A river cruise to Asia is an experience that any traveler should add to their bucket list. The Yangtze and Mekong rivers are exceptionally beautiful and have so much to offer in terms of culture, natural beauty, history, and people. Onboard select cruises to Asia, you’ll find yourself wandering amongst majestic temples, tasting incredible exotic delicacies, and learning about each country’s unique social traditions. Read on to find out our top three cities to visit on an Asia river cruise…
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1. Xi’an, China
Known as the birthplace of Chinese civilization and over 3,000 years old, Xi’an is the current Capital of Shaanxi Province and the Eastern end of the Silk Road. This city played a large role in China’s history as the capital city of 13 different Chinese dynasties, and is full of significant historical structures as a result. Xi’an is most famous for its Terracotta Army, which is a collection of thousands of terracotta warrior sculptures that protect the tomb of China’s first emperor. The City Wall of Xi’an is one of the largest and most well preserved city walls in the world and is another incredible part of Xi’an. There are many other temples, pagodas, and museums where you can learn about the culture and history of this fascinating city!
2. Cái Bè, Vietnam
On the Mekong River in Vietnam, you’ll find the little town of Cái Bè. It is a tiny town within the larger Cái Bè District, and is famous for its floating market. Every morning you’ll find hundreds of boats gathered on the Tan Phong Island at the junction of Tien River to trade a variety of goods. It’s a bustling scene filled with traders selling and trading fresh fruits, vegetables, rice, fish, and more. Each boat specializes in different products, from pineapples to papayas and other local Vietnamese produce. You’ll be truly immersed in Vietnamese culture as you interact with local vendors from boat to boat, or ‘sampan’, as they’re called. This once in a lifetime experience can only be found in Cái Bè!
3. Bagan, Myanmar
Located in central Myanmar (formerly Burma), Bagan is an ancient city that is famous for its thousands of temples across the Bagan Archaeological Zone. In this zone lies the largest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, and ruins in the world. Many of the temples date back to the 12th and 13th centuries! Each temple and pagoda is unique and most can be explored, but a few of the most important temples to visit are the Ananda Temple, the Shwesandaw Temple, the Manuhar Pagoda and the Shwezigon Temple. There are thousands to see, so it is recommended to rents bikes or go with a guide who can show you all the best sights. The best times to see the temples are at dawn or dusk—the light on the plains is truly breathtaking.
A journey on an Asia river cruise will bring you closer to the sights and offer an immersive experience with some of the world’s most interesting cultures. You will feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you wander amongst two-thousand-year-old temples and ancient villages. So, what are you waiting for? Your Asia adventure awaits!
