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14-Day China Explorer

 
 
14-Day China Explorer
Starting from $1,349*

Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan to Hong Kong, China


Ship: ms Noordam


Departure Date :

Optional tours are available from most ports for an additional charge.

 

Itinerary

 
Day Yokohama, Japan
Departs 05:00 PM
"Until the mid-19th century, Japan lived in isolation, closed off from the rest of the world, and Yokohama was a mere fishing village. But in 1853, American naval officer Matthew Perry demanded the country open to foreign trade, and Yokohama was changed forever. The city quickly emerged as an international trading center, and while today it is often overshadowed by nearby Tokyo, it continues to be one of Japan's liveliest, and most international, destinations. With its microbreweries and international restaurants, Yokohama has a decidedly different feel from many other Japanese cities.

From Yokohama, it's a quick trip to peaceful Kamakura, home to Daibutsu, Japan's second-largest bronze Buddha, and to the important Shinto shrine Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. Head to Hakone National Park on a clear day and you'll be rewarded with picture-postcard views of majestic Mt. Fuji. "
Yokohama, Japan
 
 
Day Shimizu, Japan
Arrives 07:00 AM Departs 03:00 PM
Shimizu's rich cultural heritage is rooted in the surrounding Shizuoka area's history as the home of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo shogunate, following his retirement from government. A collection of historic buildings in the vicinity, such as Kunozan Toshogu Shrine (designated a National Treasure by the Japanese government), Sumpu Castle Park, and Shizuoka Sengen Shrine, depict a fascinating portrait of the life and accomplishments of this major historical figure. The Shizuoka area's ancient culture is available not only for observation but for hands-on experience as well. At Sumpu Takumi-shuku, visitors can try their hand at making traditional Suruga handicrafts characteristic of the Shizuoka region, such as bamboo works, dyes, and lacquerware.
Shimizu, Japan
 
 
Day Kobe, Japan
Arrives 10:00 AM Departs 11:00 PM
"One of the greatest things about Japan is its attention to detail. Nothing is too small for consideration. Nailheads on temple walkways are hidden by inlaid metal covers. If the train schedule says the train arrives at 11:05, it will not be there at 11:04; and if it's more than 10 minutes late, you can get the rail line to give you an excuse form to present back at the office, explaining your tardiness. Shops sell combs and hairpins made with the same patterns and in the same way as 500 years ago.

So maybe this attention to detail explains what happened in 20th-century Kobe. Some farmer was looking at his cow, thinking, “What possibilities of perfection am I missing?” Cows were still a new thing; they were banned as food almost until WWII, so cow rules were in flux when this farmer began massaging his herd with sake. The cows got pleasantly drunk on local beer and listened to classical music—and in return for the pampering, they produced, and continue to produce, heavily marbled, melt-in-the-mouth cuts of meat that can easily sell for a hundred bucks a dish. Like everything else in town, Kobe beef is all in the details.

Among the Japanese, Kobe is considered exotic: “If you can't go to Paris, go to Kobe.” And it does make a nice break from Osaka's relentless pace. Order a steak, find a window booth and watch the details. "
Kobe, Japan
 
 
Day At Sea

 
 
Day Sasebo, Japan
Arrives 08:00 AM Departs 05:00 PM
With its beautiful ocean scenery, seaside promenade, and bright friendly atmosphere, romantic Sasebo has some interesting attractions and is the gateway to Nagasaki. Nagasaki is notable for the nuclear attack it suffered during WWII. A must-see there is the Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Memorial Park, which houses a beautiful 30-foot-tall fountain symbolizing peace. Sasebo is part of the Saikai National Park, which consists of more than 400 islands and is valued for not only its lovely semi-tropical vegetation. Seishin Cathedral, a Neo-gothic church built in the 1930s is the symbol of Sasebo, which is the only Japanese city that uses a symbol of the Christian church as part of its flag.
Sasebo, Japan
 
 
Day At Sea

 
 
Day Dalian, China
Arrives 07:00 AM Departs 04:00 PM
"The Dalian you see today, an important Asian trading port on China's northeast coast, not far from North Korea, grew from a small fishing village and was shaped enormously by three powers that ruled the city over the course of the 20th century: Russia from 1898 to 1905, Japan from 1905 until the end of World War II and, after the city was liberated by Soviet troops, China.

At first glance, Dalian looks like many other Chinese cities—sprawling and industrialized. But look a bit closer and you'll notice its pleasant seaside promenades, lush green spaces like Labor Park (particularly lovely during cherry-blossom season) and grand historic buildings, including those on Russian Street and the Art Nouveau Yamato Hotel."
Dalian, China
 
 
Day Qingdao, China
Arrives 10:00 AM Departs 06:00 PM
"Qingdao, located in the southeast part of Shandong Province, is a beautiful seaside city with clear air and enchanting sea view. This city, bordered by the Yellow Sea on two sides, has the largest bathing beach in Asia and produces the mellow Tsingtao Beer.

The red roofs, green trees, blue sea, and azure sky form a bright and colorful picture here. The city is sometimes known as the Switzerland of the Orient. Surrounded by the sea on three sides, the city attracts many visitors with its charming seascape. Sights like the Eight Passes Villas, Wusi Square, the Zhan Bridge, Mt. Laoshan, No.1 Bathing Beach, Badaguan Scenic Area will help you remember the city."
Qingdao, China
 
 
Day At Sea

 
 
Day Shanghai, China
Arrives 08:00 AM
"Shanghai is one of Asia's most dynamic cities, and one of juxtapositions. It's divided in two by the Huangpu River—to the west is Puxi and to the east Pudong. Puxi is the city's downtown and its historic center; on this side of the river, much of the city was historically divided into the famous foreign concessions, and it's here that much of the shopping, dining and nightlife is concentrated today. Shanghai has more than 30,000 restaurants, from humble soup dumpling spots to formal affairs helmed by Michelin-starred chefs. Its museums, particularly the Shanghai Museum with its 120,000-strong collection of antiquities, are equally impressive. Pudong is where the city's major skyscrapers stand, among them the Jin Mao and Oriental Pearl towers.

