This afternoon, board Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer at Maoping Pier and prepare for your cruise upstream through this stunning section of the Yangtze River, famous for its impressive scenery and historic and cultural importance to China.

Settle into your room before joining your fellow guests in the Explorer Bar for a welcome drink. Tonight, there is an optional embarkation dinner* and a welcome safety briefing. Later in the evening, the 7 Wonders of China documentary will be shown in the Tang Theatre.

Start your morning with a traditional Chinese exercise, learning from a certified Tai Chi master. After breakfast, view the Xiling Gorge or choose the 'Tribe of Three Gorges' tour - a 2.5 hour walk through stunning landscapes where you can experience an ancient wedding ceremony (tour at an additional cost and subject to availability).

After lunch, visit the Three Gorges Project Dam Site and Exhibition Center. The project was started in 1992 and spans 1.2 miles in width and 600 feet in height. It is the largest and most expensive engineering project in the world. Enjoy afternoon tea and a selection of activities on board, including a Chinese Medicine demonstration. Tonight there is a Captain's reception followed by an a la carte dinner. After, take part in karaoke or retire to your cabin for a cultural movie.

Start your morning with a traditional Chinese exercise and work up an appetite for the international buffet breakfast. This morning cruise the Shennong Stream and disembark at Badong where you transfer to a local longboat (sampan) poled by Tujia boatmen before an international lunch buffet on board.

This afternoon view Wu Gorge followed by a Chinese calligraphy demonstration. Alternatively, enjoy an optional tour to the White Emperor City (additional cost and subject to availability) before afternoon tea. In the evening, a la carte dinner is followed by a crew variety show.

Start the day with a delicious tea or coffee and a session of Tai Chi before breakfast.

For guests sailing mid-March to May and mid-September to November, this morning you can choose to experience one of the following two activities: The 816 Underground Project or the White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum. The 816 Underground Project is the world’s largest artificial military cave, an intriguing secret, hidden in the mountains of Fuling. Over 50 years ago, more than 60,000 construction workers, came to Jianzishan, an uninhabited place among mountains and forests, to start work on a top-secret construction project of a monumental scale. The work continued for 17 years and was nearly completed when the government decided to suspend it, before any nuclear material could be produced. Now as the secrets of military caves are revealed, you will be able to look at the true face of the 816 project which was hidden for 50 years.

The White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum will take you some 148 feet underwater to admire the river bed and the intricate ancient rock carvings left there many years ago. Learn about the Yangtze River, its flora and fauna, while enjoying this fascinating museum. After visiting The White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum, move on to the local market where you will gain insight into the region’s rich culinary culture. This is a daily market where farmers meet to buy and sell a variety of goods, ranging from fruit and vegetables to fish and meat, and of course a whole array of pickles - which Fuling is famous for.

A lunch buffet is served followed by onboard activities such as a dumpling cooking class. You will also be introduced to the ancient Chinese board game - Mahjong.

For guests sailing between mid-May and mid-September, enjoy on board activities this morning. After lunch, choose to experience either the 816 Underground Project or the White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum and a visit to a local market.

Tonight, enjoy a sumptuous farewell dinner, ‘A Taste of China’, before a live band performance in the Explorer Bar.

Enjoy an international buffet breakfast before disembarking in Chongqing.