Yangtze River Trip

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Wuhan to Chongqing
August 18-23

Program:

Day 01, August 18th: Arrive in Wuhan

--Yangtze river tour began at 19:00, boarding the deluxe German-made Regal China (5 Star) cruise ship

Day 02 August 19th: Sailing through the Jianghan Plain

--After Breakfast at 9:00, Safety, Orientation & River Briefing. Students learned the geography and river lore of China.
--Presentation on Chinese Traditional Medical Therapies
--After lunch, Chinese cultural programs including Introduction to Chinese Fresh Water, Chinese Dough Sculpture and Introduction to Chinese Kites.
--Captain's Welcome Party at 17:15 on the Sundeck

Day 03 August 20th: Entering the Three Gorges/ Sandouping

--Enter the Xiling Gorge passage.
--Around 9:00, pass the Gezhouba Dam Ship Lock. The passage takes about one hour and the river guide discussed the lock.
--After lunch, around 13:30, ship docked at Sandouping for an excursion to the new and still under construction Three Gorges Dam. Students had two hours to visit the site.
--Return from excursion and board the ship around 17:00

Day 04 August 21st: Wushan (Three Little Gorges)

--After breakfast students disembarked at Wushan Daning River for an excursion to the Three Little Gorges.
--The trip featureed a fantastic natural backdrop and a wonderful boat ride along the crystal stream. The motorized sampan allowed for a close look at mossy rocks, verdant plants, plank roads, ancient coffins and precious animals.
--Around 15:00 the ship entered the last but grandest gorge- the Qutang Gorge. The river guide discussed historic sites like Ancient Plank Road, Mengliang Stairway and the mysterious hanging coffins of the ancient Ba people.

Day 05 August 22nd: Wanxian

--Cruise through the mountains of Eastern Sichuan.

--Disembarked for an excursion to Wanxian, an ancient town on the riverbank. A bus tour took students around the town with minimal walking. Performance by a local acrobat was included.
--Return to ship at noon and continueed the cruise, viewing the beautiful landscape of Sichuan in the afternoon.
--Afternoon cultural programs and a Farewell Party with music and dancing

Day 06 August 23rd: Chongqing/Exit

--After breakfast, packed bags for departure.
--Completed check-out procedures before lunch and disembarked. The estimated arrival in Chongqing was around 13:00.
--Tour of Chongqing.
--At17:55, students flew back to Xian.

Please Note: Every evening, students had a 1:30-2:00 hr meeting to discuss what was seen and the people we met during our visit.