CHONGQING to YICHANG (DOWNSTREAM SAILING) 4 Days and 3 Nights

Day 1: Chonqing - On Board The M.S. Yangzi Explorer

18:00hrs - 22:00hrs:
Embark M.S. Yangzi Explorer for your cruise to Yichang. The ship will set sail on its downstream course through the Three Gorges region. The total length of this cruise is 660 kilometers (402 miles) and is considered by most Chinese to represent the single most scenic area in all of China.

21:30hrs:
Documentary Film of Three Gorges Dam Project - showing in Tang Theatre

Day 2: Fengdu Wanzhou

07:00hrs:
Tai Chi Exerciser - start of your morning with a traditional Chinese exercise and work up an appetite for the buffet breakfast. Learn from our certified Taichi master and experience the soothing art form in the outdoor Observation Deck area or inside at the Tang Theater.

07:30hrs - 09:00hrs:
International Buffet Breakfast - served at the Dynasty Palace

09:15hrs - 10:15hrs:
Lecture and Discussion

10:15hrs - 11:00hrs:
Tea Appreciation - discover the authentic method to prepare the Tea of China. Understand the benefit from each types of tea, the equipment used in a tea appreciation, the procedure in producing the finest tea and finally tasting the product.

11:00hrs - 12:00hrs:
Arts and Craft Demonstration

12:00hrs:
International Lunch Buffet - served at the Dynasty Palace

13:30hrs:
Fengdu or Wanzhou Shore Excursion - Fengdu, a charming river village noted for its elaborate Daoist temple and bustling markets or Wanzhou, the village that will provide a unique glimpse into one of China's remote communities. Gain insight, mingle with the locals and see how school children receive their early education.

16:30hrs:
Dumpling Making - our chef will personally teach you the many secrets of the kitchen. Giving you the receipt straight from the kitchen; the technique in Chinese dumpling making.

16:30hrs - 17:30hrs:
Complimentary Afternoon tea with Pastry - served at the Explorer Bar

17:30hrs:
Captain's Bridge - optional tour to Bridge (please speak with front desk to arrange).

18:30hrs:
Captain's Welcome Reception - meet with the Captain and other Department head of the ship.

19:00hrs:
A la Carte Welcome Dinner - enjoy our wide selection of items from our specially designed a la carte menu by our International Award Winning Chef.

21:00hrs:
Crew Cabaret - enjoy an evening of our well-prepared entertainment by our crewmember.

Day 3: Qutang Gorge/Wu Gorge/Shennong Stream Excursion/Xiling Gorge/ Three Gorges Dam Project

06:45hrs:
Tai Chi Exerciser - Observation Deck area or inside at the Tang Theater.

07:15hrs:
Qutang Gorge Viewing - early this morning your ship will enter the Qutang Gorge through the majestic Kui Men two imposing cliffs, which resemble a towering door into some otherworldly destination. Just 8 kilometers (6 miles) in length, the Qutang Gorge is the narrowest stretch of the river on your cruise itinerary, only 150 meters (485 feet) at its widest point. The banks are guarded by sheer cliffs soaring 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) in height while the river water gushes forward channeled along by the great force built up at the Kui Men which marks the western extremity of the gorge.

07:30hrs:
International Buffet Breakfast - served at the Dynasty Palace

08:30hrs:
Wu Gorge Viewing - the Wu Gorge, noted for the sheer, looming appearance of the numerous peaks, which mark this portion of the river. The cliff faces rise so sharply that legend relates that the "sun rarely penetrates to the river?. The most famous of the peaks is the Shennu Peak (Goddess Peak) (also called the "Observing the Clouds Peak?), which is believed to represent the figure of the maiden Yao Ji, the 23rd daughter of the Queen Mother of the West. According to Chinese folklore, Yao Ji descended to earth when she was 18 and so loved the region of the Wu Gorge that she built a palace there. She also promised to guard travelers through the treacherous rapids and dangerous rock faces of the gorge by turning into the protective peak while her 12 handmaidens became the 12 sentinel peaks found throughout the gorge.

10:30hrs - 13:30hrs:
Cruising Shennong Stream - disembark from the ship (at Badong) get onboard a ferryboat and then be transfer on to a local longboats (Sampan) poled by Tujia boatmen. The scenery is unrivaled anywhere along the middle course of the River, crystalline waters, rich forest and towering rock formations (the original landscape little altered for thousands of years). The Shennong region is home to several species of endangered flora and fauna including the elusive Golden Hair Monkey and many varieties of medicinal plants.

13:30hrs:
International Lunch Buffet - served at the Dynasty Palace

15:30hrs:
Lecture and Discussion

16:00hrs - 17:00hrs:
Complimentary Afternoon tea with Pastry - served at the Explorer Bar

16:00hrs:
Xiling Gorge Viewing - (the Three Gorges Dam sits in the first part of the Xiling Gorge) is the longest of the Gorges, measuring some 76 kilometers (47 miles) in length. One of the most memorable passages in the Xiling Gorge is through the Yellow Ox Gorge (Huangniu Xia) where the river widens and sweeps under the Huangling Temple that stands amid groves of orange and pomelo trees (a variety of citrus related to the grapefruit).

17:45hrs:
Chinese Brush Painting and Calligraphy - watch and participate as the art instructor shows and explain the method of Chinese painting and writing.

19:30hrs:
Emperor Farewell Dinner - Enjoy a proper Chinese banquet feast and participate by dressing up along with the crew. Attend dinner with any items from the Orients (clothing, jewelries, accessories, etc.). Enjoy and have fun!

21:00hrs:
Movie of the Day

Day 4: Disembark in Yichang

07:00hrs:
International Buffet Breakfast - served at the Dynasty Palace

08:00hrs - 10:00hrs:
Three Gorges Project Dam Site and Exhibition Center - arrive at the Three Gorges Dam Project site and embark on a tour of the area (this tour will serve as a general introduction to the project site, which, currently, is the world's largest engineering project).

The Three Gorges Dam Project was started in 1992 and will be completed and operational by 2009. The dam will be the largest dam on earth, generating 18,200 megawatts of hydroelectricity (almost 50% more than the world's current largest dam, the Itaipu Dam in Brazil and Paraguay). The dam will be 1.2 miles in length and measure 600 feet (185 meters) in height. The dam will have 26 generators that, once in operation, will generate enough clean energy to reduce China?s reliance of highly polluting coal by up to 50 million tons annually.

11:30hrs:
Disembarkation

** Children onboard entertainments are available **
* Schedule is subject to change *