A short visit to China enabled me to fulfil a wish to travel on the finest ship currently sailing the Yangtse River. Launched in July 2008 the "Yangzi Explorer" offers a level of comfort not experienced before. It now runs between Chongqing and Yichang or vice versa taking 4 days/3 nights downstream and 5 days/4 nights upstream.
It takes in along the way the famous and dramatic Three Gorges and the Three Gorges Dam including a 4/5 hour run through its 5 huge lock chambers. Each one is over 60 feet wide and 900 feet long. Consisting of just 62 cabins including 24 suites it carries a maximum of 124 people although this number is rarely reached if cabins are occupied by single travellers. The deluxe cabins, the standard rooms if you like, are far from standard. At 27 Sqm they are the size of a hotel room. The deluxe cabins have a good size bathroom with marble walls and floors and a nice shower. There is plenty of space for a Queen sized bed, and a flat television screen on the wall means you have more space to move around or relax on the sofa. Every cabin has a large picture window and a balcony. The suites on board allow larger living space or room for a cocktail party perhaps if a group of friends or business clients are travelling together.
The Yangzi Explorer is designed to both individuals and families. Extra beds can be placed in the suites and even the deluxe cabins are interconnected allowing families to enjoy time together. The Explorer deck, located at the top of the ship, is split into an outside area with deck chairs and an enclosed lounge where you can relax in plumped cushioned chairs and large floor to ceiling windows offering snacks, tea and coffee during the day and cocktails in the evening. There is also a private dining room that can be booked. Also on board is a theatre where demonstrations during the cruise are given and films on China are screened. Learn about tea, dumpling making, the Yangtse Three Gorge dam project, pearls calligraphy and snuff bottle painting. A quiet library is also available, perhaps after a treatment in the spa. During the cruise several excursions are made on shore. Exact excursions depend on water levels and nationalities aboard but may include village and school visits, boat trips on smaller vessels up some of the narrow tributary rivers and of course the Three Gorges Dam Project itself. Cuisine on board is international and included in the cruise price with lunch and dinner are house wines and beer. The Yangzi Explorer sails between mid-march and mid-November. Please refer to the China section on our website for suggested itineraries. Other cities can be added to create your very own tailor-made visit to China.
Following the cruise I flew to Beijing to visit three hotels, one of which was the new 5* luxury Aman at the Summer Palace. This is a super property with truly fine service and exquisite furniture and furnishings all within the boundaries of the old Summer Palace located on the outskirts of Beijing. Adjacent to the East Gate of the Summer Palace grounds, Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing is housed in a series of dwellings, most of which date back over one hundred years. Some of the original dwellings were used by guests of the Summer Palace awaiting an audience with the Empress Dowager Cixi at the turn of the twentieth century. You enter the property through an archway flanked by two huge red lacquered doors covered with brass studs.
There are 51 rooms and suites in total. The Guestrooms, mostly decorated in Ming Dynasty style with four-poster beds, are located in two new buildings by the front entrance. The spacious suites are also decorated in the Ming style. Some offer a combined living space and bedroom whilst others have a separate bedroom. Under the main courtyard are two underground levels where a large fitness room, spa and 25 m swimming pool are located. There are a number of food and beverage outlets serving both international and Chinese cuisine, a fine selection of wines and a library. My favourite feature however is the private wooden door that leads directly through one of the walls from the resort to expose you to the secrets of the Summer Palace itself. A dawn encounter means that you will have the place virtually to yourself.
The 5* Commune by the Wall can be a tranquil haven after the hustle and bustle of the rest of China. Originally a project put together by Ms Zhang Xin, a Chinese architect, it brought together 12 other Asian architects with the aim of creating something contemporary but Asian.
TANGULA LUXURY TRAIN
In April, 2009 Tangula will introduce luxury travel to the most scenic and culturally rich regions in China. Tangula Luxury Trains' two distinctly different routes allow you to discover a China previously only experienced by those prepared for rugged exploration.
Now you can travel between Beijing and Lhasa through the vast Qinghai Province and over the Tibetan Plateau, or between Beijing and Lijiang through exquisite Guilin and the colorful Yunnan Province, onboard a train of unparalleled luxury and comfort. On Tangula's 4 or 5 day journeys, relax in your own spacious suite with private bathroom and 5* amenities, enjoy dining with world-class cuisine, and personalized butler service. Our off-train excursions allow you to explore the timeless cultures of China's heartland, centuries old architecture and historic landmarks.
About the Author:
Steppes Travel specialise in holidays to Peru, China holidays and South Africa safari.