Pages

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Three Incredible Cities Found on the Yangtze River

At a length of almost 4,000 miles, the Yangtze River stands as the longest waterway across the whole of Asia and the third longest in the world - beaten only by the Amazon and the Nile. Flowing from the glaciers of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau before emptying into the East China Sea in Shanghai, it has been a longstanding hotspot among those looking to experience unbelievable river cruises. For those hoping to take to the waters in the near future, here are some of the best cities you can experience on your trip.

We begin our journey at Lijiang, a city which offers a stunning example of traditional life in China. One of the highlights which often draws visitors is the Old Town of Lijiang, a UNESCO protected site which demonstrates the historical architecture commonly found across China throughout history, also boasting an ancient water-supply system which is still fully operational to this day.

Another popular sight is Yichang, a modern metropolis which is filled with history spanning hundreds of years. Formerly known as Yiling, one of the most prominent early moments recorded here was when the Qin general Bai Qi set fire to the city back in 278BC, during the Warring States period. The city was also an important site during the Three Kingdoms period, standing as the location of the Battle of Yiling in 222AD. The modern day Yichang has grown into a sizeable city, being the second largest in the Hubei province and home to the China Three Gorges University.


We finish our cruise where the Yangtze meets the ocean, with the powerhouse of Shanghai offering the perfect goodbye to the river. The largest city in China and the largest city by population on the planet, Shanghai is the home to more than 23 million people and is now a fantastic cultural metropolis. With such a fine myriad of restaurants found across the city, Shanghai is the perfect location to explore Chinese cuisine at its finest. Culture vultures should be sure to head to the city's museum, which has thousands of objects on display to help you get a sense of the 5,000 years of history this great nation boasts.

Those are some of the most popular sights which can be discovered on Yangtze river cruises, but this guide hardly scratches the surface of the incredible experiences this waterway holds. Why not book a cruise today and explore the wonders of the Yangtze river for yourself?



No comments:

Post a Comment