Discovering China: From Ancient Wonders to Modern Marvels
– By Lori McQueen
In August, Sheila and I had the incredible opportunity to travel to China as representatives of Kemp Travel, after the agency was recognized as one of Ensemble Canada’s top-performing agencies. It was an amazing experience and a great opportunity to explore a destination I hadn’t visited in many years.
Our trip was with Century Cruises, with an itinerary that started in Beijing, continued with a river cruise along the Yangtze River, and ended in Shanghai.
Beijing
Upon arriving in Beijing, the first thing I noticed while driving through the city was the insane amount of traffic! But despite being home to almost 30 million people, I was amazed by how clean the city was.
We stayed at the China World Summit Wing Hotel, part of Shangri-La. You were quickly in awe of the size and scale of the buildings in Beijing, and the hotel itself was incredible. The lobby is located on the 64th floor, offering amazing views of the city. The amenities were excellent, and the breakfast included each day was delicious, with a huge variety of options. The staff were also very welcoming, helpful and friendly.
There is so much to see and do in Beijing. We visited the Summer Palace, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China, and each one was beautiful and inspiring in its own way. Being surrounded by so much history really made the experience special.
Chongqing & the Yangtze River
After our stay in Beijing we were on our way to Chongqing. Upon arrival, I was surprised to learn that Chongqing is actually even larger than Beijing! It is also a very mountainous city, with mountains and rivers crossing throughout the area.
Chongqing is located inland and serves as an important gateway to the Yangtze River. After lunch, we enjoyed an afternoon walking tour and explored some of the local markets. Chongqing is famous for its spicy food, and there was certainly no shortage of interesting foods and flavours to discover!
We then boarded our Century Cruises ship and settled into our staterooms. The rooms were a fair size, with decent storage and a small balcony.
It was evident that the ship wasn’t as accustomed to North American clientele, but the crew really worked hard to understand us and make sure we were comfortable. The food was amazing, and the scenery along the Yangtze River was absolutely spectacular.
After the hustle and bustle of Beijing and Chongqing, it was wonderful to slow down and relax for a few days while taking in the incredible scenery along the river.
Shanghai
After our cruise ended in Yichang, we took another flight to Shanghai. Of all the cities we visited, Shanghai was my favourite so far.
Shanghai is such a fascinating city, with a beautiful mix of old and new. I loved how the city has managed to incorporate plenty of green space alongside historic buildings and modern skyscrapers.
The Bund offers spectacular views of the Shanghai skyline across the Huangpu River, and the skyscrapers are truly unique and beautiful. Another must-see is Yu Garden, with its beautiful traditional architecture, gardens and surrounding shopping areas.
We also decided to get a little adventurous and try the subway. Wow! It was probably the cleanest subway system I’ve ever seen, and surprisingly easy to get around.
A Few Things to Know Before You Go
One thing I found a little challenging was dealing with money. Most places in China are now cashless and would not accept physical credit cards. Instead, travellers have to use mobile payment apps such as WeChat Pay or Alipay for everyday purchases. It took a little getting used to, but once we figured it out, it made paying for things quick and convenient.
My Overall Impression
Overall, China is a beautiful country with an incredible combination of history, culture and modern conveniences. The people we met were extremely friendly and always willing to help.
This trip gave me a much better appreciation for what China has to offer, from the history and landmarks of Beijing, to the spectacular scenery along the Yangtze River, to the energy and modern architecture of Shanghai.
I would recommend China to a seasoned traveller who is comfortable with a little adventure. There can still be some challenges once you leave the major cities, but it is an incredibly rewarding destination.
I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to experience China as part of this Ensemble Canada top agency reward trip. It was an unforgettable journey and one that has definitely left me wanting to see more of China!
Ready to turn inspiration into your next unforgettable journey? Connect with Lori today and start planning!
