Expedition Details
From the winding Great Wall to the dramatic landscapes of the Three Gorges, experience the timeless beauty of a changing China. Beginning in Beijing, venture to the ancient capital of Xi'an, cruise the Yangtze, and discover cosmopolitan Shanghai. Immerse yourself in Chinese culture through discussions with local experts, and catch a glimpse of old China in traditional neighborhoods off the beaten track.
Trip Highlights
- Meet a leading archaeologist and enjoy VIP access to Xi'an's astonishing terra-cotta warrior dig on a private tour.
- Hike along an isolated section of the Great Wall.
- Witness the new landscapes created by the Three Gorges Dam and attend a talk by a head engineer from the project.
- Glide on canals lined with beautifully preserved Ming dynasty buildings in the water village of Xitang.
Itinerary - 14 Days
Days 1 & 2 — U.S./Beijing
Fly to Beijing, crossing the international date line, and arrive the evening of Day 2.
Crowne Plaza
Day 3 — Beijing
Spend the day exploring the imperial monuments of the city. Begin at the Temple of Heaven, a Ming dynasty temple complex where emperors held their prayer ceremonies. Then stroll across Tiananmen Square, the stage for many turning points in modern Chinese history — from the start of the Cultural Revolution to the demonstrations of 1989. Continue to the Forbidden City, home to the Ming and Qing dynasty emperors and some of the finest imperial architecture in China. View a collection of royal treasures and meander through the stunning Imperial Gardens. Gather tonight for a welcome dinner at an elegant restaurant overlooking Beihai Park.
Crowne Plaza (B,L,D)
Day 4 — Beijing
Delve into the bustle of the Pan Jia Yuan art and antique market this morning. Visit an organization dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the hutong, Beijing's traditional neighborhoods. Then follow an expert into hidden alleyways to see courtyard-style homes, and learn about the principles of feng shui. Wander through the 17th-century Lama Temple, one of the largest centers of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. Tonight, savor a Peking duck dinner at a popular local restaurant.
Crowne Plaza (B,L,D)
Day 5 — Beijing
Set off on an excursion to a serpentine section of the Great Wall not seen by many visitors. Here, the wall follows the hillcrest, providing excellent views of the surrounding countryside. Stroll along the top of the wall, or go on an invigorating hike along the wall's unrestored section. After lunch, return to Beijing by way of the Olympic Park. Alternatively, take an optional excursion to the valley of the 13 Ming tombs to view the imperial treasures.
Crowne Plaza (B,L)
Day 6 — Beijing/Xi'an
Fly to Xi'an. After a lunch of local specialties, check in to our hotel. This afternoon, experience Xi'an from a unique perspective on a bike or golf cart ride atop the massive Ming Dynasty city wall.
Hyatt Regency (B,L)
Day 7 — Xi'an
Meet a leading archaeologist to learn about the excavation of one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century: the life-size terra-cotta army that stands guard at the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Enjoy special access to the VIP platform at the site. Later, join a caretaker for an insider's perspective of the Great Mosque, set in the heart of Xi'an's lively Muslim quarter. Tonight, gather for a 16-course dumpling feast at a renowned restaurant.
Hyatt Regency (B,L,D)
Day 8 — Xi'an/Chongqing
Stop at the tomb of the Han emperor Jing Di to view thousands of funerary figurines dating from the second century B.C. The statues, which originally had wooden arms and silk garments, depict all walks of life — a stark contrast to the martial figures of Qin Shi Huang's army. Fly to Chongqing, the most populous city in the world. Observe pandas at the Chongqing Zoo and learn about conservation efforts. After dinner in town, board the Victoria Anna and glide down the river toward the famed Three Gorges.
M.V. Victoria Anna (B,L,D)
Days 9 & 10 — Yangtze River
As you cruise past reconstructed villages and modern cities, learn about life along the Yangtze — and the ways that the new dam has changed it. Dock in the town of Fengdu, and meet some of its residents this afternoon. The next day, awaken early to witness our approach to the first of the spectacular Three Gorges. Board smaller boats to travel up a narrow tributary through the so-called "mini Three Gorges," passing terraced hillsides and traditional fishing boats. This evening, arrive at the Three Gorges Dam and enter its intricate locks system.
M.V. Victoria Anna (B,L,D)
Day 11 — Yichang/Shanghai
Disembark in Yichang and meet an engineer from the Three Gorges Dam project for a talk on the construction of the world's largest hydroelectric dam. After lunch, fly to Shanghai. Check into our historic hotel, located in the elegant French Concession.
Garden Hotel (B,L)
Day 12 — Shanghai
Browse stunning collections of bronze, jades, and ceramics at the Shanghai Museum. Then visit the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall to learn about the city-wide projects that are transforming Shanghai. After lunch overlooking the lively walking streets of Old Shanghai, stroll along the winding paths of Yu Yuan, a 16th-century classical garden in the heart of the city. Enjoy time on your own this afternoon to explore Shanghai's markets and historic districts.
Garden Hotel (B,L)
Day 13 — Shanghai/Xitang
You may choose to spend today at leisure, exploring Shanghai on your own. Or, take an excursion to the water village of Xitang, built on a web of canals linked by 100 bridges. On a boat ride, view beautifully preserved homes dating to the Ming Dynasty. Gather back in Shanghai this evening for a festive farewell dinner.
Garden Hotel (B,D)
Day 14 — Shanghia/U.S.
Transfer to the airport for your return flight, arriving home the same day.
(B)
Additional nights in Shanghai can be arranged upon request.
Related Trip
View LargerNational Geographic Expert
Ken Hammond
Historian Ken Hammond first traveled to China in 1982 to study the language and stayed for five years. A professor at New Mexico State University, he directs a Chinese-American university exchange program. He has produced a documentary on the revival of Confucian ritual and recorded a lecture series covering 5,000 years of Chinese history. Ken served as president of the Society for Ming Studies and as a visiting scholar at the History Institute of the Chinese Academy for Social Sciences.
Ken will join the following departures:
May 11 - 24, 2010 • Sep 14 - 27, 2010Expedition Dates 
The October 2009 departure is 15 days and includes an additional night in Shanghai. The Yangtze cruise will be aboard the M.V. Victoria Katarina. On all other departures, the cruise will be aboard the M.V. Victoria Anna.
Expedition Costs
National Geographic has reserved 25 cabins on the M.S. Victoria Katarina or the M.S. Victoria Anna on these departures.
