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Experience China with a relaxed upstream nine night getaway exploring the epic Yangtze River, from Shanghai to Beijing. From the moment you arrive at Shanghai Airport you will be met and guided by English speaking guide. Enjoy Shanghai, visit a garden that many consider to be one of the finest Chinese gardens in the region, the Yu Garden. Sail through Xiling Gorge – the longest of the Gorges, measuring some 76 kilometres (47 miles) in length. Enjoy the view of the river where the river widens and sweeps through groves of orange and pomelo trees. This is the perfect introduction to the relaxed pace of the Yangtze River.
Other tour highlights include The Great Wall of China, a ride along the Shennong Stream on a sampan – a traditional longboat rowed by expert Tujia boatmen, Tiananmen square & Forbidden city.
The Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer introduces a new standard of cruising in China – more intimate and luxurious. With the largest cabins and suites on the river, all with private balconies, as well as the highest crew to passenger ratio on the river of 1:1, this is a Yangzi cruise unlike any other.
Carrying just 124 passengers, compared to the 300 plus accommodated on other cruise ships, the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer offers the finest and most personalised service on the river. Onboard facilities include a la carte dining, a luxury spa, an observation deck, 24-hour room service, a two-floor theatre, library, and beauty and fitness facilities. The ship also has the most spacious and indulgent spa on board any cruise vessel on the Yangzi.
This itinerary combines our four night cruise itinerary with sightseeing and accommodation in Shanghai and Beijing.
Arrive at Shanghai Airport where you will be met by a Sanctuary representative after customs who will transfer you to check-in at your hotel, where you will spend your time at leisure.
Overnight: The Peninsula Hotel Shanghai (partner hotel)
After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, depart from the hotel to see the famous “Bund”, an area of Huangpu District in central Shanghai. Next stop, visit a garden that many consider to be one of the finest Chinese gardens in the region, the Yu Garden. The garden was first established in 1559 as a private garden created by Pan Yunduan, who spent almost 20 years building a garden to please his father Pan En, a high-ranking official in the Ming Dynasty. After a half day tour, return to the hotel and balance of the day is at leisure to explore Shanghai.
Overnight: The Peninsula Hotel Shanghai (partner hotel)
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Yichang, where one of our guides will greet you on arrival and transfer you to the Yangzi Explorer.
Overnight: Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer
Start your morning with an early bird tea or coffee and a traditional Tai Chi lesson, led by our certified Tai Chi Master and work up an appetite for the buffet breakfast.
This morning’s lecture is on the Three Gorges Project. Learn more about the dam’s construction, including the controversial resettlement of 1.2 million people.
Mid-morning there is a Chinese foot reflexology demo in the Tang Theatre. Alternatively, take this time to visit our luxurious spa and select from a range of deluxe treatments, or work out in the well-equipped gym.
Enjoy a delicious lunch on board.
After lunch, depart Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer and visit the Three Gorges Project Dam Site and Exhibition Centre. Spanning 2,335 metres in length and 181 metres in height, the dam is the largest and most expensive engineering project in the world. While the dam’s 32 generators will produce enough clean energy to reduce China’s reliance on coal, the project has also caused much controversy. During construction, 13 cities, 140 towns, 1,352 villages, over 600 industrial factories and more than 1,200 archaeological projects were submerged.
This afternoon, the lecture topic is traditional Chinese medicine. Afterwards, we sail through Xiling Gorge – the longest of the Gorges, measuring some 76 kilometres (47 miles) in length. Enjoy the view of the river where the river widens and sweeps through groves of orange and pomelo trees. This is the perfect introduction to the relaxed pace of the Yangtze River.
This evening we have prepared a special Captain’s welcome reception and a delicious a la carte dinner.
Tonight, show off your singing skills with some karaoke, before a live band perform in the Explorer Bar.
Overnight: Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer
This morning, early bird tea and coffee is available in the Explorer Bar. Begin today with traditional Chinese exercise before an international buffet breakfast.
This morning’s shore excursion is a unique ride along the Shennong Stream on a sampan – a traditional longboat rowed by expert Tujia boatmen. As we gently float through this stunning riverine gorge flanked by verdant forest, you’ll see evidence of early settlements in the form of hanging coffins stowed high within the limestone cliffs.
