China & Mongolia Incl. Yangtze River Cruise

Late this evening, we report to the airport and join the overnight flight to Shanghai.

We arrive in Shanghai early this morning and after clearing Customs and Immigration formalities, we are met and transferred to our hotel for a two-night stay. There is time to rest up after the flight until mid-afternoon when we enjoy a tour of the Pudong area.  Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.

Stroll the Bund promenade along the Huangpu River, where the old meets the modern in Shanghai; then to the Old Town with its winding alleyways lined with shops, tea houses, restaurants and to the elegant and tranquil Yu Garden. Xintiandi is a new attraction in downtown Shanghai, featuring the city’s unique “Shikumen” houses and a maze of narrow alleys which have been converted into cafes, restaurants, bars, art and retail shops. In the evening, enjoy the breathtaking Shanghai Acrobats whose circus-like acts originated during the Han Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago

We have some free time available this morning before our transfer to Shanghai Airport in time to join the flight to Yichang. There is time for a city tour and dinner at a local restaurant before we transfer to our first class river ship for the start of our 4 nights on the Yangtze River.

The Three Gorges Dam is the largest water conservancy project ever undertaken by man. The Dam is 2,335 metres long, 185 metres high, 18 metres wide on the top and 130 metres wide at the bottom.  The Dam has raised the river to a level of 175 metres above sea level.  The construction of the dam formally began in 1994. The body of the dam was completed in 2003, and power generation began in 2005. We enjoy a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam. Alternatively, you have the opportunity to pass through the Ship Lift (optional) and then visit the Three Gorges Dam.

Before breakfast, the ship approaches the entrance of the second of the Three Gorges – Wu Gorge.  Below Wushan is the 25 mile long Wu Gorge, with cliffs so sheer that the sun barely penetrates the precipices. This middle gorge is best known for twelve unique peaks.  Often hidden in swirls of mist, six peaks line the north side of the river and six staggered peaks stand to the south. After breakfast, on arrival in Wushan we will disembark for a shore excursion to Shennv Stream. Return to the ship, and lunch is served.  Continue sailing upstream to the Qutang Gorge – the last, shortest and most dramatic of the Three Gorges. This afternoon you have the opportunity to take part in an optional shore excursion to White Emporer City.

After breakfast, we disembark for our shore excursion to Shibaozhai, with its impressive wooden pagoda, appropriately named the ‘’The Pearl of the Yangtze’’. Shibaozhai Pagoda is built along the cliff face of Shibaozhai. First built in Qing Dynasty by the local craftsmen, Shibaozhai Pagoda is the existing largest wooden architecture with crossing bracket type. The pagoda is 12 layers in total, with a height of 56 meters, and all of them were made of wood, without using any single nail in the construction. We return to the ship for lunch and spend the remainder of the day cruising on the scenic Yangtze River.

We disembark from our river cruise ship in Chongqing after breakfast and then onto Chongqing Zoo to see the Pandas before joining the high speed train to Xian, arriving late evening.

Today we visit the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century, the life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses as they guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. The life-sized terracotta soldiers and their horses were discovered in 1974 having been preserved in an underground vault of earth and timber for 2000 years. At the completion of our visit, we return to the city and see the ancient City Wall and Grand Mosque. This evening, we enjoy a Tang Dynasty dinner and cultural show featuring music, dance, and traditional costumes..

After a leisurely breakfast we join our high speed train through to Beijing. Arriving late afternoon, the remainder of the day is at leisure until we meet for dinner this evening.

Our full day tour takes us 40 miles north of the city to the Great Wall. The original construction of the Great Wall started in the 7th century B.C. to keep out the warring invaders. Additional sections were added for nearly 4,000 miles. A walk along this Great Wall is truly inspiring. The afternoon is equally as memorable and of a different era as we visit the icons of the Beijing Olympics – Bird Nest and Water Cube.

Beijing has been the heart and soul of Chinese culture, politics and society for over 5000 years. We commence our sightseeing programme of this fascinating city with a walk through the landmark Tiananmen Square, followed by a visit to the Forbidden City – the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world. Thereafter, we spend time at the Summer Palace – once a summer retreat for the emperors and their families and now one of China’s best-preserved imperial gardens. Enjoy this masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. Tonight, enjoy a western dinner.

This morning we visit the Temple of Heaven where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped. The surrounding grounds of the Temple will give us an insight into the local’s daily activities. In the afternoon we visit Beijing’s famed Hutongs near Houhai Lake. This evening, we get together to enjoy the traditional Peking duck dinner at a local restaurant.

This morning, we bid farewell to China, as we fly from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival at the Chinggis Khaan International Airport, we are transferred to our hotel, the 5-star Shangri La, located right in the heart of the city centre, to check in. Later in the afternoon, we take a stroll across the expansive Sukhbaatar Square and visit the National Museum which is a great introduction to the country’s past. Early evening, we head to a small theatre to experience an intimate performance of traditional music and dance, followed by a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.For those travellers only doing the China portion, you will be transferred back to the airport today for your flight home.

