The Beijing Olympics may be over but the travel opportunities that today abound when visiting China on a Viking River Cruises tour makes China resonate as if the Olympics were about to begin.  On a twelve-day cruise/tour package that Viking appropriately calls the Jewels of China tour, you can begin and or end this adventure in Shanghai or Beijing.  Include in the package is a six day cruise on the Yangtze River aboard the Viking Century Sun or the Viking Century Sky.  These multi level state-of-the-art cruise ships let you engage and experience the beauty of the Three Gorges, the Lesser Three Gorges and the magnitude of the eighth wonder of the world, the Three Gorges Dam.  Included in the Jewels of China tour are a dozen shore excursions, all meals and luxury accommodations at 5-Star hotels like the Ritz Carlton, Grand Hyatt and Regent when your adventure takes you to Shanghai, Beijing and Xian.  Yes, the opportunities included in this package are huge!

The epicurean components of the Jewels of China tour affords all guests the opportunity to experience unique fare such as Peking duck during your stay in Beijing and a banquet ala the Tang Dynasty when you visit Xian.  The onboard culinary delights which are legion are presented from an elegant Chinese menu that was created exclusively for Viking.  And for those who elect to enjoy more traditional Western style fare such as mouth watering steaks and selections of deliciously prepared chicken entrees, these are always available. When your adventure takes you ashore on an excursion Viking River Cruises treats you to select menus at choice local restaurants.

The scenery and cultural differences experienced are nothing less than a visual repast.  In Xian the Terra Cotta Warriors (the entire army of carved stone warriors, their horses and chariots) that were created twenty five centuries ago to carry the emperor into the afterlife are nothing less than awe inspiring.  Each of the thousands of warriors along with their horses is unique and not duplicated.  They are as individual as each human is individual and unique.  Visiting the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall and the Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs are in direct contrast to the hustle and bustle of today’s modern China that presses to take a lead roll as the world marches forward in the 21st Century.  The variety of cultural experiences you are immersed in include the Peking Opera that combines ballet, song and drama; a performance by the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe and a visit to a rural Yangtze village school that Viking River Cruises sponsors.  Together these create memories enough to last a lifetime.

Upon arriving in China a very knowledgeable English speaking Viking River Cruises tour guide meets you at the airport.  From this point the guide will serve as your constant companion and escort for the next twelve days.  They remain immediately available to you throughout your odyssey.  Attentive to your needs and always at you disposal, your guide remains with you until you departure at the completion of your China stay.  Offering nearly fifty of these cruise/tour packages during 2009, the window of opportunity for this adventure ranges from March 13 to November 15. One single price includes all of the elements noted above, plus the intra China flights that take you between Beijing and Xian and between Shanghai and Wuhan.  Included also are all port and cruise fuel surcharges, (repeat all port and cruise fuel surcharges). There are no hidden fees.  Because of what this cruise/tour package by Viking River Cruises offers China in 2009 could very well have your name written all over it. For more detailed information about what you will see when visiting China your can visit the National China Tourist Office at . Happy Traveling!