Our tour included Beijing, Xian, a cruise on the Yangtze River and a stop in Wuhan before finishing the tour in Shanghai.
We were in Beijing for National Day-the annual celebration of their founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949.
The entrance to Tianamen Square. There was lots of security and many excited Chinese tourists.
Famous artwork of Chairman Mao at the entrance to the Forbidden City.
Inside the Forbidden City
Inside the Forbidden City there were girls in traditional clothes checking their high tech phones.
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Artist in her studio in the Liluichang District of Beijing.
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People were welcoming and friendly everywhere in China.
We saw soldiers throughout our trip.  They were always at full attention.
Our Viking group with Michael, our knowledgeable and fun tour manager.
This woman asked me to hold her baby so she could take my photo. Our tour guide told us that we might see folks from the country who had never seen a Caucasian in person.
A beautiful day on the Great Wall at Badaling
The Great Wall went on and on and on.  Impossible to imagine that it was built by hand without any modern construction equipment.
We had fun on our rickshaw ride around the hutongs.
Kerry Hotel in Beijing was incredibly luxurious.
A celebration of the importance of horses ithroughut China's history. This was in Xian.
The underground warriors were amazing. I can only imagine what the farmers who came across them in 1976 thought when they found them will digging a well.
So far over 8,000 soldiers have been found in Emperor Qin's tomb.
Many horses were found alongside their men in the Xian dig.
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Our first night on the ship in Chongqing.
Viking Emerald was a very comfortable ship.
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We really enjoyed having a balcony.
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I've never seen such long escalators, especially outdoors without any protection from the weather.  They were completely packed with visitors going to the top of the Three Gorges Dam.
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China's PeeWee Herman advertising an orange drink.
The Shanghai Museum had beautiful porcelain and a great gift shop.
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The traditional Chinese Yuyuan Garden was first established over 400 years ago.  It is a lush retreat from the crazy busyness of Shanghai
There was a modern shopping area along the side of the Yuyuan Gardens.  Traditional architecture was used to remind visitors of the history of the area.
One of the first buildings at Yuyuan
I love this view which includes architecture which is several hundred years old with a glimpse of the modern Chinese flag.
Our trip to China was marvelous!  Its rich history, kind and welcoming people, and excitement about the future combined to make a memorable adventure.
Our hotel in Shanghai was just a block from the Bund where historic buildings overlook the future across the river.
This photo was taken from the Bund looking back at our hotel with the flower on top.
The most amazing and colorful skyline I have ever seen!
We had lots of fun traveling together!
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