The No.1 Golden Peacock, a luxurious tour ship, started its maiden voyage along the Lancang-Mekong River from Jinghong harbor of Xishuangbanna prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province on November 26.

As the longest international river in South-east Asia, the 4,800-km Lancang-Mekong River rises in China and flows through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia before emptying itself into the Gulf of Thaila.

The route along the river is considered a promising route that links west China with the five southeast Asian countries.

As construction of China-ASEAN free trade area is being heated up, tour route along the Lancang- Mekong River becomes very popular.

By People's Daily Online
http://english.people.com.cn/200511/28/eng20051128_224266.html

For the Chinese stories:
People's Daily - http://www.gx.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2005-11/28/content_5690106.htm
Xishuangbanna Daily -
http://www.bndaily.com.cn/bnbs/main/NewsTemplate.asp?NewsID=21496