Imperial China (Accessible) with 3 Nights Yangtze Cruise
Imperial cities, giant pandas and three nights drifting through the Three Gorges — every step of it arranged step-free
From
£2,550pp
About this tour
The Three Gorges of the Yangtze are one of the great river landscapes on earth — and, happily, one of the few Chinese wonders best seen sitting down. This 18-night private journey pairs three full nights aboard a lift-served Victoria Cruise Line ship with an accessible route through Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guilin, Yangshuo and Shanghai, so that limited mobility never once means a lesser China. On land, every landmark has been rethought: the Great Wall at Badaling by its accessible ramp section and cable car, the Forbidden City along its flat central axis, the Terracotta Warriors by golf cart shuttle to flat viewing platforms, the Chengdu pandas by electric cart on paved paths. On the river, your elevator-accessible cabin comes with a private balcony, the observation lounge and top sun deck are both reached by lift, and the Qutang and Wu gorges slide past while you sit with a cup of tea. The Three Gorges Dam is toured by accessible bus with minimal walking; the Li River cruise to Yangshuo boards without a single stair. We are honest about the edges: pontoon gangways rise and fall with the river, a few older pavements are uneven, and the hotels are practical, well-located three- to five-star properties chosen for level entries and reliable lifts rather than glamour. Wei Zhang, our Beijing-based specialist, designed this route for guests who assumed the Yangtze was behind them. It is not — it is ahead of you, and it asks almost nothing of your knees.
“Designed by Wei Zhang, our China specialist with 14 years of private guiding based in Beijing.”
Why this works for travellers over 50
- Three restful nights on a Victoria cruise ship with lifts to every deck and a private balcony cabin
- The Qutang and Wu gorges watched from an indoor observation lounge or the lift-served sun deck — no exertion required
- Every land sight arranged step-free: ramp and cable car at the Great Wall, golf carts at the warriors and pandas
- The Three Gorges Dam toured by accessible bus with minimal walking
- No day walks more than 3.5km, and a private accessible vehicle meets you at every dock, station and airport
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Price per person — based on two travelling together.
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Your journey
Day-by-day itinerary
1Welcome to the Imperial Capital
Beijing
Very lightNovotel Beijing Peace
Welcome to the Imperial Capital
Beijing
You arrive in Beijing and check in to the Novotel Beijing Peace, your comfortable four-star base for the next three nights. With its level-entry lobby and accessible rooms, the hotel is a relaxing place to settle in and find your feet after the journey.
2The Great Wall at Badaling
Beijing / Badaling
GentleNovotel Beijing Peace
The Great Wall at Badaling
Beijing / Badaling
Today you visit China's most iconic landmark. The Great Wall at Badaling is explored via its accessible ramp section and cable car with lift access, offering sweeping views along the ramparts without strenuous climbing. You return to Beijing in the early afternoon with time to rest.
3The Forbidden City & a Day to Savour Beijing
Beijing
Gentle morning, free afternoonNovotel Beijing Peace
The Forbidden City & a Day to Savour Beijing
Beijing
This morning you walk the flat central axis of the magnificent Forbidden City, the ancient heart of imperial China — great courtyards, vermillion walls and golden roofs unfolding one after another on level ground. The rest of the day is yours to take in the capital at your own pace.
4High Speed to the Ancient Capital
Beijing → Xi'an
Travel dayXi'an Eastern House Boutique Hotel
High Speed to the Ancient Capital
Beijing → Xi'an
This morning you board an upgraded first-class carriage on a high-speed G-class train and travel to Xi'an, arriving at your four-star Xi'an Eastern House Boutique Hotel, which features a step-free layout and spacious lifts. Xi'an, home of the famous Terracotta Army, awaits you.
5Face to Face with the Terracotta Warriors
Xi'an
GentleXi'an Eastern House Boutique Hotel
Face to Face with the Terracotta Warriors
Xi'an
Today you visit the extraordinary Terracotta Warriors, one of the world's great archaeological discoveries. Flat viewing platforms and golf cart shuttles from the main gates make this a comfortable and memorable experience. You return this evening to your boutique hotel in the heart of the city.
6First Class to the Land of the Giant Panda
Xi'an → Chengdu
Travel dayDorsett Chengdu
First Class to the Land of the Giant Panda
Xi'an → Chengdu
A first-class seat on a high-speed D-class train carries you south-west to Chengdu, the laid-back capital of Sichuan province. Check in to the four-star Dorsett Chengdu, where direct lift access connects you to street level, and enjoy your first evening in this vibrant city.
7Giant Pandas at the Chengdu Base
Chengdu
Gentle morning by golf cart, free afternoonDorsett Chengdu
Giant Pandas at the Chengdu Base
Chengdu
This morning you visit the world-renowned Chengdu Panda Base, where paved paths and accessible electric golf carts allow you to watch these gentle giants at ease. The afternoon is yours to enjoy back in Chengdu before an overnight rest ahead of tomorrow's onward journey.
8On to the Gateway of the Gorges
Chengdu → Chongqing
Travel day with a gentle evening strollGlenview ITC Plaza Chongqing
On to the Gateway of the Gorges
Chengdu → Chongqing
A high-speed G-class first-class train brings you to Chongqing, one of China's most dramatic hillside cities, where you check in to the five-star Glenview ITC Plaza. This evening, explore the flat Jiefangbei Square shopping promenade before preparing for tomorrow's embarkation on the Yangtze River.
9All Aboard the Victoria Cruise
Chongqing → Yangtze River
Very lightVictoria Cruise Line Fleet
All Aboard the Victoria Cruise
Chongqing → Yangtze River
A private accessible van with a helper porter transfers you from the hotel to the pier, where luggage assistance ensures a smooth boarding. Once settled into your lift-accessible cabin, the evening is yours to enjoy Chongqing's glittering skyline from your private balcony or the accessible top deck.
10River Life & Cultural Lectures
Yangtze River cruise
Entirely restfulVictoria Cruise Line Fleet
River Life & Cultural Lectures
Yangtze River cruise
A restful day afloat as the Yangtze unfolds around you. Onboard cultural lectures on jade and traditional painting fill the day comfortably, and if you wish, flat-deck boarding paths allow an optional step-ashore at Mount Shuanggui.
11Through the Magnificent Gorges
Yangtze River cruise
RestfulVictoria Cruise Line Fleet
Through the Magnificent Gorges
Yangtze River cruise
Today the cruise reaches its most spectacular stretch, sailing through the towering heights of Qutang and Wu Gorge. Watch from the comfort of the ship's indoor observation lounge or take the lift to the open top sun deck for fresh-air views of these dramatic limestone cliffs.
12The Three Gorges Dam & a Riverside Welcome
Yangtze River → Yichang
GentleCrowne Plaza Yichang
The Three Gorges Dam & a Riverside Welcome
Yangtze River → Yichang
This morning the cruise pauses for a tour of the monumental Three Gorges Dam, explored via accessible buses with minimal walking required. The ship then continues to Yichang, where a private accessible vehicle meets you dockside on disembarkation and takes you to the four-star Crowne Plaza Yichang.
13Flying South to the Karst Landscapes
Yichang → Guilin
Travel dayBravo Hotel Guilin
Flying South to the Karst Landscapes
Yichang → Guilin
A private accessible van transfers you to Yichang Airport for a direct flight to Guilin, sparing you a long overland journey. On arrival you check in to the four-star Bravo Hotel Guilin, its step-free main building looking out over the lake, and enjoy a first taste of Guilin's legendary scenery with a gentle visit to Elephant Trunk Hill's flat paved park if you arrive in good time.
14Down the Li River to Yangshuo
Guilin → Yangshuo
A seated, scenic day on the waterAroma Lily Hotel Yangshuo
Down the Li River to Yangshuo
Guilin → Yangshuo
You board a premium four-star Li River cruise boat, stepping on via step-free boarding, and drift through one of China's most celebrated landscapes — sheer karst peaks rising above calm green water. Your luggage travels ahead by private road transfer, and you arrive in Yangshuo to check in to the Aroma Lily Hotel, where ground-floor rooms and paved garden paths are offered as standard.
15Valley Views & an Evening of Light and Sound
Yangshuo
GentleAroma Lily Hotel Yangshuo
Valley Views & an Evening of Light and Sound
Yangshuo
Today a private accessible vehicle takes you on a scenic driving tour of the Yulong River Valley, letting you soak up the countryside without the need for bamboo rafts. This evening you attend the Impression Sanjie Liu open-air light show, seated in a dedicated VIP flat-access area overlooking the river.
