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WUSHAN -
THREE LITTLE GORGES - CHINA
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Wushan is located at the confluence of the
Daning and Yangtze (Chang Jiang) Rivers. It is an important river stop because
of the tourist interest in visiting the Three Little Gorges on the Daning. It
is also between two of the main gorges on the Yangtze itself. Already the lower
part of the town has been covered by the rising Yangtze and one can see the
preparations for the new town at a higher level. The gorges also are being
submerged - or rather the river level along the canyon walls is rising. There
are more views of Wushan under construction in the section on the
Yangtze river.
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When we awake the ship is at Wushan and local
fishermen are ready to sell fresh catch to the crew. They are right outside our
cabin window.
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More local fishermen at Wushan
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Two local fishermen selling fresh catch to
the ship crew.
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Detail of fishing boat with nets.
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At Wushan we transfer to a smaller, local
boat for a morning cruise up the Daning River (Xiao Sanxia) through the Three
Little Gorges.
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The new town is high above - here workers are
encasing the river bank with stone and concrete to prevent slides into the
river as it rises.
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The new town is high above - here workers are
encasing the river bank with stone and concrete to prevent slides into the
river as it rises.
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The sign shows the eventual river level as it
reaches 175 meters - a huge rise - note the new building and several of the
local boats.
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This bridge over the Daning is being
replaced, as we shall see upstream - the entire road near the Yangtze must be
replaced as the river level rises.
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We are joined on the Daning by a more
traditionally designed cruise boat. Note that the houses even at their present
level must be moved higher.
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One of the tourists was injured right at the
start of the trip, so we had to turn back - here are two of the large Yangtze
river cruise ships.
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Now we are finally able to enter Xiaao Sanxia
- the three little gorges. In ancient times this region was the home of the Ba
people who suspended cofins by ropes high up on these cliffs. But although the
descendents of the Ba still are here (mountain people) no such cofins were
visible now.
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Close up view of the cliff side along the
Daning.
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Close up view of the cliff side along the
Daning.
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The first gorge is opening out into a valley
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The abutment for one side of the new bridge -
well upstream and indicating the new road also will be much further from the
Yangtze.
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The abutment for one side of the new bridge -
well upstream and indicating the new road also will be much further from the
Yangtze.
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Passing another cruise boat headed upstream
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Passing another cruise boat headed upstream
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A local fisherman out early on the Daning
between gorges.
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The entrance to the second gorge on the
Daning
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The entrance to the second gorge on the
Daning
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Goats resting along the river bank
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Goats resting along the river bank
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Along the Daning River gorge
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Detail of river bank with local construction?
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We are now in the second open valley between
gorges.
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We are now in the second open valley between
gorges - a village at the bend in the river - all this area will soon be under
water.
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Entering the third gorge on the Daning River
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Entering the third gorge on the Daning River
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Cruising in the third gorge on the Daning
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A speed boat approaches us in the Daning
River gorge
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The tops of the mountains are lost in the
mists.
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Cruising deeper and deeper into the narrow
gorges.
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Cruising deeper and deeper into the narrow
gorges.
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Along the river there are locations for
mountain people to meet river taxi service.
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Closer view of the mountain people who have
hiked down the moutain sides to this taxi pick up point. These people have no
other way to the outside world than via the river.
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Another bend in the river through these
gorges.
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Mountain peaks rise like spires on both sides
of the Daning.
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Narrow valleys and canyons lead off the river
through these mountains.
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Detail view of the mountain walls
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Rugged cliffs above the river.
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Rugged cliffs above the river.
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Rugged cliffs above the river.
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Another narrow gorge leading into an open
area
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Another valley with village at a bend in the
Daning.
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Another view of mountain village
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Close view of mountain village
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Another view of mountain villages and modern
bridge
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Entering another gorge
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Entering another gorge
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An issolated habitation on the cliff side.
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An issolated habitation on the cliff side.
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A tourist restaurant stop along the river.
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A tourist restaurant stop along the river.
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Caves in the mountain side.
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The river winds past sheer rock walls.
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We arrive at the location where we will
transfer to very small craft for an adventure going into a narrow passage way
in the mountains.
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The tourists are transfering to small craft.
Eventually the river will be much higher here and throughout the canyon.
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A look back at our modernistic cruise boat
and the more traditional design boat next to it.
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One of the small craft ready to depart into
the canyon.
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One modernistic and two traditional designed
cruise ships awaiting the return of the tourists.
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The local boat operator - a few other boats
well ahead of us in the canyon.
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Speeding up the canyon - outboard motor moves
these craft along rapidly.
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We pass a local fellow collecting firewood
from the canyon wall.
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Along the dangerous channel banks there are
life guards posted in case of accident.
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Along the dangerous channel banks there are
life guards posted in case of accident.
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The canyon walls are closing in.
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Ruth is standing next to the local boat
operator - These mountain people are descended from the Ba folk and speak their
own language.
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We pass a group who are singing to provide
entertainment for the tourist groups.
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We pass a group who are singing to provide
entertainment for the tourist groups.
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Deep into the canyon with several of the
other boats ahead.
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Nearing the end of the cruise as some boats
ahead turn around.
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Nearing the end of the cruise as some boats
ahead turn around.
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A cave in the canyon wall.
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A cave in the canyon wall.
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More lifeguards on station along the canyon.
Apparently the river cruise is considered more dangerous than it looks.
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More lifeguards on station along the canyon.
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Canyon narrows more.
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Our boat operator is singing a song in his
language for our entertainment.
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Our boat operator is singing a song in his
language for our entertainment.
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On the return down stream we find
the singers still providing entertainment.
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Nearing the end of the adventure cruise
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Passing the faithfull life guard once more.
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The canyon wall overgrown
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Another pair of men collecting wood along the
canyon.
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Beautiful mountain scenery nearing the end of
the cruise.
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Back at the landing place we find the typical
tourist gift shop.
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More of the small craft arriving back at the
landing place.
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Another cruise boat arriving.
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Traveling down stream past a village - the
sign indicates this whole area including the village will be under water.
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Terraces show that all possible areas are
used for growing crops.
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This cave will also soon be under water.
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These lower terraces will also be under
water.
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Passing a local craft - maybe a river taxi?
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Here is an indication of the preparations for
the coming rise in the river level.
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This village is relocated above the coming
rise in level
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Passing the abutment construction on the
other side of the Daning.
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Almost back to the start at Wushan - the
entrance gorge on the Daning.
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Aproaching the old bridge - soon to be
destroyed.
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Some of the local workers are enjoying a
swim.
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Back at Wushan observing the construction
project from the cruise ship.
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Another cruise ship at Wushan
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