Fly overnight from London to Beijing

Welcome to Beijing, China’s former imperial capital whose rich history dates back to more than 1,000 years BC. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, you have free time to relax or explore.

This morning visit Tiananmen Square, built to accommodate over 1,000,000 people. Later, tour Beijing’s mysterious Forbidden City. Completed in 1420, it was off limits to visitors for 500 years. Explore the elegant palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens within its walls. After a local lunch, tour the Summer Palace, a 700-acre complex. Walk among its elegant buildings and landscaped grounds, considered among the finest Chinese gardens. Tonight, enjoy a dinner of local specialties. On the 2009 itinerary, this is followed by a performance of the world-renowned Peking Opera.

After breakfast, 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. Tonight enjoy a dinner of local specialities.

Today tour Old Beijing’s narrow alleys, via rickshaw.* Discover the sights and sounds of traditional Chinese life. Visit a silk carpet workshop for a demonstration of this ancient art. After lunch, fly to Xian, key city of the Tang Dynasty. From 618-907 AD. this dynasty presided over one of China’s most glorious cultural periods. Tonight, experience its grandeur as you dine surrounded by the historic song and dance of this colourful era.*Hutongs (rickshaw) tour only available on Beijing to Shanghai itinerary direction.

After breakfast, tour the mausoleum where Emperor Qin Shi Huang was laid to rest over 2,000 years ago. Marvel at his eternal defenders-over 6,000 life-sized terracotta warriors, archers, infantrymen and horses guarding his tomb. After lunch fly to Chongqing, gateway to the Yangtze. Enjoy dinner aboard.

This afternoon, sail into 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 dinner and evening cruising.

After a morning of scenic cruising, tour the 12-storey red pavilion, Shibaozhai Temple. An amazing piece of Chinese architecture built during the Qing Dynasty, set on the hill above the Yangtze. Dine aboard.

This morning, cruise past the spectacular limestone cliffs known as the Three Gorges. During your 150-mile journey, first pass Qutang Gorge, the shortest and narrowest of the three larger gorges. 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. After enjoying a scenic lunch stop, board your ship and cruise through Wu (Witches) Gorge. Dine aboard. This evening, pass through the 5-stage locks of The Three Gorges Dam.

Disembark this morning for a tour of the Three Gorges Dam. Learn about this immense hydroelectric engineering project scheduled for completion in 2009. Then cruise through Xiling Gorge, the longest of the Three Gorges. Dinner is served aboard.

This morning, visit a rural village where Viking River Cruises has sponsored a much needed school. Arrive to a warm greeting from the children. Return to your ship for afternoon cruising and meals.

After breakfast, sail Dongting Lake, China’s second largest freshwater lake. From here, tour 66-foot-high Yue Yang Tower and its nearby pavilions, originally built during the Qing Dynasty. Cruise overnight.

After breakfast, discover Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province. Tour the Hubei Museum with its many historic artifacts including a collection of ancient bells.

After breakfast, tour the Ceramic History Museum. Learn how ceramics were produced in ancient times and their significance to each Dynasty. Dine aboard and sail overnight.

Marvel at the tranquil beauty of Mt. Jiu Hua, one of only four sacred Buddhist mountains. Later, tour a Buddhist temple and enjoy dinner onboard.

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic coach ride to Suzhou, nicknamed “Venice of the East” for its intricate canals. Tour the Old Town and embark on a sampan ride. Tour a Silk Factory and the exquisite Fishermen’s Garden. Have lunch and continue via coach to Shanghai. Check in to your hotel and enjoy dinner with evening free time.

This morning, tour Old Shanghai and the Bund, an elegant river front promenade. See many exhibits at the Shanghai Museum. Dine in a local restaurant, then marvel at a Chinese acrobatic performance.

After breakfast, check-out of your hotel and transfer to Shanghai Airport for the return flight to London. Or, extend your trip with one of our fully escorted land packages. You can enjoy the scenery of lush Guilin and shop in Hong Kong. Or, explore the history and culture of Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Alternatively, see the ancient culture and landmarks of two vibrant countries - Thailand and Cambodia.