Gateway to the Orient

Ker & Downey presents a taste of the most memorable and historic sites in China. Spend 12 days discovering the blend of old and new permeating the nation, from the ancient Great Wall to the grand scale of the Three Gorges Dam.

Suggested Itinerary-at-a-glance:

• Day 1:

  Arrive Beijing  / Waldorf Astoria Beijing

• Day 2:

  Beijing / Waldorf Astoria Beijing (B,L)

• Day 3:

  Beijing / Waldorf Astoria Beijing (B,L)

• Day 4:

  Xi’an / Shangri-La Hotel Xi’an (B)

• Day 5:

  Xi’an / Shangri-La Hotel Xi’an (B,L)

• Day 6:

  The Yangtze / Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer (B,L,D)

• Day 7:

  The Yangtze / Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer (B,L,D)

• Day 8:

  The Yangtze / Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer (B,L,D)

• Day 9:

  Shanghai / The Peninsula Shanghai (B,L)

• Day 10:

  Shanghai / The Peninsula Shanghai (B,L)

• Day 11:

  Shanghai / The Peninsula Shanghai (B,L)

• Day 12:

  Departure (B)

Itinerary Description:

China's capital city, Beijing, welcomes you to the fascinating country. Spend three days in the sprawling metropolis, beginning in the famed Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, the palace for generations of China's emperors. Visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, the narrow hutong alleys, and the massive Temple of Heaven retiring each evening to the Waldorf Astoria Beijing.

Next, visit Xi'an, the gateway to two ancient excavations: the Warriors of the Han Dynasty and the extremely popular Terracotta Warriors of Emperor Qin's Mausoleum. You will see both of these historic sites and spend time exploring the city. The Old City of Xi'an is especially interesting and here you have the opportunity to bike along the City Wall, one of the largest and best-preserved in the country.

For the next three days you will cruise on the mighty Yangtze River aboard the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer luxury vessel. Cultural activities, live entertainment, and a tranquil and relaxed pace are all hallmarks of the cruise through this historically beautiful area. Close your cruise with a visit to the Three Gorges Dam, the largest dam in the world, before heading to Shanghai, the final city on your journey.

The Peninsula Shanghai on the Huangpu River will be your base for the remainder of the journey. City tours contrast the modern skyscrapers of the Pudong district with the classical architecture of the Bund. Spend time in the waterways of nearby Suzhou, where the beauty and peace of medieval Chinese gardens and will leave a lasting impression on you long after you have returned home.

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