Sites to see when Cruising the Yangzi, China

Cruises are a popular travel choice. These floating hotels offer you everything you could possible need when going on holiday, taking you to different locations so that you can explore different regions.

China is no exceptions to offering cruises. A cruise up the Yangzi is becoming more and more popular over the years, giving you the chance to explore different parts of China and different attractions.

There are many different things to see as you cruise up the Yangzi, China’s longest river (and the world’s third). Originating from Tanggula Shan in southwest Qinghai and winding its way through seven Chinese provinces, the Yangzi is both beautiful and powerful.

Cruises generally begin at Chongqing and the last stop is the Three Gorges (Sanxia), an awe-inspiring view of vast rock caverns which have been moulded and shaped over thousands of years by water. The Three Gorges was the brainchild of the Great Yu, the architect who has become a legend in Chinese history. The gorges, Qutang, Wu and Xiling, start from the east of Fengjie in Chongqing and journey to west of Yichasng in Hubei province, around 200km away.

As you explore the temples around the Three Gorges, you might experience bustling crowds of tourists. The towns are also busy and seem more modern than traditional. However, it is the stunning natural beauty of the area which draws the attraction of tourists.

There are two options that you can choose when you undertake your cruise. The most popular route is from Chongqing to Wanzhou or Wanzhou to Yichang, but there are some wonderful sights to see in either option.

From Chongqing to Wanzhou, the first stopping point is Fengdu, which is also nicknamed the City of Ghosts (Guicheng). It is located 170km from Chongqing. You can explore the town and either hike up to Ming Shan – or else take the cable car – where you can visit its collection of ghost-focused temples.

Next stop is Shibaozhai where you can visit the beautiful 12 storey pagoda stretching to a height of 56m. It was built during the reign of the Qing dynasty emperor Kangxi, on a gigantic rock bluff.

From Wanzhou to Yichang, you will have your first stop-off at the Zhang Fei Temple (Zhangfei Miao) where you can visit. From here you can see the deserted houses and fields, abandoned in advance due to the rising waters.

You can also visit the ancient town of Fengjie which was the capital of the state of Kui during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States period. The town towers over Qutang Grove, which is the first of the three gorges. You can also visit the White King Town (Baidichrng) from this stop. This is place where Lui Bei, the king of Shu, entrusted his son and kingdom to Zhu Gelian, which is recorded in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

When diverting onto the Wu Gorge (known as the Gorge of Witches), you will pull see some incredible views of ancient peaks towering down on you from either side. These include Peak of the Immortals and Goddess Peak.

Boats will continue up the Yangzi, along with slow-moving cargo vessels as they carry coal down to Shanghai. The final stop is the Three Gorges Dam, a sight that no traveller to China would dare to miss.

Travel Destinations: Nikko, Japan

Nikko is hidden in the beautiful hilly woodlands north of Tokyo, home to a population of around 17,000 people. It is a wonderful place with numerous brightly coloured temples and shrines. If visiting Japan, you should definitely make the time to come to one of the most popular tourist destinations.

Nikko has a long rich history as a sacred place when, in the 8^th century, the Buddhist priest Shodo founded a hermitage here. Buddhist monks would travel to Nikko to be trained before fading away into anonymity. It then gained prestige as the site for the mausoleum for the warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu who took control of the country and established the shogunate.

Nikko has so many places for you to visit with Tosho-gu as the focus of the shrine region. Although you can gain admission for each attraction separately, it may be easier to purchase a ‘combination’ ticket which will cover your admission to most sites for two days.

Shin-kyo:

This red painted bridge stretches over the Daiya River is a popular starting place for a trip to Nikko, even if it is just a reconstruction of the 17^th century original. This is the famous spot where the Buddhist priest Shido Shonin was carried across the river on the backs of two gigantic snakes.

Rinno-ji:

This temple was originally constructed 1200 years ago by the Tendai-sect. The Three Buddha Hall has some beautiful gold lacquered images inside. The most magnificent is of the goddess of mercy, Kwannon (the Japanese equivalent of the Chinese Guan Yin), but the Senju, Amida Nyorai and Bato images are simply divine too. Homotsu-den has a good collection of beautiful treasures relating to the temple and can be found in the temple’s grounds.

Tosho-gu:

The entrance to Tosho-gu is marked by a beautiful gigantic stone torii; on the left you will come across a magnificent five storey pagoda – the original dates to 1650 but it has been reconstructed in 1818.

The gate, Omote-mon, is the true entrance to the shrine and is flanked on either side by the Deva Kings. The Sanjinko (Three Sacred Storehouses) are straight pass the gate where you can admire some spectacular carvings of elephants on the roofs.

