The Yangtze, China's longest river, originates on the Qinghai-Tibet-Plateau and flows eastwards. The rushing waters formed the dramatic scenery of the famous Three Gorges. Enjoy the spectacular mountainous landscape of the Yangtze River and its tributaries during your relaxing journey on board of the First Class Cruise Ship. The trip ends up with visiting the massive structure of the Three Gorges Dam.

Dazu Rock Carvings in Chongqing are a series of Chinese religious sculptures and carvings, dating back as far as the 7th century A.D., depicting and influenced by Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist beliefs. The Dazu Rock Carvings are made up of 75 protected sites containing some 50,000 statues, with over 100,000 Chinese characters forming inscriptions and epigraphs. The sites are located on the steep hillsides within Dazu County (near the city of Chongqing, China.

The carvings were listed as a World Heritage Site in 1999, citing "…their aesthetic quality, their rich diversity of subject matter, both secular and religious, and the light that they shed on everyday life in China during this period. They provide outstanding evidence of the harmonious synthesis of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism."

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Chongqing
Fly to Chongqing (from Beijing: 07:50--10:20;  from Shanghai 08:15--10:50)
If you go from other locale, we will check the available flights from your locale to Chongqing.

Then drive 2 hours from the airport to Dazu Rock Carving Site in the mountains and then drive back to the city for dinner and board the cruise ship.

Day 2 Yangtze River (Fengdu)
Vessel departs at 7am in the morning and in the afternoon arrive in the ghost city Fengdu, where you participate in the first shore excursion to the temples on the Min Shan Mountain. It also gives you a spectacular view of the Yangtze River Valley.

Day 3 Yangtze River (Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, Shennong Xi)
In the morning the ship passes through the first of the gorges, the narrow Qutang Gorge. The mountains on the side of the river are up to 1.200 m high. Second of the gorges is the mysterious Wu Gorge with the Goddess Peak. In the afternoon a boat excursion to the Shennong Xi, a tributary of the Yangtze River with clear water rushing through green mountains. Cruise takes you through the Xiling Gorge, the longest of the Three Gorges.

Day 4 Three Gorges Dam / Fly out
Take bus to visit Three Gorges Dam and visit the Relocation Village. After lunch, transfer to Yichang airport fo fly out.
Yichang - Beijing (arrival around 6-7pm)
Yichang - Shanghai Hongqiao (arrival around 5-6pm)

Ship Conditions
Victoria Express (standard Cabin) 5 star (highest level) cruise vessel (http://www.victoriacruises.com/new/index.html)
All ships have double rooms with shower and WC, a dining room, bars and lounges and sun decks from where you can enjoy the beautiful landscape. The ship has well-trained staff and a Cruise Director. He/She will be at your disposal for all your questions and give you precious information. The cruise schedule is especially suitable for Western travelers. Boarding of the ship is possible each Thursday evening in Chongqing and the cruise ends on Sunday in Wuhan.