Tripology

Welcome to Shanghai, China’s largest metropolis. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

Relaxation

Take time to relax and explore the city, with its ancient architecture of old China and today’s modern financial district. (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

After breakfast, tour Shanghai’s older district and elegant Bund.

Museums

A local lunch is followed by a silk carpet workshop tour and demonstration, and a visit to the Shanghai Museum, filled with ancient artifacts and art.

Performing Arts

Tonight, see famed Chinese acrobats at an amazing performance. (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

Take morning free time to further explore Shanghai.

Commercial Flight

After lunch, fly to Wuhan.

Museums

Tour the historic Wuhan Museum.

River or Barge Cruise

Embark on your ship. Dine aboard. (B, L, D)

Voluntourism

Today, you visit a rural village’s elementary school, sponsored by Viking River Cruises. Enjoy sharing songs and stories with the children.

River or Barge Cruise

Then, cruise through the breathtaking Xiling Gorge, longest of the Three Gorges. (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

Disembark for a tour of the Three Gorges Dam, where you learn all about this ambitious engineering project.

River or Barge Cruise

This afternoon, cruise through the 5 stair-step locks of the dam.

River or Barge Cruise

Meals aboard; Cruise through the night. (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

Enjoy the Yangtze’s spectacular series of limestone ridges, known as the Three Gorges. Cruise through Wu (Witches) Gorge, noted for its sheer cliffs.

Sightseeing

Then, board a smaller boat for an excursion through the dramatic Lesser Three Gorges.

Sightseeing

Stop for lunch at a scenic overlook, then sail through these remarkable canyons flanked by towering cliffs. Along the way you see ancient burial sites and a plank road carved into the cliffside.

River or Barge Cruise

Return to your ship and sail through the most spectacular of the three large gorges, Qutang Gorge.

Food and Dining

Dinner is served aboard. (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

After breakfast, tour the 12-story Shibaozhai Temple, a red pavilion built in 1650. Experience breathtaking views of the river valley.

Food and Dining

Return to your ship for lunch and dinner.

River or Barge Cruise

Cruise through the night. (B, L, D)

Food and Dining

Disembark after breakfast.

Sightseeing

Tour of the Chongqing Zoo and a local lunch.

Commercial Flight

Afterwards, fly to Xian, a key city of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.).

Performing Arts

Tonight’s treat is a banquet with food, song, dance and colorful costumes of the Tang Dynasty era. (B, L. D)

Sightseeing

This morning, tour the famed burial site of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, laid to rest with more than 6,000 life-sized and individually molded Terra Cotta Warriors.

Commercial Flight

After lunch, fly to Urumqi and check in to your hotel. (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

Explore the mountain valley of Urumqi, the world’s farthest city from the ocean. Urumqi has a unique multicultural population, influenced by neighboring countries of Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Turkey. Visit with local herdsmen and see their yurts, age-old dwellings where they still live to this day.

Food and Dining

Try regional specialties at today’s meals. This cuisine is far different from traditional Chinese food. (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

A motorcoach ride brings you to Turpan, the lowest basin in China. Tour the New City and Old City; see centuries-old mud houses still inhabited by locals. Visit the ruins of the ancient city of Jiahoe, dating back 2,300 years to the Han Dynasty.

Performing Arts

Tonight, dine on regional cuisine and enjoy a performance by local musicians. (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

This morning, you tour the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves followed by a visit to the Grape Valley. This oasis in the desert offers the best grapes for wine and raisins. See how the ancient karez irrigation system helped shape this industry.

Commercial Flight

After your visit, fly to Kashgar. (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

As you drive through Kashgar, see the 59-foot-tall statue of Mao. Visit the Id Kah Mosque, built in 1442; this Islamic mosque is the largest in China.

Shopping

After lunch, go shopping in the city’s famous Bazaar, featuring everything from animals and food to handcrafted clothing and souvenirs. (B, L, D)

Commercial Flight

This morning, fly to Beijing.

Sightseeing

After checking in to your hotel, take free time to explore China’s former imperial capital.

Food and Dining

Dinner at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

This morning, you will walk the ramparts of the fabled Great Wall of China.

Sightseeing

After lunch, stroll along the Sacred Way, a long tree-shaded avenue with massive animal sculptures that leads to the Ming Tombs.

Food and Dining

A dinner of local specialties highlights the evening. (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

After breakfast, visit the enormous Tiananmen Square, which can accommodate over 1,000,000 people.

Sightseeing

Then, visit the mysterious Forbidden City, with its elegant buildings and landscaped gardens, considered some of the finest in all of China.

Sightseeing

Later, tour the Summer Palace, a 700-acre complex of beautiful gardens and intricate buildings. Its Chinese name means Garden of Nurtured Harmony.

Performing Arts

Tonight, enjoy a traditional Peking duck dinner and a performance of the amazing Peking Opera. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and we will take you to the airport for your return flight.* (B)