Chinese river cruise provides moving experience

At 3,915 miles, the Yangtze is the world’s third-longest river, beginning in Tibet and flowing into the China Sea near Shanghai. Its Chinese name is Changjiang, or “Long River.”

After several decades of wishing, I finally traveled those miles in comfort and awe.

Although there is much consternation that the new Three Gorges Dam will destroy the scenic wonder of this area by raising the water level to 175 meters, much will remain.

Damming the river has been considered for centuries but actively planned since Sun Yat Sen proposed it in 1924. Now the dam itself is a major tourist attraction, which the Chinese government promotes.