Viking Cruises Intros China-Flagged Domestic China Voyages
by Dori Saltzman /Starting this year, Viking is introducing three first-of-their-kind China voyages ranging in length from 10 to 20 days. Each itinerary includes a domestic sailing of China’s coast highlighting rarely-visited ports to which only Viking has access.
The new voyages will operate from Sept. to Nov. on the Chinese-flagged Viking Yi Dun – formerly the Viking Sun. The ship is the first in the Viking fleet dedicated specifically to international travelers to operate domestic sailings in China.
“We are proud that Viking will be the first to operate domestic sailings in China for international travelers,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking. “For more than 15 years, our Yangtze River voyages were among our highest-rated itineraries. We brought guests to China’s Yangtze River, to Beijing, to the Great Wall, to the Terra Cotta Warriors… Now, we are delighted to offers such encounters once again with new voyages to a destination that never ceases to capture the imagination.”
Three choices:
- Wonders of China (20 days, Beijing roundtrip): A comprehensive 20-day cruise/tour that delivers China’s main highlights including meeting a Tibetan family in their home, walking along the Great Wall, and visiting the Terra Cotta Warriors. Cruisers will also experience the scenic coast of Dongtou, explore Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, and visit Shenzhen, a UNESCO city of design.
- Classic China & the Coast (15 days, Beijing, Xian – Hong Kong): This cruise/tour combines Viking’s 10-day China Discovery sailing with a visit to Beijing to see the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terra Cotta Warriors, and other iconic landmarks.
- China Discovery (10 days, Shanghai – Hong Kong): On this cruise-only voyage guests will experience the Buddhist shrines of Zhoushan and the cliffs of Dongtou, follow the steps of the 19th century European diplomats on Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, and try Cantonese dim sum in Shenzhen (Hong Kong).
Bookings for the new voyages are open now, and included in Viking’s Wave Season offer, which runs through Jan. 31, 2024.