Has anyone been on the Three Gorges Yangzi river trip in China recently?

Question

How has it changed since the Three Gorges Dam arrived? Is it less scenic? More touristy? More expensive?

Answer 1

Hi,

Yes I took the trip from Chonquing to Wuhan last year...

It is definitely less scenic and more touristy, but it is still worth it to see the temples and the Little Gorges before they're gone completely...

You should read Peter Hessler's award-winning book 'River Town' before you take the trip... it's based on his experiences teaching in an industrial town on the Yangtze that will be almost completely submerged in 2009...

Hope that helps

Happy Trails

Philip

Answer 2

I have been to the Yangtze River many times. Actually I am running a tour company, specializing in custom tours to China: JIA's Dream Tours. We still recommend our clients taking the cruise on the Yangtze River.

The Dam will be completed in 2009, before then it's still well worth seeing the mighty Yangtze River - the flowing history of China! You will still see a lot of fascinating sights, like Fengdu: the Ghost City, Shennong Stream, and the Three Gorgeous Dam site and beyond extraordinary scenery along the river. It's more navigable as the water going up.

If you have any questions about the Yangtze River Cruise, please feel free to contact me through our website: [e-mail]

Answer 3

I went in 2002 when the dam was being built. Not much has changed except cities above the dam along the shore are now under hundreds feet of water.

There are more boats going specially for the paying westerners, however, if you still want a true Chinese experience then go to the Maritime Building along the Bund and buy your own ticket on a Chinese boat. I did that and had the time of my life for eight days and nights as the only non-Chinese passenger all the way to Chong Ching. I made more friends and had more beer parties on deck as we sailed.
Go to the CITS office on the 2nd floor of the Peace Hotel(on the Bund) and ask them to write you a note regarding when you want to travel and to where. Present this note to the cashier/receptionist at the Maritime Bldg. . .about five to six blocks down river and they will issue you a ticket for a fraction of what the other tourist fares are. BTW, I had my own cabin on the outside.