I was in a group of eight people who took the Viking Imperial Jewels of China cruise and land tour from Shanghai to Beijing. The tour included a 5 day cruise on the Yangtze River as well as time in Shanghai, Xian, and Beijing.

The Viking Emerald was a comfortable ship with a first rate crew who catered to our every need. The dining room offered both the standard European menu available on Viking cruises plus numerous Chinese dishes. The service was excellent. The activities offered were primarily educational in nature although one evening we did have a crew talent show and another evening we had a performance that included Chinese costumes.

The tour escorts were excellent and knowledgeable and the hotel accommodations in Shanghai, Xian, and Beijing were five star. The domestic flights on the Chinese airlines were comfortable and, except for weather delays moving between Shanghai and Wuhan, on time. The activities in the major cities included the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, Tienanmen Square, a hutong, and the Ming Tombs in Beijing (and more things not so famous); the terra cotta warriors in Xian; and beautiful gardens, a great museum, and some lovely shopping in Shanghai. There were three additional evening activities that were extra, but well worth the additional money. Viking managed everything beautifully and efficiently. Read more