Experience this incredible 35 day grand tour of China and Vietnam with APT including 3 luxury cruises along the Yangtze River, Mekong River and around Ha Long Bay. Highlights include Great Wall of China, Terracotta Warriors of Xi’an and World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park.
Day 1. Arrive Beijing
Upon arrival in China’s bustling capital, you’ll be met at the airport by an APT representative and transferred to your luxurious hotel. After settling in, the remainder of today is yours at leisure. Perhaps relax, or step out for a wander along nearby Wangfujing Street, one of Beijing’s most famous shopping streets. Later this evening, get to know your APT Tour Director and fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception.
Day 2. Beijing
Your sightseeing begins today with a tour of Tian’anmen Square. Enlarged to four times its original size in the 1950s, Tian’anmen is today the world’s largest city square. After the tour, head to the World Heritage-listed Forbidden City, the largest surviving palace complex on earth. Located within the Imperial City of Beijing, the Forbidden City was home to 24 Chinese emperors between 1420 and 1924. Entrance to the city was once at the sole discretion of the emperor, but today visitors are able to access what is probably the best-preserved site of classical Chinese architecture. After time to look around, you’ll head to the World Heritage-listed Summer Palace, built by Empress Dowager Cixi following the destruction of the Old Summer Palace by French and British troops in 1860. Formerly known as the ‘Garden of Clear Ripples,’ the beautifully-tended palace is now named the ‘Gardens of Nurtured Harmony’. Here you’ll find a variety of palaces, gardens and pavilions as well as Longevity Hill and the man-made Kunming Lake. Tonight, indulge in a special Peking Duck banquet with all the traditional accompaniments in an exclusive private room at the Quanjude Restaurant.
Day 3. Beijing, Great Wall of China, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today after breakfast, you’ll set out for Huairou County and the Great Wall of China, which winds its way from the Yellow Sea up into the Gobi Desert for more than 6,000 kilometres. On the way, visit a jade factory for an insight into the 6,000 year-old craft of grinding and polishing these revered stones. Afterwards, stop at the Ming Dynasty Tombs, where thirteen Ming Dynasty Emperors are buried. Later, arrive at one of the best-preserved parts of the Great Wall of China, the Mutianyu section. Here, board a cable car and enjoy great views of the wall, the surrounding mountains and the village of Mutianyu as you travel up to the top of the wall. Enjoy time to walk along the wall before returning back to the ground by cable car. After dinner at leisure back in Beijing this evening, choose to attend either a Peking Opera show at Qianmen Liyuan Theatre or take in a Kung Fu Show at the Red Theatre.
Day 4. Beijing, Yichang, Embark Cruise
After breakfast this morning, hop on a rickshaw for a guided sightseeing tour through the hutongs (narrow streets or alleys) of Old Beijing. Explore the maze of historic alleyways with old single-storey traditional courtyard houses and visit the home of a local family. Afterwards, transfer to the airport and fly to Yichang, enjoying lunch during the flight. On arrival in Yichang, transfer to your river ship and settle in for your cruise along one of the most famous rivers in the world. Tonight, enjoy a delicious dinner on board.
Day 5. Three Gorges Dam, Xiling Gorge
This morning set off on your cruise along the Yangtze River through the Three Gorges region, considered by many to be China’s most picturesque area. Perhaps attend a lecture on the construction of the Three Gorges Dam. After lunch, arrive at the dam itself and take a tour of what was the world’s largest engineering project. Completed in 2008, the dam is a true feat of engineering, and the world’s largest electricity-generating plant of any kind. Later, cruise through the longest of the three gorges, Xiling Gorge. Here, you’ll pass through Yellow Ox Gorge and under Huangling Temple, built between 770 BC – 476 BC and set today amid groves of orange and pomelo trees. After the Captain’s Welcome Reception this evening, enjoy a special Welcome Dinner with your Tour Director and fellow guests. Enjoy a wide selection of items from our à la carte menu, specially designed by an award-winning chef. Afterwards, enjoy a crew show.
Day 6. Shennong Stream, Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge
This morning following breakfast, disembark your river ship at Badong and transfer by ferry to a traditional sampan (longboat). As you cruise on this longboat, poled by local Tujia boatman, you’re able to absorb the serenity of the river and take in the crystalline waters, rich surrounding forest and towering rock formations from up close. After lunch back on board your river ship, continue to tranquil Wu Gorge, noted for its sheer peaks and cliff faces. Later this afternoon, your ship will pass between two majestic cliffs on entry to Qutang Gorge, the shortest, narrowest and most dramatic of the Three Gorges. This afternoon, perhaps attend an arts and crafts demonstration on board.
Day 7. Fengdu or Relocation Tour
This morning, you might choose to rise early and participate in a Tai Chi class atop the Observation Deck. Following breakfast, disembark for a tour of Fengdu, a graceful little ‘Ghost City’ that lies at the foothill of the mountains right by the river. It’s noted for its bustling markets and the many Buddha and Tao temples gathered on Ming Mountain. Alternatively, you may choose to take a ‘Relocation Tour’, which will give you an insight into the impact of the Three Dam project on farming communities. This afternoon, you may like to attend a Chinese Brush Painting and Calligraphy demonstration, learn how to play the ancient game of Mahjong, learn a few words of Mandarin or participate in a dumpling-making session, run by the ship’s talented chef. Tonight enjoy the Emperor Farewell Dinner, a Chinese banquet feast, and perhaps participate in some entertainment by dressing up along with the crew.
Day 8. Chongqing, Disembark Ship, Xi’an, Dine Around Dinner
After breakfast, disembark in Chongqing, established around the eleventh century. A strategic port since ancient times, the city has a dramatic history, playing a key role in WWII thanks to its mountainous environment. Here, you’ll head to the famous Chongqing Zoo, where more than 200 varieties of wild and rare animals are on display, including the famous Giant Pandas, an endangered species. This beautiful creature is fast replacing the dragon as China’s emblem. Pandas have been kept in zoos since the early Han Dynasty – over two thousand years ago. Afterwards, visit a local restaurant for an authentic hotpot lunch, before transferring to the airport for your flight to historic Xi’an. This evening, choose from a western-style buffet dinner at Coffee Garden or sample Chinese specialities at Shang Palace.
Day 9. Xi'an, Terracotta Army
Discover the attractions of Xi’an today, one of the oldest cities in China, one of the Four Great Capitals, and home to some of the country’s most iconic sights. First, visit the ancient city wall, one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world, which was constructed in the 14th century during the early Ming Dynasty. Then, visit the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, an an incredible collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of China, discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well. On your way, stop at a clay factory where impressive terracotta soldiers are still made today. Spend the whole afternoon in the renowned Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses – built on the site of the three excavation pits where the sculptures were buried. Enjoy a panoramic movie telling the story of the warriors, and visit the three excavation pits as well as the famous Bronze Chariot. As a special exclusive gift, every couple travelling with APT will be given a unique book signed by one of the farmers who first discovered the warriors. This evening, enjoy a special performance of the Tang Dynasty show, and feast on a delicious local dumpling banquet.
Day 10. Xi'an, Shanghai, Dine Around Dinner
This morning, visit the magnificent Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a five-storey Buddhist pagoda built in 652. After lunch, return to Xi’an, transfer to the airport and fly to Shanghai. This incredible city is the most populous in China, thanks to its central position on the coast, at the mouth of the Yangtze River. Once a predominantly fishing and textiles town, rapid growth has seen Shanghai become a globally significant metropolis, with a strong influence in the world of business and a famous skyline. On arrival, check in to your hotel, overlooking the Huangpu River. This evening, perhaps enjoy a meal of Chinese cuisine at the Dragon Phoenix restaurant or head to the Mosaic Café at Sofitel Shanghai Hyland for a delicious buffet dinner of international cuisine.
Day 11. Shanghai
Enjoy a stroll on the Bund, this morning, a famous stretch of riverfront which houses buildings of various styles including Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical, Beaux-Arts, and Art Deco. Later, visit the Shanghai Art Museum, with its five floors of display rooms featuring both modern and traditional works, then cruise the Huangpu River, which runs through the heart of the city. Afterwards, explore Yu Garden, regarded as one of the most lavish and beautiful gardens in China. The garden was created over 20 years, beginning in 1559, by Pan Yunduan, who wanted to impress his father, a high-ranking official in the Ming Dynasty. The garden was declared a national monument in 1982. Afterwards, perhaps look around Shanghai’s Old City, in which the garden is set. After dinner at leisure, enjoy premium seating at an acrobatic show.
Day 12. Tongli, Suzhou, Freedom of Choice Touring, Shanghai
Today’s touring begins with a cruise through the ancient water town of Tongli, on the outskirts of Shanghai. Afterwards, travel by coach to Suzhou, located on the shores of Taihu Lake. On arrival here, visit the No. 1 Silk Factory and enjoy a picnic lunch in the World Heritage-listed Humble Administrator’s Garden. After lunch, enjoy time to explore the garden, set over more than 12 acres and considered the finest garden in southern China. Alternatively, enjoy a tour of Pingjiang Lu, a canal-lined street not far from the heart of the city’s Old Town. Later, return to Shanghai and enjoy a dinner of contemporary French cuisine at Mr and Mrs Bund, overlooking the Bund and the Huangpu River.
Day 13. Shanghai, Hanoi
Enjoy free time in Shanghai, then tonight board an evening flight to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. On arrival be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 14. Duong Lam
After breakfast, travel by coach to the ancient village of Duong Lam. Recognised as a national relic, it has a history of about 1,200 years with many houses dating back 400 years. On arrival, visit one of the oldest houses in the village, the home of the Huyen family, who have lived here for generations. Then choose to explore this quiet village and the tranquil countryside on foot or by bicycle. Visit the restored Phung Hung Temple and Mia Pagoda before enjoying lunch at the house of a local family. Back in Hanoi this evening, step aboard the Victoria Express Train for the overnight rail journey to Lao Cai.
Day 15. Lao Cai, Sapa
On arrival in Lao Cai this morning, disembark your train and transfer to Sapa, a quiet and visually stunning mountain town located in north-western Vietnam. Enjoy breakfast before time at leisure. Later that afternoon, set off on a soft trekking tour to nearby Ta Phin, a picturesque and small village that’s home to the Kinh, Black H’mong and Red Dao people, who are known for their red headscarves and their handicraft skills. This expedition offers great insight into the daily life of these ethnic hill tribes. Afterwards, return to Sapa for dinner.
Day 16. Sapa, Ta Van, Lao Cai, Hanoi
This morning, a guided walking tour of Sapa will take you to the colourful markets. A magical combination of breathtaking landscapes, ethnic cultures and bracing mountain air, the alpine village of Sapa has been a gathering spot for hundreds of years. Here, local hill tribes buy and sell household products, animals, embroidery, silverware and handicrafts, as well as drinking rice wine and corn wine with friends. After time to look around, enjoy lunch, then farewell Sapa and visit the nearby village of Ta Van. Later, return to explore the city of Lao Cai before re-boarding the Victoria Express Train for your overnight journey back to Hanoi.
Day 17. Hanoi, Freedom of Choice Touring
Upon arrival back in Hanoi, check in to your hotel. Then choose from a trip to a local calligrapher’s home in Le Mat village; a walking tour of 500 year-old Bat Trang, famous for its pottery; or a foot massage at your hotel. Tonight, meet your APT Tour Director at a Welcome Reception.
Day 18. Hanoi, Dine Around Dinner
This morning, a tour of Hanoi will take you to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and One Pillar Pagoda, among other attractions. In the afternoon, enjoy a rickshaw ride through the city’s Old Quarter. Later, enjoy front row seats at a water puppet show, a series of short stories and legends presented through the use of traditional music, song, and puppets. Tonight, choose to dine at the Ly Club; the Hanoi Press Club; Nineteen 11; Madame Hien; or Sen Restaurant.
Day 19. Hanoi, Ha Long Bay
After breakfast, travel to World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay. Here, board a traditional wooden junk for your luxurious overnight cruise. Set off to sail among thousands of spectacular limestone islets with a Welcome Drink in hand. Enjoy lunch on board before arriving at Titop Island, where you’ll have time to swim or explore. Then continue to the Bat Cave area and visit the largest floating fishing village on the bay, or take a kayak tour to nearby Bat Cave. Back on board this evening, enjoy dinner and a range of entertainment options before retiring to your cabin for the night.
Day 20. Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Hue
This morning, early risers might like to participate in a tai chi class on the junk’s deck. Before breakfast, travel by small boat to Surprise Cave, which was used by the Viet Cong as a hideout during the Vietnam War. Enjoy a tour of the cave system and absorb the magnificent bay views from viewing platforms at the top of the cave. Return to the junk and enjoy breakfast as you sail back to your private pier. Then disembark and transfer to the airport in Hanoi for your flight to Hue.
Day 21. Hue
This morning in Hue, board a cruise along the Perfume River. Disembark at Thien Mu Pagoda, the tallest pagoda in Vietnam. Later, drive to the tomb of former emperor Minh Mang, a complex consisting of temples, pavilions and palaces set among tranquil gardens and lakes. Enjoy lunch in a garden setting before visiting Hue’s Imperial Citadel, which occupies a large walled area on the north side of the Perfume River. Tonight indulge in an Emperor Feast unique to this region, featuring Vietnamese royal cuisine, including Minh Mang Liquor.
Day 22. Hue, Hoi An
Today visit beautiful Lang Co Beach and cross the Hai Van Pass, one of Vietnam’s most scenic hillside roads. Arrive in Da Nang and explore the Museum of Cham Sculpture, which houses the world’s largest collection of Cham sculptures. Then travel to the Marble Mountains, a cluster of marble and limestone hills south of Da Nang. Visit one of the pagodas and explore a nearby craft village then continue to Hoi An. Tonight enjoy dinner at Nam Long restaurant, adjacent to the De Vong River.
Day 23. Hoi An, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today attend a cooking tour and class with the Red Bridge Cooking School. Begin with a Welcome Drink before you’ll visit Hoi An’s market to learn about Vietnamese ingredients. Then cruise the Hoi An River to the cooking school. Here, explore the herb garden then learn how to prepare Vietnamese dishes. Afterwards, sample the results of your efforts at lunch. This afternoon, perhaps take a walking tour of Hoi An; enjoy an eco-tour of the surrounding region; ride a rickshaw to the home of a craftsman and learn how to make lanterns; embark on a bicycle tour of the countryside; or take a wet rice planting tour.
Day 24. Hoi An, Saigon, Freedom of Choice Touring
Transfer to the airport this morning for your flight to Saigon. After checking in to your hotel, select from our Freedom of Choice Touring activities. Perhaps enjoy a walking tour of the city then embark on a cyclo ride. Alternatively, visit an artist’s home and learn about traditional lacquer art. Or you may like to take a tour on the back of a motorbike as you’re driven safely through the bustling streets. Tonight, enjoy a special dinner at Xu Restaurant with Luke Nguyen’s menu and matching wines.
Day 25. Cu Chi Tunnels, Tay Ninh, Saigon, Dine Around Dinner
This morning visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible tunnel network constructed during the Vietnam War. Afterwards, travel to Tay Ninh to visit the Tay Ninh Holy See, a temple of the Cao Dai faith. Back in Saigon tonight, enjoy hawker-style dishes at Quan An Ngon; Chinese specialties at Li Bai; Vietnamese fine dining at Hoang Yen; Mediterranean cuisine at Carmague; or Vietnamese cuisine at the Temple Club.
Day 26. Embark Cruise
Transfer to My Tho Port to embark your river ship for your eight day Mekong River cruise. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner.
Day 27. Cai Be, Vinh Long
A local boat will take you to Cai Be today, an intriguing river-land town. Visit the floating markets then go ashore to visit the French Gothic Cathedral as well as the colourful port area. Tour a local rice paper manufacturer and learn how rice paper is made, then enjoy lunch back on board as your ship cruises towards Vinh Long. On arrival here, enjoy a local boat ride and explore the bustling markets, where you’ll see an array of aquatic life being sold.
Day 28. Sa Dec, Tan Chau
In the morning, enjoy a local boat ride past floating markets to Sa Dec, the city where the French writer Marguerite Duras met her Vietnamese lover, Huynh Thuy Le. Here, a tour takes you to Huynh Thuy Le’s old house as well as Thien Hau Pagoda and the beautiful Fujian Temple. Afterwards, re-board your ship for lunch as it cruises to the peaceful town of Tan Chau. On arrival, enjoy a leisurely walk through town.
Day 29. Tan Chau, Border Crossing
This morning, transfer to a small boat and travel along the tiny tributaries to an evergreen island and a floating fish farm. Afterwards, go ashore for a tour of Tan Chau by rickshaw. The rest of today is then spent on board. This afternoon, perhaps attend a fruit-carving demonstration as you cross into Cambodia.
Day 30. Phnom Penh
On arrival in Phnom Penh, a tour will take you to visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda as well as the National Museum of Cambodia, home to one of the world’s largest collections of Khmer art. After lunch, an excursion leads to the infamous Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, on the site of the Khmer Rouge’s notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21). After dinner, enjoy a Khmer folk performance.
Day 31. Chong Koh, Oudong, Kampong Tralach
After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely walk around the little-known silk-weaving village of Chong Koh. Then continue cruising to Prek K’dam, where you’ll disembark and set off by coach on an afternoon tour of Oudong, the royal capital of Cambodia from 1618 until 1866. Afterwards, continue to Kampong Tralach for a visit to Wat Kapong Tralach Pleu before an ox-cart ride takes you through rice fields and a small village back to your ship and continue cruising.
Day 32. Kampong Chhnang, Tonle Sap
Enjoy a boat excursion into the wetlands near Kampong Chhnang this morning. Then return to your ship and cast off towards the lake of Tonle Sap. Absorb the tranquility of the lake as you cruise past floating fishing villages. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board.
Day 33. Disembark Cruise, Siem Reap, Dine Around Dinner
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to Siem Reap. Later, head to World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park. Visit the last and most enduring capital of the Khmer empire, Angkor Thom, where you’ll see the 12th century temple, Bayon, the Terrace of the Elephants and more. On your return to Siem Reap, visit a ‘grass roots’ Orphans and Disabled Arts Association orphanage. Tonight, choose to dine at L’Angelo, Alliance Café, Viroth’s Restaurant, Champey or the Kanell Restaurant.
Day 34. Siem Reap, Angkor
This morning, visit Ta Prohm, a well-preserved temple famous for its intertwined trees (seen in the film ‘Tomb Raider’). Then visit Angkor Wat, the best-preserved temple of Angkor and said to be the world’s largest single religious monument. Tonight enjoy a Farewell Dinner and see an Apsara dance performance.
Day 35. Siem Reap, Freedom of Choice Touring, Depart
Today, perhaps visit the Wat Preah Phrom Rath Temple to be part of a Buddhist blessing, take a tuk-tuk ride to the Senteurs d’Angkor workshops, or enjoy a tethered balloon ride to view the temples from above, ride an elephant to Bayon or enjoy a quad bike adventure. Afterwards, you’ll be transferred to the airport.
