4. The Three Gorges Travel Tips

A. Where is your best place to start out the Three Gorges trip
(1). Chongqing is the fourth municipality under the direction of the center government. It is an ancient and modern metropolitan. Chongqing city itself is a scenic spot, which is good value for excurse. Da Zu Stone Carving, the world cultural heritage is the place that you can't miss.
(2). Chongqing has very convenient transportation. No matter flights, trains or buses in many cities, you can take to Chongqing.
(3). The routes, such as from Chongiqng to Yichang, Chongqing to Yueyang, Chongiqng to Shanghai are all downstream. So you can save one day compared that you take upstream.
(4). Generally, the ship doesn't sail in evening. So you could have fun and rest well without the uncomfortable of sailing.
(5). The ship stops some scenic spots in daytime. It would wait you on time. So you can enjoy all scenery of the Three Gorges.
(6). Chongqing is the start out port for all downstream cruise. So you have more choice of the cruise ships.

B. Where is the best destination of the Three Gorges Trip
Different cruises would have different destination. The cruise departure in Chongqing, the destination ports would be Yichang, Shanshi, Wuhan, and Shanghai.
So, which is your best reasonable destination port? You should consider under these reasons:
Firstly, it depends on how many days you would spend on this trip. If you get off at Yichang, the cruise needs 3 days. If you get off at Wuhan, the cruise needs 4 days. And some cruises maybe need 5 days. If you reach Shanghai, you need more days. Of course, you can view more scenery.
Secondly, it depends on your what's your next travel destination. There are few flights in Yichang and many in Wuhan. If there are no proper flights in Yichang, you have to go to Wuhan and fly to next travel destination.

C. How much you should spend on the Three Gorges Cruise
The fees of the Three Gorges Cruise Visits come from many parts. At this moment, the average consume for each person as bellow.
Four star cruise ship: USD150-180/day Five star cruise ship: USD200-230/day
Compare with some overseas big cruise ships, Nile Cruise ships, and European freshwater cruise ship, the Yangtze cruise ships is lower and reasonable in the same service level.
But be care, the tourist products also have costs. So it does't mean the more lower price more better. We don't want to pursue sudden huge profits, but we don't drum for guests in low price. We would provide the tourist products and service with proper price.

D. What are upstream and downstream
Yangtze runs from West to East. Upstream means sailing from East -- lower part of the river (such as Wuhan, Shashi, or Yichang) up to the West -- higher part of the river (such as Chongqing and Fengjie). Downstream means the opposite. 1.1 What is going to happen to the Three Gorges after the Three Gorges Dam is built?

E. Why downstream takes shorter time but more expensive while upstream take longer but less expensive
Just because more people are taking downstream. This is caused by: (1) Chinese traditionally think that downstream means smooth, fast, while upstream means more difficulties taking and more time. (2) Most tour operators, in the past, preferred to set Beijing as the beginning of itineraries. Then the next city must be Xian, then the next city must be Chongqing, going downstream. (3) Many western tourists prefer the short cruise.

F. What are there to attract so many people from all over the world
There are basically three kinds of things for people to see:
First, natural scenery, such as Shennong Stream in Badong; Lesser Three Gorges and Mt. Wushan in Wushan County; Golden Lion Cave and Three Travelers' Cave in Yichang; Honghu Lake in Honghu County; Lotus River and Lotus Cave in Fuling.
Secondly, there are cultural and historical sites, such as Red Cliff (Chibi) in Puqi County; Ancient City wall in Jingzhou; Qu Yuan's Hometown - Zigui; Ghost City in Fengdu; Zhang Fei Temple at Yunyang; Baidi City in Fengiie; Shibaozhai Fortress in Zhong County; Ancient plank road in Qutang Gorge, Shennong Stream and Lesser Three Gorges; Yueyang Tower in Yueyang; Suspended Coffin Museum in Wanxian.
Thirdly, modern architecture. Gezhouba Dam and constructing Three Gorges Dam, etc.
For more details, check the "Yangtze Gallery". It tries to display every reason with beautiful photos and text.

G. Is it safe to cruise the Yangtze
Basically, it is safe. We never saw any dreadful accident in the past 14 years since we start the Yangtze River cruise. But you have to be aware that sailing on the river is truly is not that safe as it looks like. The nature has made great scenery, but also made rapids, shoals and rocks, which are very dangerous to the ships, especially in winter with low water level and the summer with floods. That is why you see some sections are prohibited sailing during winter draining season and the flooding season.
All the cruise ships made after 1991 are featured with the following:
a. Double-basin structure;
b. Walls in the stem from bumping;
c. Not sinking if the bottom deck's hold full of water;
d. Ability to sustain the wind;
e. Enough life saving appliance;
f. Modem communication system and monitor system;
g. Fire Prevention and extinguishing System;
h. Fire warning, communications and supervision system;
i. Fire prevention structure, especially in the engine room and working rooms.
All the cruise ships featured in this web site were examined and approved for safety by the Communications Department of P. R. China.

H. What is pre-board, how much is that? What do I have to know
Preboard usually means you board the ship one night before the ship leaves Chongqing the next day morning. It usually costs $30-35 per person, but it saves you from getting up early, checking out a hotel, transferring to the ship and checking into your cabin. It would be much more convenient during the winter. There are a couple things you should know: there is no dinner served the day you board the ship and you have to have one before you go to the ship pier. There are some distance between the ship pier and the restaurant you finally find you like on a street. The reason there is no dinner is that all the crews are off for a half day after 5-6 days' upstream sailing, except some guards and a couple attendants at front desk. Another thing you should know is that if you check into your ship after 7 p.m. in Chongqing, there would be no cable car. You would have to walk some distance in the dark to board the ship.
Ships usually would not agree your preboard in Wuhan, as ships normall depart next day afternoon. They have to supply electricity and hot water even there are only a few of you passengers on board.

I. The Notice in Yangtze Three Gorges Cruise
You only can visit the Three Gorges on the ship. The excurse maybe is different from the visit of other scenic spots. What you might care in your cruise as bellow.
a. Some scenic spots, like Godtress Peak would be viewed on the ship without tickets. So the location of view is very important. Please listen the arrangement to the tour guild and stand the best view position.
b. You are going to get off the ship and visit on shore, such as the City of Ghost, Zhangfei Temple, Shibaozai, the Little Three Gorges, Baidi City, Quyuan Ancestral Temple, Shennong Stream, the Three Gorges Dam, Yueyang Tower, Jinzhou Ancient City etc. The tour spots maybe are different among the different cruise, upstream and downstream. You must listen to the broadcast and tour guild, and remember the stopping ports and departure time. What you must be sure to keep in mind is coming back the ship before departure.
c. You should pay much attention to your safety and property. On the sailing, you should take care to drop in the river, especially the child. When you leave your room ( have meal in the restaurant or visit on shore), please take the cash and valuables with you, like camera, then lock the door.
d. Suggestions to visit the City of Ghost: 1. Try to take wire way up and down, so you can save time for visit. If you walk up and down, you may waste some time. 2. There are a few thieves there, so please pay attention to your wallet when you get on or take off the ship, and the crowded places.
e. Because you are going to walk upstairs or downstairs on the shore, so you need some relax and light shoes.
f. Because of the strong wind on the river, so you'd better prepare thin sweater of jacket in Spring or Autumn. It's very cold in winter, so you'd better prepare thick over clothes, like down garment. It's fine in Summer, but you'd better prepare sunglasses and sun cream.