In 1271, young Marco Polo set off on a legendary journey through the mysterious empire of China. For nearly 20 years, he traveled around China and his stories sparked the world’s imagination. Like Marco Polo, this journey is a sampling of China’s ancient cultural heritage and exciting modern day life, filled with the best of its timeless traditions. As you cruise the Yangtze, the breathtaking views of the Qutang and Wu Gorges will leave you mesmerized. And Guilin’s Li River is one of the world’s most scenic. After visiting the legendary imperial sites of Beijing and Xian, you’ll come to the mecca of modern day shopping—Hong Kong—where the amazing selection, sophistication and diversity will dazzle you.

Includes:

• 9-night Yangtze River Cruise with balcony cabin onboard the new, deluxe Viking Century Star
• Accommodations at 5-star hotels: 3 nights Beijing, 1 night Xian, 1 night Shanghai, 1 night Guilin, 3 nights Hong Kong
• 18 tours with private English-speaking guides: Beijing/ Tiananmen Square/Forbidden City/Summer Palace/Great Wall/ Sacred Way/Hutongs & Silk Carpet Workshop; Xian/Terra Cotta Army; Shibaozhai Temple; Lesser Three Gorges; Three Gorges Dam/Viking River Cruises school; Wuhan Museum; Jingdezhen/ Ceramic History Museum; Mt. Jiu Hua; Nanjing/Folk Art Museum; Shanghai/Bund; Li River; Hong Kong
• 47 meals: 18 breakfasts, 15 lunches & 14 dinners with select meals at local Chinese restaurants (lunches & dinners are on your own in Hong Kong)
• Welcome Cocktail & Farewell Dinner
• Unique Cultural Highlights: Peking Opera; Peking Duck Dinner; Tang Dynasty dinner show
• Fully escorted vacation from airport arrival to departure
• All Intra-China flights & appropriate hotel/airport/ship transfers
• Payment of all port charges
• Past Passenger Discount for all returning passengers