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Originating on the Qinghai-Tibet
Plateau, coursing a distance of almost 6,400 kilometres, the mighty
Yangtze River is the third longest river in the world and home
to more than 300 million people. To see this mighty river is a
thrill in itself, but to feel the power and majesty of China's
greatest river aboard a cruise ship is an unforgettable
experience.
The Three Gorges on the
Yangtze River Valley form the most attractive tourist route in
the
 world.
From the city of Chongqing to Yichang, it stretches
over a total of 193 km, including the Qutang Gorge, Wu
Gorge and Xiling Gorge. As the ship passes through deep
valleys of lush green hills and narrow canyons with sheer rock
cliffs on either side, passengers become lost in a
timelessness that has escaped the rest of the world.
A cruise down the
Yangtze is an excellent way to see a large area of China in a
short time. From spring through fall, dozens of comfortable
cruise ships and ferries sail the waters of the Yangtze. Side
trips and excursions into the Yangtze River Valley provide
views of the jungles, wildlife and geological wonders around
certain areas. In addition, you can view the world's
largest hydroelectric project, the Three Gorges
Dam. The dam
will create 11 new lakes, 14 islets, 37 canyons and drift
sections, and 15 caves once the project is completed in 2009.
The
City of Chongqing
The city of Chongqing is
situated by the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. It is the
largest industrial and commercial centre of the Southwest and the
gateway to travelling on the Yangtze River. Chongqing is an
ideal starting point for tourists to embark on a ship to see
the Three Gorges. Well known as the "Mountain City"
and "a city of fogs", the city abounds in places of
beauty and historic importance. Main attractions include the
Dazu Stone Carvings, Shibaozhai, the Ghost City in Fengdu, and
the
temple of Zhang Fei.
Three
Gorges
Qutang Gorge is the first of the Three Gorges that a
tourist travelling downstream will enter. It extends from
Baidicheng to Daxi Township, about 8 km. High cliffs and steep
precipices with sharp edges rise one after another on either
side of the narrow gorge. Main attractions include Baidicheng,
the Lesser Three Gorges, Fengjie, Kuimen Gate, Tankeng and the
Difeng
Scenic Zone.
Wu Gorge is the
second of the Three Gorges. This gorge extends from the
Wushan to the Badong County, a distance of 40 km; the waterway
is no more than one hundred metres in breadth. On either side
there are peaks and green vegetation. Main attractions include
the 12 peaks of Wushan Mountains, Three Platforms, Lianxian Scenic
Spot, the Temple of Quyuan, and Zigui.
Xiling Gorge is
about 76 km long, known for its strategic importance, and as a
place of dangerous shoals. There are many rocks, caves and
streams. Main attractions include Military Book and Treasury
Sword Gorge, Ox Liver and Horse Lung Gorge, Light Shadow
Gorge, and The Yellow Ox Rock Ecological Scenic Spot.
The
City of Yichang
Yichang is the dividing line between the upper and mid-lower
reaches of the Yangtze River. There are more than 340 scenic
spots and 42 priority places. From there, tourists can set out
to see the beautiful natural scenery of the Yangtze and the man-made
Three Gorges Dam Project.
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