After breakfast, we visit Gandan Monastery. We enter the temples, including that of the Migjid Janraisig with its huge golden buddha statue. In the old temple complex, listen to the chanting ceremonies which happen mid-morning. We then visit a local cashmere factory and have a guided tour around their production facility. At lunchtime, enjoy a selection of traditional Mongolian dishes at a local restaurant. Then we venture south over Peace Bridge to the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan, and explore the residence of the last king of Mongolia. A short journey south then brings us to the Zaisan Memorial commemorating Russian-Mongolia friendship during the soviet era – this hilltop viewpoint looks out over the Ulaanbaatar skyline and the mountains beyond. This evening, we enjoy dinner at another local restaurant.

We depart Ulaanbaatar this morning and journey east to Terelj, stopping at the sacred Turtle Rock which you can climb up, if you wish! We also visit the nearby Aryabal Meditation Temple at the head of the valley. Terelj National Park yields some great scenery which makes it a very popular weekend getaway for both locals and tourists alike. We’ll have lunch at a local cafe where we will sample traditional Mongolian dumplings before continuing on to our hotel, Terelj Luxury Hotel, situated on the edge of Terelj Village. There is time at leisure this afternoon – take a dip in the swimming pool, or perhaps enjoy a spa treatment, or simply relax and enjoy the scenery.

Today we head east out to the Great Khan Monument. You can opt to climb to the top for views towards Genghis Khan’s homeland. The monument is 40m tall and depicts the renowned Mongolian leader on horseback, at the point where – according to legend – he found a golden whip. The statue is symbolically pointed east towards his birthplace. We then drive on to the 13th century camp to discover what life was like during the great khan’s life – they have old-style gers, demonstrations, costumes, warrior performances, music shows, and we will enjoy traditional food for lunch in one of the gers. Mid-afternoon, we return to our hotel.

We depart Terelj this morning and head to Bogd Khan Uul National Park. Bogd Khan Uul was designated a protected area in 1778 – and as such is widely accepted as being the world’s oldest national park. Capped by the 7,440-ft holy Tsetseegun peak, Bogd Khan lies to the south of Ulaanbaatar, extending some 20 miles from east to west and nearly 10 miles from north to south. On arrival at the park entrance, we visit the Manzushir Monastery where we see the temple museum, and wander round the ruins. Optional hike up the trail part way to – or all the way to – the top of Tsetseguun peak. We’ll have lunch nearby, in the town of Zuunmod before we drive west to Khustai National Park. Enroute, we will hopefully spot some Takhi horses – afternoon is the time when they gather to drink at streams so we’ll have a better chance of seeing them up close, and in accessible areas. We overnight at the HS Khan Resort. The hotel provides first-class accommodation, with views across the open prairie.

Today, we head to the nature reserve of Khogno Khaan, a natural reserve covering nearly 47,000 hectares of land, where we can explore the lower temple complex of Uvguun Khiid, see the reconstructed temples, prayer-wheel and look around the ruins. We then have the opportunity to meet a family of herders – head of the family, Bor, is proud to have each of the revered ‘5 animals’ of Mongolia in his livestock (sheep, goat, cows, camels and horses). We will have a cookery lesson making traditional Mongolian dumplings (buuz) and will enjoy those for lunch. Time permitting, we will see the Elsen Tasarkhai Dunes. The dunes are part of the rather unique eco system of the area which includes a combination of hills with rocky outcrops, wetlands, rivers, forest and of course the dunes. Elsen Tasarkhai translates to ‘an isolated torn-off piece of sand’ and the description rings true when you first see the dunes rise up out of the open steppe. They are often said to feel like the Gobi Desert and although not as big, the dunes provide plenty of activities. On arrival in Kharkhorin, our destination for the next two nights, we visit the Erdenesiin Khuree calligraphy and arts centre – the centre’s focus is to preserve the traditional script and Mongolian calligraphy, which has been declared by UNESCO, an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding. Following our visit, we check into our accommodation, The Secret of Silk Road Ger Camp, built to reflect the design of Uguudei king’s palace Tumen Amgalant Ordon from 1236. The palace was described as the most luxurious and outstanding architectural site of the time. We stay in en-suite Deluxe Ger’s for two nights

After breakfast, we visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery in time to hear the monks chanting, which takes place from 10am. Take a walk around the main temples, and stroll around the grounds. After lunch, we visit the local market, the small but interesting museum, the Monument of the 3 Kings overlooking the Orkhon River, and the fertility stone on the edge of town. We will also visit local Purev Nambar and his family, who grow sea buckthorn and blueberries on a small commercial scale. Purev is also an artist renowned for Buddha painting, sculpture and felt making. Depending on time, there may be the opportunity to drive north to the Turkic Monuments at Khoshoo Tsaidam, a UNESCO Heritage site.

Today, we journey back to Ulaanbaatar – approx. 5hrs. We’ll arrive early afternoon so there will be time to do some shopping if you wish – perhaps at the Gobi Cashmere store & craft outlets, before we head out for our farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

We farewell Mongolia and join our early morning flight to Hong Kong. We have reserved rooms at the Hong Kong Airport Hotel – rest and relax until it is time to check in for our evening flight home, or perhaps journey into the city for some last-minute shopping.

Arrival time is mid-morning.