Highlights of China

Step into the vibrant, iconic and ever-surprising world of Beijing. Drop your bags and get ready to explore three millennia of fascinating architecture and culture.

The Peninsula Beijing (Superior Suite)

Start your city discovery at the Temple of Heaven. Walk in the footsteps of past emperors and their royal processions to arrive at the magical landmark. There’s no better place to enjoy the most traditionally Chinese of morning activities, tai chi. Watch or take part in your own private lesson with a local master (optional). Wander through the lively Pearl Market (also known as Hongqiao Market) and marvel at stalls filled with everything from pearls to silk pyjamas. Continue to the Forbidden City, built during the Ming Dynasty and recognised as the centre of the world for nearly 500 years. Today, as the National Palace Museum, it invites you to lose yourself in the largest collection of Chinese artworks and artefacts in the world. Cross to Tiananmen Square, an unmistakable statement of power from the founding fathers of the People’s Republic. Soak in the atmosphere on one of the world’s most famous and forbidding public plazas, flanked by Soviet-inspired architecture and Mao’s Mausoleum.

The Peninsula Beijing (Superior Suite) | Meals: BL

Witness one of the great man-made wonders of the world: The Great Wall. Stretching almost 4,000 miles from the western desert to the eastern coast, this structure is a triumph of engineering and a direct link with the legendary emperors of China’s past. Venture to the Mutianyu site and leave the crowds behind as you scale the steps for sweeping views of the wall snaking through the Yan Mountains.

Continue back to Beijing, past the 2008 Summer Olympic sites. Then, trace the history of old Beijing as you ride through a labyrinth of lanes and alleys, known as ‘hutongs’, on the back of a pedicab. In one of the few hutongs that survived the drastic remodelling for the 2008 Olympics, step inside the home of a local family for a rare glimpse into bygone Beijing.

The Peninsula Beijing (Superior Suite) | Meals: BL

Travel by train to China's only surviving ancient walled city, Pingyao. Nestled amongst dusty curio shops and bustling restaurants, find your home at Jing's Residence. Now a beautiful boutique hotel, the home was built 260 years ago by a wealthy Qing Dynasty silk merchant. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure or explore this most intriguing UNESCO World Heritage town.

Jing’s Residence (Courtyard Room) | Meals: BD

Step back in time into ancient China. Climb the city wall built in 1370 under the reign of Emperor Hongwu. See the Ancient Opera Stages and Daoist Temple – one of the many temples that dot the city landscape. Meet a local family and see one of the hundreds of Ming and Qing dynasty courtyards where people live much as they did in the time of emperors. Back on the main street, stop at the First Draft Bank of China (Rishengchang), the birthplace of modern Chinese banking. The branch has been immaculately conserved, right down to the counting rooms, silver vaults and opium dens where VIP clients were entertained.

Jing’s Residence (Courtyard Room) | Meals: BLD

Travel by train to Xian and head to the Han Yang Ling Museum to discover a treasure trove of artefacts dating back to the early Western Han dynasty. Step outside to witness ongoing archaeological works in the excavation pits, which reveal new insights into China’s seemingly never-ending past. Arrive at your lodgings and spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

The Ritz-Carlton Xian (Club Floor Room) | Meals: B

Venture into Lintong County to Xian, the first capital of unified China. Witness the wonder of the Terra Cotta Warriors, an astonishing symbol of imperial might. Buried for 2,000 years until a group of farmers stumbled upon them in 1974, the Terra Cotta Army of Qin Shi Huang is one of the world’s greatest archaeological finds. Continue on to the City Wall, a surviving symbol of Xian’s infallible ancient military defence system. Wander through the vibrant Muslim Quarter to the Great Mosque, the largest and best preserved of the early mosques in China.

The Ritz-Carlton Xian (Club Floor Room) | Meals:BL

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Chongqing Jiangbei. Head to Chongqing Zoo and meet the world-famous pandas, a Chinese national treasure and one of the rarest animals in the world. Learn more about the unique Chinese culture in the Huguang Guild Hall, an impressive complex of halls built as a meeting place for immigrants from the provinces of Hunan, Hubei, Guangdong and Guangxi. Later, board the Yangtze Explorer for your cruise along the world’s third-longest river. Settle into your sumptuous cabin before meeting your fellow guests in the Explorer Bar. Bask in the night-time cityscape of Chongqing as you sail deeper into the Three Gorges region of the mighty Yangtze River.

