China | China's Cultural Delights

Welcome to Beijing, China’s former imperial capital whose rich history dates back more than 3,000 years. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.* After check-in, you have free time to relax or explore.

This morning visit Tiananmen Square, built to accommodate over 1,000,000 people. Then, tour Beijing’s mysterious Forbidden City. Completed in 1420, it was off limits to visitors for 500 years. Explore the elegant palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens within its walls. After a local lunch, tour the Summer Palace, a 700-acre complex. Walk among its elegant buildings and landscaped grounds, considered among the finest Chinese gardens. Tonight’s dinner features China’s famous Peking Duck followed by a performance of the world-renowned Peking Opera. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, travel to the Badaling Hills to walk the ramparts of the fabled Great Wall of China. Lunch in a local restaurant is followed by a stroll along the Sacred Way, a tree-lined avenue with massive animal sculptures guarding the Ming Tombs. Tonight enjoy a dinner of local specialties. (B, L, D)

Today tour Old Beijing’s hutongs (narrow alleys) via rickshaw.† Discover the sights and sounds of traditional Chinese life. Visit a silk carpet workshop for a demonstration of this ancient art. After lunch, fly to Xian, key city of the Tang Dynasty. From 618 to 907 A.D. this dynasty presided over one of China’s most glorious cultural periods. Tonight, experience its grandeur as you dine surrounded by the historic song and dance of this colorful era.

†Rickshaw hutong tour only available on Beijing to Shanghai itinerary direction.

After breakfast, tour the mausoleum where Emperor Qin Shi Huang was laid to rest over 2,000 years ago. Marvel at his eternal minions—more than 6,000 life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors, archers, infantrymen and horses buried with him—from walkways that provide a bird’s-eye view. After lunch fly to Chongqing, gateway to the Yangtze. You are welcomed aboard the Viking Century Sky and enjoy a Western dinner. (B, L, D)

This afternoon, you tour the 12-story red pavilion Shibaozhai Temple. An amazing piece of Chinese architecture built during the Qing Dynasty (c. 1650), it is set on a hill high above the Yangtze. Climb up to the top for breathtaking views of the river below. Lunch and dinner aboard. (B, L, D)

This morning, cruise past the spectacular limestone cliffs known as the Three Gorges. During your 150-mile journey, first pass Qutang Gorge, the shortest and narrowest of the three larger gorges. Then board smaller boats to the Lesser Three Gorges. Marvel at the hanging coffins of the Ba people and the ancient plank road carved into the cliffside. After enjoying a scenic lunch stop, board your ship and cruise through Wu (Witches) Gorge. Dine aboard and sail overnight. (B, L, D)

Enjoy breakfast aboard while traversing the 5-stage locks of the Dam. Disembark for a tour of the Three Gorges Dam. Learn about this immense hydroelectric engineering project and how it will affect the Chinese people and the Yangtze. Then cruise through Xiling Gorge, the longest of the Three Gorges. Dinner is served aboard. (B, L, D)

This morning, visit a rural village where Viking River Cruises has sponsored a much-needed elementary school. Arrive to a warm greeting from the children and be charmed with songs and stories. Return to your ship for meals and afternoon cruising. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, sail Dongting Lake, China’s second-largest freshwater lake. From here, tour 66-foot-high Yueyang Tower and its nearby pavilions, originally built during the Qing Dynasty. Cruise overnight. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, disembark in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province. Tour the Hubei Museum with its many historic artifacts including a collection of ancient bronze bells. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, tour the Ceramic History Museum. Learn how ceramics were produced in ancient times and their significance to each dynasty. Dine aboard and sail overnight. (B, L, D)

Marvel at the tranquil beauty of Mt. jiu hua, one of only four sacred buddhist mountains. Later, tour a buddhist temple and enjoy dinner onboard. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic motorcoach ride to Suzhou, nicknamed “Venice of the East” for its intricate canals. Tour the Old Town and embark on a sampan ride. Tour a silk factory and the exquisite Fishermen’s Garden. Have lunch and continue via motorcoach to Shanghai. Check in to your hotel and enjoy dinner with evening free time. (B, L, D)

This morning, tour Old Shanghai and the Bund, the city’s elegant riverfront promenade. Then, visit the Shanghai Museum, featuring displays of ceramics, bronzes and paintings. Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant, followed by a Chinese acrobatic performance. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and we will take you to the airport for your return flight.* (B)