Majestic Yangtze: 14-day China Tour

Your fare excludes:

Day 1 Fly to Shanghai

Fly to the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, also known as the ‘Paris of the East’. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Day 2 Explore Shanghai

Shanghai is China's great metropolis, where east and west collide on streets lined with futuristic skyscrapers and 10th-century temples. Today's explorations include the classical Yu Garden, a stop in the old town and learning about the age-old silk production process at a silk factory. Later admire the magnificent colonial architecture with a stroll along the Bund and view the city from the Huangpu River on a panoramic cruise. The skyscrapers and glimmering lights are a sight to behold, Shanghai is unlike any other city in the world. Tonight, sample some traditional Shanghainese cuisine.

Day 3 Modern Pudong

Spend the morning seeing the sights of the ultramodern Pudong area, also known as the financial district of the city with skyscrapers buildings. Later, fly to Yichang where you will board your Yangtze River cruise vessel.

Days 4, 5 & 6 Yangtze River Cruise

A man-made marvel, the Three Gorges Dam showcases a massive feat of engineering. But as you cruise upstream nature takes over, revealing some of the world's most dramatic scenery including the Three Gorges themselves. Over the next three days, take a side trip to the attractive Shennong or Goddess Stream and enjoy various shore excursions.

Day 7 Historic Ciqikou

Disembarking the cruise vessel in Chongqing, explore old Ciqikou, a district known for its porcelain production during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Ciqikou’s narrow streets are perfect for a morning stroll to admire the historical, traditional architecture. Transfer to Chengdu and enjoy a delicious Sichuanese meal for dinner with the option of a performance of Sichuan Opera, famous for its ‘face-changing’.

Day 8 Pandas

Begin this morning with a visit to Chengdu's famous Panda Conservation Centre, which allows you to see and learn about China's celebrated bears up close in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat. A look around the informative museum gives an overview of the reserve's breeding programme. Later, take a bullet train to the former imperial capital of Xian. This evening a delicious feast of traditional Shui Jiao dumplings and a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing awaits.

Day 9 Terracotta Warriors

After their fortuitous discovery in the 1970s, the Terracotta Army of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, has intrigued visitors ever since. Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of life-sized warriors and horses. Also visit the workshop of the craftsmen who recreate terracotta warriors in the style of their ancient counterparts. Watch the skilled production process and even buy a souvenir warrior to take home. Later, take a leisurely stroll on the beautifully preserved 14th-century city walls that enclose Xian's old town, then join the optional tour to see Xian lit up at night.

Day 10 Little Wild Goose Pagoda

Today, visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda and walk through the lively atmospheric alleys of the Muslim Quarter which are lined with Islamic food stalls. Later, fly to Beijing, China's capital city.

Day 11 Imperial Beijing

Head to Tiananmen Square, Beijing's symbolic heart, and into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City. Entering through the Gate of Supreme Harmony, you will find a complex full of imperial riches. Also soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven, an orderly oasis in a bustling urban landscape, and end the day watching a Chinese acrobatic show.

Day 12 The Great Wall

This morning is dedicated to China's most iconic sight – the Great Wall. Taking a walk on this incredible structure is the best way to appreciate both the sheer magnificence of the wall itself and the dramatic scenery that it crosses. In the afternoon, visit a jade factory then enjoy the idyllic landscapes of the Summer Palace as you wander through traditional Chinese gardens and view the exquisite architecture. This evening, savour Beijing's best-known delicacy-Peking duck.

Day 13 & 14 Fly Beijing to Australia

Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.

Transfers: In the event that your flight departs outside of the majority group departure time, you will be transferred to the airport by a shared coach (not with other tour passengers). If you are on a shared coach transfer, you may have to walk for a few minutes to get to the coach.

Book by 12 June 2024 & save up to $1,000 per person on select departures between July 2024 and September 2025*

• 16 July 2024 & 22 October 2024 & 07 November 2024
• Twin share $6,580 $5,980 pp / Sole use $7,860 $7,260 pp

• 1​9 September 2024 & 18 March 2025 & 25 March 2025 & 13 May 2025 & 5 August 2025
• Twin share $6,780 $6,180 pp / Sole use $8,060 $7,460 pp

V​arious travel dates available between September 2024 and November 2025. Below pricing is based on 29 April 2025.

• f​rom $6,780 per person twin share
• f​rom $8,060 per person sole use

Dedicated Solo departures - F​rom $7380 $6,780pp*:

• 3​ Oct 2024

Dedicated Solo departures - F​rom $7880 $7,280pp*:

• 1​0 Apr 2025
• 0​8 May 2025

Dedicated Solo departures - F​rom $7,880pp*:

• 1​1 Sep 2025
• 0​9 Oct 2025

Contact our experienced travel team on 1300 414 198 to check pricing for your preferred travel date.

Please note prices are subject to availability at time of booking or until sold out and may change without notice. The prices above include flights departing Brisbane, airline fuel surcharges and taxes which are subject to change.

Your accommodation is selected for convenience of location, comfort or character, and can range from a business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town.

