Articles from this Category
January 9, 2020
China. Just utter the word at a party and you’ll get an avalanche of responses, each one different according to that person’s perspective. But there is one common thread…it’s one of the most intriguing places on the planet, and there are nine famous cities in China you must see. Claiming 5,000 years of history and […]
July 16, 2019
I’d never heard of Tongli before stepping foot in the 1100-year-old, world’s oldest water town. Now, I’d be hard-press to name a more visually stunning, charming place in all of China. Sure, I still love the neon glitz of Shanghai’s Bund, but the spectacular, Instagrammable places in Tongli inevitably etched their beauty on my memory. […]
June 23, 2019
Nanjing is one of the most fascinating cities in China. Located in China’s eastern Jiangsu providence on the Yangtze River, it’s just a 1.5-hour ride from Shanghai to Nanjing on the bullet train – well worth expanding out of Shanghai to see an amazing number of things to do in Nanjing. Nanjing played an important […]
July 13, 2017
“Don’t go to street markets!” warned our Chinese guide from Viking River Cruises. “Dangerous. You get sick.” I get it. Nobody wants tourists to have a bad experience. Viking, in particular, caters to an older, affluent crowd who prefer fine dining and luxury experiences. Enter me, a well-traveled adventure junkie who isn’t good at following […]
July 10, 2017
China can be a logistical challenge for foreigners. The country’s recent tourism boom has put this country on many bucket lists, but maneuvering by plane or train is still difficult due to the language barrier and cultural differences. Touring by boat, however, is a different story. Viking River Cruises provides a luxurious, stress-free journey throughout […]
June 1, 2017
China Landmarks and Highlights China landmarks, 5,000 years of history and culture, the discoveries of tea, silk, papermaking, printing, the compass, and gunpowder, Confucianism, through dynastic rule, and on to Communism, Chinese culture has made an impact on the world. The last few decades have seen not just an increase in tourism abroad, but with […]
May 20, 2017
Danny Tang, 48 years old, has been the Chef de Cuisine for Viking River Cruises’ Imperial Jewels of China tour for 10 years. It’s a plum job. China’s flourishing inbound tourism has led it to become the world’s second-largest travel and tourism economy. The Asian country has sustained its international fascination, particularly in America, where […]
April 19, 2017
“You’d better hurry!” said the concierge. We’d just returned to our hotel after at the end of our weekend in Shanghai. We wanted to see the Bund at night but had just been informed that the lights go out at 10:00 pm. Prompt. With a mere 15 minutes before lights-out, we took a right turn […]
March 26, 2017
Beijing is China’s colossal capital, with a rich and fascinating history dating back 3,000 years. It’s a location with architectural marvels from the ancient dynastic palaces to stunningly unique modern skyscrapers. It’s arguably China’s cultural center, offering a glimpse into the old hutong warrens of the past to the hustling mega-metropolis of the inner city, […]
March 20, 2017
“Aaarrrggghhhh,” I screamed when I felt something crawling on my head. “What is it?” “It’s a giant grasshopper,” said Alison. “Wait a minute, hold still. I want to get a picture.” “Get it off! Now!” I bellowed “No, leave it. It’s good luck,” she insisted. China is full of surprises, from superstitions to fascinating food […]