Some of the most spectacular and famous sights in China is that of the Yangtze River Three Gorges. The cliffs on both sides of the narrow passageways extend for 200 km. This scenery, however, has been irrevocably changed, due to construction of the Three Gorges Dam. Construction of the dam will be complete in 2009. By then, water levels would have been raised by 575 feet, or 175 meters.
Currently, the project is on its 3rd, and final, stage. Water levels have already risen 135 meters. Even with water levels fully raised the total 175 meters, the visual impact of the Gorges will remain as some of these peaks are hundreds of meters high, some as high as 2,000 meters.
Besides the attraction of the Three Gorges, there are several excursions that can be done along a Yangtze Cruise, including:
- Fengdu, City of Ghosts: scattered with temples, shrines and statues of wicked demons.
- Shennong Stream and Daning River: raft through the shallower waters of this streams, side-arms of the Yangtze.
- The Three Gorges Dam: pass through the locks and tour the world largest dam.
Here's more info, pictures and videos Cruising China's Yangtze River
