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Hello, I am Captain Beard. In recent days, in order to participate in the negotiations for the agency rights of Viking Cruises, the captain returned to the headquarters of Meiya International Travel Service and confirmed the recent high-profile event in his conversation“China Merchants Yidun”——The first Chinese ship in history to fly the five-star red flagHigh end ocean going cruise ships willFirst flight restart on October 1, 2021！
Today we won't talk about the Three Gorges cruise ship, but let me help you clarify:What is the origin of the name 'China Merchants Yidun', a ship that combines Chinese and Western elements?The captain also supplemented his knowledge and opened his eyes! Behind the maiden voyage of the China Merchants Yidun is the rich history of Li Hongzhang, China Merchants Group, and the Chinese shipping industry.
Let's first mention Li Hongzhang, a well-known figure among us ordinary people. In 1867, many merchants in China's trading ports purchased or rented foreign ships and registered them under the names of foreign merchants. This phenomenon made the Qing government quite concerned that China's shipping industry would fall completely into the hands of foreign companies, resulting in the transportation of grain being controlled by others.
In 1872, in order to break the monopoly of foreign merchant ships on inland waterway transportation in the Yangtze River, Li Hongzhang established the "Steamship Investment Promotion Bureau" in Shanghai, becoming the first modern Chinese steamship company.
(Image source: China Merchants Group promotional video)
In 1894, the Westernization Movement failed, and most of the industries founded during that period died out, but the steamship investment promotion bureau only survived. After a century and a half of ups and downs, it has been developing step by step into today'sChina Merchants Group.
(Image source: China Merchants Group promotional video)
So where did the Yidun ship come from?
In 1872, the organizer of the China Merchants Group purchased the first ship, Aden, from the British Shipping Company for 15000 pounds (approximately 50000 taels of silver) and named it the Iton,The Yidun is hereBecoming the first official ship of China Merchants Group, and also the first merchant ship in China's modern national shipping industryFrom 1872 to 1879, during a special period in history, the Yidun carried the special mission and hope of China's shipping industry.
(Image source: China Merchants Group promotional video)
In 2020, China Merchants Shekou, a subsidiary of China Merchants Group, jointly invested with Viking Cruise to establish China Merchants Viking Cruise Co., Ltd. (referred to as CMB Viking Cruise)“Merchants Viking Cruises”）. On June 26, 2021, as the first luxury cruise ship under China Merchants Viking Cruises, the Viking Sun was renamed as the "China Merchants Yidun",Becoming the first luxury cruise ship in China to fly the five-star red flag,The first luxury cruise ship independently operated and managed by China.
The current China Merchants Yidun Express is the preferred travel option for "explorers" who are knowledgeable travelers with a strong interest in nature, history, folk customs, and culinary culture; Create a deep humanistic journey that inspires thinking with destination experience as the core.
On September 1st, China Merchants Viking Cruise announced the 2021 route of the "China Coast Cultural Tour" operated by the "China Merchants Yidun", which includes:
1Shenzhen - Shenzhen "Charming South China Sea Tour" National Day Special Voyage
2Shenzhen Shenzhen "South China Sea Beautiful Scenery Tour" route
3Shanghai Shenzhen/Shenzhen Shanghai "Southeast Coast Cultural Tour" route
The common feature of these routes is to leverage the "small and beautiful" characteristics of the Yidun, flexibly leading guests to anchor and dock, and throughShore tours and boat experiences with rich cultural connotations, allowing guests to "explore" China's rich coastline in a comfortable and relaxed way.
Many guests experience a cruise ship with the aim of its own dining, entertainment facilities, activities, and servicesIn addition to the fact that the cruise ship itself is a scenic route, the Yidun also places more emphasis on cultural explorationOn the one hand, guests can choose to follow the tour guide ashore to deeply experience the local culture of the cities along the route; On the other hand, through lectures, book collections, micro exhibitions, art galleries, and various entertainment programs on board, the Yidun allows guests to inspire their thinking and broaden their knowledge horizons in the colorful world of Chinese and Western cultures.
(China Merchants Yidun - Sea Library)
(China Merchants Yidun - China Merchants Viking Micro Exhibition Hall)
The China Merchants Yidun is a space full of Nordic design, with all guest rooms equipped with balconies, low-key leisure and social facilities, creating an elegant Nordic style and comfortable maritime mobile hotel for guests like home. Let's take a look at its charm!
(China Merchants Yidun - Deluxe Balcony Room)
(China Merchants Yidun - Winter Garden)
(China Merchants Yidun - Spa Center)
(China Merchants Yidun - Endless Swimming Pool)
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