In more remote areas, accommodation may be of a lower standard and may not have all western amenities. Hotels are generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note that there is no international classification system for hotels and differences in facilities and quality do exist between Australia and China.

All hotels have private western bathroom facilities, air conditioning, TV and telephone. Plumbing and electricity supplies can be erratic and quite often the power in hotel rooms is turned off while guests are out of the room.

Tipping:

Customary tipping amount of approximately RMB600 (AU$125) is paid locally in China.

Fitness:

This is rated as a physical level 1 tour. A reasonable level of fitness is required but it’s more about spending time on your feet rather than covering large distances. You’ll be getting on and off coaches and boats, walking around the sights and climbing steps. The steps tend to be quite large, not level and sometimes without handrails. Hindu and Buddhist temples or pagodas also tend to be built at an elevation, as this is the most auspicious position according to ancient beliefs. This means you sometimes need to walk from the bus park to the entrance, and/or need to climb some steps inside.

• There will be sightseeing on foot for both short and extended periods of time
• On the Great Wall of China in Beijing some of the walking will be at an incline
• On the Yangtze River Cruise and the day trips arranged from it you will be required to get on and off the boats without assistance

Of course, our National Escort and local guides will always endeavour to provide the highest level of service and assistance; however, they cannot be expected to cater for customers who are unfit to complete the itinerary.

Visas:

Entry visas are required by all visitors to China. Visas for China are valid for 90 days from the date of issue and allow you to stay in the country for up to 30 days. Please be advised that your passport must have at least six months validity left on it when you arrive back into Australia.

Itinerary Changes:

• From November to March the Tang Dynasty music and dance performance is not available on all evenings. If it is not operating on the evening your group is due to attend, a suitable alternative will be arranged by your National Escort/Local Guide.
• The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays, due to maintenance. If it is not open on the day our group is due to visit, Beijing touring will be rearranged by your National Escort/Local Guide accordingly
• Yangtze River. Please note that all sections of the itinerary for the Yangtze River Cruise are especially subject to change. The movement of each vessel along the Yangtze is regulated by the Government’s
• Yangtze River Authority (YRA). The river’s rapid flow, the narrowness of the gorges and the recent increase in numbers of passengers means that the timetables are under some pressure. The YRA allocates times for access to mooring points, embarkation and disembarkation at docks and passage through the gorges. This means that the captain of each cruise ship is unable to confirm a final itinerary until shortly before departure (usually 24 hours prior). This can affect both the time and location where you embark and disembark your cruise ship. Your National Escort/Local Guide will explain any such changes to you as soon as they are informed by the cruise operator.

Transport:

Coaches: Coaches with air conditioning are used on our group tours for city sightseeing, short excursions to the countryside and longer transfers where necessary. Roads in China have generally improved over recent years, but traffic and/or weather conditions may extend driving times. Road construction work usually covers an enormous section of road – not just 1-2 kilometres as you may be used to. For this reason, the timings listed in the itinerary are approximations only. There may be sections of road where the surface is comparatively bumpy but our drivers will do their utmost to lessen the impact.

Planes: Internal flights are based on economy class with reputable airlines. Pre-seat flight allocation is unavailable

Cruise ships: On this tour you will take a 4-night cruise up the Yangtze River. Your cabin on your Yangtze River cruise ship will have a private bathroom and balcony. Please note that the cruise ship and all shore excursions arranged by the cruise are on a shared basis.

Trains: On this tour, you will take a high-speed train journey. You will travel in second-class soft seats with air conditioning. For train journeys you must ensure that you pack liquids, aerosols and gels/lotions in your hand luggage as per recent regulations. The National Escort will inform you of specific details prior to boarding. The train companies have implemented a policy which does not allow passengers to carry inflammable liquids including aerosols, styling gel, compressed air or insecticides; any explosives, magnetised material, knives, scissors or sharp items (medication is fine). Bag checks are conducted randomly and any of these items may be confiscated before boarding the train (in hand luggage or main luggage).

Group Size:

Most of our groups consist of 10 travellers or more and will be accompanied by both a National Escort and local guides. There will usually be no more than 28 travellers in each group although you may encounter other tour groups while you are travelling. All our departures are guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 8 travellers booked (unless cancelled due to factors beyond our control). However, at our discretion we may operate departures with a smaller group size as we try to operate advertised departures wherever it is viable to do so. For groups with fewer than 10 travellers, departures will operate with local guides only.

Personal Expenses & Optional Tours:

Personal Expense - You will need to take some extra money to cover drinks, laundry and souvenirs, plus any additional sightseeing that may be offered to you. Based on the advice of previous customers an approximate amount of $250AUD per person, per week should be sufficient; however, for those that can’t resist a bargain or may wish to participate in all of the optional excursions, consider allocating a higher amount.

Optional Tours - May be offered in each city you visit during your tour. These are not included in the standard itinerary and will only be available if time permits and if seats are available. In your Final Documentation an Optional Excursion Sheet will be included outlining the activities available in each city and local cost associated. Please ensure you have additional funds available if you feel you may wish to participate in any extra activities. Each option will be arranged locally by your National Escort/Local Guide, participation and tipping for optional excursions is completely at your discretion.