The official day of summer came. How are you going to celebrate? As for me, it is time to catch the opportunities to get outdoors, soak up some sun and have a summer vacation. I have already booked the Yangtze River Cruise from Chongqing to Yichang for 4 Days and 3 Nights on Yangtze River. For me, it will be a relaxing, rejuvenating vacation.
Next Tuesday on June 25, 2013, I’ll begin my 4-day Yangtze River cruise & tour. Traveling alone, I need to do lots of research about Chongqing, Yichang, Yangtze River and also my cruise ship – Victoria Anna.
Part One: How to Plan my Chongqing Tour?
On that day, my D-train from Chengdu to Chongqing is 10:42. With 2-hour transfer, I will arrive at Chongqing North Railway Station at 12:42. So it means that I have the whole afternoon to wander in Chongqing. I would like to visit Three Gorges Museum, Erling Park & Chaotianmen Square. After the half-day tour, I will board my cruise Victoria Anna 17:00 – 21:00 at Chaotianmen Dock.
Highlights of Chongqing for my half-day tour:
Three Gorges Museum
China Three Gorges Museum is situated at the west part of the People’s Square of Chongqing. Occupying the area of 30,000 square meters, the museum was completed and opened to the public on Jun 18, 2005 with the construction area of 42,500 square meters.
The museum is a part of the huge project of the Three Gorges Dam, where there are 1087 relic sites will be submerged in water. China’s 68 scientific institutions have been excavating and researching the sites in the Three Gorges area for ten years. They have successfully completed 338 archeological projects and made a lot of discoveries. All the invaluable relics are carefully moved to the exhibition halls in the Three Gorges Museum.
China Three Gorges Museum in Chongqing is not only the largest monographic museum, but is also a public to protect, research, display of the history of Chongqing and the Three Gorges area of cultural heritage material and human environment. It is to carry forward and cultivate the national spirit of the important cultural infrastructure.
Eling Park
The Eling Park is at 350 meters up offer a grand view of the Yangtze River to its south, the Jialing River to its north, the city proper to its east and the Futuguan to its west. Located it Changjiang Lu, Yuzhong district, Eling was originally named Edingling (Goose Nape Hill), for its narrow and steep shape resembling a nape of a goose.
Standing on the top, visitors can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city at daytime, and a magnificent view at night. The chrysanthemum show of the city, held in the park each year, displays hundreds of rare species of chrysanthemums.
Chaotianmen Square & Chaotianmen Dock
“It is very nice view.The square looks like deck of vessel from another side of Yangtze River. It is very magnificent. Especially I recommed visitors to attend river curise. You can see many beautiful sights,building with different color lights. As it is mountain at the side of Yangtze and Jialing river, you will feel this is gorgeous city.” Comment by one of the tripadvisor user.
For the info of Chaotianmen Dock, just visit here: http://www.yangtze-river-cruises.com/tour/chongqing-dock.html
How to Get There?
1. From Chongqing North Railway Station, I could take the bus No.141 or 461 to Chaotianmen Square directly.
2. To visit Three Gorges Museum, take Subway Line 3 from Chongqing North Railway Station to Niujiaoduo and change Line 2 to Zengjiayan Stop. Then 5-10 minutes’ walk will get to Three Gorges Museum.
3. After visiting Three Gorges Museum, head to Eling Park to have a bird eye view of Chongqing City and Yangtze River. Take taxi to Chaotianmen Square (about 10 Yuan).
4. Useful Maps:
Chongqing Half-day Highlights
Chongqing Subway Map
Chongqing Attraction Map
To read more about my Yangtze River cruise & tour, please kindly come back. I will update more later. And also here are loads of info about Yangtze River, you may like it.