A luxury sightseeing cruise ship is scheduled to make its maiden voyage on Friday November 18th.
The Golden Imperial Court ship, which was made by the Chongqing Huidong Shipping Limited Company, will depart on its maiden voyage from Chongqing in the south-western region of China, reports CriEnglish.com.
Passengers enjoying holidays in China on the ship will be able to take in the beautiful surroundings around Chongqing and view the stunning landscapes along the Yangtze and Jialing rivers.
Hailed as one of China’s most luxurious ships, the Golden Imperial Court is 60 metres long, 16 metres tall and 16 metres wide, and has the capacity to hold around 600 passengers.
The vessel costs around 33 million yuan (£3.2 million) and is fully equipped with a lift. It is said to be the first of its kind in China.
Featuring an elaborate design of red and gold, the ship showcases an architectural design that is reminiscent of an ancient Chinese imperial court. It is adorned with two large phoenixes and dragons that are positioned at the front of the ship and emit either fire or water at night time.
Chen Jinbi, board chairman of the Chongqing Huidong Shipping Limited Company, said the Golden Imperial Court is designed to meet the exacting standards of a luxury five star hotel.
The interior of the ship exudes top quality luxury and features stunning polished marble floors, winding staircases, intricately designed balconies and sumptuous chandeliers.
It is hoped that the Golden Imperial Court ship will attract more tourists to the region and encourage more high net worth individuals interested in luxury tourism to travel to China.
There are currently seven sightseeing ships operating at the point where the Yangtze and Jialing rivers meet in Chongqing. The latest addition is expected to boost tourism to the region even further.