16Flying to the City on the Sea
Yangshuo → Shanghai
Travel dayCentral Hotel Shanghai
Flying to the City on the Sea
Yangshuo → Shanghai
A private accessible van returns you to Guilin Airport, where you board a direct domestic flight to Shanghai. On arrival you check in to the four-star Central Hotel Shanghai, with wide corridors, modern lifts and accessible features throughout, ready for your final days in China's most cosmopolitan city.
17The Bund & the Bazaar
Shanghai
GentleCentral Hotel Shanghai
The Bund & the Bazaar
Shanghai
Today you explore two of Shanghai's most celebrated spots. The Bund's flat pedestrian promenade, with ramp access throughout, offers sweeping views across the Huangpu River, while the paved outer shopping zones of Yu Garden Bazaar make for a colourful and comfortable afternoon wander.
18A Final Day in Shanghai
Shanghai
Entirely at your own paceCentral Hotel Shanghai
A Final Day in Shanghai
Shanghai
Your last full day in Shanghai is yours to enjoy at a relaxed pace. The Central Hotel Shanghai's central location and accessible facilities make it an ideal base before your journey home tomorrow.
19Farewell to China
Shanghai
Departure day
Farewell to China
Shanghai
Your remarkable journey through China comes to a close today as you check out of the Central Hotel Shanghai and transfer by private accessible vehicle to the airport. You leave with memories of imperial palaces, river gorges, panda reserves and ancient armies — a China seen comfortably and at your own pace.
Like what you see?
Our specialists can tailor every day to your preferences.
Fitness & mobility
Pacing & accessibility
Genuinely gentle — no day exceeds 3.5km of walking, three full days are spent restfully aboard a lift-served cruise ship, and every major sight is reached by ramp, cable car, golf cart or boat.
Accommodation
Your hotels
Novotel Beijing Peace
★★★★Wangfujing, Beijing · 3 nights
A dependable four-star base just off Wangfujing, chosen for its level-entry lobby, accessible rooms and lifts to every floor. The Forbidden City is a short, flat drive away.
- Level-entry lobby and accessible rooms
- Central Wangfujing location
- Short flat transfer to the main sights
Xi'an Eastern House Boutique Hotel
★★★★Within the city walls, Xi'an · 2 nights
A spacious boutique hotel in the heart of the old walled city, with a step-free layout and generous lifts. Quiet, comfortable and well placed for the historic centre.
- Step-free layout with spacious lifts
- Inside the ancient city walls
- Boutique comfort in the old town
Dorsett Chengdu
★★★★Central Chengdu · 2 nights
A modern four-star tower with direct lift access to street level — no steps between your room and the pavement. Well positioned for the Panda Base.
- Direct lift access to street level
- Modern accessible bathrooms
- Convenient for the Panda Base
Glenview ITC Plaza Chongqing
★★★★★Central Chongqing · 1 night
A central five-star tower with modern accessible features, a short private transfer from both the flat Jiefangbei promenade and the cruise embarkation pier.
- Five-star comfort with accessible features
- Close to Jiefangbei Square
- Easy transfer to the cruise pier
Victoria Cruise Line Fleet
★★★★★Yangtze River, Chongqing → Yichang · 3 nights
Your floating hotel through the Three Gorges: a five-star Victoria Cruise Line ship with lifts to all passenger decks, a lift-accessible balcony cabin, an indoor observation lounge and full-board dining.
- Lifts to all passenger decks
- Private balcony cabin
- Indoor observation lounge for gorge viewing
Crowne Plaza Yichang
★★★★Riverside, Yichang · 1 night
A comfortable international four-star hotel by the river in Yichang — a practical, fully lift-served overnight stop between the cruise and your flight south to Guilin.
- International-standard accessible rooms
- Riverside location
- Minutes from the disembarkation dock
Bravo Hotel Guilin
★★★★Lakeside, Guilin · 1 night
A four-star hotel with a step-free main building looking out over Guilin's lake, with karst peaks on the skyline and flat lakeside paths outside the door.
