Shore Excursion of Yangtze River Cruise
Shi Bao Zhai
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
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.
Wanxian
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
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.
White Emperor City
"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
The Lesser Three Gorges,made of Longmen Gorge,Bawu Gorge and Dicui 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
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.
Three Gorges Dam
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.