Yangzi Explorer (Deluxe Cabin Xiling Deck) | Meals: BLD

Explore the Yangtze, your way. Uncover a secret project hidden in the mountains of Fuling. Hidden for 50 years, the 816 Underground Project is the world’s largest artificial military cave. Alternatively, venture deep into the White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum. See the intricate ancient rock carvings, unique flora and fauna of the Yangtze River. Then, stop at the local market to sample delicacies, including Fuling’s famous pickles. After a day exploring, there’s no better place to re-charge than back on your cruiser enjoying the personalised service in complete comfort.

Yangzi Explorer (Deluxe Cabin Xiling Deck) | Meals: BLD

Today is all about the spectacular Three Gorges. Wind through the canyons of Wu Gorge, known as “witches gorge” for its depth and twisting nature, and between the dramatic limestone cliffs of the narrow Qutang Gorge. Later, drift along the crystal-clear waters and forested slopes of Shennong Stream during a ride in a traditional sampan. As the boat gently floats through this stunning riverine gorge, spy hanging coffins stowed high within the limestone cliffs – evidence of early settlements. Pause at a traditional trackers village for a fascinating glimpse into the traditional rural Chinese community. Back onboard, enjoy a farewell feast of Chinese delicacies and watch the world go by.

Yangzi Explorer (Deluxe Cabin Xiling Deck) | Meals: BLD

Meander through Xiling, the longest gorge, to the vast Three Gorges Dam and enjoy a tour of the site and exhibition centre. A massive feat of engineering, at over two kilometres in length, the dam is the world’s largest hydroelectric power station in terms of capacity and energy generation. After your tour, bid farewell to the Yangtze and journey to Yichang city. Descend into the Three Travellers' Cave, a magical limestone cave named for three celebrities in Tang Dynasty, who visited the caves in 819 and composed poems to mark the occasion. Enjoy the serenity of the Riverside Park before transferring to Yichang Airport for your flight to Shanghai.

The Peninsula Shanghai (Deluxe River Room) | Meals: BL

Welcome to the China of tomorrow. Join your expert guide for a revealing tour of the city’s diverse neighbourhoods. Promenade along the Bund, taking in its historic architecture and famed skyline. Navigate the tree-lined avenues of the French Concession, with charming facades and outdoor cafes attesting to Shanghai’s reputation as “Paris of the East”. Bask in the wonders of the Old Town, set around the exquisite Yu Garden, and lose yourself in the warren of alleys and lanes.

The Peninsula Shanghai (Deluxe River Room) | Meals: B

Transfer to the train station for your journey to Hangzhou, one of China's seven ancient capitals. Join your guide to see first-hand why the city was described by explorer Marco Polo as “the city of heaven”. Discover the birthplace of Dragon Well (Longjing) tea, the most famous of Chinese green teas. Visit the plantation and learn the art of tea making in a traditional tea ceremony. Then, board a private boat to glide over West Lake. Drink in this paradise of temples, pagodas, pavilions, gardens, and ornamental trees and you'll soon understand why it's been a great source of inspiration for artists, poets and philosophers throughout Chinese history. Move on to the heart of the ancient city and browse teahouses, calligraphy boutiques and silk stores in the charming Qinghefang Street. Visit one of the oldest and largest traditional Chinese medicine pharmacies, before returning by train to Shanghai.

The Peninsula Shanghai (Deluxe River Room) | Meals: BL

A change of pace from urban Shanghai as you’re transported to Zhujiajiao, an ancient water town known as the Venice of Shanghai. Only 45 minutes west of central Shanghai, this enthralling river town seems a world apart from the modern megacity. Wander the tiny stone-paved lanes and stop awhile to take in the regal stone bridges arching over waterways lined with carefully-preserved homes and courtyards from the Qing and Ming Dynasties. Explore historic enterprises, including a soy sauce factory, rice commissary and traditional Chinese herbal pharmacy. Head north of the old town to Kehzi Yuan, once amongst the largest private family gardens in China, for some quiet contemplation before your final private boat ride down the pearlescent streams. Return to Shanghai for an afternoon at leisure. This evening, take your seat for the Shanghai Acrobatics Circus and watch in jaw-dropping awe as the world-famous troupe performs daring acts.

The Peninsula Shanghai (Deluxe River Room) | Meals: BL

Complete your Shanghai experience with a trip on the Maglev Train. The world’s fastest Rail to Airport link, the train is powered by magnetic levitation technology with the train reaching a top speed of 430 kilometres per hour.

Meals: B