Riviera Travel Panoramas of China: Yangtze River Cruise

• Sail through the heart of China on a 5* ship
• Visit Beijing’s Forbidden City and the Great Wall
• Enjoy traditional cuisine

• Return flights and transfers
• 4nts in 4* hotels
• 10nts cruise
• Daily breakfast, 3 lunches and 2 dinners during hotel stays
• Full board dining onboard cruise
• Selected unlimited drinks throughout cruise
• 20 experiences
• Services of an Expert Riviera Tour Manager
• Checked luggage

Day 1: Depart UK
Head to the airport for your overnight flight to Beijing

Day 2: Arrive in Beijing
Land in Beijing and transfer to your hotel, with the rest of the afternoon at leisure to relax or perhaps start exploring. Meet up with your group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant

Day 3: Beijing
Today, enjoy a guided tour of the city’s iconic landmarks. Start in Tiananmen Square, from here, visit the Forbidden City, the larges imperial palace complex in the world. After an included lunch, head to the Summer Palace, where you’re free to explore the grounds, perhaps making your way up Longevity Hill for the views or admiring the artworks along the Long Corridor.

Day 4: Beijing
This morning, head out of the city to visit one of the world’s most iconic landmarks: the Great Wall of China. Explore the Mutianyu section, known for its concentration of watchtowers. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Temple of Heaven which sits in a tranquil garden. In the evening, enjoy a Peking Duck dinner

Day 5: Chongqing
Fly to the city of Chongqing in the morning. On arrival, head to Ciqikou Old Town, to get an insight into what the city used to look like. In the afternoon, transfer to the port to board the Century Legend, your cruise ship. Enjoy a welcome party this evening.

Day 6: Fengdu
Join your local guide for an excursion to Fengdu Ghost City, ascending by cable car to visit the complex of temples, shrines and monasteries here that are dedicated to the afterlife. Head back to the ship for lunch, followed by a lecture about the Three Gorges. Head ashore this evening to the ‘War Fire of the Three Kingdoms Show’ an outdoor performance showcasing the history and culture of the Three Kingdoms

Day 7: Fengjie
Today, you can choose what activity you wish to partake in. The first is a guided tour of the White Emperor City, a citadel of temples. Wander though the Mingliang Palace and look out over the Qutang Gorge. Alternatively, you can travel by bus to the “Peak of the Three Gorges’ where you’ll have brilliant views out over the Yangtze River and the Three Gorge.

Day 8: Yichang
This morning, get the chance to see one of the world’s most ambitious engineering feats: the Three Gorges Dam. You’ll enjoy panoramic views of the dam from the River Closure Memorial Park before visiting the Project Museum to learn about the impact of the dam being built as well as seeing artifacts discovered during its construction.

Day 9: Jingzhou
Arrive in the historic city of Jingzhou. Take a tour of the city, beginning with a visit to the Jingzhou Museum which holds more than 130,000 artifacts. Later, explore the ancient wall defences, including those near the south gate that date back to the Song Dynasty. Alternatively, you can head north to the Xióngjiā National Archaeological Park where you’ll visit the tomb of the Xióngjiā Zhǒng, featuring a collection of jade pieces.

Day 10: Wuhan
Today, join your local guide for a walk-up Snake Hill to explore the Yellow Crane Tower. Then, continue to the Hubei Provincial Museum on the shores of the East Lake. Explore its collection of items that showcase the region’s history.

Day 11: Jiujiang
Choose between two tours today. The first option is a guided tour of Jingdezhen Porcelain Town to learn about its importance in Chinese porcelain production throughout history. See an ancient kiln factory where artisans still produce porcelain with the same technique. The other option is a full-day tour of Mount Lushan, which sits on the banks of Poyang River. Take a cable car above the forests to enjoy scenic views.

Day 12: Chizhou
Step into the tranquil Chizhou region where you can either spend the day exploring Mount Jiuhua on guided tour to see some of the 99 temples here and Zenshan Hall, the spiritual heart of the mountain. Or, if you’d prefer a shorter excursion, head out on a shorter visit to Jindizang Temple, which spans 7 halls and if famed for the legend of Monk Wuxia.

Day 13: Nanjing
Today, take a tour of Mount Niushou Cultural Park, which is home to a double-domed structure that houses one of Buddhism’s most sacred relics: the sarira of Buddha Shakyamuni. There’s also a pagoda and temple complex that offer wide views of the surrounds.
Please not that this port of call and excursion may occur on Day 14 instead, depending on the ship’s final docking arrangements

Day 14: Yangzhou
Your last day of cruising brings you to the city of Yangzhou, where you’ll visit the Slender West Lake, a brilliant example of Chinese garden design. Admire the pavilions, bridges and willow trees that dot the area. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner
Please not that this port of call and excursion may occur on Day 13 instead, depending on the ship’s final docking arrangements

Day 15: Shanghai
Disembark the Century Legend this morning on arrival in Shanghai before heading off on a tour. Begin in the Old Quarter, visiting the Yuyuan Gardens, where you’ll find a temples, boathouses and even a traditional theatre. Enjoy some time to explore the gardens independently before an included lunch. Then, head to the Jade Buddha Temple, one of the city’s most revered Buddhist monasteries. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 16: Return home
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Please note: Depending on flight times, you will return to the UK on the same day. Riviera Travel may occasionally use overnight flights, in which case you will arrive back in the UK on the following day.

Century Legend – 5*
The sleek and contemporary Century Legend blends the charm of a boutique hotel with the comfort and amenities of a luxury ocean liner. Designed with advanced engineering, it provides a smooth, eco-friendly journey along the breathtaking Yangtze River.

On board, a wealth of experiences awaits. Relax on the sun deck—especially memorable as we pass through the dramatic Three Gorges—rejuvenate in the spa, or join fellow travellers for a game of Mahjong, a cherished Chinese tradition. Dining is a true highlight, with the main restaurant serving a relaxed buffet-style menu. Afterward, retreat to your elegant cabin or suite, thoughtfully appointed with modern bathrooms, air-conditioning, and all the comforts of home.

Fact File

• Currency: Yuan
• Flight Time: Approx.  10 hrs (outbound) and 12 hrs (inbound)
• Language: Chinese
• Time Zone: GMT+7 (+8 during winter months)
• Country: China

*All transfer times listed below are approximate and dependent on traffic.