6th Visit to China
长江---中国的母亲河
The Three Gorges Cruise (乘维多利亚五号轮漫游三峡)
Shennong Stream (神农溪)---a tributary of Yangtze River
Yangtze River (长江), the longest river in China, is one of the world’s busiest waterways.
From its source in Tanggula Mountain Range (唐古拉山) in Qinghai (青海) province to its mouth in East China Sea, it flows through China for 6380 km.
The Upper Reaches of Yangtze River refers to the section above Yichang (宜昌) in Hubei (湖北) province.
The most impressive section of the Upper Reaches are the Three Gorges: Xiling Gorge (西陵峡), Wu Gorge (巫峡) and Qutang Gorge (瞿塘峡).
The Three Gorges stretch from Fengjie, in Chongqing to Yichang, in Hubei province.
embarked for the Three Gorges Cruise in Yichang (宜昌)
Xiling Gorge (西陵峽)
Xiling Gorge (西陵峡), located between Badong (巴东) and Yichang (宜昌) in Hubei province, is the longest among the three gorges.
It is known for its rapids and shoals.
It is known for its rapids and shoals.
Xiling Gorge (西陵峡).
The Three Gorges Dam (三峡大坝)
The Three Gorges Dam was constructed in Xiling Gorge.
The mammoth project once envisaged by Dr Sun Yat Sen benefits millions of people. It had since been under consideration.
The Three Gorges Dam is the world's largest hydroelectric
project which was started in 1994 and completed in 2009.
The main purpose of constructing the dam is to improve flood control in the Middle and Lower Reaches---the economic hub of China, improve navigation on the river and increase electric power production in China.
Five-level locks were constructed. Large ships have to line up to sail into the locks, like climbing stairs to the Upper Reaches of the river.
In addition to the river locks, ship lift capable of lifting up smaller ships with capacity up to 3000 tons was also installed in the reservoir.
When completed, water of the reservoir will rise to 185 m. As navigation course has become wider and deeper, sailing along the Three Gorges will also be easier and safer.
However, the project has been controversial even before it was started. There have been concerns about resettlement of over 1.5 million people who were or will be resettled by the rising water and the loss of farmlands, endangered animals and historical relics.
Wu Gorge (巫山)
Wu Gorge (巫峡) is located between Wushan (巫山) in Chongqing and Badong (巴东) in Hubei Province.
The gorge is known for its deep valley and serenity, with Twelve Peaks lining along both banks of the river. The Goddess Peak (神女峰) is the most fantastic one among them.
The gorge is known for its deep valley and serenity, with Twelve Peaks lining along both banks of the river. The Goddess Peak (神女峰) is the most fantastic one among them.
admiring the Goddess Peak in Wuxia
Wu Gorge (巫峡)
In Wu Gorge, we transfered from the cruise ship to a small boat and explored the Shennong Stream (神农溪)--- a small tributary of Yangtze River, in Hubei province.
In Wu Gorge, we transfered from the cruise ship to a small boat and explored the Shennong Stream (神农溪)--- a small tributary of Yangtze River, in Hubei province.
a boat ride along the Shennong Stream (神农溪)
Along both banks of the Shennong Stream, there are relics of the ancient Ba (巴) people.
One of the most mysterious relics is the hanging coffins (悬棺). It was the custom of the Ba people to hang the coffins in the crevices of cliffs.
Hanging coffins (悬棺)
Later, we were divided into smaller groups and transferred to "pea-pod boats".
took a 'pea-pod boat' ride on Shennong Stream
Our narrator was a Tujia girl (土家阿妹). She and the boat trackers
(纤夫) sang Tujia folk songs on board the "pea-pod boat" to entertain us.
She also shared with us some of their customs. One of the interesting customs was "weeping marriage" (哭嫁).
Tujia girls became very sentimental when they were going to get married. They weeped and sang for days before their wedding days. They sang to thank their parents for bringing them up as one of their ways to show their filial piety.
naked boat trackers
Towing boats upstream by the naked boat trackers was a unique spectacle in the Upper Reaches in the past. The trackers scrambled over the rocky mountain, tugging the boats with a rope.
boat trackers in decent clothing
Gone are the days due to the rise of water level, boat trackers are now in decent clothing, mainly working to serve the tourists in Shennong Stream.
There are many scenic spots along both banks of the Three
Gorges such as White Emperor City (白帝城) and Fengdu Guiyu--- Gost City (丰都鬼域).
Chongqing (重庆)
Tianmen Mountain (天门山)
Over half of the town's population is the Miao and Tujia minorities.
The town was well-preserved with houses which local people called 'diaojiaolou' (吊脚楼), lining along both banks of the river.
Gorges such as White Emperor City (白帝城) and Fengdu Guiyu--- Gost City (丰都鬼域).
Shore excursion to Fengdu Guiyu (丰都鬼域)
Qutang Gorge (瞿塘峽)
Qutang Gorge (瞿塘峡), located between Fengjie (奉节) and Wushan (巫山) in Chongqing, is the shortest, narrowest and most magnificent one among the Three Gorges.
Kui Gate (夔门) in Qutang Gorge (瞿塘峡)
Qutang Gorge (瞿塘峡)
再见！三峡
At the entrance of the Qutang Gorge, stand two perpendicular cliffs facing each other. They look like a massive gate, hence the name Kui Gate (夔门).
The river rushes swiftly through the perilous entrance which is only over 100 m wide.
朝辞白帝彩云间
千里江陵一日还
两岸猿声啼不住
轻舟已过万重山
---李白
再见！三峡
arrived in Chongqing
滚滚长江东逝水
浪花淘尽英雄
是非成败转头空
青山依旧在
几度夕阳红
白发渔樵江渚上
惯看秋月春风
一壶浊酒喜相逢
古今多少事
都付笑谈中
Chongqing (重庆)
重庆市人民大礼堂
解放碑商业街
Eling Park (鹅岭公园)
Zhangjiajie City (张家界市)
Zhangjiajie City (张家界市)
Located in northwestern Hunan province,
Zhangjiajie City is home to Wulingyuan Scenic and
Historic Interest Area (武陵源风景名胜区).
Wulingyuan scenic area comprises: Zhangjiajie National
Forest Park (张家界国家森林公园), Suoxiyu
and Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve (索溪峪和天子山
自然保护区).
The scenic area has an unique landscape dominated by quartzite sandstone pillars and peaks, many over 200 m high.
Jinbian Stream (金边溪) in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
索溪峪十里画廊景点---采药老人
Wulingyuan is famous for its topography and rare flora
and fauna species. It has been officially designated by
and fauna species. It has been officially designated by
UNESCO as Nature Reserves for the benefit of all
mankind.
mankind.
In ancient times, the site was remote, inaccessible and
seldom visited. It had remained almost unsettled by man,
until fifty years ago.
Now, it is a popular tourists' destination. Visitors come to
admire the natural beauty of the area.
Tianmen Mountain (天门山)
Tianmen Mountain scenic area has been designated the
second national forest park in Zhangjiajie City. Tianmen
Mountain is the highest peak in Zhangjiajie.
Tianmen Cave (天门洞)
Tianmen Cave is a water-eroded, natural opening in
Tianmen Mountain (天门山).
It is much like a gate towards the Heaven, hence
the name Tianmen---Gate to Heaven.
In 1999, a group of stunt pilots became the first to fly
through the cave.
Ancient Town Of Fenghuang (湘西凤凰古城)
Fenghuang, a small ancient town on the Tuojiang River( 沱江), is located in the Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (湘西土家族苗族自治州), south west of Hunan.
Ancient Town of Fenghuang---a bridge spans across the river
