Looking back at some of the pictures taken during our Yangtze or Chang Jiang River cruise last year, it reflects more than the beauty of nature. The journey was truly an extraordinary encounter that enriched my thoughts and life experience. In my earlier episode entitled 'Cruising along Magnificent Yangtze', I did share briefly about each place that we stopped. Here I will continue to share most of the highlights of this trip in details of a series, and of course more pictures.

One of highlights of Yang Tze (Chang Jiang) tour is cruising along Shennong Stream which is regarded as China AAAA scenic spot. Shennong Stream of 60 km length influxes into Yangtze River via Wu Gorge. Composed of four gorges – Shennong Gorge, Mian Zhu (Bamboo) Gorge, Yingwu (Parrot) Gorge and Longchuan Gorge, visiting to Shennong Stream is truly a unique spectacle!

Princess Sheena or Xian Na - that's the name of our carrier or cruise ship.

When we woke in the morning, Xian Na – our dedicated carrier was stationary at Xirangkou in Badong County.

This morning shore excursion was cruising along Shennong Stream and experiencing peapod boat at Bamboo Gorge.

After boarding Chang Sen Yi Hao (an environmental friendly boat), she took us passing by Longchang Gorge then continued to Shennong river mouth where the wall sign says "China AAAA tour spot", the floating security check point and went underneath a concrete bridge before being swallowed into Parrot Gorge.


Then, we were charmed by the beauty of enticing Shennong Stream. Stream water is of green color unlike muddy brown color of Yangtze. Air was refreshing and the moving boat made me chilled as the breeze hugged.

The peaks here truly grandeur and elegance, some of them are quite a clean and straight cut, deep into the water leaving no spare of gradient.


The white level nearing water surface indicates the high tide occurring at different season of the year.
Over the cliff of rocky surface or some cave holes, there lies the evidence of suspended or hanging coffin. It is an ancient burial system of Tujia ethic. We caught one visible on the cliff while cruising along Shennong Stream after being pointed by the local tour guide.

Most of the coffins are gone due to archeological study or washed away by the elevation of water level. These hanging coffin were made of tree trunk and usually positioned on wooden planked nailed to the cliff of the mountains. The belief of buried high, as close as possible to the sky will allow the soul to be closer to God as we were told. 

Stay tune as I will share with you the fascinating experience on a small flat wooden boat witnessing Bamboo Gorge!

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