CHRISTMAS ON THE YANGTZE RIVER

Welcome to Chongqing. You have 2 nights to explore the city.

You will be met at Chongqing Airport by your Local Guide or National Escort. Together with all other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, you will transfer approximately 1 hour to your hotel.

Early check-in is not included. Additional nights’ before and after your tour can be arranged. Please contact our Reservations team to book. An informal Welcome Dinner will be held on Day 2. Late arrivals will receive a box dinner.

Destination Information

Chongqing – A city perched on the steep hills overlooking the confluence of the Jialing and the Yangtze Rivers. Known for its incredible night lights, drone shows, hotpot culture, and buzzing nightlife, it’s a city that perfectly captures the spirit of contemporary China.

In 2012, Chongqing was awarded the brand title of “The World Hot Spring Capital” by the World Federation of Hydrotherapy and Climatotherapy.

Today you’ll explore the best of what this fascinating and unique city has to offer. Start the day with a visit to Chongqing Zoo’s Panda House, home to China’s beloved giant pandas and a range of fascinating native species.Next, stop by Liziba Intersection, where metro trains famously glide straight through a residential high-rise.

Later, enjoy a leisurely afternoon unwinding in in the soothing waters of a local hot spring resort. Choose from 53 pools of varying temperatures, some infused with Chinese teas and oils. Included in your visit are lockers with electronic wristbands, showers, hairdryers, towels, cover ups, and waterproof bags. Water and specialty teas are provided throughout the resort. Swimwear and treatments available for an extra cost (approx. 99 RMB for 30-minute massage).

Alternatively, enjoy a guided walk and free time in the lively Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, the heart of downtown Chongqing, with many shops, cafés and food stalls to wander through. In the evening, enjoy dinner and see the city come alive in a dazzling light display.

Travel approximately 3 hours by road to Dazu, home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Dazu Rock Carvings. Here, you will find thousands of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucianist idols and symbols carved into rock faces over 70 sites. Made between the 9th and 13th centuries, they are some of the best preserved in China.

Return to Chongqing and board your Yangtze River cruise vessel, home for the next three nights.

Amenities Package Upgrade
All Wendy Wu passengers enjoy an upgrade to the Bridge Deck and enhanced Yangtze experience with these special onboard extras from Day 2:
• Access to à la carte dining room
• Private afternoon tea in the Executive Lounge
• Welcome fruit basket in your cabin
• Nightly turn-down service
• Daily refreshments and pre-dinner Happy Hour
• House wine and beer with dinner
• Complimentary morning coffee and tea service

For cabin upgrades, please enquire with our Reservations team.

Cruise Information
The cruise includes one daily shore excursion along with various onboard activities and entertainment. Additional shore excursions (approx. RMB350 per person) are available, payable onboard, subject to local conditions. Please consult your guide about physical requirements, as some ports may involve many steps.

The Yangtze River cruise section of your itinerary will not be confirmed by the cruise operators until after you commence as it is subject to local river conditions and water levels. Your local guide will do their utmost to keep you informed of any changes but cannot guarantee against delays or – in
rare cases – cancellations of sections of your itinerary. A detailed itinerary will be handed out on the vessel each day.

If you don’t take part in a shore excursion but wish to disembark, a port tax (approx. RMB250 per person) applies, though disembarkation may not always be possible due to security reasons.

Please be aware that embarking and disembarking the cruise ship may involve several steps, especially at low tide. Notify us in advance if this may be an issue.

Destination Information

Dazu Rock Carvings – Known for their grand scale and beauty, the exceptional UNESCO World Heritage listed Dazu Rock Carvings cover a diverse range of subject matter and shed light on everyday life in China in the 9th – 13th centuries

Spend your Christmas Eve cruising along the mighty Yangtze River. Relax on your balcony, take part in an activity onboard, or disembark to explore the elegant pavilions of Mount Shuanggui and view the impressive cliff brush writings by Song Dynasty calligraphers.

