The cruise and the subsequent mainland tour covered most of the China tourist highlights (Yangtse Gorges, Dam, Panda Sanctuary, Terracotta Warriors, Great Wall, Forbidden City). Arrived in Shanghai, but did not really get sufficient time to explore and acquaint ourselves with the city. A trip on the high speed Maglev train would have been appreciated.

Transfer to the ship at Wuhan was well organized. We had booked one of the two luxury suites - excellent in all respects, but perhaps more expensive than it deserved. Food was excellent; wine perfectly drinkable and generous. Entertainment minimal, although several talks were very informative and the quality of the entertainment by the crew was very good. Service could not be faulted either in the restaurant, the cabin or anywhere else on the ship.

The trip to the local school was an eye-opener in terms of the class sizes and facilities, whilst the children and teachers were most welcoming. Trips involving the gorges were interesting, although the visit to the dam was rather less exciting since it was the wrong time of year to witness its operation and power. We were very unlucky with the weather - damp, misty or simply very wet - which perhaps coloured our impressions unfairly. Read more