- Step-free main building
- Lake-facing location
- Flat lakeside walking on the doorstep
Aroma Lily Hotel Yangshuo
★★★Yangshuo town · 2 nights
A friendly three-star hotel in Yangshuo town where ground-floor rooms and paved garden paths are offered as standard — simple, clean and perfectly placed for the light show.
- Ground-floor rooms as standard
- Paved, level garden paths
- Close to the Impression Sanjie Liu show
Central Hotel Shanghai
★★★★People's Square, Shanghai · 3 nights
A well-named four-star hotel by People's Square with wide corridors, modern lifts and accessible features throughout. The Bund is a short, flat ride away.
- Wide corridors and modern lifts
- Fully accessible facilities
- Central People's Square location
Enhance your trip
Business-class flight upgrade
+£from £1,650 per person
Fly London–Beijing and Shanghai–London in business class — lie-flat seats and priority assistance through both airports.
Executive-deck cabin upgrade on the Yangtze cruise
+£from £245 per person
Move to a larger cabin on a higher deck of your Victoria ship, with a wider balcony and priority dining seating — still lift-served throughout.
Extra nights in Shanghai
+£from £110 per person per night
Extend your stay at the Central Hotel Shanghai to explore the city at leisure, with your private accessible transfer moved to suit.
Pricing
Holiday pricing
All prices are per person, based on two people sharing. We arrange departures throughout the year to suit your preferred dates.
Starting from
£2,550
per person · 2 sharing
Travelling solo?
Single supplement: +£745 pp
Full details
What’s included & not included
Included in your price
- Return international flights from London
- 18 nights' hand-picked accessible accommodation, including 3 nights aboard a Victoria Cruise Line ship
- Private accessible vehicle transfers throughout, with driver and porter assistance
- Daily breakfast, plus full board aboard the Yangtze cruise
- First-class rail journeys: Beijing → Xi'an · Xi'an → Chengdu · Chengdu → Chongqing, with station assistance
- Internal flights: Yichang → Guilin · Guilin → Shanghai
- 3-night Yangtze cruise Chongqing → Yichang in a lift-accessible balcony cabin, with onboard cultural lectures
- Three Gorges Dam tour via accessible buses with minimal walking
- Great Wall at Badaling (accessible ramp section & cable car with lift)
- Forbidden City (flat central axis)
- Terracotta Warriors (flat viewing platforms accessed via golf cart shuttles from the main gates)
- Chengdu Panda Base (paved paths with accessible electric golf carts)
- Jiefangbei Square (flat shopping promenade)
- Li River cruise Guilin → Yangshuo with step-free boarding onto a premium 4-star boat
- Elephant Trunk Hill (flat paved park paths with scenic viewing platforms)
- Yulong River Valley scenic driving tour by private accessible vehicle
- Impression Sanjie Liu light show with VIP flat-access seating
- The Bund (flat, ramp-served promenade) & Yu Garden Bazaar (paved flat outer zones)
- Full ATOL 10205 financial protection
Not included
- Travel insurance (required)
- China visa fees
- Lunches and dinners not stated in the itinerary (full board applies aboard the cruise only)
- Gratuities for guides, drivers and cruise crew
- Personal expenses
Your specialist
Who will plan your holiday
Wei Zhang
Wei was born in Beijing and grew up exploring the hutong lanes of the old city with his grandfather, who spent weekends taking him through the Palace Museum. He studied Chinese history at Capital Normal University, then spent six years as a guide at the Palace Museum, where daily contact with imperial art and artefacts gave him a depth of knowledge few private guides can match. He moved into private touring in 2010 and has worked with Holidays to Asia exclusively since 2015. His English is warm and precise, his patience with questions unlimited, and his ability to make thousands of years of Chinese history feel genuinely personal — rather than overwhelming — is the quality guests mention most in their reviews.
Tailor-made
Like this tour but want it adapted?
Extra nights, alternative hotels, private transfers — our specialists will build your perfect itinerary from scratch.
Before you go
Practical information
Visa requirements
Tourist visa (L visa) required for British citizens. Apply through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC). Fee approx £155. 4 business days standard processing. Full guidance provided with booking confirmation.
Currency
Chinese Yuan Renminbi (RMB/CNY). £1 ≈ 9 RMB. Credit cards accepted at all hotels and aboard the ship. Mobile payments (WeChat Pay) essential for independent spending — your guide helps set this up. Bring some RMB cash.
