China Gay Tour & Yangtze River Cruise

13 days gay tour & cruise from Shanghai to Beijing, China

October 5 – 17, 2017
Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer

Discover China’s past and present – from the rising skyscrapers of Shanghai, to the myriad faces of the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xian and the bustling capital, Beijing. Explore the storied Yangtze River on an all-balcony river cruiser, the luxurious Yangzi Explorer. China is a must-see destination!

The country plays an extremely important role in world politics and is home to some of the world’s most famous historic sites, such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden city and the Terra Cotta Warriors. Join us for this classic, yet, fresh look at an ancient and ultra-modern society. We feature fine restaurants, luxury hotels and a cruise aboard the best river cruiser on the Yangtze river.

China Gay Tour & Yangtze River Cruise Itinerary

Day 0 - Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Depart Home to Shanghai, China
Depart Home on any regularly scheduled flight to Shanghai, China.

Day 1 - Thursday, October 5, 2017
Arrive in Shanghai, China
Welcome to Shanghai!

Transfer to the Fairmont Shanghai Peace Hotel - 5*, overlooking Huangpu River and “The Bund” – noted for its unique styles of architecture and one of the most famous tourist sites in Shanghai.

Evening is free for you to relax from your flight.

Meals: None
Hotel: Fairmont Peace Hotel, Shanghai, 5*
Room: Standard Room

Day 2 - Friday, October 6, 2017
Shanghai, China
Today, start with a visit to Shanghai’s Old Town (“Nanshi”) – originally built in 1553AD as a walled enclosure to fend off Japanese pirates – now the most ancient section of Shanghai, noted for its maze of small, winding streets, traditional Chinese architecture, and the ever-bustling Yu (“Pleasing and Satisfying”) Bazaar. Next, wander the landscaped paths and enjoy the solitude of Yuyuan (“Peace and Health”) Garden – originally built in 1577AD, it has remained a welcoming and calming mecca for Shanghai’s populace for generations.

Enjoy Lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, discover the Shanghai Museum, “…one of the world’s best representations of Chinese art and artifacts.” – located in the center of Shanghai at the city’s People’s Square, this large complex houses over 120,000 historical relics in the twelve Chinese art categories (i.e. bronze, calligraphy, sculpture etc.). Continue from the museum to Shanghai’s former French Concession – an enclave created in 1849 as the result of the Treaty of Nanking with land conceded by China to establish a French colony in Shanghai – displaying a pleasant mix of wide, tree-lined streets and European “Art Deco” architecture.

Welcome Dinner this evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Fairmont Peace Hotel, Shanghai, 5*
Room: Standard Room

Day 3 - Saturday, October 7, 2017
Shanghai | Zhujiajiao | Shanghai
Founded over 1,700 years ago, Zhujiajiao (“Water Town”) started out as an ancient fishing village, and became a small, canal-linked hamlet that would, over the centuries, emerge as a bustling trading hub within Shanghai proper. Stroll along its centuries-old streets and explore the many ancient bridges crisscrossing its canals, or take a boat ride to discover the town’s unique character and charm.

Enjoy lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. Return to the hotel to relax before dinner and a night at the theatre.

This evening, enjoy a spectacular performance at Shanghai Era Acrobatics, a multimedia theatrical spectacular mixing traditional 2000-year-old Chinese acrobatics with 21st Century high technology.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Fairmont Peace Hotel, Shanghai, 5*
Room: Standard Room

Day 4 - Sunday, October 8, 2017
Shanghai | Yichang | Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer
Check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for flight to Yichang, an ancient, yet thoroughly modernized city, lying along both banks of the Yangtze River. Upon arrival, board the luxurious river ship, the 5* Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer for our four-night cruise on an upstream course along the Yangzi River the following morning, through the beautiful Three Gorges region. The total length of this cruise is 660 kilometres (402 miles) and is famous for its stunning scenery and is a historically and culturally important location for China.

A documentary film will be shown in your cabin to acquaint you with China’s “Three Gorges Dam Project”.

In the evening, dinner is served in the dining room.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer, 5*
Cabin: Deluxe or per your choice

Day 5 - Monday, October 9, 2017
Xiling Gorges & Three Gorges Dam Project
Start your morning with a traditional Chinese exercise and work up an appetite for the international buffet breakfast. After breakfast, view the Xiling Gorge or choose the ‘Tribe of Three Gorges’ tour – a 2.5 hour walk through stunning landscapes where you can experience an ancient wedding ceremony (tour at an additional cost and subject to availability).

