The Forbidden City. The ancient Terra Cotta Army. The Great Wall. Imagine sipping tea in an elegant classical garden. Now imagine yourself traveling on the odyssey of a lifetime on an unforgettable China river cruise, the most luxurious, relaxing, and rewarding way to see China.

An immensely popular destination by itself, the Yangtze is our favorite pick for river cruising in China. There are many options available, from affordable to downright opulent, but in researching your next cruise along the Yangtze, be sure to see these can’t-miss sights:

Beijing
Beijing has been key to China’s history for hundreds of years. Beijing is filled with palaces, walls, and temples both ancient and modern, so you’re never far from its cultural and political past.

*Tiananmen Square
The Square is best known as the site where Mao proclaimed for the first time the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Tiananmen also contains a large gate, which separates it from the Forbidden City in the north.

*Forbidden City
The largest collection of ancient wooden structures in the world, the Forbidden City was home to China’s Emperors for more than a thousand years.

Xian
One of the four ancient capital cities of China, Xian is rich with cultural significance. You could spend weeks exploring this city, but the Terra Cotta Army alone will give you the perfect taste of what Xian has to offer.

*The Terra Cotta Army
Discovered by a farmer digging in the field to create a well, this “army” is a collection of an estimated 8,000 unique sculptures of soldiers, created to protect Qin Shi Huangdi, the First Emperor of China. You won’t believe your eyes when you see these soldiers.

Three Gorges
One of the most picturesque spots along the Yangtze, this area is extremely important to China’s culture and history.

*Three Gorges Dam
The largest hydroelectric power station in the world. And it’s big! The dam will be fully operational in 2011.

Jingdezhen

With its 1700-year history of producing some of the finest porcelain in the world, Jingdezhen is a souvenir buyer’s paradise!

Shanghai
Shanghai is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, and home to more than 20 million people. It’s without doubt the jewel in the crown of the world’s fastest growing economy, as evidenced by the multitude of advertisements for high-end products wherever you look.

*The Bund
A stroll down the Bund is a must for any tourist. With its 52 buildings and mile-long walkway, a walk down The Bund is the perfect end to an extraordinary trip along the Yangtze.

This very brief guide isn’t an exhaustive list of everything you must see and do on your cruise along the Yangtze, but hopefully it’ll give you some idea of what this fabulous river has to offer. Filled with the history of a continent, as well as the culture and romance that make every vacation special, a cruise along the Yangtze will be a trip you’ll remember forever.