In March 2019, Ecruising invites travellers to discover some of the most spectacular natural and historical wonders of Eastern Asia on its Terracotta Warriors, Giant Pandas and Oriental Treasures journey.
As part of the sensational 23-night itinerary, guests will embark upon an escorted 8-night land tour from Beijing to Shanghai, including stopovers in Xi'an and Chengdu, before boarding Celebrity's Millennium cruise ship in Shanghai where they'll set sail on a 14-night cruise to Tokyo, Japan.
In each destination, guests will experience some of the Orient's most iconic sights and treasures, from face-to-face encounters with giant pandas to a visit to the celebrated Terracotta Warriors, one of the world's greatest archaeological finds.
On arrival in Beijing on 22 March, guests will spend one night in the luxurious Beijing Penta Hotel, before travelling aboard a high-speed train to Xi'an for a 2-night stay. Here, they will be fully immersed in China's culture. Day one includes a stroll through the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of China's holiest Buddhist sites, along with a mandarin lesson and a calligraphy session at the famed Tang Dynasty Museum, while the second day features an escorted tour of the Terracotta Warriors, followed by a visit to the ancient Xi'an City Wall.
On 25 March, guests will make their way to Chengdu via train for a 2-night stay at the Buddha Zen Hotel. Upon arrival, guests will be escorted to Du Fu's Thatched Cottage, now a museum commemorating the famous Tang Dynasty Chinese poet. In the afternoon, travellers can explore Chengdu's Kuanzhai Xiangzi district, an intriguing maze of alleys blending ancient culture with international flair, filled with restaurants and street vendors selling local Sichuan cuisine.
Of course, Chengdu is most famous for being China's panda capital, and day two in the city includes a visit to the renowned Dujiangyan Panda Base. Here travellers can see endangered giant pandas first hand and learn about China's research and conservation efforts to protect its most famous mammals. After lunch at a local Chinese restaurant, guests will continue on to the Dujiangyan Irrigation Project, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On 27 March, guests will fly to Shanghai for a 3-night stay where they will be transferred on arrival to the Shanghai Central Hotel, followed by an afternoon exploring China's most cosmopolitan city at their leisure. The next morning they will pay a visit to the Shanghai Museum, containing over 120,000 pieces and hailed as one of the world's finest collections of ancient Chinese art and antiques, followed by stroll along the famed Bund and Nanjing Road. The afternoon is a chance for guests to immerse themselves in Shanghai's more contemporary history, with an escorted walk through the charming tree-lined streets and Art Deco architecture of the city's former French Concession.
The last morning in Shanghai is chance to explore its Old Town district, with its bustling narrow alleys and noodle houses, including a stopover at the picturesque Yuyuan Garden, while the afternoon includes a visit to Shanghai's M50 Art Community, a thriving artists quarter on the banks of Suzhou Creek.
On 30 March, guests will board Celebrity's Millennium, setting sail across the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea to Tokyo. Along the way they will explore Seoul, Jeju Island and Beijing, before the cruise heads eastwards towards Japan. After one last stop in Kobe and a visit to Mt Fuji, the journey concludes in Tokyo on 13 April, where guests will spend one night before flying home the following day.
Prices for Ecruising's Terracotta Warriors, Giant Pandas and Oriental Treasures itinerary start from A$6,519 per person twin share, departing on 22 March 2019.
Subject to availability. Term and conditions apply.
For more information about the cruise and Ecruising please visit: www.ecruising.travel or phone 1300 369 848.
