 | |
 |
|
| |||
| |
|
|
| |||
Come and see the all new Yangtze River as the first stage of the controversial dam project has been completed (the final project is expected to be completed by 2009). Despite the panic to see the Three Gorges before the flooding they are still there and the change in appearance has not detracted from their monumental natural beauty. The 6300 kilometres long Yangtze River is the longest river in China and the third longest in the world. It is the cradle of Chinese civilisation. There are numerous scenic spots and historic sites in the 22 cities the river goes through. Among them, the 193 kilometres Yangtze Three Gorges, from Fenjie County to Yichang is the most famous one.
The river originates in a glacier in the Dangla mountains on the eastern part of the Tibetan plateau. It then runs through the eastern part of Qinghai, turning southward down a deep valley at the border of Sichuan and Tibet to reach Yunnan. In the course of this valley, the river's elevation drops from above 5000 m to less than 1000 m. It enters the basin of Sichuan at Yibin. While in the Sichuan basin it receives several mighty tributaries, increasing its water volume significantly. The river then cuts through Mount Wushan bordering Chongqing and Hubei to create the famous Three Gorges.
Eastward of the Three Gorges, Yichang is the first city on the Yangtze Plain. After entering Hubei, the Yangtze receives more water from thousands of lakes. The largest of these lakes is Dongting Lake, which is located on the border of Hunan and Hubei provinces, and is the outlet for most of the rivers in Hunan. At Wuhan it receives its biggest tributary, the Han River, bringing water from its northern basin as far as Shanxi. At the northern tip of Jiangxi, Lake Boyang, the biggest lake in China, merges into the river. The river then runs through Anhui and Jiangsu provinces, receiving more water from innumerable smaller lakes and rivers, and finally reaches the East China Sea at Shanghai.
Four of China's five main freshwater lakes contribute their waters to the Yangtze River. Traditionally, the upstream part of the Yangtze River refers to the section from Yibin to Yichang; the middle part refers to the section from Yichang to Hukou, where Boyang Lake meets the river; the downstream part is from Hukou to Shanghai.
The Yangtze River Cruise runs between Chongqing and Yichang. The cruise covers the following main scenic spots and cities:
Yichang is the city located at the easter mouth of Xiling Gorge and has now replaced Wuhan as the starting or ending point for the Yangtze Cruise.
With a history that can be traced back to the Three Kingdoms period, as early as 220 - 280BC, this small city is set to become considerably larger over the coming years as a direct result of the Three Gorges Dam Project.
Gezhou Dam is 2,606 metres long and 70 metres high. The project consists of power stations, ship sluice, flood drainage sluice, sand scour sluice, and sand silt preservation dam. On the upstream cruise this dam will be passed during the night.
The Three Gorges Dam is a large water conservation project for flood control, generation, cultivation and flood discharge. Its rise will stretch 6000 kilometres upstream to Chonqging. It will eventually submerge 13 cities, 140 towns, 1352 villages, 657 factories and 30,000 hectares of cultivated land.
The Three Gorges Dam spans the Yangtze River at Sandouping, Yichang, Hubei province, China. Construction began in 1993. It will be the largest hydroelectric dam in the world, more than five times the size of the Hoover Dam. The reservoir began filling on June 1, 2003, and will occupy the present position of the scenic Three Gorges area, between the cities of Yichang, Hubei; and Fuling, Chongqing. Structural work was finished on May 20, 2006, nine months ahead of schedule. However, several generators still have to be installed and the dam is not expected to become fully operational until 2009.
The 75 kilometre long gorge is the longest gorge within the three gorges was once known for its swift currents and dangerous shoals, but now the danger spots have been eliminated.
The Lesser Gorges, covering a section of 60km, can be seen along the Danning River or the Shennong Stream. This excursion is one not to be missed as you travel up the Gorges in a much smaller boat giving you a 'closer view' of the magnificent scenery.
Wu Gorge, 44 kilometre long, has green mountains and many major beauty spots.
This 8 kilometre length of gorge is the shortest and narrowest, but has the most imposing section of the three gorges.
Fengdu was built in the Tang Dynasty (618–907). It is known as the ‘Devil City’ that has 75 temples, including the Hall of God and the Pass of the Ghost.
Chongqing is one of four municipalities controlled by China’s Central Government. The population of the entire municipality is around 30,5 million that makes Chongqing the most populated city in China. It is one of the principal commercial, industrial and transportation centres of southwest China.
Besides its gorgeous natural scene, it is also a culturally rich area. Other tourism sites include Dazu Rock Carvings, mainly Buddhist themes, it was carved from the Tang Dynasty, now belongs to UNESCO World Heritage.
City sightseeing is also a famous part of Chongqing tourism. Historical sites in World War II are located in the metropolitan area. In the surrounding areas, Fishing town is an important battlefield event in world history. In 1243, Mongol prince Mongke Khan was defeated and died here and it stopped the Mongols' expansion in Europe and Africa because of turmoil after his death.
Take me to the main Travel Places website Home Page.
 |