2011-13 Three Gorges, Yangtze River, China
Hello All,
Departing Three Gorges Dam we started our adventures into the scenic gorges region of the Yangtze River, a total length of approximately 120 miles. The names of the three gorges are Xiling, Wu, and Qutang.
When the dam was completed in 2009 and the water in the reservoir started to rise it had major impacts on the area. In addition to affecting the ecology and the people (the mass relocation of towns and villages) it also changed the scenery in the gorges. The water level is now higher and the river is wider. Proponents of the dam pointed out that because the mountains reached several thousand feet above the river, the gorges were still likely to offer amazing views of the cliffs. But others said, with the water level higher, the river is wider and the mountains will appear lower and not retain their beauty. In our opinion we found that the area still offered spectacular scenic views.
The following photos were taken from our stateroom balcony. Ahh, such is life on the river.
Departing Three Gorges Dam we started our adventures into the scenic gorges region of the Yangtze River, a total length of approximately 120 miles. The names of the three gorges are Xiling, Wu, and Qutang.
When the dam was completed in 2009 and the water in the reservoir started to rise it had major impacts on the area. In addition to affecting the ecology and the people (the mass relocation of towns and villages) it also changed the scenery in the gorges. The water level is now higher and the river is wider. Proponents of the dam pointed out that because the mountains reached several thousand feet above the river, the gorges were still likely to offer amazing views of the cliffs. But others said, with the water level higher, the river is wider and the mountains will appear lower and not retain their beauty. In our opinion we found that the area still offered spectacular scenic views.
The following photos were taken from our stateroom balcony. Ahh, such is life on the river.
We were blessed with wonderful weather. This area
is known for cloudy misty days.
We saw many other boats traveling the waterway. They
varied from large to quite small--while others were just plain unique.
Here is a basic mode of transportation that the locals use a lot.
Here is a basic mode of transportation that the locals use a lot.
In these photos we are passing another cruise ship.
And here is an example of a boat we found very
unique. It looked to us like a luxurious cruise ship or perhaps a personal
yacht of royalty, but we never verified its identity or purpose.
Numerous hydrofoil ferries transport people up and
down the river. They were nothing like anything we had ever seen before--not
particularly attractive, just different. Something that you might find in the
Jules Verne novel “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.”
With rising water behind the Three Gorges Dam
farmers were forced to pick up and move hundreds of feet further up the
mountainsides. They literally had to start over from scratch by clearing the
land, terracing it, and then replanting. All of this was/is being done by hand!
Citrus and tea trees are the main crops in this area. After planting, the
groves are maintained and harvested again by hand. Wow, talk about hard working
people. No tractors or farm equipment are used on these steep slopes! They use
goats to control weeds in the tea groves. As you know goats will eat almost
anything. But, the bitter tea leaves are not to their liking.
Off to the right of the above farm we could see a
couple clearing more land. They are known as “hill farmers.” Look at the
muscles on this guy. There certainly isn’t any fat on either of them!!
After many miles of serene landscapes and
occasional farms we were surprised when we came to the major city of Badong. It
is the seat of the Badong County Government in central China’s Hubei Province.
The smaller towns of Dongrangkou and Guandukou are on the opposite side of the
river. They are connected by the modern Badong Bridge. Due to the difficult
terrain and the road conditions, the most convenient way to reach Badong is by
boat or ferry. China National Highway 209 crosses the Yangtze River at Badong.
However, we were informed that the highway is little more than a dirt road on
the section north of the bridge. We suspect that there are future plans for
modernizing the highway.
The city has suffered frequent landslides and
tremors since 2003 when the Three Gorges Reservoir began to fill. The reservoir
stretches 370 miles and is criss-crossed by geological faultlines through the
gorges area. Badong’s steep terrain has always been prone to landslides, but
the problem has reportedly gotten worse in recent years. Several large
landslides have claimed a number of lives in the area. We witnessed one of
these landslides while cruising through the area.
Our next port of call was Wushan where passengers
of the Emerald Viking boarded sightseeing vessels for a scenic cruise on the
Daning River into the Lessor Three Gorges. This area is noted for the
historical Hanging Coffins of the Ba people--but, more on that in our next write-up.
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns