*Day 6 – October 30, 2025: Exploring the Heart of the Yangtze at Yichang*
Today’s journey brought us to the monumental engineering and cultural heart of the Yangtze River: the Three Gorges Dam region near *Yichang*, Hubei Province. From historical exhibits to river navigation and evening relaxation, Day 6 offered a well-paced blend of education, awe, and leisure.
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*🏛️ Morning: Three Gorges Memorial Park & Project Museum*
Our day began with a visit to the *Three Gorges Memorial Park*, part of the larger *Three Gorges Dam Tourist Area*, which spans over 15 square kilometers. This park commemorates the massive undertaking of the dam’s construction and its impact on the region. Highlights include the *Interception Record Wall*, the *Performance Square*, and scenic overlooks offering panoramic views of the dam and surrounding landscape⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾.
Next, we explored the *Three Gorges Project Museum*, which dives deeper into the dam’s history, engineering feats, and environmental significance. Exhibits showcase the scale of the project, the relocation of communities, and the transformation of the Yangtze River. It’s a sobering yet inspiring look at one of the world’s largest hydroelectric endeavors⁽³⁾.
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*🚢 12:30 PM: Sailing Through Xiling Gorge (西陵峡)*
Shortly after noon, our cruise ship entered *Xiling Gorge*, the longest of the Three Gorges at 66 kilometers. Known for its winding waterways and once-treacherous rapids, Xiling Gorge marks the final stretch of the Three Gorges before reaching Yichang. The scenery here is dramatic—steep cliffs, lush vegetation, and narrow passages that once challenged ancient mariners⁽⁴⁾.
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*🌉 1:00 PM: Navigating the Gezhouba Dam Ship Lock*
By early afternoon, we approached the *Gezhouba Dam*, the first large-scale dam built on the Yangtze River. Our ship passed through its *ship lock*, a smaller but still impressive precursor to the Three Gorges Dam’s lock system. The process was smooth and efficient, offering a close-up view of how river traffic is managed in this heavily engineered stretch of the Yangtze⁽⁵⁾.
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*💃 8:00 PM: Dancing Lessons on Deck*
After a day of sightseeing and river navigation, the cruise ship offered a delightful way to unwind: *dancing lessons* on the main deck. Under soft lighting and gentle river breezes, passengers gathered to learn basic steps of group dances. It was a joyful, communal experience—laughter, music, and movement blending into the rhythm of the river.
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*📝 Final Reflections*
Day 6 was a journey through transformation—of landscapes, communities, and the river itself. The *Three Gorges Memorial Park* and *Project Museum* provided context and depth, while *Xiling Gorge* and the *Gezhouba Dam* showcased the river’s natural and engineered beauty. The evening dance was a perfect reminder that travel is not just about places, but about people and shared moments.
Tomorrow, we continue downstream, carrying with us the stories of the Yangtze and the spirit of its ever-changing flow.
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