Yangtze River: an eye-opening adventure in China - Cruise of the Month - travel services offered by Pacific Bestours

Cruise Travel, March-April, 2002 by Jeri Jacobs

The next morning in Wuhan we were met a native guide who drove us to the local museum, containing the burial artifacts of a high-ranking military official whose grave had not been desecrated by bandits and grave robbers because it was underwater. When discovered, it contained various sarcophagi (his, plus his concubines and pets), household articles, and musical instruments. Reproductions of these instruments were used to give tourists a demonstration of the beautiful music they produced. Our tour included a visit to Chairman Mao's summer home nearby. Situated on a large lake, the house was the site of many high-powered meetings during the chairman's reign.

Then we flew to Shanghai, our final Chinese destination, where we were met by local guide Susie, who took us to the Shanghai JC Mandarin Hotel. The next day she showed us her city, including the Yu Yuan Gardens, built 500 years ago by a high official to honor his parents; the Children's Palace, a school for gifted children in the arts; and the famous Shanghai Museum, one of the finest in China. That evening we capped off a lovely day with a show by the Shanghai Acrobats, held at a beautiful, new, multi-storied entertainment and shopping center a block from our hotel.

Returning to China after 20 years, we realized and appreciated the progress the Chinese have made in providing a more "tourist friendly" environment by incorporating better hotel facilities and transportation, plus easier access to Western food. Flying on China's domestic airlines went smoothly. With many Chinese business travelers coming and going, flights usually were on time and full. Cruising the Yangtze River was the highlight of our trip. We hope that we will return within a much shorter period of time.

Founded in 1982, Pacific Bestours is a leading travel company in Asia, specializing in mid- to upscale travel programs in the Far East, especially China, where many of its tours include Yangtze River cruises. Pacific Bestours is a member of the U.S.-based Far&Wide Travel Corporation's family of companies.

For more information on Pacific Bestours, contact Far&Wide (Cruise Travel Magazine), 80 SW 8th St./Suite 2601, Miami, FL 33130; or log on to www.farand wide.com or www.bestour.com.

Since 1994, Victoria Cruises has been a leading operator of Yangtze River cruises, sailing the largest, most modern fleet on the widest variety of itineraries.

For more information on its voyages, contact Victoria Cruises (Cruise Travel Magazine), 57-08 39th Ave., Woodside, NY 11377; or log on to www.victoriacruises. com. And, as always, your travel agent will be happy to help you plan your cruise-tour to China.