China, with its fascinating history and culture, appeals to many travelers, but its confusing language and seemingly exotic food make it a destination that often gets pushed down the must-visit list.  If you’d like to experience what China has to offer, but aren’t interested in tackling the country on your own, a China river cruise lets you get up close and personal with the sights and sounds of the country while maintaining a comfortable home base of operation.

Viking Cruise Line offers a 12-day itinerary, Imperial Jewels of China, that gives you the highlights of the country while traveling from Beijing to Shanghai (a reverse itinerary is also available).  It features hotel accommodations in Beijing and Shanghai, bookending a spectacular Yangtze River cruise.

Tiananmen Square, Beijing

Here’s what you can expect:

Beijing (3 1/2 days) – Beijing is the former Imperial Capital of China, with history dating back over 3,000 years.  During your three days here you will have the opportunity to visit Tiananmen Square, and to tour Beijing’s Forbidden City.  The Forbidden City is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is the world’s largest surviving palace complex, with nearly 800 buildings surrounded by 26-foot high walls.  You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the Summer Palace, take in a traditional Peking Duck dinner (a big favorite of mine), and visit the Peking Opera.

One day, you’ll travel to the Badaling Hills to view one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall of China.  The 4,000 mile long Great Wall dates back as far as the 5th century B.C., and is another UNESCO World Heritage site.  You can also choose to visit the Sacred Way, a tree-line avenue of art, with huge animal sculptures lining the way to the Ming Dynasty tombs.  And finally, you can opt for a rickshaw tour of the narrow alleys of Old Beijing getting a feel for the traditional Chinese business and life.

Xian (1 day) – After a short flight, you’ll visit Xian, the key city of the Tang Dynasty, and one that remains full of Chinese culture today.  You’ll visit the mausoleum where Emperor Qin Shi Huang is buried – along with more than 8,000 life sized terra cotta warriors, archers, and infantrymen.  This terra cotta army, designed to protect the Emperor in the afterlife, is a relatively recent discovery.

Little Three Gorges on the Yangtze River

Chongqing (1/2 day) – Another quick flight, this time to Chongqing, the gateway to the Yangtze River.

Shibaozhai (1 day) – Visit the Shibaozhai Temple, a 12-story complex dating back to 1650.

Three Gorges & Lesser Three Gorges (2 1/2 days) – Cruising the most scenic section of the Yangtze you’ll see a series of limestone ridges known as the Three Gorges.  The Qutang Gorge, the narrowest and most spectacular of three, is so close that you can practically touch it.

You’ll get off the ship and transfer to a smaller boat for a trip through the Lesser Three Gorges, a series of canyons surrounded by majestic cliffs, including a sailing through Wu Gorge, known for its impressive scenery.  You’ll want to make sure that you have your camera at the ready!

After sailing through all five stages of the locks, you’ll get a tour of the Three Gorges Dam.  And finally complete the trip through this area cruising through Xiling Gorge, the longest of the three gorges.

Jingzhou (1/2 day) – An opportunity to visit a local elementary school.  The school is sponsored by Viking River Cruises.

Shibaozhai Temple along the Yangtze

Wuhan (1/2 day) – A chance to visit the Hubel Provincial Museum, and to enjoy the music from the ancient bronze bells.

Shanghai (2 1/2 days) – A quick flight to Shanghai, the largest city in China, and a quirky juxtaposition of modern and ancient.  While here, you can tour Old Shanghai, traveling along the Bund, an elegant road full of historic buildings and offering spectacular city views.  You brought your camera, right?!

You’ll tour the Shanghai Museum with its displays of ceramics, bronzes, and paintings, and have terrific seats for a show from the world-famous Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.  If you’ve seen this troupe before you already know how impressive they are, and if you’re new to this type of acrobatics, you’ll be hooked from the very beginning.  I’m constantly amazed by what they can do.

You’ll also want to leave a little time for shopping and picking up souvenirs for family and friends back home.

Viking River Cruises offers competitive pricing that is truly all-inclusive, covering meals, shore excursions, lectures and cultural performance, hotel accommodations that are part of a cruise/tour (like this Imperial Jewel of China itinerary), along with other amenities.   Enjoying a China River Cruise could well be a trip of a lifetime!

Cruising is the fastest growing segment of the travel industry, and river cruising offers a comfortably paced way to see many of the major cities of the world that developed because of their proximity to a waterway.  The flat-bottomed ships accommodate 150-300 guests, and can often dock right in the middle of town.  Follow along on a guided walk, choose an in depth tour, or opt for exploring on your own – river cruising offers a convenient and personalized experience.

Photo credits:  Tiananmen Square (Paul Mannix @flickr); Little Three Gorges (cgreb@ flickr); Shibaozhai Temple (wikimedia)

Post from: Blisstree

River Cruising: Imperial Jewels of China