Chongqing could not be more different from the towns I visited along the Yangtze River: Badong, Wushan, and Fengjie. It is hard to believe that despite the number of Westerners cruising on the river below, uphill I enjoyed celebrity status as the lone American "Meiguo." My independent personality had me traveling upriver on my own, rather than on a packaged cruise tour of the Three Gorges... Definitely a challenge, but it led to some great interactions and experiences.The three towns are considered "small" -- but I've learned that there is no such thing as a small town in China. These cities have already moved up the mountains in anticipation of the rising water level. I was pleasantly surprised that it doesn't seem that the water level will rise that high -- much of the scenery should remain spectacular.
Chongqing is the most modern, cosmopolitan city so far. It's a booming metropolis, and at night the entire downtown is bathed in neon, reminiscent of Times Square. The people are hip and fashionable. Tonight I head for Guilin.
1 comment:
Sounds amazing Aliza. Glad to hear that you are enjoying yourself. I am particularly amazed at how you did you travel up the river by yourself? did you rent a boat by yourself and paddle How long did it take you?
Forgive my naive questiosn but I'm not familiar with what's involved in cruising the Yangtze.
Shana tova if I don't hear form you before hand.
Holly
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