Yangtze Sampler By Small Ship

Day Stop

• Beijing, China

Hotel(s)

Fairmont Beijing

Meal(s)

Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel, our guests have this entire day to enjoy and explore as they wish in China's vibrant capital. Our other travelers will be arriving today.

Day Stop

• Beijing, China

Experience

From April to November, our tour of the Summer Palace includes a boat ride on Lake Kunming, a delightful and tranquil way to experience the architectural landmarks and sublime natural beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hotel(s)

Fairmont Beijing

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Then explore by rickshaw through the narrow lanes of a Hutong, one of the city's few remaining enclaves of traditional, centuries-old courtyard homes. After lunch, tour the resplendent Summer Palace. Set on wooded hills surrounding a tranquil lake, this assemblage of pavilions, palaces and gardens offers a fascinating look into Imperial life long ago. From April to November, our tour of the Summer Palace includes a boat ride on Lake Kunming, a delightful and tranquil way to experience the palace's architectural landmarks and sublime natural beauty. Tonight's festive Peking Duck banquet is accompanied by wine and local beer.

Day Stop

• Beijing, China

Experience

With its many defensive towers and splendid setting amidst rugged mountains, the Great Wall at Mutianyu offers a more authentic and rewarding experience.

Hotel(s)

Fairmont Beijing

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch

The Great Wall stretches for nearly 4,000 miles across a vast expanse of northern China — its oldest sections dating back more than 2,000 years when various states and dynasties first began to build these defensive walls. A few centuries after these earliest sections were constructed, Emperor Qin Shihuang consolidated them into a single, massive fortification to guard his vast empire against Hun invaders from the north. Succeeding emperors maintained, reconstructed and built anew, and much of what is seen today is the result of work that was done during the Ming Dynasty. As a result the wall is not uniform throughout its length; situated farther from the capital than other sections of China's most famous landmark, the Great Wall at Mutianyu draws fewer visitors and is heralded as one of the most spectacular sections. Ascending by cable car, you'll walk atop the Great Wall here at Mutianyu as your expert guide shares dramatic stories of its past. For lunch today, we'll take you to the famous Brickyard Restaurant, conveniently located nearby. Back in the city, the rest of your afternoon and evening are free to enjoy as you wish.

Day Stops

• Beijing, China
• Yichang, Hubei, China

Experience

Designed in accordance with ancient Chinese principles of numerology and cosmology, the resplendent grounds of the Temple of Heaven are an evocative setting for our private Tai Chi lesson.

Hotel(s)

Cruise: ms Yangzi Explorer

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After sightseeing, we'll take you to the airport for your included flight to the river city of Yichang. On arrival, you'll be escorted to the pier to board the Yangzi Explorer, China's finest river ship. Settle in to your balcony stateroom and refresh before dinner is served in the Explorer's elegant restaurant. Choose from a tempting array of international and regional Chinese dishes, accompanied by free-flowing wine.

Day Stop

• Yichang, Hubei, China

Experience

This morning's optional "Tribes of the Three Gorges" excursion has been specially prepaid for our guests. Taking you into one of the most scenic areas of Xiling Gorge, you'll be introduced to some of the region's indigenous peoples. Through their food, dress and a lively folk performance, you'll learn about the history and culture of the Tujia, Ba and Chu ethnic groups.

Hotel(s)

Cruise: ms Yangzi Explorer

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Back onboard, the Yangzi Explorer will navigate through Xiling Gorge, the longest of the river's Three Gorges. Then as the river widens and sweeps through groves of orange and pomelo trees, you'll experience the tranquil side of life along China's mightiest river. Tonight's Captain's Welcome Reception is followed by dinner and then entertainment in the Tang Theater.

Day Stop

• Fengjie County, Chongqing, China

Experience

Set on the top of Baidi Mountain overlooking Qutang Gorge, you'll discover a fine ensemble of Ming Dynasty halls in White Emperor City, including the lovely Observing Stars Pavilion where Zhuge Liang, a great military strategist of the Three Kingdoms Period, would come to observe the night sky and make weather forecasts that helped him plan his victorious battles.

