China's Cultural Delights

R230: China's Cultural Delights
17 Days/16 Nights

Places Visited

Beijing Beijing dates back more than 1,000 years before Christ and was a grand imperial capital from the 10th century A.D. until it became the capital of the new communist nation in 1949. In the centre of the city lies Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square, with the capacity to accommodate over one million people. Just opposite the square is the entrance to the Forbidden City with its acres of elegant palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens. Outside Beijing is the magnificent Summer Palace, a 700-acre garden and complex of buildings used by the Imperial Court to escape the summer heat of Beijing. Also outside the city lie the sacred burial grounds of the Ming emperors. Walk along the Sacred Way, a long avenue lined with massive sculptures of elephants, lions and camels leading to the tombs. In the nearby Badaling Hills is one of the most impressive and best-preserved sections of the fabled Great Wall of China, with breathtaking views of the Chinese countryside.	Beijing's Ancient Architecture
Chongqing Perched on steep hills at the confluence of the Yangtze and its major tributary, the Jialing River, Chongqing is the gateway for Yangtze River cruises. This proud mountain city was the capital of China during World War II when the American Volunteer Air Group, the “Flying Tigers,” was based here. Today, Chongqing is China’s most important inland industrial city and is particularly lively at night with its neon-lit Liberation Monument.	Chongqing is Glamorous By Night
Dongting Lake Dongting Lake is the second largest freshwater lake in China, famous for its scenic beauty and tea production. On the lake is Yue Yang Tower, a graceful pavilion made famous by popular poems dedicated to its beauty.	Jun Shan Island
Jingdezhen Jingdezhen is known as “the porcelain capital of the world,” boasting a history of 1,700 years of porcelain-making dating back to the Song Dynasty. Most of the world’s porcelain is now produced in this city, and during the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. Jingdezhen was the only place where Chinese Imperial porcelain was made.	Jingdezhen Ceramic History Museum
Jingzhou In parts of rural China, village life goes on much as it has for centuries. To help bring education to the more remote villages, Viking River Cruises has sponsored a much-needed school here. As Viking River Cruises passengers, you’ll have an exclusive tour of the village and school, where you’ll be warmly greeted by the children and staff.	Viking River Cruises School in Jingzhou
Lesser Three Gorges The Lesser Three Gorges are one of China’s most scenic areas, featuring elegant peaks, exotic rock formations and serene forests. You’ll journey along the Lesser Gorges’ turquoise waters past ancient sites to dock on the river banks and enjoy a barbecue lunch at a Viking River Cruises exclusive picnic area.	Picninc Along The Yangtze
Mt. Jiu Hua Mt. Jiu Hua, meaning “Mountain of the Nine Lotuses,” is sacred to Buddhist pilgrims. Renowned as the most picturesque mountain in southeast China, it has ruggedly beautiful ridges, exotic-shaped stones, roaring waterfalls and clear streams. Of the temples housed on Mt. Jiu Hua, Huacheng Temple is the oldest, and Wannian Temple contains the remains of Monk Wu Xia, still well preserved after more than 350 years.	Mt. Jia Hua
Nanjing So named during the Ming Dynasty, Nanjing earned its fame as an ancient Chinese capital. Considered one of the historic and cultural cities of the world, the city still boasts remains of its ancient surrounding walls.	Nangjing's Ancient City Walls
Shanghai The largest city in China and one of the world’s most important ports began as a tiny fishing village 5,000 years ago. Today, it’s a modern metropolis. Travel along the Bund, the city’s elegant riverfront promenade containing many of Shanghai’s banks and trading houses, and tour Old Shanghai. The old section retains the narrow lanes and street markets of times past. The renowned Shanghai Museum contains a wonderful collection of ancient Chinese art. Many of China’s famous acrobats also make their home here.	Yuyuan Gardens, Shanghai
Shibaozhai Shibaozhai Temple (Precious Stone Stronghold) is a gem of Chinese architecture. Built during the Qing Dynasty in 1650, the 12-storey wooden pagoda is perched on a sheer cliff towering over the river.	Shibaozhai Temple
Suzhou The 2,400-year-old Grand Canal, crowded with strings of barges and graced by delicate bridges, flows through Suzhou. Known as the city of silk, lush gardens and elegant canals, it’s the same city that astounded Marco Polo. The Italian explorer reported that so much silk was produced in Suzhou that every citizen was clothed in it! At the silk spinning factory, see how silk is made from mulberry-munching silkworms to fine cloth. The Embroidery Institute showcases artisans who create works of art from silk thread. Suzhou is also known for its magnificent gardens. The Humble Administrator’s Garden, largest of Suzhou’s gardens, is filled with water features, graceful bridges, pavilions and serene halls. Master of the Fishing Net Garden, built in 1140, is one of the most exquisite gardens in all China and is best known for its famed peony courtyard.	Suzhou
Three Gorges Dam The Yangtze’s Three Gorges are the river’s most famed stretch, long known for its treacherous and rocky passage. Once boats could only travel here by means of trackers—men who pulled the ships by ropes as they walked along the slippery rapids. Now, with the creation of the Three Gorges Dam, the scenic gorges are accessible, and travellers can delight in the misty beauty of lush greenery, towering cliffs and the vestiges of traditional life along the river’s banks.	Three Gorges Dam
Wuhan This capital of Hubei Province is noted as the most important site of China’s Republican Revolution and gateway city to the Yangtze Gorges. Visit the Hubei Provincial Museum with its collection of elaborately decorated bronze bells. The city also boasts the remarkable five-tiered Yellow Crane Tower and the elegant Guiyuan Buddhist Temple.	Bronze Bells, Hubei
Xian Xian reached its peak during the Tang Dynasty when it was the capital of the Middle Kingdom. During this time, the city was the starting point of China’s fabled Silk Road, which made it one of the world’s richest cities. From 618 to 907, the Tang Dynasty presided over one of China’s most glorious periods, spreading its influence throughout Asia and into Europe and Africa. While in Xian, visit China’s greatest archaeological treasure, the Terra Cotta Warriors. More than 2,000 years ago, Emperor Qin Shi Huang was buried along with more than 6,000 life-sized terra cotta warriors, archers and infantrymen, together with horses and chariots. In the early 1970s, farmers digging a well accidentally uncovered some of these soldiers. Walkways provide a bird’s-eye view of the stunning sight of an entire army moulded in incredible detail (each man and horse with his own distinct features).	China's Terracotta Warriors