Yangtze River Cruise China: City & Attraction Along Yangtze River

Scenic Spots along Yangtze River

Fengdu

Fengdu has been known as a “ Ghost City ” since the Han-Tang Dynasties, not only for its 1800-year-old temple, but also for the lovely natural beauty that brought the founding two devotees of Taoism there almost 2,000 years ago. At the sight of its 3 main attractions, you will think of the world of ghosts, the life after death. Many visitors would buy passports to return from their visit to the gate of the nether world. It is an oriental Dante's inferno on the “Long River-Great”. And if you come soon you will see a real ghost town at its feet, awaiting the Yangtze's rise.

Shibaozhai

It was build during the Qing Dynasty with the history of over 300 years. The 12-story tower, built on sheer cliff, which is 56 meters high. Shibaozhai is called “A Pearl of Yangtze River” for its delicate architecture. It is one of the 8 most fantastic buildings in the world. A construction feat itself, without any iron or steel reinforcement it is held together without nails. It has 100 wooden steps to the top. Seen from CCOTC cruises going up stream it is a magic picture moment.

Wanzhou

Wanzhou, the gate of the east of Chongqing , is located at the eastern edge of Sichuan Basin . Its unique natural scenery and sightseeing make it an important attraction. Historically the treaty silk port of Wan Chow , it is famous for silk clothing that is available on board without commission. Sights include a museum of Cultural Revolution potpourri, the local market, traditional beds exhibit and hanging coffins in its museum.

White Emperor City

Running for 5 kilometers along the downriver reaches, the north of Qutang Gorge. White Emperor City can be traced back to 1700 years ago. The White Emperor Temples in existence were built in Ming and Qing Dynasty. White Emperor City is an important strategic place for its topography. It is in this city that Liubei (King of Shu state) entrusted his son to Kongming. You will walk along the Gorge while there and go up by ski lift getting a magnificent view of Kuimen Gate, which is on both the 5 and 10-Yuan banknotes. Up there you will be taught the tales of the Three Kingdoms, which is responsible for much of Chinese ways of thinking. See the Hanging coffins close-up and be fascinated by stone calligraphy in many styles.


Fengjie Fengjie, or guarding the western entrance of the Three Gorges, is also associated with the Three Kingdoms period. It was here that Liu Bei, the King of Shu, died in despair after his armies were routed by the force of Wu. The famous general of the state of Shu, Zhuge Liang, trained his troops in military strategy in the field around Fengjie. The town has an attractive setting, and parts of its Ming dynasty ramparts as well as one city gate are still intact. It has open-air markets, where the varied produce of the local countryside is sold.

	Qutang Gorge It is the first one of the Three Gorges. Qutang Gorge, 8 kilometers long, starts from White King City of Fengjie at its western point to the Daxi town of Wushan County at its east point . The span of its narrowest surface is tens of meters, and the span of its widest reaches is less than 150 meters. Qutang Gorge is famous for its grand, short, narrow features. The main attractions are as follows: Daxi cultural site, Qutang Old Path, Stele Wall, Phoenix Spring, Bellows Gorge, etc. because of the dam the ancient calligraphy is now eye level.

Zigui Zigui, just past the small stream of Xiang Xi, home to Han Dynasty heroine Wang Zhaojun, cruisers pass out of Xiling Gorge. Cruise ships often spend the night here, entertained on the wharf by local peasant singers and dancers. Zigui is the home of poet Qu Yuan, whose Ming Dynasty statue resides at a memorial hall. When his advice went unheeded by the king of Chu, Qu Yuan drowned himself in Dongting Lake . Ever since, he has been commemorated by China's usual dragon boat races (on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month) and by the eating of zongzi, a packet of sweet steamed rice tied in leaves that villagers originally tossed into the sea to lure fish away from Qu Yuan's body.

Wu Gorge Wu Gorge is the second one of the Three Gorges. Wu Gorge, 45 kilometers long, starts from Wu county of Chongqing as its west point to Guandu of Badong County, Hubei as its eastern point. It's named after Wushan Mountain . To one's surprise, Wu Gorge, well known for its prettiness, delicacy and diversity, drizzle or mist all the year round, makes a fantastic sight. Wu Gorge is very long with strange and unique peaks, and the water flows in a zigzag. When passing Wu Gorge, you seem to go into a singular and beautiful gallery, the Goddess Peak and caves are now visible without strain.

Xiling Gorge Xiling Gorge is the third gorge. It starts from the western point, the outfall of Xiangxi River in Zigui County to Nanjin Pass in Yichang, and the eastern point. Xiliing Gorge has got its name for being located in the west of Yichang. It contains Xin Beach , Kongling Beach , the Three Gorges Dam, Dengying Gorge, and Huangmao Gorge. It's known for strange rock formation, speed and alarming danger. Passing Xiling Gorge is an adventure. The hanging coffins and Zhangfei Shrine are closer now

Shennong stream Shennong stream, lucid water, with cliffs standing on both sides, 60 kilometers long, lies in the Badong county, Hubei province. It is about 9 kilometers away from the Badong town. Its upstream is Shennongjia forest area. The surprising sights: Suspended Coffins, the Old Path, and the Tujia minority Village are nearby. It is 20 kilometers long. When taking a skin raft or a sampan boat and passing Jinzu Gorge, Yingwu Gorge, Longchang Gorge, you will experience the feeling of kissing the nature. The beautiful “Panda's food” bamboo curtains the gorge in green.

Lesser Three Gorges Lesser Three Gorges, made of Longmen Gorge, Bawu Gorge and Dicui Gorge, is 50 kilometers long. The river was very shallow, and the water is pristine. 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, is situated at the Madu riverside of the branch of Daling River . You may motor around the mini three gorges: Sancheng Gorge, Qinwang Gorge, and Changtan Gorge. The roadway carved out of stone, the pavilion and mountain top retreat are more visible now.

	The Dam Project The Dam Project is the biggest hydraulic engineering project in the world. The dam is located at Sandouping, the middle section of Xiling Gorge. The earth was broken in 1994. The project includes: the main work, power plant, flood discharge silt sluice, sand discharge get, a twin 5-step ship lock and a twin elevator for ships. It's estimated the Project will cost 230,000 million U.S. dollars. The purposes of the Three Gorges Project are flood control, electricity generation improvement of navigation and water transference from the south to the north. The Dam will be 2,335 meters long, 18 meters wide, and its bottom will be 130 meters wide after completion. The water has risen 66 meters and will rise 40 more meters by 2009. This is at the dam site so it will rise 36 at the first gorge, 24 at the Wu Gorge and 12 at the western most gorge, thus forming a 600-kilometer long reservoir with a storage capacity of 3,990 million cubic meters after 2009. So, now is the time to come.

Yichang A major city of Hubei province is located in the dividing line between the upriver and Middle Reaches of Yangtze River and gorges and plains. It is the port for transferring in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River . In addition, it is a cultural city with a long history, it is where you can see the Chinese sturgeon, Giant salamander and Yangtze crocodile. If you tour the Three Gorges and the Dam, you cannot miss Yichang.

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