After lunch, visit the Three Gorges Project Dam Site and Exhibition Centre. The dam spans 1.2 miles in width and 600 feet in height, and is the largest and most expensive engineering project in the world.

In the afternoon, enjoy afternoon tea and a selection of activities on board, including a Chinese Medicine demonstration. Tonight there will be a Captain’s reception followed by an a la carte dinner. After, take part in karaoke or retire to your cabin for a cultural movie.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer, 5*
Cabin: Deluxe or per your choice

Day 6 - Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Shennong Stream, Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge
Start your morning with a traditional Chinese exercise and work up an appetite for the international buffet breakfast. This morning cruise the Shennong Stream and disembark at Badong and transfer to a local longboat (sampan) poled by Tujia boatmen before an international lunch buffet on board.

This afternoon view Wu Gorge followed by a Chinese calligraphy demonstration. Alternatively, enjoy an optional tour to the White Emperor City (additional cost and subject to availability) before afternoon tea.

In the evening, a la carte dinner will be followed by our crew variety show.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer, 5*
Cabin: Deluxe or per your choice

Day 7 - Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Fengdu
Start your morning with traditional Chinese exercise and work up an appetite for the buffet breakfast. Afterwards there will be a shore excursion to Fengdu, where you can visit the Relocated Village, local Kindergarten or local market. After lunch join our wheelhouse tour and arts & craft presentation.

Learn to make dumplings with our chef, before our ‘Taste of China’ dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer, 5*
Cabin: Deluxe or per your choice

Day 8 - Thursday, October 12, 2017
Chongqing Disembark Ship | Fly to Xian
Arrive Chongqing and disembark the ship. We will transfer to the airport and fly to Xian.

Welcome to Xi’an! Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel in one of the oldest, most intriguing cities in China, Xi’an. We will enjoy a special dumpling dinner this evening, a Xian specialty.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Xian Westin Hotel, Xian, 5*
Room: Standard Room

Day 9 - Friday, October 13, 2017
Xian
In the morning, visit the elaborate necropolis of the Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, guarded by his personal army of Terra Cotta Warriors. Discovered in 1974 by peasants digging a well in the Xi’an countryside, the collection (of over 8,000 clay soldiers, 130 chariots and 670 horses) is one of the most amazing artistic and archeological sites in the world.

Enjoy Lunch at a local Chinese restaurant.

After lunch, return to the city and visit Xi’an Old City Wall, built between 1374 – 1378 AD; it is the most complete defensive structure to have survived in China, as well being one of the largest, most ancient, military-complex systems in the world. From the wall, walk through ‘The Muslim Quarter’ – created in the 1st Century AD at the eastern starting point for The Silk Road, and, even today, known as “…Xi’an’s thriving spice market on Islamic Street.” See also the “Great Mosque of Xi’an” (built in 742AD) and both towers (“Bell” and “Drum”) erected during the Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644AD.

After dinner, opt for a stroll with our guide to see and feel the vibrant night-life of Xi’an’s exotic Muslim Quarter. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Xian Westin Hotel, Xian, 5*
Room: Standard Room

Day 10 - Saturday, October 14, 2017
Xian | Bullet Train to Beijing
This morning, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda – one of the largest and oldest of China’s temples , it consecrates the “Indian Sanskrit Classics” brought from India to Xi’an in 652BC. An artistic and architectual masterpiece, it is a major temple listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on “The Silk Road Network of Chang’an -Tianshan Corridor”. Dim Sum Lunch at the local De Fa Chang Restaurant.

After lunch, visit Hangyangling Museum/Mausoleum – the joint tombs of the Fourth Emperor Jing – Liu Qi and the Empress Wang Zhi, displaying the most intact and tangible evidence of burial customs of the Han Dynasty (206BC-24AD).

Continue to Xian North Railway Station for “Bullet Train” to Beijing.

