China - Yangtze River - Fengjie

Wednesday, 1 May 2019

We passed the industrial city of Fengjie just before entering the first gorge, Qutang Xia.

Even when not in one of the three gorges, the Yangtze River is lined with mountains (and smog).

Coming into Fengjie.

Fengjie is at the left, and the bridge across the Yangtze in the center is the start of Qutang Xia.

Fengjie, or more accurately New Fengjie, since this city was relocated from a flooded site.

A closer view of the pagoda barely visible on the mountaintop just right of center in the previous photo.

It appeared the this industrial site just outside Fengjie had been abandoned, but maybe it was just shut down for the long May Day holiday.

On deck as we pass Fengjie and prepare to enter the first gorge. The wind was brisk and relentless.

China - Yangtze River - River Traffic

Wednesday, 1 May 2019

The Three Gorges Dam has opened up the Yangtze to major shipping. Here is a selection of the ships we saw on the river.

Typical barges. Unlike the Mississippi and the Ohio Rivers (and major tributaries) in the US, each barge is a separate ship. There are no sets of 9 or 12 barges being driven by a single tugboat.

Logs

Containers

A ferry with passengers and trucks.

Automobile transport

Traditional sampans

Day-cruise ship.

The Yangtze is filled with cruise ships. This also gives an feel for how high the river can rise at peak level behind the dam.

Several cruise ships of varying styles at the dock in Fengjie, just before the first gorge (Qutang Xia).

China - Yangtze River

Tuesday, 30 April 2019

Crusing down the Yangtze

Leaving Fengdu. Even after using the "haze filter" in Photoshop, the poor air quality is still visible.

Ming Shan Mountain (City of Ghosts) across the river from Fengdu.

A closer look at the pagoda on Ming Shan Mountain.

The Three Gorges Dam has promoted shipping on the Yangtze. Here a barge of sulfur is heading upstream.

Navigation aides and depth marker on the shore.

Mountains and haze along the Yangtze.

We passed Zhongxian at dusk.

China - Yangtze River - Fengdu Markets

Tuesday, 30 April 2019

Market areas are always interesting places to visit.

First we walked through an indoor food market.

I had no idea that tofu came in dozens of varieties.

Pickles

Squash varieties -- and and other veggies.

Meats -- mostly pork.

Noodles

Traditional baby carrier.

Walking along a market street.

Grilling meat with a propane torch.

Poultry -- the complete bird, in parts.

I'm not sure what the feet have to offer as food.

China - Yangtze River - Fengdu

Tuesday, 30 April 2019

Today's first stop was Fengdu, a night's cruise downriver from Chongqing. While mostly known for its "City of Ghosts", an archaeological site known for its graphic depictions of hell, our tour was of the city itself -- relocated from the opposite shore when the Three Gorges Dam flooded the area.

Early morning on the Yangtze at Fengdu.

The water level in the reservoir behind the dam can vary by over 30 m (100 ft) during the year. The docks have to be able to accommodate this large swing in river level. Today we had to walk up over 150 steps to get to street level.

Exercise on the plaza at the top of the cruise ship dock. Every morning most Chinese citizens enjoy group exercise. Martial arts, ballroom dancing, line dancing, and tai chi are the most popular options.

One of the advantages of traveling in a small group is the opportunity to see "real" homes. This is the living room of a farmer who was given new land and a house just outside Fengdu. His original land was flooded by the dam.

A modern bathroom.

A commercial street in a residential neighborhood in the rebuilt Fengdu.

We also visited a kindergarten school. State schools start at age 6, so all kindergartens are privately run.

The kindergarten had a nice play area surrounded by apartment blocks on all four sides.

We've been seeing these motorcycle covers throughout China, but I finally got a decent photo.

China - Leaving Chongqing

Monday, 29 April 2018

In the evening we boarded the MV Jenna (Victoria Cruise Line) for a three-day cruise down the Yangtze River.

Like most Chinese cities, Chongqing is impressive at night -- just don't expect to see any stars!

Along the Yangtze.

Modern buildings along the Yangtze.

The bridges are impressive in the daylight, but even better at night.

China - Chongqing - Miscellany

Monday, 29 April 2019

Around Chongqing.

A highway rest stop on our way to Dazu. It's a bit bigger than most US rest stops, but the McD is familiar.

A "fast food" counter in the rest stop. I can identify a few things (like whole chickens), but most of these animal parts are beyond my imagination. The saying goes that the "Chinese eat every part of the pig except the oink."

A parking deck near the Chongqing Zoo. The elevators are for your vehicle.

Ramps and bridges along the rivers in Chongqing.

Chongqing's "Great Hall of the People", inspired by the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, is now an upscale hotel.

And right around the corner is a Walmart.

If you want to travel independently in China, it would be essential to know some Chinese.

And finally, if you want to know what the Chinese think about western-style toilets, this sign says it all! (And this was in the women's rest room.)