This morning we cruised through the Qutang and Wu Gorges, enjoying the views and the perfect weather from the top Explorer deck.

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Sailing Through the Qutang and Wu Gorges

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We took an excursion on the Shennong Stream, a tributary of the Yangtze, first disembarking and taking a ferry, and then transferring to traditional sampans (small wooden or “peapod” boats). Our outdoor lunch in a local village was catered by the Yangtze Explorer’s crew. We toured a village home and shop before returning to the ship.

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Shennong Stream Excursion

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In the late afternoon/ early evening we cruised through the Xiling Gorge, again enjoying the views from the top Explorer deck.

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Sailing Through the Xiling Gorge

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Our day ended with a Taste of China Farewell Dinner, where we were greeted with surprise appearances by Chinese dragons and the “Emperor and his concubines”.

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See more photos:

• Qutang Gorge
• Shennong Stream Ferry
• Shennong Stream Sampans and Village Tour
• Wu Gorge
• Xiling Gorge
• Yangtze Explorer Taste of China Farewell Dinner

Today we took a shore excursion to the city of Fuling. We toured the two floors of the local market – Harris Teeter was never like this! Our local guide told us that the vegetables are genetically modified (they are huge!), plentiful and cheap. One woman proudly displayed a live duck in her shopping bag (the poor duck seemed oblivious to its impending destiny as the main course). We also saw two women carrying their babies in baskets on their back.

Fuling Skyline

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Fuling City Market

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We then visited the White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum, which protects a natural stone ridge with hydrological inscriptions recording the history of the low water levels of the Yangtze River.

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White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum

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After returning to the ship for lunch I attended lectures on traditional Chinese medicine and the Three Gorges Dam as well as a silk embroidery demonstration. I then joined my fellow travelers in the upper deck’s Explorer Bar for Happy Hour and the Captain’s Welcome Reception which was followed by a buffet dinner. I finished my day with shopping at the ship’s art gallery.

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Yangtze Explorer and Views from Stateroom Balcony

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See more photos:

• Fuling City Market
• White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum