China Orient Express





















From Beijing to Hong Kong, with a relaxing cruise along the Yangtze River

A fascinating rail cruise on the China Orient Express from Beijing to Hong Kong, with a cruise along the Yangtze River through the spectacular Three Gorges.

Day 1-2 - London to Beijing
We depart London Heathrow on the overnight flight to Beijing, arriving on the morning of Day 2. Sightseeing begins in the afternoon with a visit to the magnificent Great Wall and Tiananmen Square. Our hotel for three nights in Beijing is the Paragon Hotel.

Day 3 - Sightseeing in Beijing
Our full day tour of some of the city's greatest sights includes the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and the remarkable Forbidden City, the world's largest imperial palace complex. Here we have time to admire some of the 9,999 beautifully preserved buildings within the city walls, the exquisite gardens, rivers and richly carved bridges.

Day 4 - Free day in Beijing
Your day is free to explore this exciting city, a fascinating mix of ancient and modern and host to the 2008 Olympic Games. Why not take a relaxing stroll around one of the beautiful parks or discover a more traditional way of life in the city's hutongs?

Day 5 - The China Orient Express
After a free morning we transfer to Beijing's main railway station to join the China Orient Express for our eight-day tour by rail and boat to Hong Kong.

Day 6 - Xi'an and the Terracotta Warriors
At lunchtime we arrive in the ancient city of Xi'an, the former imperial capital of China. Here we visit the incredible Terracotta Army, one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century. We rejoin the train and enjoy dinner on board as we continue our journey southwest to Chengdu.

Day 7 - Chengdu
After lunch the train arrives in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. The Province is home to the Giant Panda and during our tour of the city we visit the fascinating Giant Panda Breeding Research Institute, where pandas, along with other species of rare animals, are bred throughout the year.

Day 8 - Cruise to Fengdu Ghost City
We arrive early into Chongqing where we leave the train and board one of the finest ships in the Victoria Cruises fleet for our three-night cruise along the Yangtze River through the Three Gorges. Today we visit Fengdu Ghost City, with its many demon-decorated temples and shrines dedicated to the gods of the underworld.

Day 9 - Three Gorges cruise
We spend the day on board, cruising the Yangtze River through the spectacular scenery of the Three Gorges. First we enter the narrow Qutang Gorge, the shortest and most dramatic of the gorges, and then the 44km long Wu Xia Gorge. After a visit to the crystal-clear waters of the Shennong Stream we continue along the western stretch of the Xinling Gorge.

Day 10 - Xinling Gorge and the Three Gorges Dam
Today we cruise along the eastern stretch of the Xinling Gorge and visit the Three Gorges Dam, one of the largest construction projects ever attempted. We arrive in Yichang at lunchtime and enjoy a tour of the city.

Day 11 - Relaxing on board
We re-join the China Orient Express and continue our journey south. Our day is spent relaxing on board enjoying the scenery as we travel through Southern China towards Guilin.

Day 12 - Guilin
We arrive in Guilin, a beautiful city situated on the Li River renowned for its unusual skyline of towering limestone hills. We enjoy a cruise on the river amongst strange rock formations and visit the Reed Flute Cave to see the amazing stalagtites and stone pillars.

Day 13 - Guangzhou and Shenzhen
Guangzhou, formerly known as Canton, is our first stop today. We spend the morning touring this historic city, once the starting point of the Silk Road of the Sea, before enjoying a delicious lunch of traditional Cantonese cuisine. We rejoin the train and travel to Shenzhen where we leave the China Orient Express and cross the border into Hong Kong. Our base for the next two nights is the Harbour Plaza Hotel, Kowloon.

Day 14 - Free time in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a spectacular city, with a unique blend of ancient Chinese traditions, British Colonial past and dazzling modernity. You have free time to explore the city or perhaps travel up Victoria Peak by funicular railway to admire the panoramic view of Hong Kong Island, one of the most dramatic urban panoramas on earth.

Day 15 - Return to London
Your last day is free to enjoy Hong Kong. Perhaps take a ride on the ancient trams which weave through the city and visit the Sheung Wan and Western districts, typically Chinese and filled with traditional shophouses and exotic markets. Alternatively, why not visit Aberdeen Harbour, home to hundreds of people living on traditional fishing junks? This evening we transfer to the airport and depart on the overnight flight to London Heathrow, arriving early on Day 16.