Fascinating China & Mongolia W/ Yangtze River Cruise

Yichang to Chongqing

River/Canal Cruising | 18 Nights

Top▲Highlights

Discover the wonders of China and Mongolia on this incredible vacation that includes a 4-night cruise along the magnificent Yangtze. Visit the fabulous Yu Yuan Gardens in Shanghai, see the legendary Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, and encounter the unspoiled splendor of Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. Topping off your experience: the Great Wall and the Forbidden City in Beijing.

Top▲Itinerary

NOTE: All itineraries on the website are constantly being updated. This itinerary may not be the most current, so please check with one of the Specialty Cruise Advisors on the left to ensure that this is the most current one.

Top▲Dates & Prices

Seasonality

May to October

US$ Price Details

Applicable air fare taxes and fees

Land-only price includes intra-tour flights, and must be purchased with this vacation.

This example may be available on other dates or with different itineraries. We will gladly research other options for you! Special savings may be available for groups of 6 or more. Prices shown are per person, based on double occupancy, for standard and/or inside stateroom unless stated otherwise, are capacity controlled and are subject to availability. Fare is shown in US dollars unless otherwise stated. Government Fees and Taxes are additional. Refer to appropriate supplier brochure for terms and conditions. Pricing for Singles, 3rd, 4th or 5th guests if available, will be provided upon request and is subject to stateroom category availability. Unless specified, airfare is not included. Full details of airfare offers will be provided upon request and may vary by departure location. Prices vary by date of travel, were available when written, but are subject to restrictions and availability when booked, and may be withdrawn at any time. Offer not combinable with other promotions or discount offers. FST #ST37451 / CST #2092247-50 / WST #602-708-936

Top▲What's Included

• Deluxe 4-night cruise from Yichang to Chongqing in an outside stateroom with two lower beds, private facilities, and balcony
• MEALS : American breakfast daily (B), 13 lunches (L), 14 dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Shanghai and a farewell dinner in Ulaanbaatar
• SUPERIOR HOTELS: Shanghai Westin Shanghai (D), Victoria Cruises Victoria Anna or Victoria Jenna, Xi’an Golden Flower (SF), Beijing Westin Beijing (D), Ulaanbaatar Hilton Ulaanbaatar (F), Gobi Desert Ger Camp (BA)
• INSIDE VISITS: Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

Shore Excursions and Activities (Included)   Show All Details    Hide All Details

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  Day 3 - Visit a Silk Factory and the Children's Palace (Shanghai)

  Full day of sightseeing. Stroll along the Bund, the city’s riverfront boulevard lined with historic buildings, housing, banks, and trade houses. You’ll visit a SILK FACTORY and experience the YU YUAN GARDENS. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and visit the CHILDREN’S PALACE, one of China’s famous kindergartens. Your Tour Director will host a welcome dinner tonight as you meet your traveling companions. This evening you’ll be amazed by the fabulous ACROBATIC SHOW.

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  Day 4 - Visit the Shanghai Museum (Shanghai)

  Visit the SHANGHAI MUSEUM before flying to Yichang

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  Day 6 - Boat excursion down the Daning River or Shennong Stream. (Daning)

  This morning, disembark for a BOAT EXCURSION down either the Daning River or Shennong Stream, depending on conditions. After lunch, head upstream through the Qutang Gorge, the shortest but most dramatic gorge, and the Wu Gorge, known for its quiet beauty and forest-covered mountains. You can nearly touch the perpendicular walls rising from the riverbanks as your captain negotiates this narrow gap.

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  Day 9 - Visit a Lacquer Workshop, take a calligraphy class and more. (Xi'an)

  One of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world when China dominated the silk trade, Xi’an today is an archaeological treasure-trove. Sightseeing begins with the nearby DAYAN PAGODA, built in 652 AD, followed by a LACQUER WORKSHOP. Next, visit the enormous tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, accidentally discovered by local farmers in 1974. Marvel at the legion of TERRACOTA WARRIORS that has been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years. During lunch, enjoy a NOODLE-MAKING DEMONSTRATION by a master chef and learn how Chinese noodles are made by hand. Then, visit the Xi’an City Wall South Gate and learn to write like a local during a traditional Chinese CALLIGRAPHY CLASS. This evening, enjoy “The Tang Dynasty” DINNER SHOW, featuring a colorful assemblage of classical performances.

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  Day 10 - Enjoy a rickshaw ride through a Hutong. (Xi'an)

  Today, fly to Beijing, China’s capital. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through a HUTONG, one of the city’s ancient alleys. Experience life in this historic neighborhood as you are invited into a daycare center, and into the courtyard of a family’s home for a tea ceremony.

