YICHANG, YANGTZE RIVER, CHINA
PORT INFORMATION
All About Yichang
by Roger Allnutt
The most popular section of the great Yangtze River for cruising is the Three Gorges sector that runs from Chongqing downstream to Yichang although some cruise boats continue on to Shanghai. The Chongqing to Yichang trip takes 4 days/3 nights downstream and an extra day and night upstream.
In 1994 construction began on the controversial Three Gorges Dam project which, when completed in 2003, raised the river level about 110 metres. It submerged villages and historical and archaeological sites, resulted in the relocation of people to new villages and towns and is controversial for many environmental reasons.
The Three Gorges Dam has created a 600km long reservoir stretching back to Chongqing and changed the face of many aspects of the cruises that are immensely popular with tourists from all round the world.
Cruise Port Facilities at Yichang
There are two main passenger ports for Yangtze River cruises near Yichang. Both are around 25-30km from the city centre upstream from the city.
It is about 40km from Yichang Airport to New Century Pier or Taohuacun Port, takes about one hour by taxi and costs about US$20. Taxi from the centre of Yichang takes about 30 minutes and costs around US$10.
Cruise Lines Visiting Yichang
New Century Port (Xinshiji Port) is used by Victoria Cruises, President Cruises, New Century Cruises and China Dragon. Taohuacun Port (Peach Flower Village Port) is used by smaller companies catering mainly to Chinese travellers.Must See Attractions in Yichang
Yichang, located in Hubei province, is a relatively small Chinese city. The central city area is compact with a few major roads criss-crossing the city. Although there are new, tall office buildings with more being constructed close to the river it has the air of a country town. Most of the shops are small with only a few of the international brand names apparent in the bigger Chinese cities and most of these are food places like Pizza Hut. Yichang cuisine is spicy and it is worth trying local specialties at cafes and stalls. The area is known for its oranges, persimmons, Chinese gooseberries and tea.,
There are a couple of large parks in the centre of the city and in one of these I found a group of older citizens ballroom dancing to music blaring out from a tape deck.
As a sign of the modernity of China I noted that the wide cycle paths on the edge of the main streets were practically deserted as people move away from bicycles to motor bikes and more and more cars. The dress, particularly of the younger people, was typical of youngsters all over the world.
In the park which stretches along the river bank Khenjiang Tower is a lovely multi-storeyed pavilion typical of many similar pavilions and temples along the Yangtze. Many children were playing in the park anxiously watched over by grandparents,
The cruise terminals are situated in a scenic area of the Yangtze River. Tourists dflock to admire the dramatic, gorge-like scenery.