Before returning from Shennong Stream we will visit a traditional trackers village, where you will have a chance to catch a fascinating glimpse of the traditional, rural Chinese community. You’ll find mud huts as homes, basic kitchens where the meat is dried on hooks and coffins in the bedroom. And, while there are satellite dishes, villagers still pride their heritage.
Back on board, lunch is served.
This afternoon, guests are encouraged to appreciate the scenery from the Sun Deck as we sail through the spectacular Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge, complimented by informative commentary.
Relax and enjoy the on-board activities, including a silk embroidery demonstration, snuff bottle painting and a Chinese tea ceremony.
Tonight, indulge in an a la carte dinner in the Dynasty Dining Room. A talk on the 816 Underground Project in the Tang Theatre will leave you well equipped for tomorrow’s excursion.
The onboard entertainment tonight is a movie complete with popcorn, and a live band performance in the Explorer Bar.
Overnight: Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer
Start the day right once more with a delicious tea or coffee and a session of Tai Chi to further refine your skills before breakfast.
This morning we’ll visit the most intriguing and secret project, hidden in the mountains of Fuling. The 816 Underground Project is the world’s largest artificial military cave.
Over 50 years ago, more than 60,000 constructers, came to Jianzishan, an uninhabited place among mountains and forest, to start work on a top-secret construction project of a monumental scale. The work continued for 17 years and was nearly completed when the government decided to suspend it, before any nuclear material could be produced.
Now as the secrets of military caves are revealed, you will be able to look at the true face of 816 project hidden for 50 years.
After a lunch buffet, you have the option to visit the White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum*, which will take you some 148 feet under water to admire the river bed and the intricate ancient rock carvings left there many years ago. Learn about the Yangtze river, it’s flora and fauna, while enjoying this fascinating museum. Your next stop will be the local market, where you will gain insight into the region’s rich culinary culture. This is a daily market where farmers meet to buy and sell a variety of goods, ranging from fruit and vegetables to fish and meat, and of course a whole array of pickles – which Fuling is famous for.
If you choose to stay on board we invite you to take part in a range of activities, including a traditional painting and calligraphy demonstration and a dumpling cooking class. All the while, complimentary tea, coffee and pastries are served.
We’ll also introduce you to the ancient Chinese board game – Mahjong.
Tonight, we’ll treat you to a sumptuous farewell dinner, ‘A Taste of China’, before a live band performance in the Explorer Bar.
Overnight: Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer
Arrive in Chongqing and be greeted by our guide at the pier, before transfering to Beijing airport. Another Sanctuary representative will you meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for leisure time.
Overnight: The Peninsula Hotel Bejing (partner hotel)
After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, it is time to visit the largest city square in the world, Tiananmen Square (440,000 m² – 880m by 500m). Tiananmen Square has great cultural significance as it was the site of several important events in Chinese history. Then stop at the Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty and for almost five hundred years, it served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political centre of Chinese government. After a half day tour, return to the hotel and the remainder of the day at leisure to explore Beijing.
Overnight: The Peninsula Hotel Beijing (partner hotel)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel followed by a tour to one of the seven wonders of the world, “The Great Wall of China”. Today you have the opportunity to visit a part of the Great Wall of Mutianyu, this section of the wall is located in Huairou County, some 70 kilometres northeast of Beijing. To reach the Great Wall, take a cable car ride where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery before walking on the monumental manbuilt structure. After a half day tour, return to the hotel and balance of the day at leisure.
Overnight: The Peninsula Hotel Beijing (partner hotel)
On your final day you will enjoy a breakfast buffet at the hotel and then check-out. Transfer to Beijing Airport in private car to board your international flight.
All cabins boast floor-to-ceiling windows providing access to private balconies with outdoor armchairs and coffee tables. In addition to a choice of king or twin beds, connecting cabins are also available. All cabins are equipped with private bathroom, hairdryer, safety deposit box, mini bar and LCD satellite television.
Dining on board the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer is your chance to savour traditional Chinese cooking at its finest. With an a-la-carte menu and cooking lessons from our executive chef for all ages, you can enjoy and learn to cook local delicacies.
Our team of chefs are always on hand to cater for particular dietary requirements, or a special dinner with family and friends.
