Setting sail, looking back to Jingshou.
Going through the first lock on the Yangtze River at 6:00 am.
Moving out of the lock.
Wu Gorge, the Gorge of Witches, is very stunning, with the towering, sharp, jagged peaks carpeted in green shrubs. It is about 40 km long with 12 dramatic peaks (Goddess Peak and Peak of the Immortals, the 2 most viewed).
Qutang Gorge also known as Kui Gorge. This gorge is the shortest and narrowest of the 3 gorges. It has huge slabs of rock and it's jagged and triangular cliffs jut out, making it a beautiful site. Here you will view the scene for the picture on the back of the 10 RMB (10 Yuan bill).
Xiling Gorge is the longest, 80 km long, and most spectacular. You will see long freight ships loaded with mounds of coal heading downstream to Shanghai. This gorge was the most hazardous, where hidden shoals and reefs holed vessels. But now vessels move about freely and traffic only slows when the fog reduces visibility.
Tribe of the Three Gorges ranks highly for the natural scenery in the Three Gorges. It is where the Ba and Chu cultures come together and mix and is also the world's geological wonder. As you follow the waking path you are emerst into the love story of the last Ba king and the most beautiful woman of the Three Gorges. You hear the boy and girl chanting back and forth from one mountain to the other mountain. You also see men and women playing instruments along the way. At the end, is a live performance of a reenactment of a traditional wedding ceremony. The scenery through the Three Gorges was absolutely amazing. A very enjoyable walk.
Market area.
The Three Gorges Dam is the largest hydroelectric power station in the world. The dam body was completed in 2006. When the whole project is completed, it will contain 32 main generators, each with a capacity of 700 MW. The total electric generating capacity of the dam will reach 22,500 MW.
The project produces clean electricity, prevents flooding downstream and enhances navigation on the river. However, the dam has flooded many ancient villages and displaced 1.24 million people and is causing ecological changes such as landslides. The Three Gorges Dam is designed to withstand an earthquake of 7 on the Richter Scale.
The ship lift (locks) moves vessels up and down the Yangzi River and is free of charge. There is still construction going on for another lock area. Very impressive site.
Fabulous Shennu Stream is really only a creek, 15 km long, however, 10 km of the stream can seldom be visited by tourists. At one time this creek was only 3 m deep but now it is 90 m deep in places. Due to the Three Gorges Dam, the water levels rose and once again flooded and covered many villages along the creek.
The scenery along the Shennu Stream, in the Wu Gorge is breathtaking. The mountain peaks and the drifting clouds, along with the quiet, limpid and green water make the boat ride through the gorge a fantastic view.
Shibaozhai Pagoda is a historical site along the Yangzi River. Shibaozhai means "Stone Treasure Fortress". It is built on a rectangular rock with sheer cliffs. It is 12 stories high or 56 meters. Every floor of this wooden structure contains interesting artifacts. Each floor is dedicated to a famous general, a local scholar or a renowned poet.
Crossing the bridge to the Shibaozhai Pagoda.
The view of the river, farms and village was terrific. At the top are two unusual features: First, the Duck Well, supposedly you can drop a duck down the well and it will reappear swimming in the Yangzi River at the bottom of the hill; Second, the Rice Flowing Well, legend has it that enough rice would flow out of the small well hole each day to feed monks that lived in the temple and their guests. However, one day a greedy monk chiseled a bigger hole in the rock, thinking he would get more rice. Of course, the rice flow ceased forever.
My zodiac sign...the year of the dog.
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