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Beijing, Shanghai, and the Yangtze River -- Exploring China by Land and by Sea
China has always seemed to
be a land of mystery. But since our visit this past fall, we now realize
that the country is brimming with exotic locales, amazing history, unsurpassed
beauty, and friendly people.
Our trip through Pacific Delight Tours combined the best of China--with four days on land visiting the spectacular cities of Beijing and Shanghai, plus four days at sea exploring the rural communities of the Yangtze River.
Our trip started in Beijing, with the opportunity to learn about the history of China at Tiananman Square, the Forbidden City, the Ming Tombs, and the Great Wall. The history was complemented by traditional Chinese cuisine, including Peking Duck, dumplings and dim sum. We then flew to Chongqing to board Victoria Cruises’ Victoria Katarina to sail along the shores of southwestern China’s Yangtze River, where the ancient and the modern collide.
Our experience aboard the Victoria Katarina offered up impeccable service with an Asian multi-lingual staff, delicious Chinese delicacies, lectures on the history of the culture of China and the Yangtze River and lessons and demonstrations in Tai chi, Mandarin, and calligraphy.
The ports of call along the
Yangtze included opportunities to ply the Shennong Stream in sampan boats,
visit the Precious Stone Pagoda of Shibaozhai and sail through the magnificent
Three Gorges--with its riveting scenery of narrow cliffs. The cruise highlight
was the visit to the construction site of the Gezhou Dam, the world’s
largest dam once it’s completed in 2008.
Once back on land, we spent an additional two days exploring the culture and excitement of Shanghai--China’s most cosmopolitan city and the hub of the country’s commercial renaissance, including visits to the Jin Mao Building (the 4th tallest building in the world), the Bund, and tastes of this electric city’s dining and nightlife options.