Hotel(s)

Cruise: ms Yangzi Explorer

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After lunch onboard the Yangzi Explorer navigates Wu Gorge, renowned for its massive cliffs rising sharply from the river. Later, our ship cruises through spectacular Qutang Gorge, the narrowest of the river's Three Gorges. If you wish to join this afternoon's optional excursion to the White Emperor City, it has been specially pre-paid for our guests.

Day Stop

• Yangtze River, Shishou, Jingzhou, China, 434404

Hotel(s)

Cruise: ms Yangzi Explorer

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today's morning at leisure and your choice of an included afternoon excursion applies to cruises from May to September. Guests on our other sailings will visit the 816 Underground Project in the morning and the White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum in the afternoon.

Day Stops

• Chongqing, China
• Xi'An, Shaanxi, China

Experience

This evening's congenial dinner features savory dumplings — a regional specialty and favorite.

Hotel(s)

Hilton Hotel

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

Disembark the Yangzi Explorer after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your included flight to Xi'an, China's capital for 13 dynasties. On arrival, you'll be escorted to our hotel ideally located within the ancient defensive walls of the city.

Day Stop

• Xi'An, Shaanxi, China

Hotel(s)

Hilton Hotel

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Join staff at the Xian Museum this morning for our exclusive Touch Antiquity experience. Donning white cotton gloves, you'll handle and examine priceless ancient objects as museum staff offer insight into their provenance and cultural significance. Next, you'll visit the Terra Cotta Army. Discovered in 1974 by local farmers who were digging a well, this site is still regarded as China's greatest archaeological discovery. It has been estimated that more than half a million laborers and craftsmen worked for nearly 40 years to complete the tomb and the thousands of terra cotta soldiers, horses and chariots that were buried here to serve the Emperor in the afterlife. By special arrangement, you will meet with a local archaeologist — a great way to gain deeper insight into the history and discovery of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our cultural culinary experiences today include a noodle-making demonstration at lunch and savory dumplings for dinner!

Day Stop

• Shanghai, China

Hotel(s)

Fairmont Peace

Meal(s)

Breakfast

We include today's flight to Shanghai, regarded by many as one of China's most cosmopolitan cities. On arrival, you'll be met and escorted to our luxury landmark hotel. After time to refresh, join your expert guided for a guided walk along the elegant Bund Promenade, home to impressive architectural landmarks that reveal the city's rich mercantile history.

Day Stop

• Shanghai, China

Experience

Tonight's show is a multimedia extravaganza that blends traditional Chinese acrobatics, martial arts, dance and music with spectacular costumes and cutting-edge technology.

Hotel(s)

Fairmont Peace Hotel

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Then fast forward to the 21st century as you continue your sightseeing in Pudong, famed for its ultra-modern skyscrapers like the Oriental Pearl Tower and the 128-story Shanghai Tower. Tonight, you'll thrill to the daring feats and graceful artistry of the Shanghai ERA Acrobatic Show, a multimedia extravaganza that blends traditional Chinese acrobatics, martial arts, dance and music with spectacular costumes and cutting-edge technology.

Day Stop

• Shanghai, China

Experience

With your informative guide, you'll explore the Garden of the Master of Nets.

Hotel(s)

Fairmont Peace Hotel

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Traveling westward from Shanghai, today's excursion takes you to Suzhou: an ancient city revered for its centuries-old canals, graceful bridges, historic structures — and, most notably, the exquisite gardens which have earned Suzhou its place on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. With your informative guide, you'll explore the Garden of the Master of Nets. Originally laid out 1,000 years ago during the Song Dynasty, this classic Chinese garden is one of the city's most refined with landscaped waterways, pavilions, meandering pathways and a delicate footbridge a mere 12 inches wide! Indeed, the diminutive Inner Garden was the model for the Ming Hall Garden at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Then explore other facets of Suzhou's architectural legacy at the impressive Panmen Gate. Before returning to Shanghai, you'll visit a local workshop to see and learn how silk is made. This evening, you'll enjoy a congenial farewell dinner.

Day Stop

• Shanghai, China

Meal(s)

Breakfast

After breakfast, you'll be escorted to the airport for your onward flight.