Shanghai to Beijing
2008 Silk Road Adventure
17 days/16 nights, May–October
Ship Info: Viking Century Sky Prices and DatesIndulge your inner adventurer and walk in the footsteps of Marco Polo and other ancient explorers as you travel along the time-honored Silk Road. During your journey, you’ll tour age-old cities along this famous trade route—Urumqi, Turpan and Kashgar—and see 2,000 years of history, culture and commerce unfold. With a landscape, population and culture unlike any other parts of China, this region is influenced by the surrounding countries of Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Explore China’s cosmopolitan metropolises of Shanghai, Xian and Beijing and experience their imperial treasures. And, you sail along the legendary Yangtze, visiting riverside villages and uncovering the amazing natural beauty throughout the heart of China. Silk Road Adventure is a 17-day/16-night cruisetour with fares starting from $3,783. On your 6-day Yangtze River cruise, you’ll sail aboard the best ships on the river. Delight in the passing scenery, whether through the lounge’s panoramic windows, from the sun deck or from the comfort of your cabin’s private balcony. Our onboard meals, prepared under the watchful eye of our European management, offer a mix of Western meals and Chinese menus designed by celebrity chef, Martin Yan. Our English-speaking guides will take you to well-known landmarks such as the Forbidden City as well as to the lesser-traveled mosques and markets along the Silk Road. Enjoy cultural highlights such as a home visit with a local Urumqi family, a Chinese acrobatic performance, the Peking Opera and a Tang Dynasty dinner show. REQUEST A QUOTE 
ITINERARYDay 1 ShanghaiA thoroughly modern city alive with culture Welcome to Shanghai, China’s largest metropolis. We’ll meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.* Take time to relax and explore the city with its ancient architecture of old China and today’s modern financial district. Day 2 ShanghaiA thoroughly modern city alive with culture After breakfast, tour the city’s older district and elegant Bund. A local lunch is followed by a silk workshop tour and visit to the Shanghai Museum, filled with ancient artifacts and art. Tonight, see famed Chinese acrobats at an amazing performance. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 3 Shanghai, WuhanDiscover more of Shanghai—then fly to meet your deluxe ship Morning free time to explore Shanghai. After lunch, fly to Wuhan. Tour the historic Wuhan Museum before embarking your ship. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 4 Yueyang, Three GorgesMeet local children at our sponsored school Today you’ll mingle with children at a rural village’s elementary school, sponsored by Viking River Cruises. Enjoy sharing songs and stories with the children. Then, cruise through the breathtaking Xiling Gorge, longest of the Three Gorges. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 5 Three Gorges DamMarvel at this modern engineering feat Learn about the engineering masterpiece of the Three Gorges Dam during today’s tour. This afternoon, cruise through the 5 stair-step locks of this immense structure. Meals aboard; cruise through the night. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 6 Three Gorges, Lesser Three GorgesGlide through China’s exotic landscape Enjoy the Yangtze’s spectacular limestone ridges, known as the Three Gorges. Cruise through Wu (Witches) Gorge, noted for its sheer cliffs. Then board a smaller boat to sail through the amazing Lesser Three Gorges. Stop for lunch and take in the remarkable scenery. Return to your ship and see ancient burials and plank roads carved into the hillsides. Qutang Gorge, the most spectacular of all three large gorges completes your day’s sightseeing. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 7 ShibaozhaiAmazing architecture on the hillside After breakfast, tour the 12-story Shibaozhai Temple, a red pavilion built in 1650. Experience breathtaking views of the river valley. Return to your ship and dine as you cruise through the night. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 8 Chongqing, XianStep back in time to 970 A.D. Disembark after breakfast. After a tour of the Chongqing Zoo and a local lunch, fly to Xian. Tonight’s treat is a banquet with food, song, dance and colorful costumes of the Tang Dynasty era. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 9 Xian, UrumqiMeet 6,000 terra cotta warriors, face to face This morning, tour the famed burial site of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, laid to rest with more than 6,000 life-sized and individually molded terra cotta warriors. After lunch, fly to Urumqi and check in to your hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 10 UrumqiMingle with the locals Explore the mountain valley of Urumqi, the world’s farthest city from the ocean. Urumqi has a unique landscape and multi-cultural population, influenced by neighboring countries of Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Turkey. Visit with local herdsmen and see their yurts, age-old dwellings where they still live to this day. Try regional specialties at today’s meals, cuisine different from traditional Chinese food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 11 Urumqi, TurpanExperience 2,300 years of history A motorcoach ride brings you to Turpan, lowest basin in China. Tour the New City and Old City; see centuries-old mud houses still inhabited by locals. Visit the ruins of the ancient city of Jiahoe, dating back 2,300 years to the Han Dynasty and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tonight, dine on regional cuisine and enjoy a performance by local musicians. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 12 Turpan, KashgarAn oasis in the desert This morning, you tour the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves followed by a visit to the Grape Valley. This oasis in the desert offers the best grapes for wine and raisins. See how the ancient irrigation system (karez) helped shape this industry. Fly to Kashgar. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 13 KashgarMao, Mosques and shopping in the Bazaar As you drive through Kashgar, see the 59-foot-tall statue of Mao. Visit the Id Kah Mosque. Built in 1442 this Islamic mosque is the largest in China. After lunch, go shopping in the city’s famous Bazaar, featuring everything from animals and food to handcrafted clothing and souvenirs. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 14 KashgarFrom rural to modern This morning, fly to Beijing. After checking in to your hotel, take free time to explore China’s former imperial capital. Dinner at a local restaurant. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 15 BeijingTake a walk along the historic Great Wall This morning, you’ll walk the ramparts of the fabled Great Wall of China. After lunch, stroll along the Sacred Way, a long tree-shaded avenue with massive animal sculptures that leads to the Ming Tombs. A dinner of local specialties highlights the evening. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 16 BeijingStand where emperors did centuries ago After breakfast, go to Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square. Then, visit the mysterious Forbidden City with its elegant buildings and landscaped gardens, considered the finest in China. Later, tour the Summer Palace, a 700-acre complex of beautiful gardens and intricate buildings. Tonight, enjoy famed Peking Duck for dinner and a performance of the amazing Peking Opera. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 17 BeijingAfter breakfast, check out of your hotel and we’ll take you to the airport for your return flight.* Breakfast included. *Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased from Viking River Cruises. Extend This Trip |
