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INTRODUCTION
YA N G T Z E C R U I S E S
see & do
THREE GORGES As the Yangtze carves its way out of the mountains of south-western China and heads north east, it builds up a pace to surge through a spectacular 125 mile reach of deep, narrow canyon known as Sanxia or the Three Gorges. These spectacular Gorges start just after Fengjie and end near Yichang and heading downstream from Chongqing you pass the Gorges in the following order: Qutang Gorge Qutang Gorge is where the most sheer and spectacular precipices are to be found and at only five miles long it is the shortest of the Three Gorges. You enter through the natural Kui Gate formed by the Red Passage Mountain to the north and its southern neighbour the White Salt Mountain. Squeezed in by the narrow cliffs that rise up behind the Kui Gate, the Yangtze bursts through in a torrent of surges. Wu Gorge Widely regarded as the most scenic stretch of the Yangtze, Wu Gorge extends from the mouth of the Daning River to the north bank town of Guandukou in the east. Its steep slopes are dressed with verdant shrubs and greenery, the highest reaches of towering
Goddess Peak and the Peak of the Immortals often lost in the clouds above. The picturesque town of Wushan stands at a breathtaking location. To its east lie the Twelve Peaks, referred to in ancient folklore as the twelve fairy spirits. The most renowned is the Goddess Peak, best viewed early morning or early evening, shrouded in a lingering mist. Further downstream are the grandly titled Golden Helmet and Silver Armour Gorge and Congregated Immortals Peak, upon which a barely legible inscription is attributed to the third century politician Zhuge Liang. Xiling Gorge The longest of the Three Gorges at 50 miles, characterised by swirling rapids, poetically named gorges and spectacular waterfalls. The beauty of the Xiling Gorge, named after the mountain that marks the end of the Three Gorges, lies in the warmth of the redolent sunsets that turn the sky a glowing red atop the surrounding undulating peaks. Near its conclusion lies the ground breaking Three Gorges Dam. THREE GORGES DAM An unbelievable feat of human engineering, the immense Three Gorges Dam is already the largest water conservation project in the world and once completed will boast a hydroelectric output equivalent to 18 nuclear power plants.
The damming began in 1994 to eliminate the devastating floods that plagued the region and harness the natural power of the river with the completion of the second phase in June 2003 raising the water level from 210 to 435 feet above sea level. The epic journey from Chongqing to Yichang is rightly regarded as one of the greatest river journeys in the world and the completion of phase two of the Dam has done little to spoil the outstanding natural beauty of the Yangtze. Indeed, the waters have risen by as little as 25-30 feet in some parts of Qutang Gorge. The higher water levels also mean that cruises are now more stable and navigation of this great river is more manageable, particularly in the Three Lesser Gorges and areas that were once out of range of the cruise ships are now within reach. Many shore excursions remain unchanged, with ironically a larger number now available. In 2009 the third phase will be completed, raising the water level further to 570 feet. The Dam has now become an unmissable attraction on any Yangtze itinerary, with shore excursions to the Dam site now very popular. All Yangtze itineraries enjoy their navigation, a hugely impressive procedure lasting approximately three to four hours. WEATHER The best times to enjoy a remarkable cruise on the Yangtze are spring and autumn when the flora is at its most verdant and the weather is cool, making for an extremely pleasant journey. In the summer, temperatures reach up to 30 degrees and some rain can be expected. No cruises are scheduled to run in winter.
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1 Yangtze River Lesser Gorge 2 Sunset on a Yangtze Gorge 3 Three Gorges, Yangtze River 4 Xiling Gorge 5 Colourful banks along the Yangtze River Lesser Gorge 6 Dramatic Yangtze River scenery
YANGTZE RIVER MAP
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Tiger Leaping Gorge Lijiang
Victoria Cruises
Taipei
TAIWAN
Dali Kunming
Victoria Cruises & President Cruises Regal Cruises (escorted tour only)
call 01306 740500 I www.kuoni.co.uk I see your travel agent
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