Yangtze Three Gorges …. More Popular Than Ever

Located in the strategic central regions of China, Hubei Province is gaining increased attention from visitors because of four important destinations, said Guo Yuji, Director, Hubei Tourism Administration, during a Hubei tourism promotion in Sydney earlier this week.

Ms Yuji who headed a nine member delegation of tourism professionals from the province began her presentation to travel industry guests and media representatives with an update on the province’s best known attraction and one of the top 10 scenic wonders of China, the Yangtze Three Gorges.

The Yangtze Three Gorges have become more wondrous and diversified with new scenic spots complementing Xiling Gorge, Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge, said Ms Yuji.

[Pictured right: A cruise through the Yangtze Three Gorges remains a highlight of a visit to China.]

A bird’s eye view of the greatest hydropower project in the world, the Three Gorges Dam, from Tanzi Peak is truly thrilling. 

As well, performances highlighting cultural and historic aspects along the Yangtze Three Gorges with the dam as a backdrop have created new reasons to visit the area, she added.

Other activities that can be included in client itineraries are visits to folk villages belonging to the Tujia ethnic group and the scenic areas of Chaibu Canyon and Enshi Canyon and Tenglong Cave.

The 8th Three Gorges Tourism Festival of Yichang will be held in September.  A number of cultural activities are planned for this annual event which is “designed to raise the profile of the Golden Three Gorges, the Silver Dam and the Green Yichang”.

The second place of intense scenic beauty in Hubei Province is Shennongjia Mountains.  This area of primitive forests has been included in the “human and biosphere protection network” of the United Nations, she said.

Shennongjia is a mysterious area with legends abounding of man-like animals, bizarre white animals and rivers running in unknown directions, she said. 

Other attractions of this region that is little known to foreigners include a ski resort that opened in 2004 and a tribe of golden monkeys that live in the pristine wilderness.

The third place of significance in the province is Wudang Mountain, a sacred mountain in the Taoist religion and one of the origins of the Chinese martial art of Kung-fu.

Wudang Kung-fu was vividly demonstrated in the Oscar-wining film, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

An outstanding architectural complex sheltered by the mountain was built during the Tang Dynasty.  In 1994 it was listed as a world cultural heritage by UNESCO.

[Pictured left: The Provincial Capital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, is a river sited city with several important places of interest.]

The Yangtze River enters 60-million strong Hubei Province from the west via the Three Gorges.  Another major river, the Hanshui, enters the province from the northwest.  The two rivers converge at Wuhan, the provincial capital. 

Wuhan is the fourth place of major tourist interest in the country, noted Ms Yuji, citing the Yellow Crane Tower, one of the four most famous ancient towers in China, and East Lake, the largest lake within a city in China, as important attractions of the river sited modern city.

The Hubei promotional event was the first function for Mr Liu Cheng since the new Director, China National Tourist Office (Australia & New Zealand) arrived in Sydney last month.

Exclusive Report by Thomas E. King, TravelMole’s Travel and Lifestyle Editor