DAY 1: Depart UK.

DAY 2: Shanghai.
On arrival in Shanghai, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for two nights. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this sophisticated and exciting city set on the Huangpu River and once dubbed the 'Paris of the Orient'.

DAY 3: Shanghai.
This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of colourful Old Shanghai before travelling along the Bund, the city's famous waterfront with its beautiful Art Deco buildings recalling its colonial past. After lunch in a local restaurant, visit a traditional carpet factory to wonder at the skills of the craftspeople who still weave silk carpets thread-by-thread using only paper drawings as guides. Next it's on to the spectacular Shanghai Museum to view its impressive collections of historic Chinese artefacts, including stunning bronzes, ceramics and artworks. This evening, there's a post-dinner acrobatics show. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: Shanghai - Wuhan.
This morning, there is free time for you to experience the sights and sounds of this spellbinding city for yourself, perhaps strolling the picturesque Bund or admiring the classical Yu Yuan Gardens with their exquisite pavilions and rockeries. This afternoon, fly to Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, which stands on the banks of the legendary Yangtze River. Here, you'll visit the Hubei Museum before embarking Viking Century Sun to start your Yangtze cruise (B, L, D)

DAY 5: Yueyang.
Enjoy a stop in the rural village of Yueyang today to visit a junior school sponsored by Viking River Cruises. You'll be greeted by the children of the school and treated to a special performance of songs and stories. After time to mingle with the children and experience rural village school life, return to your ship for dinner and an evening of leisurely cruising. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: Three Gorges.
Spend this morning cruising upstream and admiring the dramatic panoramas before sailing through the serenely beautiful Xiling Gorge, the longest of the Yangtze gorges. Enjoy a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam project where you can learn about the immense engineering project undertaken to build the world's largest dam and what its completion means to the Chinese people. Later, sail through the Three Gorges Dam Five Stage Ship Lock. (B, L, D)

DAY 7: Lesser Three Gorges.
Enjoy the most scenic stretch of the Yangtze as you pass through 150 miles of stunning limestone ridges. During the morning, cruise through the magnificent Wu Gorge before boarding a smaller boat to experience the swift, crystal waters of the Shennong Stream and the canyons of the Lesser Three Gorges. Impressive sights adorn the cliff-tops including the hanging coffins of the Ba people and the ancient carved plank road. Stop for lunch at a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the gorges before resuming your Yangtze Cruise and sailing though the shortest and narrowest of the Three Gorges - the Qutang Gorge. (B, L, D)

DAY 8: Shibaozhai.
Today enjoy a shore excursion to Shibaozhai Temple - an ancient pavilion known as 'the shining pearl on the Yangtze'. This 12-storey temple was constructed in 1650 and its hilltop position still affords breathtaking views of the river below. Take time to explore the bustling market that lines the path from the dock to the hill before returning to your ship for lunch. (B, L, D)

DAY 9: Chongqing - Xian.
Leave your ship after breakfast for a short tour of Chongqing, a vibrant metropolis that belies its ancient roots, before taking an afternoon flight to Xian, once the seat of China's ancient Tang Dynasty. Known as the 'Eternal City', Xian enjoyed a golden era between 618 and 907 AD, when its rulers presided over one of China's most glorious cultural periods. Tonight, enjoy an insight into the grandeur of the dynasty at an exhilarating Tang dinner show. (B, L, D)

DAY 10: Xian - Beijing.
One of the highlights of your trip, today brings a visit to Xian's remarkable Terracotta Warriors, still entombed in the 2,000-year old mausoleum of Emperor Qin, China's first emperor. Discovered in 1974 and comprising over 6,000 life-sized clay warriors, archers, horses and infantrymen - each meticulously crafted with their own unique features - these astonishing sculptures were created to help Qin rule another empire during the afterlife. After lunch, fly to Beijing, China's fascinating capital, for three nights in this compelling city whose rich history dates back to 1,000 BC. (B, L, D)

DAY 11: Beijing.
Another unforgettable day lies ahead, as you travel to the Badaling Hills to see the best-preserved stretch of China's 4000-mile Great Wall, one of the world's greatest wonders. After marvelling at its extraordinary scale, stroll its massive ramparts soaking up the glorious vistas over the surrounding countryside. This afternoon, drive to the Sacred Way, a magnificent tree-lined avenue connected to the Ming Temples complex. It was built for the spirits of the dead Emperors and is flanked with giant statues of elephants, lions and camels. Tonight, feast on local delicacies at a traditional dinner. (B, L, D)

DAY 12: Beijing.
Immerse yourself in the wonders of Beijing today, starting with a visit to vast Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public square. Next, follow in the footsteps of the Ming emperors on a tour of the imperious Forbidden City, a monumental imperial complex of lavish palaces, temples and gardens girded by 10-metre high walls. In the afternoon, witness the beauty of the 700-acre Summer Palace, a magical ensemble of pavilions and classical gardens used by China's emperors as a summer escape from the bustling capital. The evening brings a grand finale to your holiday with a Peking Duck dinner and a thrilling performance by the Peking Opera. (B, L, D)

DAY 13: Beijing - UK.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)