Have your say and vote for your favorite in our global Facebook poll.
Bargain Shanghai-Nagasaki cruise hits the water
Japan reduced: Chinese tourists can soon visit Japan at a fraction of the current cost
Chinatown in Nagasaki. As one of Japan's closest port cities to mainland China, Nagasaki's culture has been heavily influenced by Chinese merchants and immigrants.A new luxury cruise line between Shanghai and Nagasaki will start operation from next January, according to Xinmin Evening News.
With a single trip priced at only RMB 624 (US$98, excluding taxes), this might be the best deal to travel to Japan from Shanghai.
Historic line
Last weekend saw a ceremonial cruise between the two sister cities to officially resume the historic shipping line, which was surprisingly halted 14 years ago.
Operated by Huis Ten Bosch, a Netherlands-themed (really) theme park in Nagasaki, the cruise will use the 30,000-ton, 1,000-passenger luxury vessel Ocean Rose (海洋玫瑰号) and will run one or two times per week in January and February, 2012.
More frequent and regular services are planned to start from next March.
- More on CNNGo: Cruising lures Chinese travelers
Located on the island of Kyushu in southwest Japan, Nagasaki is one of Japan's closest port cities to mainland China.
The shipping line between Shanghai and Nagasaki, which are roughly 800 kilometers or 22 ship-hours apart, is one of the oldest and most important trading routes between the two countries.
Chinese tourists
The resumption of the cruise line is part of celebrations to mark the 15th anniversary of the sister-city relationship. Naturally, it’s also a way for Nagasaki to attract more Chinese visitors.
“Nagasaki people show their love to China by welcoming Chinese tourists with respect," Hodo Nakamura, Governor of Nagasaki, told People’s Daily.
"This is a special culture nourished during the centuries of communications [between the two cities], and is hard to find in other regions in Japan. We hope more Chinese tourists would visit Nagasaki and find a trace of China here,” he said.
According to Chinanews.com, the new line will bring an estimated 100,000-200,000 Chinese tourists every year to Nagasaki.
The Japanese port city is currently recruiting more Chinese-speaking tourist guides and setting up more Chinese-language signage to help them get around when in town.
