| The imperial style ship "Qianlong" possesses the strongest
national characteristics of all the ships on the Yangtze River. It
looks like a dragon and the dragon symbolizes China and reflects the
Chinese people's national spirit. The excellent food, beautiful accommodations
and a standard service formerly available only to the royal family
make a voyage on the Qianlong reminiscent of the life style and luxury
the emperors enjoyed during the most prosperous periods of the Qing
Dynasty (1644-1911).
The 'Qianlong' reflects the life style and customs of the Kangxi
and Qianlong periods of the Qing Dynasty. It combines the Han people's
exquisite taste with the Manzu people's boldness. It contains several
decks and many cabins. Visitors praise it as a work of art for its
carted beams, painted rafters, winding corridors, marble railings
and golden sculptures.
Carved on the doors. Walls and pillars of the reception hall are
floating clouds and flying dragons. Some of the dragons are frolicking
with one another, and some fiercely stare at one another. Some swallow
clouds and spit mist, and others hide their heads but expose their
tails.
In fact, the dragon is the main decorative theme used throughout
the ship. Dragons in various postures can be found everywhere. They
are not only to he found on the beams and painted rafters but also
appear in the form of dragon beds and dragon chairs Dragon flags
and dragon robes can be found in the cabins and dragon shaped, tableware
and food can he found in the dining rooms. In addition, musical
instruments, cards and chess, paintings and calligraphy and songs
and dances performed on hoard the ship all take the dragon as their
theme. The interior is decorated with five colored antique palace
lanterns. The red lacquered doors are as thick and clear as mirrors.
The huge carved immortals and Buddha's are lifelike. In such an
atmosphere, the ships passengers will feel happy and gay.
All the waiters and waitresses working on the "Qianlong"
are well trained. They are familiar with the Qing Dynasty's court
life and with ordinary people's needs and understand modern management
techniques. They dress in Qing Dynasty style costumes and serve
passengers with the most care. Passengers will have a chance to
see a wide selection of Qing dynasty costumes, including typical
cheongsams mandarin jackets and high shoes, in addition to pheasant
like hairstyle and the long pigtails worn during the Qing Dynasty.
They will also have a chance to wear the yellow Silk robes that
rich people often wore in the past. They can fully enjoy the luxurious
life of the imperial family.
The ship's dining room can accommodate 180 passengers at one time.
Its veteran chefs can offer dinners a wide variety of exquisite
dishes, including carmine rice, green, pink or white polished glutinous
rice, sturgeon, soft shelled turtle, venison, deer tongue and prawn.
In addition, passengers may enjoy Jiangsu-style 'Pickled Goose Foot',
Sichuan-style 'Pork Soaked in Oil with Beans?, Shanxi-style 'Knife
Sliced Noodles'. Nanjing-style 'Chinese Rose Cakes' and Yangzhou
style 'Stewed Pig's Trotters with Ham'. What a joy it is for passengers
cladding in silk robes to make new friends and enjoy delicious food
and drink while viewing beautiful flowers and the crescent moon
together!
The ship has eighty cabins, two of which are of special imperial
style suites built to resemble the emperor's temporary dwellings
and decorated with red carpets, chairs with red embroidered backs
and black fox skin pillow seats, mattresses made of white fox skin,
covers made of marten and tiger skins, embroidered bed curtains
and colorful screens. Waiters and waitresses will report the time
and wish good health to the passengers in the morning and the evening.
All these add interest to passengers voyage.
Buddhism was practiced all over China during the Qing Dynasty.
The "Qianlong" therefore has several halls in which special
Buddhist services are offered. Waiters and waitresses will see off
the kitchen God, sweep the ancestral hall, arrange sacrificial offerings
and hang pictures of gods and Buddha's...
There are 9,999 dragons in different shapes and sizes on the "Qianlong".
While sightseeing along the "Three Gorges", passengers
may also try to find the 9,999 dragons. Anyone who can count all
the 9,999 dragons will win a prize of RMB 1,000.000.
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