CHINA 10: YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE-THREE GORGES DAM


May 28

Yangtze River is the third longest river of the world. Cruises on it typically operate on the one-way, 4-night, 400-mile trip from Yichang & Chongqing. Cruises cost between $50 to $600 depending the class of the boat and the available amenities. Hydrofoil taxi takes only six hours and cost about $40, but a part of the route has to be traveled by bus, which takes another 3-1/2 hours.

On the morning of Friday, May 28, our boat was docked at San Dou Pin.



















After breakfast, we disembarked for our first shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam.

It derives its name from the three gorges - Xiling, Quitang and Wu – which encompass the vast reservoir.

Before the Dam, the river divides in two parts. A smaller part separates from the main navigation channel, and leads to the two one-way channels leading to the five locks. The locks help raise/lower boats 425 ft to adjust to the water level on the other-side. Each boat takes 2-1/2 hours to go through these locks.

At 607ft high and more than one mile wide, it is expected to help the country’s growing need for power. Also it will help control floods, and make it easier to transport goods. But critics complain that the rising waters of the reservoir have destroyed vast swath of agricultural lands, submerged many towns, villages, historical structures, and has caused dislocation of millions of people. Also town sewers and factory wastes emptying into the reservoir have made it a gigantic cesspool, and has forced many people to seek drinking water elsewhere.

We passed through a market to board a bus.





Our first stop was the security checkpoint. Passengers from all buses got down to walk through metal detectors and to have our personal


At the Visitors Center,




we looked at the Model of the Dam. Also we enjoyed fountains and





frescoes on its grounds and

and, from the observation post,

an overview of the Dam,

and Locks.

Back on the boat, we were treated to the Captain’s Welcome Reception, which was followed by dinner and after-dinner live entertainment including Chinese dances and music.