Easing into the East on a cruise in China

Carp swim in a pond at Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai.  (Jerome Levine / Chicago Tribune)

Typical public restroom in a hutong, or alley, in Beijing.  (Jerome Levine / Chicago Tribune)

Visitors climb the steps of the Great Wall at Juyong Pass.  (Jerome Levine / Chicago Tribune)

View of the Great Wall from Juyong Pass.  (Jerome Levine / Chicago Tribune)

The modern Harbour City shopping mall in Hong Kong.  (Jerome Levine / Chicago Tribune)

The Crystal Symphony cruise started at the Ocean Terminal in Hong Kong.  (Jerome Levine / Chicago Tribune)

Two young performers at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.  (Jerome Levine / Chicago Tribune)

Fish drying in the street in Hong Kong.  (Jerome Levine / Chicago Tribune)

Gate of Supreme Harmony at the Forbidden City in Beijing.  (Jerome Levine / Chicago Tribune)

A vendor sells qingtuan, or green dumplings, for Tomb Sweeping Day in Shanghai.  (Jerome Levine / Chicago Tribune)

Street food in Shanghai.  (Jerome Levine / Chicago Tribune)

A woman practices tai chi in Beijing.  (Jerome Levine / Chicago Tribune)

Men play cards in a park outside the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.  (Jerome Levine / Chicago Tribune)

A view of Beijing traffic from our tour bus.  (Jerome Levine / Chicago Tribune)

A bride and groom stop for wedding pictures on the waterfront promenade near the Bund in Shanghai.  (Jerome Levine / Chicago Tribune)

Meat for sale in a “wet market” in Hong Kong.  (Jerome Levine / Chicago Tribune)

Reclining Buddha at Jade Buddha Temple in Shanghai.  (Jerome Levine / Chicago Tribune)