China
Classic Icons of China and Yangtze River Cruise
Program No. 15122RJ
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Classic Icons of China and Yangtze River Cruise
Classic Icons of China and Yangtze River Cruise
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Participant Reviews
Based on 18 Reviews
SHOWING
This was an amazing trip. very intensive, covered a lot! Really got a good balance of old and new. Our guide, Mr liu, was very informative and personable, took Good care of us. I am glad we went to some non touristy restaurants and markets, experience the real china . Highly recommended!
— Review left November 6, 2025
It was the trip of a lifetime. Mr Liu Hao our group leader was wonderful going far beyond his duties as a guide.Our every wish was his command.He showed us many facets of China from farming in very poor areas to the glittering riches of Shanghai.I especially loved our stay in Guilin and Yangzhou and could have easily spent another day in that region.The Terra Cotta warriors were magnificent and I climbed The Great Wall of China hanging onto my cane for dear life! I enjoyed the antics of the Panda Bears in the pouring rain and loved our many lectures on China.Cruising down the Yangtze was fabulous along with all the great shows we attended.I did not like visiting the largest dam site in China too crowded and just a heap of concrete.The Art Museum in Shanghai was rather bare as many of its exhibitions were elsewhere.Besides those two minor details I had a wonderful time getting to know China and it’s people and would highly recommend this trip.
— Review left November 3, 2025
This trip was a wonderful worthwhile adventure to a land that is ancient and modern in equal measures. China is fascinating and holds many secrets that history and the world can benefit from. Opening doors to visiting China should be on anyones plan list.
— Review left October 31, 2025
Very comprehensive program of China. Good Immersion into the Culture and History that was enshrouded in mystery to the West. See it through your own eyes not through biased interpretation of others with hidden motives.
— Review left October 1, 2025
Excellent itinerary. This trip packs in so much-- a good sense of Beijing, the terracotta warriors, the beauty of the mountains in Guilin, the cruise on the three gorges and dam, and Shanghai. It was an efficient use of time to see so many fascinating aspects of China. The Chinese locals we met were welcoming. Our Group Leader was excellent The trip changed my worldview about this massive country which has changed by leaps and bounds over the past few decades.
— Review left September 28, 2025
A well-organized program which included the must-see cultural sights of China. We had a very knowledgeable and pleasant guide who worked hard to make sure everything worked well. Overall, a great experience.
— Review left September 27, 2025
This trip to China is supurb! The historical and the modern and the in between are all going on at the same time. Such a wonderful country. Our guide "Mei Mei" was so knowledgeable and passionate , and helped us to really get a sense of life in China. From the Great Wall to the food and the beautiful countryside this trip has it all. I would recommend this journey to everyone.
— Review left June 27, 2025
So amazing..... This trip was a lifelong dream of mine. This program went above and beyond what I could have ever imagined, and was truly the trip of a life time. I was able to learn about all things China (the history, the culture, the food, the people etc.), and I was able to connect with the local people in ways I could have never imagined. This was the trip of a lifetime for me, and I would recommend it to anyone! Don't wait, life is too short. This is my third solo trip with Road Scholar, and I never felt like I was left out or alone.
5 Star Rating
— Review left May 27, 2025
My wife and I just returned from "Classic Icons of China and Yangtze River Cruise". The trip was made all the more wonderful by our tour leader "MeiMei" who worked tirelessly to ensure everyone's comfort and safety throughout. We also learned a lot about daily life in China from Meimei which made the tour all the more special. The other tour participants were also a joy to travel with and we enjoyed getting to know every one of them.
— Review left April 25, 2025
The Road Scholar program in China was incredible, due to the program leader, itinerary, and fellow participants.
— Review left October 3, 2024
On the whole, the trip was FANTASTIC. Shi Wentao was a WONDERFUL guide!
As a former travel agent..I have a couple of comments....
In the preliminary trip booklet there was a list of free time activities in various cities, but this section wasn't included in the final trip booklet (which I brought with me).
That was frustrating (not that we had much free time) ;)
Most Importantly...The acrobatic show in Shanghai at the RITZ was very silly...WHY waste the only free night in such a fascinating city seeing such a show????
PLEASE include a night time boat ride on the Huangpu River! This is a MUST!!! We visited the Bund in the daytime, but there is no comparison to the night view.
Our group arrived in Shanghai early so Wentao was able to arrange this boat ride for us.THANK GOODNESS!!!!
Also, I wish we could have seen or ridden the Shanghai subway.
Thank you,
Cynthia Vos
— Review left November 17, 2019
Superb itinerary, many opportunities to interact with Chinese people from different walks of life, reading list of current authors provided by Road Scholar was a great preparation. Local instructors enriched the program greatly. Our guide, Mr. Liu, was outstanding at helping us navigate the crowds, sights and sounds of China, and giving us an insight into the country's culture. Personally, arriving a day early helped me fully appreciate Beijing's iconic sights.
— Review left November 5, 2019
The program I participated in, visiting China, was outstanding in every way. We had an exceptional guide, a wonderful group of people and a terrific learning experience. I will definitely travel with Road Scholar again.
— Review left October 28, 2019
This was our first Road Scholar journey and visit to China. The seasoned leadership, faultless management, grace, and humanity of National Guide Liu Hao (and the intern who assisted him, and several local colleagues) made this trip invaluable for perspective on China. Mr. Liu selected and spoke of places, events, and people to make them our own. We found ourselves talking about what we saw and looking at notes and handouts every night before falling asleep. Now, several weeks later, I recall in detail much of what he said and showed us: the lectures and demonstrations, the conversations that he mediated and translated, people that he pointed out on the street, the constant chore of keeping us together and on schedule - missing nothing - and his frequent humor. He was always ready for our questions, probing impressions when we sought to fill out our understanding. The same applied to our appetites - restaurants near our hotels or between locations that we visited, in walking range wherever practical. He spoke often of Chinese families, dynamics, and prerogatives. We came to see his family and community through his eyes.
Anyone considering this program - I recommend it highly - most highly if you can schedule with Liu Hao as guide. The classic icons and spectacular river of the program title are realized. So as well are intensive and attentive food growing, art, performance, architecture. But so also is China and Chinese as they are now, and whatever they will become next - 1.3 billion comprised of 55 tribes sharing a huge expanse of country that sustains them.
We were present at a time when U.S. and PRC were having words, military posturing, and tariff fights with one another. China shows strong economic ambition in various parts of the World. None of this seemed to affect Chinese in their everyday doings and regard for us. In some locales, Americans are well regarded for fighting the invaders of China during the 1940s, and as trading partners now.
— Review left June 4, 2019
The Classic Icons of China and Yangtze River Cruise expanded my knowledge of this fascinating country and was everything I hoped for and far, far, more.
Judy O., Sunriver, OR
— Review left June 2, 2019
The trip "the Classic Icons of China" was one of the highlights of my travel life. Mr. Lui is excellent guide, coach, teacher, and problem solver and the organization of the trip was almost flawless.
— Review left May 30, 2019
This program was an extremely well run program. Make no mistake, you must be active and stable on your feet. Ask for Mr. Liu's program as he is excellent.
— Review left May 29, 2019
Fantastic trip! Everyone should visit China to see what the world's second largest economy and most populist country is all about. Wonderful people and impressive infrastructure.
— Review left May 15, 2019