Nowhere is Shanghai's rich history and bright future more evident than along the Huangpu River. Stand on the Puxi side and, with the Bund—along which curve Shanghai's stately early-20th-century heritage buildings—behind you, you can gaze across the river at some of the world's tallest buildings, soaring skyscrapers that glow nightly, their lights reflected in the river. "
Shanghai, China
 
 
Day Shanghai, China
Departs 05:00 PM
"Shanghai is one of Asia's most dynamic cities, and one of juxtapositions. It's divided in two by the Huangpu River—to the west is Puxi and to the east Pudong. Puxi is the city's downtown and its historic center; on this side of the river, much of the city was historically divided into the famous foreign concessions, and it's here that much of the shopping, dining and nightlife is concentrated today. Shanghai has more than 30,000 restaurants, from humble soup dumpling spots to formal affairs helmed by Michelin-starred chefs. Its museums, particularly the Shanghai Museum with its 120,000-strong collection of antiquities, are equally impressive. Pudong is where the city's major skyscrapers stand, among them the Jin Mao and Oriental Pearl towers.

Nowhere is Shanghai's rich history and bright future more evident than along the Huangpu River. Stand on the Puxi side and, with the Bund—along which curve Shanghai's stately early-20th-century heritage buildings—behind you, you can gaze across the river at some of the world's tallest buildings, soaring skyscrapers that glow nightly, their lights reflected in the river. "
Shanghai, China
 
 
Day At Sea

 
 
Day Xiamen, China
Arrives 08:00 AM Departs 05:00 PM
Xiamen is an important Chinese port on the coast of the Taiwan Strait at the mouth of the Nine Dragon River. The city has historically been known as Amoy, and was one of the treaty ports established for trade in the 19th Century. As such, it was China's main port for the valuable export of tea. In the 1980s, the Xiamen region was named one of four Special Economic Zones by the People's Republic, ensuring its prosperity and growth since that time. Most visitors enjoy a short ferry ride to the small island of Gulangyu, also called Piano Island, which was once the enclave of the early European trading community. Its traffic-free streets, lined with Victorian period European style homes, offer panoramic views of the harbor and Xiamen and its various neighborhoods. Another must-see attraction in Xiamen is the sprawling Buddhist Nanputuo Temple complex. Scenically set between the sea and the steep peaks of Mt. Lao, the four main buildings are elaborately decorated pagodas containing many Buddhist statues. Notable are the Devajara or Hall of the Heavenly Kings, with its immense Laughing Buddha, and Dabei Hall, the Hall of Great Compassion, with statuary depicting the 1000-armed bodhisattva Avelokitesvara. The Mahavira Hall holds statues representing the Buddhas of the Past, Present and Future. In the Sutra-Keeping Pavilion is an extensive collection of Buddhist documents, statuary and relics. A climb up the slopes of Mt. Lao behind the temples rewards visitors with breathtaking views of the city and harbor.
Xiamen, China
 
 
Day Hong Kong, China
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Among the world's most glamorous and cosmopolitan cities, Hong Kong sits on the southern coast of China at the Pearl River estuary of the South China Sea. It comprises Hong Kong Island, where the Central Business District and most affluent areas and attractions are, and, on the mainland, Kowloon and the New Territories. Hong Kong is a regional and global hub for banking, shipping, fashion and food, boasting more than 60 Michelin-starred restaurants. Its five-star hotels are among the most elegant to be found anywhere; many are set in the towering skyscrapers that carpet Hong Kong Island's steep slopes and light up its skyline so beautifully.Officially known as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong maintains a high degree of autonomy relative to the rest of China, even after it was reunified with China in 1997 after 156 years of British rule ended.Many cruises in Southeast and East Asia start or end in Hong Kong, and it's definitely a great city in which to spend a day or two sightseeing and finding cultural things to do before or after the voyage. Smaller cruise ships can dock right in Victoria Harbour, for front-row seats of the stunning skyline. Unfortunately, pollution is a problem, and sometimes the views are obscured because of it.
Hong Kong, China
 
 
Day Hong Kong, China
Arrives 01:00 PM
Among the world's most glamorous and cosmopolitan cities, Hong Kong sits on the southern coast of China at the Pearl River estuary of the South China Sea. It comprises Hong Kong Island, where the Central Business District and most affluent areas and attractions are, and, on the mainland, Kowloon and the New Territories. Hong Kong is a regional and global hub for banking, shipping, fashion and food, boasting more than 60 Michelin-starred restaurants. Its five-star hotels are among the most elegant to be found anywhere; many are set in the towering skyscrapers that carpet Hong Kong Island's steep slopes and light up its skyline so beautifully.Officially known as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong maintains a high degree of autonomy relative to the rest of China, even after it was reunified with China in 1997 after 156 years of British rule ended.Many cruises in Southeast and East Asia start or end in Hong Kong, and it's definitely a great city in which to spend a day or two sightseeing and finding cultural things to do before or after the voyage. Smaller cruise ships can dock right in Victoria Harbour, for front-row seats of the stunning skyline. Unfortunately, pollution is a problem, and sometimes the views are obscured because of it.
Hong Kong, China