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  Day 11 - Visit the Forbidden City and the Imperial Palace and more. (Beijing)

  Your full-day sightseeing starts with a visit to the FORBIDDEN CITY and its IMPERIAL PALACE, once the home of China’s great emperors. Nearby is 100-acre TIAN’ANMEN SQUARE, the largest public square in the world. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and continue to the former SUMMER PALACE, a complex of pavilions, temples, and galleries set among beautifully landscaped grounds and situated on Kunming Lake. Tonight, experience local culture at the PEKING OPERA, including a behind-the-scenes look at the colorful makeup being applied to the performers.

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  Day 11 - Visit Eagle Valley National Park (Beijing)

  Today, fly to the Gobi Desert. Covering most of southern Mongolia, the Gobi is the world’s fourth-largest desert. Visit EAGLE VALLEY NATIONAL PARK and drink in stunning mountain scenery and the Gobi Glacier. The Gobi supports more than 300 varieties of flora and fauna and several endangered species, including the Snow Leopard and the Bactrian Camel.

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  Day 12 - Visit the Great Wall of China, and the Cloisonne Workshop. (Beijing)

  The GREAT WALL OF CHINA once stretched 4,000 miles across China’s barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Head north to a village where the Great Wall is well preserved and walk along the wall to enjoy sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress. Then, visit a CLOISONNÉ WORKSHOP and see local artisans use the techniques of this ancient art form to turn pieces of copper into colorful decorative items. After lunch in a local restaurant, take a leisurely walk down the SACRED WAY of the Ming Tombs and marvel at the impressive hand-carved stone statues. This evening you’re hosted to a special PEKING DUCK DINNER in a local restaurant.

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  Day 14 - City tour that includes Sukhbaatar Square and Zaisan Hill, offering sweeping views of the city (Ulaanbaatar)

  Today, fly to Ulaanbaatar, capital of Mongolia. After some time in the hotel, enjoy a city tour that includes Sukhbaatar Square and Zaisan Hill, offering sweeping views of the city. Next, visit GANDAN MONASTERY. With more than 150 monks in residence and numerous temples, it is the most important Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. The last stop is the NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, housing fascinating exhibits that showcase the geography, flora, and fauna of Mongolia, as well as dinosaur fossils excavated from the Gobi Desert.

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  Day 15 - Explore the Cemetery of Dinosaurs. (South Gobi)

  Today, visit Bayan Zag to explore the CEMETERY OF DINOSAURS, where the world’s best-preserved dinosaur skeletons and their petrified eggs were excavated. Then, visit a CAMEL BREEDERS CAMP to learn about the nomadic lifestyle and culture and to try some traditional food. (B,L,D)

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  Day 16 - Visit the Bogd Khan Winter Palace. (Ulaanbaatar)

  Fly back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, visit the BOGD KHAN WINTER PALACE and the NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM with a rich collection of exhibits covering the history and people of Mongolia. This evening, enjoy a MONGOLIAN FOLKLORE PERFORMANCE featuring traditional musical instruments, songs, and dances.

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  Day 17 - Visit the Terelj National Park and Turtle Rock. (Ulaanbaatar)

  After breakfast, drive north to TERELJ NATIONAL PARK, famous for its amazing rock formations and natural beauty. Here you will visit TURTLE ROCK, a unique rock formation shaped like a turtle, and the ARIYABAL MEDITATION TEMPLE. After lunch, enjoy an ARCHERY LESSON and an optional horse ride. Later, return to Ulaanbaatar. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your traveling companions.

Top▲What's NOT Included

• Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees including the September 11th Security fee up to $10 per person, Passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure, and other government imposed fees up to $300 per person; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships' crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Globus menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); optional excursions; airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection premiums; all airline imposed baggage fees (including internal flights); and all other items of a personal nature.

Top▲Vessel Information

Victoria Anna

Motor Ship (Riverboat) | 306 Passengers | Operated by Avalon Waterways,

The newly built Victoria Anna is setting the standard for Yangtze river cruising. A three-story atrium lobby welcomes guests to a decor blending modern comfort and elegant Asian design. A large sun deck, two lounges, three bars, a gym, library, multiple gift shops, and two elevators complement two restaurants including a main dining room and an à la carte restaurant. All of the ship's generously sized cabins include floor-to-ceiling windows with a glass door opening to a private balcony. The Victoria Anna accommodates 226 passengers. The newest and most luxurious ship on the Yangtze, the Victoria Anna promises a journey of unbelievable comfort and grand style.

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