Time traveling in the “Land of the Dragon” Since ancient times, Westerners have yearned to plumb the many mysteries of the Orient. Follow in the footsteps of famous explorers as you embrace China’s fascinating culture. From Terra-cotta Warriors to Tibetan temples, the Great Wall to giant pandas, and the limestone karsts of Guilin to the Yangtze’s Three Gorges, the scope of this amazing country will exceed all expectations.
The yin and yang of China Travelers are drawn to China out of a deep sense of curiosity, eager to experience one of the oldest civilizations, the 5,000-year-old birthplace of the printing press, papermaking, the abacus and an astounding number of other life-changing inventions. Energized with a newfound optimism and entrepreneurial zeal, China is a country where ancient and modern, East and West coexist in unexpected ways—yak-butter lanterns and neon-lit cityscapes, rickshaws in Beijing and Rolls-Royces in Hong Kong, teenagers chatting on smartphones and elderly people doing tai chi.
An exotic and unforgettable journey The timeless allure of China comes to life as your dedicated Cruise/Tour Manager and local experts share the legends and secrets of China’s man-made wonders. Hear fascinating stories of how China’s first Emperor Qin Shi Huang—who still lays in rest in the ancient city of Xi’an in the largest unopened tomb in history—built an army of thousands of life-size terra-cotta soldiers and horses to protect him in the afterlife and the Great Wall to protect the country from invaders. Find a mystic sense of peace and
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wonder in Tibet with its jewel-bedecked tombs and the golden altars in Potala Palace and the Sera Monastery, where Buddhist monks still practice their faith under the watchful eye of Manjashuri. Yet with all the man-made marvels China offers, it is a country of breathtaking landscapes, extraordinary natural beauty and serene gardens—inspiring artists, poets and writers for centuries. A millennium of landscape design has created one of China’s most idyllic visions—West Lake, where wooded hills, colorful pagodas and placid waters lure you to breathe in its serenity, and Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou (the Temple of the Soul’s Retreat), one of China’s oldest Buddhist shrines, adds to your soul-soothing pleasure. The Li River, where bamboo boats float through scenery lifted from watercolor paintings and Guilin’s Reed Flute Cave, offering rainbow-colored stalactites and stalagmites, bring poetry to motion.
Authentic encounters and experiences Immersive encounters with the locals in the hutongs of Beijing provide a glimpse into the world of China today while the city’s imperial grandeur—the Forbidden City and Summer Palace with its exquisite gardens—showcase the world of emperors of bygone eras. Authentic cultural experiences are plentiful, from a Tang Dynasty dinner show to an exclusive dining event at the base of the Great Wall. With all-suite accommodations onboard and five-star luxury hotels onshore, including the Waldorf Astoria in Shanghai and Ritz-Carlton in Beijing, time travel through the land of the dragon in grand style.
◀ Guilin,
China ▶ Forbidden City, Beijing, China
