A new tourist attraction - dubbed Two Dams and One Gorge - is being touted by the local governments of
Chongqing and Hubei.
The two dams refer to Gezhouba Dam and the Three Gorges Dam. The former was the largest in China before the completion of Three Gorges Dam.
The gorge set to take the spotlight is Xiling Gorge, one of the three gorges between the two dams.
The 400-kilometre section includes lots of breathtaking natural scenic spots including dozens of small gorges with various shapes. Also found along the route are Qu Yuan Temple and, of course, the two huge dams and lakes blocked by the dams.
This turbulent and powerful sight has been the source of artistic inspiration for numerous poets and artists over the years. Xiling Gorge is renowned for being extremely perilous. The gorge, 80 km long, is the longest of the Yangtze's Three Gorges stretching from Xiangxikou in the east to Nanjingguan in the west and covering two prefectures in Hubei Province.
It is at this spot that the journey appears to be most perilous; the water is full of turbulent currents and whirlpools and dangerous shoals.
The Xiling Gorge consists of three lesser gorges, namely the Huangniu (Yellow Buffalo) Gorge, Dengying (Lamp Shadow) Gorge and Huangmao (Yellow Cat) Gorge.
Lots of mountains tower over the river, snaking through the same craggy terrain along both banks of the river.
Many noted historic and cultural relics between the two dams, such as Huangling Temple, Sanyou Cave, Lu You Fountain, the ancient battlefield in Yiling, Qu Yuan's Memorial House and Wang Zhaojun's Native Place have not been affected by the inundation.
The Longjin River Valley, where visitors can experience the Tujia ethnic culture, is another travel must for visitors.
Huangniuyan Hill, 1,048 meters above sea level in Huangniu Gorge, is an ideal place for a view of the Three Gorges Dam, where visitor can see the whole area, from the dam wall to the water surging down, the ship locks and the hydropower station.
The great wall of concrete of the Three Gorges Dam holds in a 400-mile-long lake.
The peak tourist season on the mist-shrouded Yangtze usually runs April to May, then resumes September to October following summer rains and floods. But this year on the Yangtze is like no other, and not just due to soaring water levels. The newly emerged mysterious view before the rising of water has spurred visitor hysteria.
To get there, first go to
Yichang by air from Beijing. The cost is about 1,200 yuan (US$150) one-way. Then you can take a cruise to begin your trip. The price depends on what type of boat you choose to take. Usually the fee ranges between 150 yuan (US$19) to 500 yuan (US$63) each person.
You are highly recommended to book a package tour.
The tourist boats along this route usually offer 3-5 day package tours along the Three Gorges. The boats not only provide guests with standard rooms and services, but also offer decent food and various forms of entertainment. These boats stop at all the attractions, allowing passengers to disembark at spots along the way, often accompanied by English-speaking guides.
This kind of tour can be booked with travel agents in
Beijing and other big cities, or from Yichang,
Chongqing or Wuhan.