Depending on local conditions, you may visit Shibaozhai Temple or Xiaoguanshan Folk Culture Park instead. Additional shore excursions may include Fengdu’s “Ghost City” and Fengyan Sanguo “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” evening show (river conditions permitting).

Destination Information
Mt. Shuanggui – A national forest park known for its picturesque scenery and has for centuries been a favourite destination for literati and artists. There are cliff brush writings of calligraphists here from the Song Dynasty to the present day, and pavilions are named for notable historic figures.

Merry Christmas! Prepare for breathtaking vistas as you enter the Three Gorges and pass through Wu and Qutang gorges. Wu gorge is known for its quiet beauty, forestcovered mountains, and sheer cliffs, while Qutang Gorge is the shortest, narrowest, and most dramatic gorge.

Transfer to smaller vessels for a relaxing excursion through the Goddess Stream, which are narrower than the Three Gorges, but very impressive.

There is no walking involved on this excursion; however you will need to get on and off the boat without assistance. Return to the ship and continue cruising through the gorges.

Depending on local river conditions, you may visit Shennong Stream instead of Goddess Stream. Additional shore excursions may include White Emperor City.

Destination Information
Goddess Stream – Goddess Stream, also known as ‘Shennü Xi’ in Chinese, flows from the southern bank of the Yangtze opposite Goddess Peak. Once just a stream, the Three Gorges Dam raised the water level to 70-100 metres in depth, depending on the season.

Later, enjoy Christmas festivities, food and music onboard

Disembark in Yichang and drive 4-hours to Zhangjiajie, a scenic area of over 3,000 sandstone pillars, rising from misty folds of subtropical forest.

Destination Information

Zhangjiajie – A scenic area of over 3,000 sandstone pillars, rising from misty folds of subtropical forest and cloaked in vibrant green vegetation, Zhangjiajie’s striking beauty is unforgettable.

Enjoy a full day of exploring Zhangjiajie National Park. Begin at the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, and ride the remarkable Bailong glass elevator, the highest and fastest outdoor elevator in the world. Embedded into the mountain, the elevator soars up the mountain side to a towering height of 326 metres in as little as two minutes!

This impressive elevator will transport you to Mihun Stage, where you will enjoy amazing views of the majestic peaks, including the ‘First Bridge under the Sun’ and Hallelujah Mountain. Continue to Emperor Mountain and visit Helong Park before taking a cable car down. End the day at Jinbian Stream.

Sightseeing today will involve around 3-4 hours of walking, including wooden and stone steps.

Destination Information

Yuanjianie Scenic Area – The area is dotted with stunning limestone karst formations, including natural stone arches and caves, providing ample opportunities for photography and exploration. Wildlife enthusiasts can also encounter a diverse array of flora and fauna, adding to the area’s
allure as a haven for nature lovers.

Bailong Elevator – Also known as the Hundred Dragons Elevator, this architectural marvel holds an impressive three world records: the largest, highest and fastest sightseeing elevator in the world.

Soar up the heights of Tianmen Mountain in the world’s longest cable car, a 7-kilometre journey taking approximately 40-minutes. Atop the mountain, marvel at Tianmen Cave, nicknamed ‘Heaven’s Door’, standing proudly at the top of 999 steep steps.

Next, take a thrilling walk along a glass skywalk, aptly named the “Walk of Faith” as though you’re walking on air. If time permits, you may also walk across the Cliff-Hanging Walkway or Coiled Dragon Cliff.

Later, brace yourself for an exhilarating walk across Zhangjiajie’s Glass Bridge, the world’s longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge spanning 430-metres over the Grand Canyon.

Sightseeing today will involve around 3-4 hours of walking, including wooden and stone steps.

Please note: The 999 step walk up to Tianmen Cave and the glass skywalk is optional. The steps can take around 40 – 60 minutes. Alternatively, there is an escalator on the other side of the mountain leading up to Tianmen Cave. There is also a small platform at the foot of the steps where you can soak up the spectacular views and wait for the group.

