A five-star cruise ship Merchants Yi Dun docks at the Zhoushan Port International Cruise Terminal in East China's Zhejiang province on Sept 10. [Photo/WeChat account: zsgd93] 

The five-star cruise ship Merchants Yi Dun arrived at Zhoushan Port in East China's Zhejiang province on Sept 10. 

Dubbed "a floating five-star hotel", the cruise ship was built by China Merchants Group and Viking Cruises Ltd. It is the first luxury cruise ship that is independently operated in China. 

The cruise ship is equipped with facilities including a banquet hall that serves Chinese, French, Italian and Japanese cuisines, a gallery where passengers can appreciate more than 400 pieces of artworks, and a theater that hosts opera performances. 

The nine-floor cruise ship, which operates on the Zhoushan-Xiamen line, has 465 sea-view guest rooms that can accommodate 930 passengers. 

Chen Jun, director of Zhoushan Tour Association, said the cruise ship will play a major role in promoting the integration of culture and tourism in the city.