1984 Trip on Yangzi - Chongqing to Shanghai

36. Yangzi Gorge

After the formation of the People's Republic of China, the government spent a great deal of money and time blasting the rocks and crags that made the river so dangerous. Since then the river has been much safer to travel and traffic on the river has greatly increased. We spent a delightful 5 days on the river with good views, good food and rest.

The cruise starts at Chongqing, the biggest city in Southwest China and key port of departure and destination for Yangtze River cruises. For the first few hours the river is lined with factories, but this gives way to some pretty, green terraced countryside with the occasional small town.

One of the first stops is usually the town of Fengdu. It is thronged with more tourists who come to visit temples and shrines dedicated to the gods of the underworld. Many statues of demons and evils are horrible and landmarks here bear horrific names- Last Glance at Home Tower, Nothing-to-be-done Bridge and Ghost Torturing Pass - the three check-ups on dead ghosts who wanted to enter the nether world.