Yangtze River
From ChinaTravelGuide
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[edit] Description
The mighty Yangtze River, or Changjiang (长江), is said to be the cradle of Chinese civilization. It is traditionally regarded as the geographical boundary between north China and south China. The Yangtze cruise is a "must do" for any tourists because of its most spectacular scenery imaginable.
The "Ten Thousand Li Changjiang (万里长江)" flows 6.300 kilometers from the snowy heights of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to the East China Sea. It is the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world. The river was first rafted from source to mouth by all-Chinese teams in 1986.
The most impressive section of the river is the three Yangtze River gorges, Qutang Gorge (瞿塘峡), Wuxia Gorge (巫峡) and Xiling Gorge (西陵峡), collectively known as the Three Gorges (三峡), and the controversial dam.
Popular Yangtze River cruise routes include between Shanghai and Chongqing, Shanghai and Yichang, and Chongqing and Yichang.
[edit] Photos
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[edit] Videos
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| Yangtze River Cruise is a must-do for any tourists because of its most spectacular scenery imaginable. | Video description ... |
[edit] Direction
Yangtze Cruise can be made from the following cities:
- Chongqing (重庆): The start or end point for most Yangtze River cruises. More than 100 houseboats in Chongqing are servicing the tourists. Chongqing also has convenient water, land, and air transport facilities.
- Yichang (宜昌): Where the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River are divided. An important river port since ancient times, Yichang is known as "Throat between Sichuan and Hubei", a transportation hub along the Yangtze river linking west Hubei and east Sichuan.
- Wuhan (武汉): The biggest tributary, the Han River, joins Yangtze River at Wuhan. It's the biggest city in Central China, and also the capital of Hubei Province.
- Nanjing (南京): Another big port city where many tourists start/end their Yangtze River Cruise. Capital of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing was the capital for several dynasties in Chinese history.
- Shanghai (上海): Gateway to the Yangzte River. Shanghai is China's largest economic, financial and trade center. It is well-known for its mix of east and west. Shanghai has international flights to most major cities in the world.
[edit] Cruise Operators
- Victoria Cruises
- Being the only American managed cruise fleet on Yangtze River, Victoria Series was the most preferred vessel for Yangtze Cruising by our overseas clients in 2004 with its superior amenities and hospitality.
- Designed for maximum comfort, flexibility and maneuverability, and with their special double-bottom hulls, the Victoria Cruises ships epitomize safe and smooth navigation on the Yangtze's spectacular twists and turns. For a traveler through China, stepping aboard a Victoria ship is like entering a different world. The atrium lobby, with its chandeliers, rich carpet and gleaming woods promises luxury. The uniformed staff gives each guest a warm welcome and swift check in. Though the ships are in China, the ambiance is Western and the line's American management shows.
- No trip to China is complete without an adventure to the world-famous, spellbinding Yangtze River and its Three Gorges via Orient Royal Cruise-East King, China's only five-star deluxe cruiser awarded by National Tourism Administration in year 1997. In early 2004, Orient Royal Cruise has completed an intensive renovation of East King. Dubbed as the most expensive "facelift" in Yangtze River Cruise history, the renovation program has set a new standard of luxury on the Yangtze River. The super deluxe Yangzi Explorer will be launched in April 2008.
- Regal China Cruises
- Regal China Cruises boasts three elegant, state-of-the-art vessels: Princess Jeannie, Princess Elaine and Princess Sheena. Built in Germany in 1993, the three sister ships are the only European-built passenger vessels plying China's rivers and the only ships designed to western standards of safety and refinement. Under Chinese and American management, RCC staff provide the best quality services and programs available for touring the Three Gorges and other famous sights along the Yangtze River.