In the afternoon, transfer to Xi’an North Railway Station and take the “Bullet Train” to Beijing West Railway Station, Business Class Seats. Officially opened on December 26, 2012, the Xi’an/Beijing High-speed Train offers its passengers some of China’s most spectacular landscapes, as it travels at speeds up to 250 to 300 km/h. (155 to 186 mph). Board the luxurious rail cars and relax in comfortable, reclining seats for a 4 and ½ hour scenic train ride to Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China and the world’s third most populous city.

Transfer is included to Regent Beijing Hotel located near The Forbidden City in exciting Beijing. Evening is free for you to relax and dine at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Regent Beijing Hotel, Beijing, 5*
Room: Standard Room

Day 11 - Sunday, October 15, 2017
Beijing
This morning we begin our exploration of Chinese art, archictecture and history at The Temple of Heaven, a sequence of magnificent temples and sacrificial altars first erected in 1420AD, and the site of the semi-annual planting/harvest ‘Heaven Worship Ceremony’. After Lunch, continue to Tiananmen Square – known as the ‘Gate to Heavenly Peace’ – located adjacent to The Forbidden City.

Walk through The Forbidden City, begun in 1406AD and ultimately completed in 1420AD, arguably the most resplendent and best-preserved example of classical Chinese architecture in the world. Dinner is on your own.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Regent Beijing Hotel, Beijing, 5*
Room: Standard Room

Day 12 - Monday, October 16, 2017
Beijing
Travel to Mutianyu (“Grand Pass on the Precipitous Ridge”), an excellent, less congested section of the Great Wall, featuring 23 original-style watchtowers and their breath-taking views. Walk along the top of ‘The Wall’, explore the individual watchtowers and enjoy the stunning vistas of the valleys below. Lunch at the Schoolhouse Restaurant located at Mtuianyu.

In the afternoon, we visit Beijing’s numerous “hutongs” (the narrow network of lanes created by closely built quadrangular homes) and see “old” Beijing from the cozy seat of a chauffeured wooden rickshaw.

Farewell Dinner will be at the exclusive restaurant, Duck de Chine.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Regent Beijing Hotel, Beijing, 5*
Room: Standard Room

Day 13 - Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Beijing / Departure
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to Baijing Airport for your flight Home.

Meals: Breakfast

The Finest Cruiser on the Yangtze River - The Deluxe Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer

The Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer introduces a new standard of cruising in China - more intimate and luxurious. With the largest cabins and suites on the river, all with private balconies, as well as the highest crew to passenger ratio on the river of 1:1, this is a Yangzi cruise unlike any other.

Carrying just 124 passengers, compared to the 300 plus accommodated on other cruise ships, the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer offers the finest and most personalised service on the river. Onboard facilities include a la carte dining, a luxury spa, an observation deck, 24-hour room service, a two-floor theatre, library, and beauty and fitness facilities. The ship also has the most spacious and indulgent spa on board any cruise vessel on the Yangzi.

Luxury, Naturally
Awe-inspiring natural beauty, iconic World Heritage sites and cultures enhanced over centuries – these are the riches around as you sail China’s legendary waterway. The guiding philosophy of all Sanctuary is ‘Luxury, naturally’, and Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer gets you as close as possible to central China’s most captivting landscapes amid authenic charm and unrivalled comfort. This unique cruise steers you to dramatic destinations old and new, and gives glimpses of remote riverside life while you take pleasure in a relaxing journey with unrivalled amenities.

Explore Daoist temples and admire forest-cloaked peaks and feel personally introduced to time-tested traditions thanks to time on Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer – it’s a boutique hotel with five-star service floating on the Golden River.

Cabins & Suites
The Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer has 38 deluxe cabins, 20 suite cabins and 4 specialty suites.

All cabins boast floor-to-ceiling windows providing access to private balconies with outdoor armchairs and coffee tables. In addition to a choice of king or twin beds, connecting cabins are also available. All cabins are equipped with private bathroom, hairdryer, safety deposit box, mini bar and LCD satellite television.

Dining
Dining on board the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer is your chance to savour traditional Chinese cooking at its finest. With an a-la-carte menu and cooking lessons from our executive chef for all ages, you can enjoy and learn to cook local delicacies.

A La Carte
A team of internationally trained chefs and a well-stocked wine cellar ensure dining aboard the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer is a superb experience. Innovative a-la-carte menus featuring the finest of Chinese and continental cuisine, served with complimentary house wines, local beers and other refreshments at all lunches and dinners, are hallmarks of the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer experience.