A current of culture

Tourism routes along the Yangtze give visitors a taste of China's past and present, reports Xu Lin in Yichang, Hubei.

Arguably the best way to enjoy the beauty of the Yangtze River, one of China's "mother rivers", is to embark on a tourism cruise. Away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, tourists can savor tea and snacks onboard while enjoying the awe-inspiring currents and picturesque scenery on both banks of the river.

The cruise starts at Yichang city in Central China's Hubei province, known for the role it played in the wars of the Three Kingdoms (220-280) period. It is now home to some of the country's key water control projects.

"Two dams and one gorge", which refers to the Gezhouba Dam, the Three Gorges Dam, and Xiling Gorge between the two dams, has become a classic travel itinerary.