Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer Cruise: Downstream from Chongqing to Yichang

Welcome on board the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer.

This afternoon, board the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer for your cruise downstream to Yichang.

After you've settled into your cabin you can join your fellow guests in the Explorer Bar. The large windows allow you to enjoy the night-time cityscape of Chongqing as we sail deeper into the Three Gorges region of the mighty Yangtze River.

Tonight, we will host an optional embarkation dinner (not included) followed by a welcome safety briefing and talk on the 816 Underground Project, before we depart Chongqing.

Start your morning with an early bird tea or coffee and a traditional Tai Chi lesson, led by our certified Tai Chi Master and work up an appetite for the buffet breakfast.

This morning, choose between a visit to an intriguing, secret project, hidden in the mountains of Fuling - The 816 Underground Project or the White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum and a local market tour.

The 816 Underground Project is the world's largest artificial military cave. Over 50 years ago, more than 60,000 constructers, came to Jianzishan, an uninhabited place among mountains and forest, 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 816 project hidden for 50 years.

Alternatively, you can choose to visit to the White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum and local market tour. The museum will take you some 148 feet under water to admire the river bed and the intricate ancient rock carvings left there many years ago. Learn about the Yangtze river, it's flora and fauna, while enjoying this fascinating museum. Your next stop will be 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.

Return to Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer for a lunch buffet in the Dynasty Dining Room, followed by demonstrations such Chinese foot reflexology and traditional Chinese medicine in the Tang Theatre. This is followed by the Captain's welcome reception, complete with complimentary canape's.

Tonight, you have a chance to attend an epic open air live action show (not included in cost), dramatizing the lives and battles of feudal lords and their armies from the ancient Han dynasty. Based on the famous 14th-century novel 'The Romance of the Three Kingdoms', the story is part historical, part legend, and part mythical. The show includes battles on horseback, light and aquatic special effects, 3D holographic projection and fireworks, with the Yangtze River as the background and a 180-degree all-swivel auditorium.

Tonight, a buffet dinner is served. For those who choose to disembark at Zhongxian County for the Three Kingdom Open Air Show, an early buffet dinner will be available before departure.

Today is all about the striking Three Gorges, Qutang, Wu and Xiling.

Enjoy a tea or coffee and practice your Tai Chi. In the morning there will be an optional excursion to White King Town (extra cost - dependent on number of guests). Late morning the commentary on the Qutang Gorge begins on the Explorer Deck.

A breakfast buffet is served before guests return to Deck 6 as we pass through the Wu Gorge. Through the commentary, discover the myths and facts that make each gorge unique as we pass through them.

Experience a unique ride along the Shennong Stream on a sampan - a traditional longboat rowed by expert Tujia boatmen. As we gently float through this stunning riverine gorge flanked by verdant forest, you'll see evidence of early settlements in the form of hanging coffins stowed high within the limestone cliffs.

Before returning we will visit a traditional trackers village (except end of May-early Sep, due to low water levels), where you will have a chance to get a fascinating glimpse of the traditional, rural Chinese community. You'll find mud huts as homes, basic kitchens where the meat is dried on hooks and coffins in the bedroom. And while there are satellite dishes, villagers still pride their heritage.

This evening we have prepared a special farewell dinner, 'A Taste of China', followed by Three Gorges Project lecture and a live band performance.

Enjoy a tea or coffee alongside an international buffet breakfast.

Guests will have the opportunity to do a Ship Lift Tour (extra cost) before the Three Projects tour.

Alternatively, guests can relax on board before disembarking in Maoping and visiting the Three Gorges Project Dam Site and Exhibition Centre.

Spanning 2,335 metres in length and 181 metres in height, the dam is the largest and most expensive engineering project in the world. While the dam's 32 generators produce enough clean energy to reduce China's reliance on coal, the project has also caused much controversy. During construction, 13 cities, 140 towns, 1,352 villages, over 600 industrial factories and more than 1,200 archaeological projects have been submerged and 1.2 million people resettled.

After visiting the Project, you will be transferred to the Downtown Yichang for your onward journey.