(NOTE: This article has been graciously provided by our partner, Viking River Cruises, one of the most knowledgeable sources of information on the Yangtze River region)

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The Yangtze River region is filled with incredible sights, from bamboo groves to mist-covered mountains. And a cruise down the river on Viking River Cruises places you right in the heart of this mysterious and quietly majestic land.

Viking River Cruises offer the absolute best of China. In fact, you can expect to not only experience the sights and sounds of the Yangtze River from a most advantageous viewpoint, but you can enjoy the very best of the region’s cuisine during your cruise down China’s longest river.

The cuisine along the Yangtze River offers a spellbinding array of different flavors, textures and aromas. The primary ingredient is, of course, fish. And depending on your Yangtze River Cruise package, you can delight in the best of the local cuisine on board, or on shore.

Some of the culinary specialties a traveler should expect to find in the Yangtze River region include:

Steamed Wuchang Fish

A specialty of the Fankou section of the Yangtze, Steamed Wuchang Fish is the most famous dish in Wuhan. Perfectly braised in select stocks, this dish is equally light, tender and fresh.

Mandarin Fish in Tomato Juice

A complex dish featuring crispy fish and tomato sauce, this delight has hints of ginger and scallion for an uncompromised flavor that’s bright, rich and irrevocably oriental.

Eight Delicacies Orange Cups

As nutritious as it delicious, this specialty of the Yangtze region combines ham, chicken, water chestnuts, mushrooms, bamboo sprouts and walnuts carefully chopped, mixed and spooned into orange cups.

In the lower reach of the Yangtze River, Jiangsu cuisine reigns supreme. If you venture into this region, you can expect some of the best food China has to offer, including Jinling Salted Dried Duck, Clear Crab Shell Meatballs, Soft Shell Turtle Stew and other distinctive dishes.

We hope this helps!

The Travel Relic Folks

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A NOTE FROM OUR PARTNER:

Viking River Cruises offers spectacular gourmet cuisine, designed by famed celebrity chef, Martin Yan. Travelers have the option of choosing from the cruise’s menu or taking a more adventurous approach by diving in to the regional cuisine. Either way, you’re sure to be impressed and satisfied.

Visit Viking River Cruises>>

GOOD Magazine is known for their introspective and travel-learning articles. They’ve gone one step further with their creation of an interactive map showing all major world journeys that have defined generations for the past 500 years, or more.

Check it out and find out a little more about how the world was inspired one traveler at a time.

Ever wondered what type of drink to order in a foreign country? This creative and print-ready graphic shows the local drinks in distinct world regions. Whether ordering a caipirinha in Sao Paulo or an akvavit in Sweden, this graphic helps you plan your drink du jour wherever you may go.

Download it now – it’s FREE!>>

Winter has officially rolled in snow and ice seem to be covering the country in an immovable white blanket. As the temperatures dip, there’s actually a lot to be excited about – skiiers are plowing through fresh powder, snowmobilers are driving through mounds of soft snow and mulled wine fans are imbibing their warm, tasty creations.

“Mulled Wine”. Sounding like a victimized wine, snatched from home and forced into servitude, mulled wine was originally created by Northern Europeans as a hardy winter drink. Dating back hundreds, if not thousands, of years,  mulled wine is a category of wines fortified with brandy and seasoned with unique spices and best served piping hot.

Mulled wines are as interesting for their taste as they are their tradition. The oldest documented production of Gluhwein, the winter drink of Germany, is attributed to Count John IV. of Katzenelnbogen in 1420. Not confined to the borders of Deutschland, mulled wines can be found all across Europe. When traveling, mention these names and be served a hot, tasty drink:

Sweden, and the rest of Scandinavia, has elevated the drink to a cultural phenomenon. During the holiday season, Glogg parties are a way for friends and family to reconnect. Like your traditional red wine, mulled wine should be drank in moderation. Combined with the addition of spices, sugar and fortifying brandy, over-indulgence is ill-advised. It seems many in Sweden have learned it the hard way>>

Mulled wines are actually really easy to make. With the same basic playbook as a simple stew, bring your red wine to a warm temperate before adding sugar, spices and brandy. The exact recipe depends on the country, but our favorite is the German version – Glühwein. Featuring a few more ingredients than those of neighboring countries, you can find most ingredients already in your kitchen. A few items you may need to go to the store for – mace, cinnamon sticks and allspice. Check our out our recipe below. This recipe fills 4 regular bottles of wine, a good practice is to store the extra wine for future drinking!

German Glühwein Recipe – Our Favorite!

Ingredients

• 3 L of red wine ( 4 regular bottles or 2 uber-large bottles. We recommend Cabernet Sauvignon for its robustness)
• 1 pint brandy
• 1 cup sugar
• 6 cinnamon sticks
• 12 cloves, whole
• 1/8 tsp allspice
• 1/8 tsp mace (unusual ingredient, but necessary – don’t skip this!)
• 2 oranges, sliced
• 1 lemon, sliced

Directions

1. Pour the wine into a large pot and begin heating over low heat. DO NOT BOIL!
2. As it begins to warm, add sugar, spices and brandy (everything but citrus). Stir until dissolved and let simmer for a few minutes.
3. Add the lemon and orange and allow to steep for an hour until flavor is well infused.
4. Serve hot.

Note: This recipe serves 12-15.