DAY 1: Depart UK.

DAY 2: Arrive Shanghai.
On arrival in Shanghai, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for two nights. The rest of the day is yours to begin exploring this vibrant city. (D)

DAY 3: Shanghai.
Sometimes known as 'Hu', Shanghai is a bustling metropolis that was once a centre for adventurers, tycoons and millionaires. Today this fast-paced city epitomises modern China and yet still offers a rich tableau for sightseers, much of which you'll experience on a full day tour. From the Jade Buddha Temple, with its superb jade Buddhas, to the lively old town, exquisite Yu Yuan Gardens and fascinating Shanghai Museum, it's a wonderful introduction to this enthralling city. After dinner at a local restaurant, enjoy an acrobatic show. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: Shanghai.
Enjoy a day at leisure in this cosmopolitan and exhilarating city. In the afternoon, transfer to the pier in Shanghai to join your ship, Victoria Prince, for your eight-night cruise. (B, D)

DAY 5: Nanjing.
Arrive in Nanjing to explore this enchanting walled city, once an ancient capital of China and home to some wonderful cultural treasures. Your sights today include the Mausoleum of Dr Sun Yat-Sen, leader of the 1911 Revolution, and a captivating Qing dynasty style bazaar around the Confucius Temple area. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: Huangshan.
Weather permitting, today brings a visit to Huangshan, the legendary 'Yellow Mountain', one of China's greatest symbols and breathtaking for its scale and beauty. If the weather is against you, an alternative excursion to see Jiuhuashan, the 'Mountain of the Nine Lotuses', may be arranged. (B, L, D)

DAY 7: Wuhan.
Spend today on board, enjoying the ship's amenities and views of the passing landscapes before arriving this evening in Wuhan, an ancient town with a rich revolutionary history. Visit the Museum of Rare Stones or enjoy a walking tour. (B, L, D)

DAY 8: Yangtze River.
Sit back and relax for a full day of Yangtze cruising today. Admire the surrounding countryside as it glides by and enjoy all the activities on board. (B, L, D)

DAY 9: Three Gorges.
This morning your ship sails through Gezhou Dam, the first built on the Yangtze. Enter Xiling Gorge, and visit the Three Gorges Dam site, one of man's most incredible and ambitious engineering schemes. Later, sail through the Three Gorges Dam Five Stage Ship Locks. (B, L, D)

DAY 10: Wu and Qutang Gorges.
Enjoy an excursion to the Daning River Small Gorges with its incredible, steep-walled gorges, before passing through the magnificent, cloud encircled peaks of Wu and Qutang Gorges, said to embody supernatural spirits. (B, L, D)

DAY 11: Fengdu.
This morning you'll experience the remarkable 'Ghost City' of Fengdu, said to be inhabited by immortals from China's underworld, and bursting with ancient shrines and temples dedicated to these 'gods'. Alternatively, take a visit to the new relocation village created for families who have had to move due to the rising water level, as a result of the Three Gorges Dam.
Note: Due to high or low water levels, it may sometimes be necessary to replace your visit to Fengdu with Wanzhou, White Emperor City or Shibaozhai.
(B, L, D)

DAY 12: Chongqing - Xian.
Arrive in Chongqing and disembark after breakfast. Enjoy a short city tour around the atmospheric old town and city zoo before taking an afternoon or evening flight to Xian, where you'll stay for two nights. (B, L, D)

DAY 13: Xian.
Today, there is a full day tour to see the remarkable Terracotta Warriors, built in around 250BC to guard an Imperial Tomb and comprising thousands of full-size, hand-carved clay soldiers, chariots and horses. Later, stroll along Xian's ancient city wall before enjoying tonight's dinner at a Tang Dynasty music show. (B, L, D)

DAY 14: Xian - Beijing.
After a morning visit to Xian's Wild Goose Pagoda, a revered Buddhist pagoda built around 600AD, we fly to Beijing for two nights. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Beijing, where you'll visit the Temple of Heaven, an impressive example of Ming architecture, where sacrificial rituals were staged by the Emperors to ensure good harvests, before transferring to your hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 15: Beijing.
An included full day tour of the legendary Great Wall of China at the Juyongguan Pass. Stretching 6,000 kilometres and dating back to the Ming period, this startling edifice will stay in your memory forever. Other highlights include the Summer Palace, a park of lakeside pagodas and the site of the marble boat made for the Empress Dowager Ci Xi. In the evening, enjoy a Peking duck dinner. (B, L, D)

DAY 16: Beijing - Shanghai.
Another fascinating day lies ahead with a tour to the vast Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, seat of China's emperors. Early afternoon flight to Shanghai. (B, D)

DAY 17: Shanghai - UK.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)