Essential China By World Journeys

Essential China By World Journeys

The Essential China journey combines some of China’s most famous sights; the capital Beijing with the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall. Visit ancient fortified city walls, the Wild Goose Pagoda and Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an as well as the collision of old and new in Shanghai.

Heart of Tibet By World Journeys

Heart of Tibet By World Journeys

Known as the ‘roof of the world’, Tibet is the highest region on earth. Once an independent country, Tibet became an autonomous region of China in 1959. In Lhasa visit the enormous UNESCO World Heritage listed Potala Palace, once the winter home of the Dalai Lama. Tour the Jokhang Temple which melds Tibetan, Nepalese and Han architecture, and an enduring memory and highlight of your stay will be seeing Buddhist monks entertaining debate at the Sera Monastery. This tour offers a glimpse of Tibet for those with limited time.

Tibet Unveiled By World Journeys

Tibet Unveiled By World Journeys

For those who wish to explore the ‘roof of the world’ in more depth, this is the ideal option. Start in the capital Lhasa, and visit the important monasteries there. Then spend a few days driving amongst the highest mountains on earth. The beautiful scenery, friendly people, rich culture and charming markets make this tour memorable.

Captivating China By World Journeys

Captivating China By World Journeys

You’ll be entranced by the scenery, history and people on this journey. Travel through the stunning mountain area of Longsheng and meet the friendly local ethnic minorities of Red Yao and Zhuang. Cruise along the Li River famous for its karst mountain scenery and cycle through the enchanting Yangshuo countryside. Towering cone-shaped peaks “sprout” out of the ground and are lushly blanketed with verdant subtropical vegetation. These peaks, along with Yangshou’s rivers and rice paddies, are delightfully picturesque. Add this to the bustling cities of Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai and you will find you have been truly captivated by China.

China Encounter By World Journeys

China Encounter By World Journeys

This journey combines the two exciting cities of Beijing and Xi’an. Explore the remarkable Great Wall and Imperial Forbidden City in Beijing. Marvel at the incredible buried army of Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, created by skilled craftsmen 2,000 years ago.

China Highlights By World Journeys

China Highlights By World Journeys

Explore China’s highlights on this 14 day journey. You’ll begin in Beijing and be mesmerised by the Great Wall, ancient temples and palaces, as well as seeing the locals in the backstreet hutongs by rickshaw. Move on to Xi’an to marvel at the archaeological discovery of the century, the Terracotta Warriors – more than 2,000 years old, interred with the Emperor Qin Shi Huang.

Visit the Banpo Museum, with its extraordinary 6,000 year old village remains. At Guilin, enjoy a spectacular cruise down the meandering and picturesque Li River. Here the breathtaking scenery of jagged mist-covered mountains, quaint villages that dot the riverbanks, fishermen aboard bamboo rafts and grazing water buffalo make for some classic photographs. Try Longjing green tea at a tea plantation in beautiful Hangzhou and visit Suzhou, famous for its classic gardens and often called ‘Oriental Venice.’ Complete the journey with a stay in the wonderfully vibrant city of Shanghai – where ancient meets modern.

Cultural Treasures By World Journeys

Cultural Treasures By World Journeys

Travel off the beaten track and explore the cultural treasures of China’s “Middle Kingdom”. Learn how to make dumplings and noodles in a local Chinese farmer’s home, experience an incredible Kung Fu performance, watch a local folk dance and practice the art of Chinese calligraphy. Travel from Beijing to the national historical and cultural city of Zhengzhou. This ancient city was the capital of Shang Dynasty (16th – 11th century BC) 3,500 years ago! A highlight is the Shaolin Temple.

Visit the Pagoda Forest, where there are nearly 250 stone and brick pagodas ranging from the Tang, Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties (618-1911). The Cultural Treasures tour wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the once capital of the Middle Kingdom – Luoyang, before finishing in Xi’an.

The Imperial Yangtze By World Journeys

The Imperial Yangtze By World Journeys

Starting in Beijing, you’ll explore historical imperial treasures such as the Forbidden City, Great Wall and the famed Summer Palace. Visit Xi’an, home of the Terracotta Warriors and a fascinating walled city and then fly to Chongqing – considered perhaps the largest city in the world in terms of population.

Here you will begin cruising the legendary Yangtze River. Snaking its way 6,300 km from Western China’s Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to the East China Sea, the Yangtze River stretches nine provinces and serves as a drain for 1.8 million square kilometres of land. It is less in length only to the Amazon and Nile, and spans so many regions that it has acquired half a dozen names along its length. For centuries the Yangzte has served as a transportation highway and commercial thoroughfare. Ocean-going vessels can navigate up the river for 1,000 km and steamers can travel as far as Yichang, 1,600 km from the sea!

**Century Cruises** proudly offer one of the finest Yangtze River experiences aboard one of their luxurious vessels. They provide 5-star services on board their very young fleet and their excellent cuisine with a blend of western and Chinese dishes has won them many awards. With the largest standard cabins aboard any Yangtze fleet, each with their own private balcony, award-winning movie channels and CNN, you can be assured of a memorable voyage. The ships have elevators to the spacious restaurant, bars, gymnasium, boutique and public areas aboard. Lectures and evening entertainment round off a wonderful Yangtze experience.

**Highlights**
Glorious scenery is enjoyed as you pass through the impressive and wildly beautiful Three Gorges, eventually arriving at the engineering marvel of the Three Gorges Dam. Pass through the locks at the dam before reaching Yichang where you connect by high speed train to Shanghai.

Shanghai is the ‘new’ China and the economic power base of the country. Enjoy the city on your private tour and be amazed at the acrobatic performance included on your final night.

Scenic Landscapes By World Journeys

Scenic Landscapes By World Journeys

This is a wonderful coverage of the most important Chinese mega-cities along with beautiful smaller centres. Your journey through China’s scenic landscapes starts in Beijing where you will visit the best of the sites there including the amazing Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven and of course, the Great Wall of China. From there onto Suzhou, known for its classical Chinese gardens, a number of which are included in your tour. You will also visit a silk factory where you will see the entire process from silkworm to beautiful silk textiles.

Explore the charming 2,000 year old city of Hangzhou with a boat ride on scenic West Lake before visiting Hongcun Village, a UNESCO World Heritage site with more than 140 well-preserved ancient houses. Continue to Huangshan with spectacular rocky peaks, oddly shaped pines, crystal clear mountain streams and oceans of cloud.