Tipping
Tipping is not traditional in Chinese culture but is appreciated in the tourism industry. Guide: £20–25/day is appropriate. Cruise crew: a pooled gratuity of around £8–10 per person per day is customary. Hotel staff: 20–30 RMB per service. Drivers: 50–100 RMB per day.
Electricity
220V, 50Hz. Type A (flat two-pin) and Type I (Australian-style) sockets — the same aboard the ship. A universal travel adaptor covers all needs.
Health & vaccinations
No compulsory vaccinations. Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus recommended. Air quality in Beijing can be poor in winter — those with respiratory conditions should check AQI before travel. Tap water not safe to drink throughout China — bottled water provided at all hotels and aboard the ship. If you use mobility equipment, bring spares of any small parts — replacements are hard to source locally.
Flights
Fly London to Beijing (PEK or PKX) with Air China, British Airways or Virgin Atlantic — direct in around 10.5 hours. Return from Shanghai (PVG) on an open-jaw ticket, included. Airport assistance is arranged at every airport on the route.
Local transport
Private accessible vehicle throughout, with porter assistance at the cruise piers. Three first-class high-speed rail journeys (Beijing–Xi'an, Xi'an–Chengdu, Chengdu–Chongqing) with station assistance. Two internal flights (Yichang–Guilin, Guilin–Shanghai). All transfers included.
Travel with like-minded people
Join a Small Group Departure
Prefer to travel with a small group of fellow over-50s rather than as a couple or solo? Our fixed-departure group tours put you alongside eight to twelve like-minded travellers with a dedicated tour manager for the entire journey.
- Maximum 12 travellers — intimate by design
- Dedicated tour manager throughout
- Social dinners and shared discoveries
- Single supplement waived on selected departures
- Like-minded over-50s travellers
- No single friends needed — just arrive and enjoy
Register Your Interest
Tell us your preferred dates and travel companions — we’ll match you with the right departure and send full details.
Our team will respond within 1 working day.
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the cruise cabin like, and is it really accessible?
You stay in a lift-accessible cabin with a private balcony aboard a five-star Victoria Cruise Line ship. Lifts serve all passenger decks, so the restaurant, indoor observation lounge and top sun deck are all reachable without stairs. Cabin bathrooms are compact — as on all river ships — so if you need a roll-in shower or grab rails, tell us at enquiry and we will confirm exactly what your departure's vessel offers before you commit.
How accessible is this tour, honestly?
Very — by China's standards — but not flawlessly. Every headline sight is step-free or lift-served, from the Badaling cable car to the golf carts at the Terracotta Warriors and the accessible buses at the Three Gorges Dam. The honest exceptions are the river gangways: floating pontoon ramps at Chongqing, Yichang and on the Li River change gradient with the water level and can be steep, with crew assistance always on hand. Older pavements in Xi'an and Yangshuo can be uneven. Tell us about your specific needs before booking and we will be candid about how each day will work for you.
Do I need a visa for China?
Yes — British citizens require a tourist visa (L visa), obtained from the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre before travel. It costs approximately £155 and processing takes around 4 business days. The application centres have step-free access, and we provide full visa guidance with your booking confirmation.
When is the best time to cruise the Yangtze?
April–May and September–October are the sweet spots: mild on deck, good visibility in the gorges, and comfortable temperatures at both ends of the route — Beijing in the north and sub-tropical Guilin in the south. Summer is hot and hazy; winter sailings are quiet but chilly on deck. Our departures favour the two golden seasons and always avoid the Golden Week national holiday.
I travel alone with a walking stick — is this tour suitable?
Yes. This is a private tour, so the pace is entirely yours, and the three cruise days mid-tour are a genuine rest. Your guide, driver and the ship's crew assist with luggage, gangways and stations throughout. Solo travellers pay a single supplement of £745, which secures the same accessible rooms and a sole-occupancy balcony cabin aboard the ship.
What are the meals like on board?
Full board is included for the three cruise nights — breakfast, lunch and dinner served in the ship's lift-accessible restaurant, a mix of Chinese and Western dishes with table service. On land, daily breakfast is included and your guide books lunches and dinners to suit your tastes and budget as you go.
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