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Sunday, 10 February 2008 |
 I've been doing some research lately, looking for just the right place for Sam and me to celebrate our 20th anniversary next year. We're leaning towards China, although, admittedly, it has never before been on my list of top places to which I'd like to travel. Also, since I started working in this industry, that list continues to grow.
My interest in China started last year while I was reviewing a DVD on river cruises; the scenery of the Yangtze River cruise took my breath away. I've discovered, however, that a cruise down the Yangtze is a necessary but small part of an ideal China vacation.
Let's start in Beijing, the site of the 2008 Summer Olympics. Beijing is the current capitol of China and a fascinating city which offers both modern day and ancient wonders. Walk along part of The Great Wall, which once stretched more than 4,000 miles across the country and qualifies as one of the man-made Wonders of the World. Stand in the middle of Tian'anman Square, the largest public square in the world. Enter the Forbidden City and its Imperial Palace which, throughout history, housed many of the great emperors of China. Stroll through the gardens, temples, and pavilions of the Summer Palace, a UNESCO world heritage site. After a few busy days in Beijing, we'll move on to Xi'an.
The legendary city of Xi'an is known as the cradle of Chinese culture and was capital to the first dynasty of China. Xi'an is home to one of the most significant archeological treasures of the 20th century, the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, which have been guarding the Tomb of Emperor Qin for more than 2,000 years.
From Xi'an we fly to Chonqing where we start the three night Yangtze cruise, highlighted by the enchanting Three Gorges. Along the way take in, vertical limestone cliffs, rich, lush valleys and canyons, field workers and fisherman in their traditional boats and ancient temples, all illustrating a life unchanged for centuries. The old will give way to the new, when we observe the on-going construction of the Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydro-electric dam in the world. The dam is the second largest, man-made project in China, after the Great Wall, and is intended to provide power to much of the country as well as to prevent flooding, a major problem in the region. We disembark in Yichang to fly to the metropolitan city of Shanghai.
Shanghai is China's most populous city. A place to visit museums and shops, stroll through Old Town and perhaps take in a show of the amazing Shanghai Acrobats. Go to the top of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower for an incomparable view of the city.
We can end our tour in Shanghai or continue on to spend a couple of days in booming Hong Kong. We may even take a detour to mystical Tibet before boarding the cruise ship down the Yangtze. Even without these additional stops, a visit to China strikes me as a perfect combination of history and modern-day, excitement and serenity, nature and culture, education and relaxation. China has moved up to the top of my list, and I'm sure it will be a journey to remember.
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