Xingang

After a 2¾ hour-long journey, you’ll reach the Huangyaguan section of the Great Wall. Enjoy an authentic Chinese lunch at a hotel restaurant, before spending approximately 2 hours exploring just a small section of this huge man-made structure.

From the Yellow Sea, through 5 provinces and 2 autonomous regions, the Wall marches tirelessly over 4,473 miles in its quest to reach the vast and lonely Gobi Desert. The earliest stages of the Wall date back to the 5th century BC, but the man behind its ‘completion’ was China’s first emperor, Qin Shihuang, in his attempts to ward off the nomads from the north by linking existing fortifications into a united defence system.

The Great Wall is the largest man-made monument ever to have been built and is said to be the only one visible from space.

After a 3 hour-long drive inland, you’ll reach Beijing, the gateway to the Forbidden City.

Enjoy a Chinese lunch at a local restaurant before exploring some of the best known structures in the magnificent collection of palaces and temples in the Forbidden City. The city was originally built as a royal dwelling for the Ming and Qing Dynasties and covers an area of 250 acres. Here, the emperors, and later China’s religious elite, dwelt in seclusion, the lives of all therein ordered by a complex set of rules. A visit to this magnificent collection of palaces and temples is sure to be a highlight of your cruise.

Stop to see Tiananmen Square. At the very heart of Beijing, this is the largest square in the world, sprawling 34 acres. Standing on the Square, you’ll see the Great Hall of the People, Mao Zedong Memorial Hall and the National Museum.

Your first photo stop in Beijing is at the National Stadium, a unique landmark which served as the main track and field stadium for the 2008 Summer Olympics, and hosted the opening and closing ceremonies. Also known as the ‘Bird Nest’, the Stadium seated as many as 100,000 spectators during the Olympics with a gross floor area of 825,000 square feet.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll visit the Summer Palace. Occupying 290 hectares of land and water, it is one of China's largest and best-preserved imperial gardens. Consisting of Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, dotted with halls and pavilions, it served as both the living quarters for the royal families and was also the place for them to conduct state affairs. The Summer Palace is a shining example of a Chinese royal garden. Points of interest include the 2,400 foot-long Corridor and the Marble Boat moored by shore of the Lake.

Your journey takes you west, inland to Beijing, the capital of China. Your first stop is at the Temple of Heaven, the largest group of temple buildings in China and the largest heaven-worshipping architecture in the world. Built in 1420 during the Ming and Qing Dynasty, it was the place where the emperors worshipped the God of Heaven and prayed for a good harvest.

After a delicious Chinese-style lunch at a local restaurant, your exploration continues, as you visit the Forbidden City. Delve into a wealth of culture and classic Chinese architecture with the magnificent collection of palaces, temples and gardens. The city was originally built as a dwelling for the Ming and Qing Dynasties and covers an area of 250 acres. Here, the emperors and families dwelt in seclusion, the lives of all therein ordered by a complex set of rules and taboos.

Before returning to your ship there’ll be a photo stop at Tiananmen Square, the largest square in the world sprawling 34 acres. Standing on the square you’ll be amazed by the grandeur of the surrounding buildings, the Great Hall of the People, Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall and the National Museum.

Sit back, relax and watch the changing landscape as you drive west to Juyongguan. The Juyongguan section of the Great Wall is located in an 11 mile-long valley named ‘Guangou’, 31 miles outside of Beijing City and is one of the 3 greatest passes of the Great Wall of China. Enjoy 40 minutes free time to stroll along the Great Wall or simply enjoy some panoramic views.

An authentic Chinese-style lunch will be served at a local restaurant in the small town near the Great Wall, before heading to the National Stadium in the Olympic Green for a photo stop. The ‘Bird Nest’ as it is more commonly known, hosted the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2008 Summer Olympics. You’ll also have an opportunity to see the National Swimming Centre, the ‘Water Cube’, were all the swimming and diving events took place.

No visit to Beijing would be complete without passing through Tiananmen Square, the very heart of Beijing. This is the largest square in the world, sprawling 34 acres, have your camera ready as you pass by the Great Hall of the People, Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall and the National Museum.

Your first stop is at the Great Wall at the Juyongguan section. The most recent study in 2009 has recorded that the Great Wall in its entirety, with all of its branches, stretches for 5,500.3 miles. Enjoy some free time to explore just a small portion of one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

After a delicious Chinese-style lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll drive to the Forbidden City. The city was originally built in 1406 as a dwelling for the Ming and Qing Dynasties and covers an area of 250 acres with 980 buildings. Here, you’ll explore some of the best known structures amongst a magnificent collection of palaces, temples and gardens.

En route to Beijing South Train Station you’ll pass by Tiananmen Square. This sprawling 34 acres is the largest square in the world, which is bordered by a series of grand historical buildings, the Great Hall of the People, Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall and the National Museum. Then it’s all aboard the bullet train for a 240 miles per hour ride to Tianjin Station, for your return journey to the ship.