Duration: 5 days and 4 nights
Upstream cruise on the Yangzi River from Yichang to Chongqing, inclusive of shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Project, Shennong Stream and Wanzhou/Fengdu.
Day 01 – Depart Yichang
This evening you will board the Sanctuary M.S. Yangzi Explorer for your cruise to Yichang. The ship will set sail on its upstream course the following morning through the Three Gorges region. The total length of this cruise is 660 kilometres (402 miles) and is considered by most Chinese to represent the single most scenic area in all of China.
Overnight: Sanctuary M.S. Yangzi Explorer
Day 02 – Xiling Gorges & Three Gorges Dam Project
07.15 hrs: Start your morning with traditional Chinese exercise and work up an appetite for the buffet breakfast. Learn from our certified Taichi master and experience the soothing art form in the outdoor observation deck area or inside the Tang Theatre.
10:30hrs – 11:15hrs: Lecture & Discussion
11:00hrs – 12:00hrs: Arts & Craft Demonstration
12:00hrs: International Lunch Buffet – served at the Dynasty Palace
13:30hrs – 16:30hrs: Three Gorges Project Dam Site and Exhibition Center – arrive at the Three Gorges Dam Project site and embark on a tour of the area (this tour will serve as a general introduction to the project site, which, currently, is the world’s largest engineering project).
The Three Gorges Dam Project was started in 1992 and will be completed and operational by 2009. The dam will be the largest dam on Earth, generating 18,200 megawatts of hydroelectricity (almost 50% more than the world’s current largest dam, the Itaipu Dam in Brazil and Paraguay). The dam will be 1.2 miles in length and measure 600 feet (185 metres) in height. The dam will have 26 generators that, once in operation, will generate enough clean energy to reduce China’s reliance of highly polluting coal by up to 50 million tons annually.
16:30hrs – 17:30hrs: Complimentary Afternoon tea with Pastry – served at the Explorer Bar
17:00hrs: Xiling Gorge Viewing – (the Three Gorges Dam sits in the first part of the Xiling Gorge) is the longest of the Gorges, measuring some 76 kilometres (47 miles) in length. One of the most memorable passages in the Xiling Gorge is through the Yellow Ox Gorge (Huangniu Xia) where the river widens and sweeps under the Huangling Temple that stands amid groves of orange and pomelo trees (a variety of citrus related to the grapefruit).
18:30hrs: Captain’s Welcome Reception – meet with the Captain and other Department head of the ship.
19:00hrs: A la Carte Welcome Dinner – enjoy a wide selection of items from our specially designed a la carte menu by our award-winning chef.
21:00hrs: Crew Show Performance – enjoy an evening of well-prepared entertainment by our crew members.
Overnight: Sanctuary M.S. Yangzi Explorer
Day 03 – Shennong Stream, Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge
07:00hrs: Tai Chi Exerciser – Observation Deck area or inside at the Tang Theater.
07:30hrs: International Buffet Breakfast – served at the Dynasty Palace
09:00hrs – 13:00hrs: Cruising Shennong Stream – disembark from the ship at Badong and board a ferry for transfer to a local longboat (sampan) poled by Tujia boatmen. The scenery is unrivalled anywhere along the middle course of the river, with crystalline waters, rich forest and towering rock formations. The Shennong region is home to several species of endangered flora and fauna including the elusive Golden Hair Monkey and many varieties of medicinal plants.
13:00hrs: International Lunch Buffet – served at the Dynasty Palace
14:00hrs: Wu Gorge Viewing – Wu Gorge, noted for the sheer, looming appearance of its numerous peaks, marks this portion of the river. The cliff faces rise so sharply that legend relates that the “sun rarely penetrates to the river”. The most famous of the peaks is the Shennu Peak (Goddess Peak), also called the “Observing the Clouds Peak”, which is believed to represent the figure of the maiden Yao Ji, the 23rd daughter of the Queen Mother of the West. According to Chinese folklore, Yao Ji descended to Earth when she was 18 and so loved the region of the Wu Gorge that she built a palace there. She also promised to guard travellers through the treacherous rapids and dangerous rock faces of the gorge by turning into the protective peak while her twelve handmaidens became the twelve sentinel peaks found throughout the gorge.
14:45hrs: Arts & Craft Demonstration
16:00hrs – 17:00hrs: Complimentary Afternoon tea with Pastry – served at the Explorer Bar
16:00hrs: Qutang Gorge Viewing – during the late afternoon the ship will enter Qutang Gorge through two imposing cliffs, which resemble a towering door into some otherworldly destination. Just 8 kilometres (6 miles) in length, the Qutang Gorge is the narrowest stretch of the river on your cruise itinerary, only 150 metres (485 feet) at its widest point. The banks are guarded by sheer cliffs soaring 1,200 metres (3,900 feet) in height while the river water gushes forward channeled along by the great force built up at the Kui Gate which marks the western extremity of the gorge.
17:30hrs: Arts & Craft Demonstration
19:00hrs: A la Carte Dinner – served at the Dynasty Palace
21:00hrs: Movie of the Day
Overnight: Sanctuary M.S. Yangzi Explorer
Day 04 – Fengdu, Wanzhou
07:15hrs: Tai Chi Exerciser – at Observation Deck or Tang Theatre (weather pending)
07:30hrs: International Buffet Breakfast – served at the Dynasty Palace
09:00hrs: Excursion to either Fengdu, a charming river village noted for its elaborate Daoist temple and bustling markets or Wanzhou,a village that provides a unique glimpse into one of China’s remote communities. Gain insight, mingle with the locals and see how school children receive their early education.
12:00hrs: International Lunch Buffet – served at the Dynasty Palace
14:30hrs: Chinese Brush Painting and Calligraphy – watch and participate as the art instructor shows and explain the method of Chinese painting and writing.
15:00hrs: Mahjong Lesson – learn and understand the favorite pass-time of the Chinese “Mahjong” an ancient game that has been played throughout generations.
16:00hrs – 17:00hrs: Complimentary Afternoon tea with Pastry – served at the Explorer Bar
16:30hrs – 17:15hrs: Chinese 101 – Mandarin lesson
17:45hrs – 18:15hrs: Dumpling Making – our chef will personally teach you the many secrets of Chinese dumpling making.
19:00hrs: Emperor Farewell Dinner – Enjoy a proper Chinese banquet feast and participate by dressing up along with the crew.
Overnight: Sanctuary M.S. Yangzi Explorer
Day 05 – Disembark in Chongqing
07:30hrs: International Buffet Breakfast – served at the Dynasty Palace
09:00hrs: Disembarkation
About Yangzi Explorer:
Yangzi Explorer Downstream Cruise
