Cruising for inspiration
Travelers experience the Yangtze River's vast cross-provincial landscapes by sailing on tourist vessels, Xu Lin and Liu Kun report in Yichang, Hubei.
Visitors can temporarily transfer to smaller daily tourist ships for an immersive experience, as the ship traverses the dam from downstream to upstream, ascending vertically by up to 113 meters.
This feat is made possible by the world's largest vertical-hoisting ship lift, designed for small and medium-sized vessels. Within 40 minutes, this engineering marvel lifts a vessel using high-precision sensors, driving devices, and an advanced control system.
As the vessel slowly glides into the 18-meter-wide and 120-meter-long chamber, the water level rises and the cruise ship ascends to its maximum height within 10 to 12 minutes.
Standing on deck, guests are amazed by the colossal dam that unfolds before them, with endless mountain vistas stretching across the horizon — a powerful testament to human ambition meeting natural grandeur.
Such daily cruises showcase "Two Dams and One Gorge", referring to the Gezhouba Dam, the Three Gorges Dam and Xiling Gorge.
"Tourists enjoy the enchanting view of Xiling Gorge on Yichang's daily cruises. They watch cultural performances on board that integrate the heritage of the Yangtze River. China's upgraded visa policies have also ignited a surge in overseas visitors," says Luo Biao, deputy manager of the marketing center of the tourism development division at Hubei Three Gorges Tourism Group.
