16 Days Roof of the World China Tour

Beijing to Shanghai Itinerary

*Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased from Viking River Cruises.
The following meals are included: B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner

Day 1 Beijing, China
Arrive in Beijing, China’s imperial capital with rich history dating back more than 3,000 years. After hotel check-in, you have free time to relax.

Day 2 Beijing, China
This morning visit the Tian’anmen Square, which can accommodate over 1 million people. Then, tour Beijing’s Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After lunch in a local restaurant, take some free time to explore Beijing on your own or do some shopping. Enjoy your dinner this evening, or attend The Legend of Kung Fu for a beautiful display of this performance art, which has roots that date back 4000 years. (B, L, D)

Day 3 Beijing, China
After breakfast, travel to the Badaling. There, you will visit one of the most impressive and best-preserved sections of the Great Wall of China, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

After lunch, visit the Sacred Way, a tree-lined avenue guarded by massive sculptures of elephants, lions and camels leading to the Ming Dynasty tombs. This evening, dine at a local restaurant and relax at your hotel, or enjoy an optional Peking duck dinner, the region’s famous dish. (B, L, D)

DAY 4 Xi’an, China
See traditional Chinese life during your rickshaw tour along Beijing’s hutongs (narrow alleyways). After lunch, fly to Xian, China’s legendary home of the Tang Dynasty from 618 to 907 AD. Tonight, opt to experience the glory of this era at a banquet with traditional song and dance, or enjoy dinner at your hotel. (B, L, D)

†Rickshaw tour available only on Beijing to Shanghai itinerary direction.

DAY 5 Xian, China
Today, tour Xian’s archaeological wonder: thousands of life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang, each soldier and horse molded in incredible detail. Tonight’s activity is a nighttime marketplace tour. (B, L, D)

DAY 6 Lhasa, China
This morning you’ll have free time in Xian. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your activities. After lunch, fly to Lhasa, the economic, spiritual and cultural center of Tibet. Experience Tibetan life with a family-hosted tea followed by dinner at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)

DAY 7 Lhasa, China
Today, visit 1,300-year-old Jokhang Temple. After a local lunch, explore the maze-like Barkhor Market in Old Lhasa and tour the Tibetan Museum to learn about the area’s history and culture. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Tibetan dinner. (B, L, D)

DAY 8 Lhasa, China
This morning, tour the 13-story Potala Palace, home of the Dalai Lama. Later, visit Sera Monastery, an active temple with monks in training. Lunch and dinner are in local restaurants. (B, L, D)

DAY 9 Chongqing, China
Today, fly to Chongqing, gateway to the Yangtze, to board your ship and enjoy a Western dinner. (B, L, D)

DAY 10 Shibaozhai, China
After a morning of scenic cruising along the Yangtze, tour the 12-story Shibaozhai Temple, an impressive example of Qing Dynasty architecture set on the banks of the river. Dine aboard. (B, L, D)

Day 11 Three Gorges, China
For the next 150 miles, travel the most scenic stretch of the Yangtze, the Three Gorges. During breakfast, cruise through Qutang Gorge, the shortest, narrowest and most spectacular of the three large gorges. Then, board a smaller boat for an excursion through the Lesser Three Gorges. Spend the afternoon sailing through Wu Gorge, renowned for its magnificent scenery. Dinner is served aboard. This evening, sail through the 5-stage locks of the Three Gorges Dam. (B, L, D)

Day 12 Three Gorges Dam, China
This morning, take a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam, where you learn about this engineering masterpiece and what it means for the Chinese people and the Yangtze. Lunch and dinner are served aboard while you cruise through Xiling Gorge, the longest of the Three Gorges. (B, L, D)

DAY 13 Jingzhou, China
This morning, arrive in Jingzhou, where you visit an elementary school sponsored by Viking River Cruises. You are greeted and entertained by the children, then return to your ship for scenic cruising. (B, L, D)

DAY 14 Wuhan, China
After breakfast, disembark in Wuhan. Visit the Hubei Provincial Museum where you hear the music of ancient bronze bells and view relics from 400 BC. Then, fly to Shanghai, China’s largest city and one of the world’s most important ports. Check in to your hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 15 Shanghai, China
Today, tour Old Shanghai and the riverfront Bund district lined with banks and customs houses. After lunch, visit the Shanghai Museum; see its ancient ceramics, bronzes, calligraphy and other artifacts. Dine in a local restaurant, then admire the dexterity of Chinese acrobats at a performance. (B, L, D)

DAY 16 Shanghai, China
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight. (B)

Cruise the Yangtze River on Viking Emerald. Accommodating 256 guests with full verandas, hotel-style beds in every spacious suite and stateroom, public areas bathed in light and an English-speaking crew, Viking Emerald is one of the most sophisticated river ships sailing the region.

Roof of the World

ALL PRICES BELOW ARE PER-PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY.
Beijing to Shanghai / Shanghai to Beijing

Please enquire info@yangtze.com

All This Is Included