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.

YANGTZE RIVER GORGES are world renown for their beauty. Quatang, the first gorge going downstram, is both the shortest adn the most spectacular. Only 5 miles in length and taking only 20 minutes to pass through, it boasts the scenic views, the steepest walls and fascinating examples of a man's efforts to conquer granite. Wu Gorge, the middle of the three, is the most peaceful covering 27 miles of the river. Wu Gorge includes the most important sight on teh river for teh Chinese, "Goddess Peak", a 12 meter high pillar said to resemble a goddess whose sight through the fog brings luck to navigators on the river. Near Wu Gorge are the "3 Little Gorges", which offer an excursion on the Daning River. Xiling Gorge, the furthest downstream of the three, is the longest - 47 miles. Traditionally it is the most treacherous wiht hidden rocks and shoals. It has orange groves on the upper banks and temples older than the Tang Dynasty are nestles among the scenic rock walls.

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

DAY 2 Friday arrive BEIJING
Arrive in Beijing late afternoon. Clear customs and immigration. Transfers to the Park Plaza Hotel.

DAY 3 Saturday 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 4 Sunday BEIJING (B, L, D)
Take an excursion outside the city to the Great Wall at Badaling and the 13 Tombs of the Ming Emperors. On return to the city, stop at the Olympic Park to see the Bird’s Nest Stadium and the Water Cube. Dinner features Peking Duck.

DAY 5 Monday BEIJING/XI’AN (B, L)
Tour this morning to the Temple of Heaven and then to a ‘hutong’ area of traditional Northern Chinese courtyard homes. After lunch fly to one of the ancient capitals of China . Xi’an is famous for its archeological discoveries. Transfer to the Grand Mercure Hotel.

DAY 6 Tuesday 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 the Ming Dynasty city Wall and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This evening attend a dinner theatre performance of Tang Dynasty Song & Dance.

DAY 7 Wednesday XI’AN/CHONGQING (B, L)
Fly to Chongqing , which was China ’s capital during WWII. Visit the Stillwell Museum and the Chongqing Zoo to see pandas. Stay at the Harbour Plaza Hotel.

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 YICHANG/SHANGHAI (B, L)
The last shore excursion is at the site of the new dam at Sandouping. Noon . Models of the dam and details of project are displayed. Disembark in Yichang and fly to Shanghai , a city with a population of nearly 13 million people. Transfer to the Bund Hotel. On your own this evening you might chose to explore the active street scene in the Xintiandi area.

DAY 12 Monday SHANGHAI (B, L, D)
Sightseeing highlights in Shanghai include visits to the Bund, the Pudong area including the TV tower, Jade Buddha Temple , the Shanghai Museum , and Urban Planning Center. Enjoy an early dinner tonight before a performance of the Shanghai Acrobats.

DAY 13 Tuesday SHANGHAI/SUZHOU (B, L, D)
Drive to Suzhou , called “the Venice of the East” for its many canals. Famous for traditional Chinese garden homes as described in the novel, “Spring Moon”, the tour includes Tiger Hill Pagoda, the Suzhou Museum, Humble Administrator’s Garden, Garden of Fisherman ’s Nets, and the Silk Embroidery Research Institute. Stay at the Garden Hotel (Yuan Wai Lou).

DAY 14 Wednesday SUZHOU/HANGZHOU (B, L)
Take the train to Hangzhou , a honeymoon city located on scenic West Lake . On arrival transfer to the Ramada Plaza Hotel. Cruise on West Lake and visit a tea plantation to see production of famous Longjing Tea.

DAY 15 Thursday HANGZHOU/GUILIN (B, L)
Tour Lingyin Temple with its extensive Buddhist rock carvings and climb the Pagoda of Six Harmonies for a Qiantang River view. Take a late flight to Guilin , one of China 's most scenic cities. Overnight at the Guilin Sheraton .

DAY 16 Friday GUILIN/YANGSHUO (B, L)
Spend most of the day on a cruise along the Li River to see the beauty of the karst rock formations. Stay in the village of Yangshuo and overnight at the Green Lotus Hotel.

DAY 17 Saturday YANGSHUO/HONG KONG (B, L)
Spend the morning exploring the unique atmosphere of this small south China river town. Then drive back to Guilin for a flight to glittering Hong Kong . On arrival, transfer the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel.

DAY 18 Sunday HONG KONG (B)
Take a morning tour to Victoria Peak , Aberdeen , Repulse Bay and Stanley Market. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy the shopping and dining pleasures of this dynamic city.

DAY 19 Monday HONG KONG/USA (B)
Transfer for the return flight to the States arriving the same day.

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CHINASMITH features Victoria Cruises.

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

2012 Schedule

 

Dates Code Depart/Return

CDB-1 • March 15-April 2
CDB-2 • April 19-May 7
CDB-3  • May 10-28
CDB-4 • June 14-July 2
CDB-5 • July 12-30
CDB-6 • August 23-September 10
CDB-7 • September 20-October 8
CDB-8 • October 18-November 5

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