Compare Imperial Jewels of China by Viking River Cruises vs China Adventure Tour by Discovery Nomads
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 13 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 3,417 | $ 2,219 |
| Price Per Day | $ 263 | $ 247 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | River cruise | Self-guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Luxury | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Internal airfare and ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
12 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches and 11 Dinners |
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| Description |
This phenomenal itinerary presents China’s key highlights in just 12 days. Explore cosmopolitan Shanghai, China’s most cutting-edge, modern city. Cruise the legendary Yangtze between Wuhan and Chongqing through the scenic Three Gorges and wildly beautiful Lesser Gorges. Tour the Three Gorges Dam, an engineering marvel that has changed the face of China. Visit the necropolis at Xian, where you encounter thousands of Terra Cotta Warriors. In Beijing, explore imperial treasures like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, and walk through historic Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public venue. The hospitality of distinctive hotels and the fabulous Viking Emerald round out an amazing trip. |
Climb the Great Wall, take a walk on Tiananmen Square and at the Forbidden City, see amazing Terracotta Warriors statues, taste local food in Shanghai and take a evening cruise to see sparkling Hong Kong from the water. |
Day 1: Beijing, China
Fly to Beijing, China’s imperial capital whose rich history dates back more than 3,000 years, then transfer to your hotel.* After check-in, you have free time to relax or explore.
Day 2: Beijing, China
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This morning visit the enormous Tiananmen Square, which can accommodate over 1 million people. Then, tour Beijing’s Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Made up of nearly 1,000 buildings, it is the world’s largest surviving palace complex. Walk its grounds among the opulent palaces, pavilions, courtyards and imperial gardens within the 26-foot-high walls.
After lunch in a local restaurant, take some free time to explore Beijing on your own or do some shopping. Enjoy your dinner this evening, or attend The Legend of Kung Fu for a beautiful display of this performance art, which has roots that date back 4000 years. (B, L, D)
Day 3: Beijing, China
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, travel to the Badaling Hills. There, you behold one of the most impressive and best-preserved sections of the Great Wall of China. This 4,000-mile-long series of sandstone and earthwork fortifications was built and maintained between the 5th century BC and the 16th century AD, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore its winding pathways and marvel at the panoramic views from its ramparts.
After a lunch of local specialties, visit the Sacred Way, a tree-lined avenue guarded by massive sculptures of elephants, lions and camels leading to the Ming Dynasty tombs. This evening, dine at a local restaurant and relax at your hotel, or enjoy an optional Peking duck dinner, the region’s famous dish.
Day 4: Xian, China
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today, tour Old Beijing’s hutongs (narrow alleys) via rickshaw.† Discover the sights and sounds of traditional Chinese life. After lunch, fly to Xian, key city of the Tang Dynasty. From 618 to 907 AD, this dynasty presided over one of China’s most glorious cultural periods spreading its influence throughout Asia into Europe and Africa. This evening, have dinner and relax at your hotel.
†Rickshaw tour available only on Beijing to Shanghai itinerary direction.
Day 5: Xian, China
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, tour the mausoleum where Emperor Qin Shi Huang was laid to rest over 2,000 years ago. See the thousands of life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors, archers and infantrymen that were buried with him, each man and horse molded with its own distinctive features. Walkways provide a bird’s-eye view of the entire necropolis where the Terra Cotta Army was discovered in the 1970s. After lunch, you have free time to further explore Xian. This evening, you may choose to dine surrounded by the song and dance of this colorful era.
Day 6: Chongqing, China
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today, fly to Chongqing, gateway to the Yangtze, to board your ship and enjoy a Western dinner.
Day 7: Shibaozhai, China
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This morning, visit Shibaozhai Temple, a 12-story pavilion built in 1650 along the Yangtze. Tour the pavilion and temple before returning aboard for lunch. Enjoy Yangtze River scenery as you cruise this afternoon and through the night.
Day 8: Three Gorges, China
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
For the next 150 miles, travel the most scenic stretch of the Yangtze as it forces its way through a spectacular series of limestone ridges known as the Three Gorges. During breakfast, cruise through Qutang Gorge, the shortest, narrowest and most spectacular of the three large gorges. Then, board a smaller boat for an excursion through the Lesser Three Gorges. Sail through these remarkable canyons flanked by towering cliffs. Along the way, see fascinating sites including the hanging coffins of the Ba people and the ancient plank road carved into the cliffside. Return aboard for lunch, and spend the afternoon sailing through Wu (‟Witches”) Gorge, renowned for its magnificent scenery. Dinner is served aboard. This evening, sail through the 5-stage locks of the Three Gorges Dam.
Day 9: Three Gorges, China
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This morning, disembark for a tour of the Three Gorges Dam, where you learn about this immense engineering masterpiece and what it means for the Chinese people and the Yangtze. Lunch and dinner are served aboard while you cruise through Xiling Gorge, the longest of the Three Gorges.
Day 10: Jingzhou, China
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This morning, arrive in Jingzhou, where you visit an elementary school sponsored by Viking River Cruises. You are greeted and entertained by the children, then return to your ship for scenic cruising.
Day 11: Shanghai, China
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, disembark in Wuhan. Fly to Shanghai, China’s largest city and one of the world’s most important ports. Here, you can see the modern metropolis of the financial district juxtaposed with the older sections of the city. Check in to your hotel.
Day 12: Shanghai, China
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This morning, see Old Shanghai and travel along the elegant Bund, stopping to admire some of its historic buildings and city views. Then tour the Shanghai Museum, featuring displays of ceramics, bronzes, calligraphy and paintings. After lunch, we spend some time at the exquisite Yuyuan Garden, dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before seeing the world-famous Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe from the best seats in the house.
Day 13: Shanghai, China
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight.* Consider extending your China journey with 2 extra nights in Shanghai to further explore this fascinating city, or 3 nights in Hong Kong.
Day 1-3 Beijing
Arrive in Beijing at any time. On the first day we have not planned any events. On Day 2 visit some of the top attractions of Beijing and the surrounding area on this guided group tour. You’ll have the opportunity to walk along the Great Wall, marvel at the Royal Palace and other sites in the Forbidden City and stop to see Tiananmen Square.
Hotel: Grand Hyatt Beijing or similar.
Day 3-5 Xi`an
Travel by high speed comfortable train to Xian (5h). On the Day 4 uncover the mysterious mask of the eighth world wonder, the Terracotta Warriors. Feast your eyes on over 7,000 terracotta sculptures, an army ready for battle and explore one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world.
Hotel: Sheraton Xian or similar.
Day 5-7 Shanghai
Flight to Shanghai. In the evening explore the local restaurant scene of Shanghai on a 3-hour food tasting tour of the city center. Sample more than 15 traditional dishes from Shanghai on a 3-hour food tasting tour of the Yunnan Road. Try some of the best dumpling soup in the city and indulge your sweet tooth at a dessert store. On Day 6 explore the highlights of Shanghai, visit local markets, and the trendy Xintiandi district.
Hotel: Grand Kempinski Shanghai or similar.
Day 7-9 Hong Kong
Flight to Hong Kong. In the evening cruise along the coastal lines of Hong Kong and Kowloon Peninsula, see the the sparkling night city filled with skyscrapers and dazzling neon lights. Enjoy the famous the Symphony of Lights Cruise with unlimited drinks. On Day 8 get scenic photos of the city's famous Victoria Harbor view at Sky Terrace 428 after riding the Peak Tram on this city tour. Visit an ancient fishing village to get to know old Hong Kong and shop for souvenirs at Stanley Market.
Hotel: JW Marriott Hong Kong or similar.