This evening, there is an optional Fairy Fox Outdoor Music & Dancing Show (time and weather permitting, payable locally), a musical drama of a
Chinese tale told against the stage backdrop of the mountains.

Drive to 4-hours to Changsha and after lunch, board a bullet train 3-hours to Hong Kong, the famous skyline growing bigger and more impressive as you approach the city.

Destination Information

Hong Kong – Once a British colony from 1842 until its return to China in 1997, it has evolved into a global hub of culture and commerce. Set around the stunning Victoria Harbour, the city is famous for its striking skyline, vibrant street life, and world-class dining.

Discover the charms of Lantau Island, beginning your journey with visits to the renowned Wong Tai Sin Temple and Tin Hau Temple. Next, take a spectacular cable car ride to the Ngong Ping Plateau, home to the majestic Grand Buddha and Po Lin Monastery. Explore the Giant Buddha Exhibition all and monastery before enjoying a delightful vegetarian lunch. Conclude your adventure with a scenic cable car ride back to the city.

Destination Information

Lantau Island – The largest of Hong Kong’s islands, Lantau offers a peaceful escape from Hong Kong Island and is home to the impressive Tian Tan Buddha, one of the world’s largest outdoor bronze statues, and the tranquil Po Lin Monastery. Visitors can enjoy scenic views over mountains and sea, explore traditional fishing villages like Tai O, or stroll coastal walks revealing a more natural side to this world-famous destination.

Wong Tai Sin Temple – One of Hong Kong’s most famous temples, Wong Tai Sin Temple is dedicated to the Taoist deity Wong Tai Sin, known as the Great Immortal Healer. Built in the 1920s, it attracts both worshippers and visitors who come to admire its colourful architecture and perform
“kau cim” fortune telling.

Enjoy a relaxed morning then explore Hong Kong on an afternoon city tour. Begin with a ride on the state-of-theart 6th-generation Peak Tram to Victoria Peak, soaking in breathtaking views of Hong Kong’s iconic skyline. Continue to the sun-kissed shores of Repulse Bay before heading to Aberdeen Fishing Village, where traditional sampans and houseboats offer a glimpse into the city’s maritime heritage.

Return to your hotel for some free time before joining an evening harbour dinner cruise. Watch the
night sky come alive at midnight with champagne roast and a spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks
display

Destination Information
Victoria Peak – Hong Kong’s most famous viewpoint, Victoria Peak rises 552 metres above sea level and offers panoramic views over Victoria Harbour, the skyline, and surrounding islands. Reached by the historic Peak Tram, which has operated since 1888, the summit is home to scenic walking trails, shops, and restaurants.

Aberdeen Fishing Village – Once a thriving fishing community, Aberdeen is still home to traditional sampan boats and a small floating village that contrasts sharply with the modern high-rises nearby. Visitors can take a short boat ride through the harbour, learn about Hong Kong’s fishing traditions, and see how this historic neighbourhood has adapted to the city’s rapid urban growth.

Start the new year with a free leisurely morning. In the afternoon, take a walking tour through Kowloon’s vibrant Tsim Sha Tsui area, exploring the bustling Temple Street markets and lively shops along Nathan Road. Finish the day and the tour with a farewell dinner.

Destination Information

Kowloon – Located just across Victoria Harbour from Hong Kong Island, Kowloon includes major districts such as Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, and Kowloon City. Known for its high population density, Kowloon is a major commercial, residential, and cultural centre. Highlights include the lively Temple Street Night Market, the luxury shopping of Tsim Sha Tsui, and the serene Nan Lian Garden.

Any time before your flight is at leisure. You will be transferred from your hotel to Hong Kong Airport, according to the departure time of your international flight. Late check-out is not included. Additional nights before and after your tour can be arranged. Please contact our Reservations team to book.

Your holiday comes to an end today. Interested in extending you stay? Ask us about our amazing range of packages available or speak with a Cruise Travel Advisor who will be able to customise your holiday with you.