We started our trip in Chongqing. I took the train down from Chengdu to meet the girls who had flown up from Shanghai. The trip itinerary is to board the boat on Saturday evening, travel down river through the Three Gorges (三峡) Sunday and Monday and grab a flight back to Shanghai on Monday evening from Yichang, just below the Three Gorges Dam. We were joined on the trip by the Humes family.
The Yangtze River, or Chang Jiang (simplified Chinese: 长江; literally “The Long River”), is the longest river in China and Asia, and the third-longest in the world behind the Amazon and the Nile. The river is about 6, 300 kilometres (3, 915 mi) and flows from its source in Qinghai Province through seven provinces before flowing out to the East China Sea at Shanghai. It acts as a dividing line between North and South China.
Saturday, September 13
We all convened in Chongqing and dropped our things on the boat, the Century Diamond, then set out for dinner. Chongqing is a city built on the hills – very steep. After the challenge of getting a cab, we found a half western/half chinese place – the kids enjoyed noodles. Then it was back to the boat. We pulled off the pier about 10pm to start down steam through the industrial (polluting) section of the river.
Sunday, September 14
We woke to a misty morning (not sure if it was humidity from the river or pollution). We spent the morning enjoying the view. For entertainment on the boat, dumpling making was offered. The girls had fun making the dumplings since they got to play with the dough.
Our first off boat exclusion was the FengDu Snowy Jade Cave (丰都雪玉洞). After piling off the boat, it was into a bus to the caves. They had very nice limestone formations.
As we exited the caves, a group of travelers from Dubai bought ice cream for the four girls. They had said our girls were close in ages to their grandchildren and knew they would like the ice cream. It is always nice to meet such wonderful people on our travels. On these trips that are mostly adults, it is a blessing for us to have child-friendly travelers.
Once back on the boat, we made out way to the Qutang Gorge. It is the shortest of the three gorges, but has spectacular scenery, especially the chalk walls.
The Yangtze is a working river. With the dam in place, it is much more navigable. It means that there is more materials moving up and down – including coal!
The boat had a lot of activities to keep all the guests occupied throughout the day. Today’s activities were TaiChi class, Chinese painting and kite flying. The highlight of activities was kite flying off the back of the boat. They gave all the kids kite. Jim helped the girls get the kites in the air. Emersyn’s kite was flying high until it ran out of sting and it was gone. We were all a little surprised that the string wasn’t attached to the reel. Then, one of the guides told us it is good luck for your kite to fly free. Ok, were had just been blessed with good luck!
It was then onto Wu Gorge, the middle of the three gorges, with it celebrated 12 peaks. At Badong, we transferred to a small cruiser for an exciting excursion on Shenlong Stream to view its breathtaking small gorges. We boarded small traditional wooden boats where we rowed up the Mianzhuxia stream to the rapids. At this point, the men jumped from the boats to pull them up the rapids by rope – the traditional way boats and goods were moved upstream before the flooding of the dam.
After dinner, there was entertainment of signing and dancing. The girls were told they could possible performed at the end. Kelly and Emersyn had been working had all day on their song, “This is Me”, from Camp Rock. At the end of the performances, the girls asked if they could have a turn. They were told yes, but they had no way to hook up the music from Emmy’s ipod. No problem, they sang beautiful with no back-up music. We were so proud of them for getting up in front of the crowd to perform. The Dubai group came to tell us how much they have been enjoying the children and they really enjoyed their performance.
Monday, September 15
We awoke to be in the Xiling Gorge. The Xiling Gorge, around half the length of the Three Gorges, is actually a series of four different gorges: Precious Sword, Horse Lung & Ox Liver, Soundless Bell, and Shadow Play Gorges. Prior to the dam being built, it was the most treacherous.
Because of security for the Olympics, boats were not allowed to go through the locks of the dam with passengers on board. So we off loaded and took a bus to Sandouping to view the historic Three Gorges Dam project, the largest hydroelectric project in the world. The dam has raised the river level 175 meters from its natural level, covering many historic sites and creating the need to relocate more than 1, 000, 000 people along the river.
After our viewing, it was into Yichang for a late lunch and to the airport to head back to Shanghai. Overall a spectacular trip to move through the history of the Yangtze river and check the box on another of China’s greatest hits.
