Crystal Ships

Crystal Serenity

Crystal Symphony

	Hong Kong, China

Although Hong Kong has returned to its original Chinese roots, it still remains a cosmopolitan city with influences, languages and accents from around the world. Here East meets West and the result is electric. Soaring skyscrapers rise from the hills and harbor, blending geography and nature with commercial concrete, steel and pulsating neon in a way that brings traditional Chinese culture and Western-style commerce into perfect harmony.
The bustling city streets are lined with teeming markets and sophisticated boutiques tucked tightly into any available crevice. Some of the world's best shopping is found in Central, located on Hong Kong Island and only a short ferry ride away.

	Kobe, Japan

Cosmopolitan Kobe is a modern, bustling city of more than one and a half million people. Throughout its long history, it has functioned as a hub of international trade and exchange.

It contains a remarkable mix of architectural styles, including Moslem mosques and Russian Orthodox churches tucked between traditional Japanese buildings. To the north stands majestic Mount Rokko, the highest peak in the Rokko Range. A cable car ride to its summit reveals unsurpassed views of Kobe Harbor and Awaji.

Kobe is also our gateway to the ancient cities of Kyoto and Nara, the cultural fountainheads of Classical Japan.

	Hiroshima, Japan

Thriving Hiroshima lies on the Ota River Delta at the mouth of Hiroshima Bay and is one of Japan's largest cities. Its name originates from the castle of Hiroshima-jo (meaning Broad-Island Castle), built during the 16th century.

Since the traumatic events of August 6, 1945, Hiroshima has regained its status as an important Japanese industrial area and the center of the worldwide movement against atomic weapons.

Once ashore, commemorate the past at the Peace Memorial Park, view the city's beautifully restored castle or venture out to the highly revered shrine on Miyajima Island.

	Shanghai, China

Shanghai, located just inside the mouth of the great Yangtze River, marks the point where Asia's longest and most important river completes its 3,400-mile journey to the Pacific. The city's unique location is the source of its existence and has determined what it is today.

Until 1842, Shanghai was merely a tiny fishing village. Following the first Opium War, Shanghai became a treaty port, which opened the city to foreign influence and resulted in the development of numerous British, French and American colonial settlements within the city and along the Yangtze River. Today, Shanghai is the center of China's economic resurgence and its skyline attests to this development in the form of towering skyscrapers, brightly lit commercial high-rises and the unsettling Oriental Pearl Tower.

A testimony to Shanghai's colonial era, stately European buildings in art deco style line the Bund, the city's spacious waterfront promenade. An endless flotilla of sampans edge the Huangpu River, dividing old and new Shanghai. Beyond the rush of the city, serene ponds and gardens offer a gentle respite.

Must-see sights include the Jade Buddha Temple and tranquil Yu Garden, impressive monuments to China's history and style. Inland lies Suzhou, with its majestic Grand Canal and classical gardens, as well as equally significant Hangzhou, terminus of the Grand Canal and the center of China's legendary tea industry.

	Dalian, China

The world's powers have been wrestling over the city of Dalian for over a century. In 1895, Japan laid claim to Dalian. A few years later the Russians took over. In 1905, Japan gained it back. After World War II, the Soviet Union occupied the city for ten years before leaving on friendly terms.

Once you visit Dalian, you will understand what all the fuss is about. It is a large, clean, modern city with a perfect location on the Yellow Sea. Scenic beaches beckon from just outside of town, annual festivals celebrate high fashion and the lotus flower, seafood is plentiful and delicious, and the national pastime, soccer, is followed with a passion.

	Beijing/Tianjin, China

Tianjin is the gateway to Beijing, the cultural and political heart of modern and historic China. For centuries, Beijing has played a major role in China's imperial rule. It was Khubilai Khan, a grandson of Genghis Khan, who reunified the Chinese territories and transferred the capital to Beijing during the 13th century. Beijing was not only a lasting imperial city, but also a thriving trading city that served as the easternmost terminus of the caravan routes of the Silk Road.

Today, Beijing remains as it was centuries ago-a great center of power and commerce. It is a bustling metropolis of soaring high-rises, gaudy billboards, teeming highways and a growing international stature. Although a number of Beijing's historical sites are slowly being preserved, many of the city's ancient neighborhoods have been razed in recent years to make way for glitzy commercial skyscrapers and apartment blocks.

Nevertheless, Khubilai Khan's imperial spirit remains in the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall and the Summer Palace. Explore these wonders and more on our exciting three-night complimentary land program in Beijing.

Crystal Symphony Ship Highlights:
• Crystal Symphony Plaza
• Crystal Symphony Main Dining Room
• Crystal Symphony Lido Cafe
• Crystal Symphony Palm Court Restaurant
• Crystal Symphony The Bistro
• Crystal Symphony Jade Garden Restaurant
• Crystal Symphony Vintage Room
• Crystal Symphony The Library
• Crystal Symphony Salon & Beauty Center
• Crystal Symphony Computer At Sea
• Crystal Symphony Fitness Center
• Crystal Symphony Paddle Tennis Court
• Crystal Symphony Golf
• Crystal Symphony Internet Center
• Crystal Symphony Penthouse Suite w/ Verandah
• Crystal Symphony Penthouse Suite Bedroom
• Crystal Symphony Deluxe Stateroom w/ Verandah
• Crystal Symphony Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom