengdu and Wanxian. Pass through Qutang Gorge, the first of the famous Three Gorges, and continue to Wushan.

DAY 10 Saturday YANGTSE CRUISE (B, L, D)
In Wushan, water level permitting, take a side trip by small boat up the Daning River to see the Three Small Gorges. Then continue through the other two gorges, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge.

DAY 11 Sunday WUHAN/XI’AN (B, L)
The last shore excursion is at the site of the new dam at Sandouping. Models of the dam and details of project are displayed. Disembark in Yichang and drive to Wuhan . Take a city tour including the Yellow Crane Pagoda before the flight to one of the ancient capitals of China . Xi’an is famous for its archeological discoveries. Transfer to the Grand New World Hotel.

DAY 12 Monday XI’AN (B, L, D)
The highlight of a tour to Xi’an is the on-site excavation Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors. Also visit Ban Po Museum, remains of a neolithic village and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This evening attend a dinner theatre performance of Tang Dynasty Song & Dance.

DAY 13 Tuesday XI’AN/BEIJING (B, L)
This morning fly to Beijing , China ’s cultural and political center. Transfer to the Jianguo Gardens Hotel. This afternoon tour to The Temple of Heaven and explore the open market area of ‘silk alley’.

DAY 14 Wednesday BEIJING (B, L)
Visit Tiananmen Square , the Forbidden City ’s Palace Museum , and tour the Summer Palace . Tonight see a performance of Beijing Opera highlights.

DAY 15 Thursday BEIJING (B, L, D)
Take an excursion outside the city to the Great Wall at Badaling and the Ming Tombs. On return to the city, stop at the Olympic Park to see the Bird’s Nest Stadium and the Water Cube. Tonight features a Peking Duck Dinner.

DAY 16 Friday BEIJING/USA (B, L)
Tour today to the Lama Temple and a ‘hutong’ area of traditional North China courtyard style homes. Ride in a rickshaw among the lanes in this scenic area known as the back of the lake. After lunch transfer for the return flight across the Pacific arriving back in your originating city on the same day.

 

CHINASMITH features Victoria Cruises.

Upgrades to Deluxe Cabins or Suites are an option, subject to availability.

2009 Schedule

 

Dates Code Depart/Return

CD-1 • March 26-April 10
CD-2 • April 23-May 8
CD-3 • May 21-June 5
CD-4 • June 18-July 3
CD-5 • July 16-31
CD-6 • August 13-28
CD-7 • September 17-October 2
CD-8 • October 15-30