Day 1: Beijing

Fly overnight from London to Beijing.

Day 2: Beijing

Welcome to Beijing, China's former imperial capital with many noted monuments and historic sites. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. After check - in, you have free time to relax.

Day 3: Beijing

After breakfast, visit massive Tiananmen Square, then see the Forbidden City with its elegant palaces, pavilions and landscaped gardens, once open only to nobility. This afternoon, tour the 700-acre Summer Palace and ride a dragon boat across its man-made lake. Tonight, dine on local specialities. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 4: Beijing

After breakfast, take a coach to the Great Wall of China and walk along its famous ramparts. A local lunch is followed by a visit to the Sacred Way, where you walk among the huge animal sculptures that flank the tree-lined avenue to the Ming Tombs. Tonight’s optional evening features a Peking Duck dinner followed by the artistry of performers from the famed Peking Opera, or dine and relax at your hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 5: Beijing and Xian

See traditional Chinese life during your rickshaw tour along Beijing’s hutongs, narrow alleyways. Then visit a silk carpet workshop and see this time-honoured art in person. After lunch, fly to Xian, China’s legendary home of the Tang Dynasty from 618-907 A.D. Tonight, experience the glory of this cultural period at a banquet with traditional song and dance. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 6: Xian

Today you tour Xian’s archaeological wonder of 6,000 life-sized terra cotta warriors buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Get a bird’s-eye view of the army, each soldier and horse molded in incredible detail. Then, tour the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a majestic 7-story square tower and a holy place for Buddhists. After a local dinner, visit the marketplace for a night time tour. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 7: Xian and Lhasa

Morning free time in Xian. After lunch, fly to Lhasa, economic, spiritual and culturalcentre of Tibet. Experience Tibetan culture with a family-hosted tea followed by dinner at a local restaurant. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 8: Lhasa

This day visit the 1,300-year-old Jokhang Temple, with its Buddhist worshippers. After a local lunch, explore the maze-like Barkhor Market in old Lhasa and tour the Tibetan Museum to learn about local history and culture. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Tibetan dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 9: Lhasa

This morning, you tour the extraordinary 13-storey Potala Palace, winter home of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century. Later, visit the Sera Monastery, an active temple with three colleges for monks in training. Lunch and dinner are in a local restaurant. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 10: Lhasa and Chongqing

After breakfast, fly to the mountain city of Chongqing to embark Viking Century Sun.

Day 11: Shibaozhai

This morning cruise the Yangtze, and after lunch visit Shibaozhai Temple. Built into the cliffside, this red pavilion is a gem of Chinese architecture from the Qing Dynasty. Climb up high to see amazing river views below. Dinner is served aboard; cruise through the night. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 12: Three Gorges and Lesser Three Gorges

During breakfast, sail through the spectacular scenery of Qutang Gorge, the shortest and narrowest gorge. Board smaller boats for an excursion through the Lesser Three Gorges. Return to your ship for lunch, and spend the afternoon cruising through Wu Gorge. This evening, sail through the Three Gorges Dam’s five-stage lock system. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 13: Three Gorges Dam

This morning, tour the monumental Three Gorges Dam, completed in 2008. In the afternoon, sail through Xiling Gorge, the longest of the gorges. Cruise through the night. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 14: Jingzhou

After breakfast, travel to this rural village’s junior school, sponsored by Viking River Cruises. The children look forward to your visits and will warmly welcome you and love to share stories and photos. Return to your ship for meals and scenic cruising. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 15: Wuhan and Shanghai

Disembark and tour the Wuhan Museum before your flight to Shanghai, China’s largest city and a modern metropolis. After checking in to your hotel, the rest of your day is at leisure. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 16: Shanghai

Explore Shanghai today from Old Shanghai to the more modern river front Bund district. A local lunch is followed by a visit to the Shanghai Museum; see its ancient ceramics, bronzes and other artifacts. Dine in a local restaurant then be amazed by the dexterity of Chinese acrobats as they perform for you this evening. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 17: Shanghai

After breakfast, check-out of your hotel and transfer to Shanghai airport for your return flight. Breakfast included.