This site has many attractions for you to see – a sacred library, a drum tower, the Honji-do, the Yomei-mon, the Nemuri-Neko, the leyasu’s tomb, the Honden and Haiden Halls.

Futarasan-jinja:

This shrine was commissioned by Shodo Shonin, dedicated to the mountain, Nantai, his consort, Nyotai, and their child, Taro.

Nikko is a beautiful place, full of rich and cultural attractions and history. A trip here will certainly leave you with memories that will last for the rest of your life.

Hotel Reviews: Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong

5 Connaught Road

Central

Hong Kong

Tel: 852 2522 0111

mohkg-reservations@mohg.com

http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hongkong/

Since the Mandarin Oriental opened its doors in 1963, it has seen thousands of guests stay with them year after year. They guarantee luxury, comfort and consistency, qualities that make this one of the best and luxurious hotels on Hong Kong Island.

Located in Central, the Mandarin Oriental offers a choice of 501 rooms or suites, all designed with spaciousness, comfort and elegance in mind. Each room offers wonderful views of either the city or Victoria Harbour. There are 15 different types of rooms to reserve, each providing different individual amenities.

The Study Rooms are designed with making the best use of space available. With an Oriental theme and open planned, these rooms have soft queen sized beds and private bathrooms with Black Forest Chinese marble based showers only. The hotel has fitted the highest technological and entertainment systems in these rooms, making them both luxurious and modern.

The Mandarin Suite is one of the best suites to stay in at the Mandarin Oriental. With high ceilings, plush furnishings and high glass walls, this suite gives some spectacular views of Kowloon Peninsula and Victoria Harbour.

This is a room designed with luxury in mind; antiquities are placed in the Mandarin Suite, perfectly restored and blending with the more modern pieces. The private en suite gives you wonderful views of Hong Kong and features your own private spa suite where guests can relax and treat themselves.

One of the grandest suites at the Mandarin Oriental is the Tamar Suite, named after the British Naval headquarters. This room features naval elements in its design, and makes you feel as though you are sleeping in your own private yacht.

With ten fantastic restaurants and lounges, dining at the Mandarin Oriental is a wonderful experience in itself. The Cake Shop offers you the chance to purchase some of the world’s most delicious pastries and cakes. For over 25 years, The Cake Shop has supplied homemade chocolates, sweets and cakes all over Hong Kong. The cakes are all displayed in specially-made glass cases and are fantastic pieces of culinary artwork.

The Man Wah Restaurant is the signature restaurant of the Mandarin Oriental and it is no wonder why; with its elegant setting, delicious Cantonese food and panoramic views, the Man Wah Restaurant has been claimed as the best restaurant in Hong Kong.

With her impeccable taste, friendly and helpful staff members and her great location, the Mandarin Oriental is a unique and wonderful hotel to stay in when visiting Hong Kong.

Travel Destinations: Tiger Leaping Gorge, Yunnan Province, China

Yunnan Province in China is home to some amazing sights and experiences a traveller should not miss when visiting this part of the country. In northwest Yunnan, you will find Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiao Xia), one of the deepest gorges in the world. It measures 16km long and is 3900m from the banks of Jinsha River to the snowy peaks of Haba Shan (Haba Mountains) to the west and Yulong Xueshan in the east.

The hikes here are a ‘can’t miss’ experience; the best time to visit is in May to early June when the hills burst into bloom with plants and flowers. The hike can be done in two days, but most will take three or four to thoroughly explore this area. Many more international travellers have spent up to a week here, just to enjoy and see everything they can.

The treks at Tiger Leaping Gorge should not be undertaken lightly; July and August are the rainy months here and landslides and swollen waterfalls can often make treks quite dangerous. There have been some foreign travellers who have died because they have wandered off the path. So be careful and bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

There are two trails at Tiger Leaping Gorge – the higher route, also known as the 24 bend path, and the lower route. The higher trail is by far the best option and starts at Qiaotou and the route is dotted with guesthouses.

It takes about six hours to Bendiwan or eight hours to Walnut Springs. Be aware that at the peak times, there can be up to 100 people each day on the same trail. The first day takes you to Walnut Garden about two hours from Bendiwan. The second day can take about four to six hours to get to Daju. There are two ferries to get you here and most people will call it a day after they reach the bottom.

For those who want to carry on hiking, you can continue all the way from Tiger Leaping Gorge to Baishuitai via Haba village. This will turn your adventure into a four day trek from Qiaotou and then carry on further to Shangri-La.

Once you reach Walnut Garden it takes about eight hours to Haba via Jiangbian. From here it is another eight hours to the Yi village of Sanba.

Before attempting any of these trails, you should seek advice and make sure you are properly prepared.