In the Huang Ding Spa there are six individual treatment rooms and a variety of beauty treatments on offer to guests using the best Italian Spa products from ‘Comfort Zone’. The new Spa has been described as a haven of relaxation and tranquillity, offering beauty treatments and body massages to rejuvenate and bring the body back to balance. The beauty salon offers a variety of hair styling, manicures and more
The currency used in China is RENMINBI (RMB), which means the people’s currency.
ATMs are not easily accessible on the journey. The ship can cash travellers cheques and accepts all major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa and American Express).
Tipping onboard the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer is entirely discretionary but general suggestions are as follows:
GMT + 8 hours.
Mandarin Chinese is the official language in mainland China. In Hong Kong, Cantonese is spoken.
The Three Gorges region is protected by mountains to the north and enjoys a humid subtropical climate. Spring (March to May) is mild with occasional light rains. Summer (June to September) is hot and humid, while Autumn (October to November) is milder and drier. Winter (December to February) is cool, but please note that the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer is not in operation during this season.
In most cases, visitors to China require a valid visa to enter the country. However, there are certain exemptions applicable to some countries. Please consult with the embassy of the People’s Republic of China for information on exemptions that apply to your country.
Visas can be obtained through proper application from any embassy of the People’s Republic of China or consular office empowered to grant visas. Single entry visas for China are valid for 30 days. Double entry and multiple entry visas (valid for 3 or 6 months) are also available.
Upon Arrival at Shanghai Airport where you will be met by a Sanctuary representative after customs who will transfer you to check-in at your hotel, where you will spend your time at leisure.
Departure Notes: On your final day you will enjoy a breakfast buffet at the hotel and then check-out. Transfer to Beijing Airport in private car to board your international flight.
Cabin / Suite
Deluxe Cabin on Main Deck $4366
Deluxe Cabin on Xiling Deck $4485
Deluxe Cabin on Wu Deck $4600
Suite on Wu Deck $5535
Suite on Qutang Deck $5649
Jade/Mandarin Suite $6630
Celestial/Imperial Suite $6995
Rates are per person sharing a cabin, in USD ($). Please note rates are subject to change without notice.
All meals and sightseeing as specified in itinerary
All transfers as specified in itinerary in private vehicle with driver and English speaking local guide
All entrance fees while sightseeing
Baggage handling and porterage fee
Accommodation on entry level rooms in Beijing andShanghai as specified in itinerary including government tax and service charge
Accommodation on board Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer (please refer to above rates for different cabin categories)
Any meals/sightseeing/entrance fees/transfers not specified in itinerary
Gratuities to local driver, local guide, porters and crew
Any international flights and airport taxes (including on domestic flights
Domestic economy flights – Beijing to Chongqing & Yichang to Shanghai (US$660 per person, subject to change)
Travel insurance and visas
Excess baggage
Any items of a personal nature including room service, laundry, telephone calls, early/late check-in at hotels
Cruise Critic UK Editors’ Picks Award 201523 Feb 15Winner of Best River Cruise Line Cabins
Daily Mail25 Jan 18“Slow boat through China: Sail through the thrilling Three Gorges on this small but swish Yangtze River cruise”
Explore China in style on this renovated ship01 Dec 17“Say hello to the reinvented Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer — a 38-cabin, 24-suite ship that emerged from dry dock last March as, arguably, the most elegant vessel on the river.”
Seven river cruises you ought to tick off08 May 17“From drifting through the curving waterways of the Three Gorges to riding in a sampan steered by a local Tujia boatman, Sanctuary Retreats’ Yangzi Explorer offers the ultimate itineraries along China’s Yangtze River.”
Cruise Passenger Magazine01 Jan 17“The awe-inspiring landscape surrounding the Three Gorges is on our itinerary and this journey ranks in many travellers’ top-10 “must-do” lists.”
The River Cruise Craze Goes High-end13 Feb 15“River cruises are a hot vacation trend, and these vessels take the experience to a whole new level…onboard the Yangzi Explorer.”
From Yangtze Cruises to Golden Beaches27 Feb 15“With many seminal sites of China’s history dotted along the way, the journey offers an extraordinary insight into past glories.”
Have a question? Call our friendly team today on 0439044327.
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Moon Tours
Unit 13/1140 Nepean Hwy,
Mornington VIC 3931