[edit] Events
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[edit] What to see
- Shi Bao Zhai (石宝寨)
Shi Bao Zhai is a wooden pavilion located in Zhongxian on the south bank of the Yangtze River. It was first built in the Qing dynasty in 1650. As one of the most spectacular sites along the river, this 12-storied wooden red pavilion, with a height of 56 meters, hugs a sheer rectangular cliff. It consists of three parts: the entrance gate, a nine-storied wooden pavilion and a small temple at the top.
- Zhangfei Temple (张飞庙)
Zhangfei Temple bears the name of a legendary Chinese hero. The Three Gorges Dam project will soon submerge the Zhangfei Temple. In order not to be submerged by the rising waters of the Dam Project, Zhangfei Temple will be relocated to a new site in Panshi County, 40 kilometers away from the present site.
- Fengdu Ghost City (丰都鬼城)
- Fengdu is also known as "Ghost City". Lying in the midst of the riverside mountains, there is a nestled group of temples, the temples were built during the Tang dynasty and according to ancient folklore depict hell. It is said that all people are going there after death.
- Wanxian (万县)
Wanxian is a town of around 2 million people. As it is located about halfway between Chongqin and Yichang, it has been an important river port for centuries. They used to build boats here out of the cedar trees found on the slopes. Tourists visit the museum and daily bazaar here.
- Three Gorges (三峡)
The Three Gorges consist of Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge, extending 193 kilometers along the Yangtze River.
- Qutang Gorge is the shortest of the three gorges, only 8 kilometers. It is the most spectacular one.
- Wu Gorge is the middle gorge between Qutang and Xiling Gorge. It's 44km long and quite deep, with a number of named peaks along the path, elegant and famous by its elegant scenery like a beautiful nature painting.
- Xiling Gorge is the longest, at 66 kilometers, with several dangerous rapids.
- Three Gorges Dam (三峡大坝)
Three Gorges Dam, the World's Largest Hydroelectric Project. The Yangtze River was completely blocked on Nov. 6, 2002 at the Three Gorges when the opening in the diversion canal of the Dam Project was closed. Hence the natural flow of the mighty river at the Three Gorges is cut. The Three Gorges Dam will incorporate a Power Station, to be the largest of its kind in the world, with a total installed capacity of 18,200 MW, generating 84.7 billion KWH, or one-ninth of the national total generated power, a year. The Three Gorges, one of the famous sightseeing attraction in China, consist of Qutang, Wuxia and Xiling Gorges, stretch 192 kilometers from Baidicheng (White Emperor City) in Chongqing in the west, to Yichang in Hubei Province in the east.
- White Emperor City (白帝城)
"White Emperor City" is only a mini town located at the entrance of the Qutang Gorge, not a real city. It is also known as" City of Poems"; there are hundreds of famous poems founded here, carvings and cultural relics of the Sui, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. Climbing over 500 steps, you can reach the top.
- Lesser Three Gorges (小三峡)
The Lesser Three Gorges, made of Longmen Gorge (龙门峡) or Dragon-Gate Gorge, Bawu Gorge (马雾峡) or Misty Gorge, and Dicui Gorge (滴翠峡) or Emerald Gorge are 50 kilometers long. The river is shallow, and the water lucid.It is full of steep peaks. Its beauty is even superior to the Three Gorges.The mini three gorges of Madu River, 5 kilometers long, are situated at the Madu riverside of the branch of Daning River. You may drift around the mini three gorges: Sancheng Gorge, Qinwang Gorge, Changtan Gorge.
- Shennong Stream (神农溪)
Shennong Stream is a tributary of the Yangtze river, 60 kilometers long. It runs out of the deep valley through the forest and rushes southward between rocky cliffs. You'll be able to enjoy not only the beautiful scenery along the River but also the sampan tour to experience a speedy adventure along the wild river.
Completed in 1968, Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge is the first double-decker, double-track highway and railway bridge designed and constructed by the Chinese without outside engineering assistance.
Built in 1955, the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge is the first highway-railway bridge over the Yangtze River.
[edit] Ship sailing schedules
Yangtze river Cruise sailing 2009
