DAY 44
Week 7
CHENGDU (Sichuan, CHN) to YUZHONG (Chongqing, CHN)
Saturday August 19th, 2017
TODAYS MILEAGE – 311 miles or 501 kilometres
TRIP MILEAGE – 35,079 miles or 56,454 kilometres
We left the "Chengdu Flowers Family Hotel" at around 7AM for an early arrival at the at the world renowned "Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Center", about 40 minutes northeast of "Chengdu".
After 4 hours of wandering around the "Panda Park" it was back into the "loser cruiser" mini-van for the hour ride into the "Chengdu East Railway Station" in order to catch the fast train to Yuzhong city, to embark on our 3 day "Yangtze River" cruise.
In the interests of full disclosure, I have always stated that floating around on a boat for several days or weeks is of no interest to me as I can't stand being confined to one area and not being able to go where I want, when I want. Suffice to say, that after the cruise briefing during dinner, I was even less of a fan.
The gist of the briefing was that we had an hour to eat one of the three meals provided each day, at their prescribed time. We were also forbidden to leave the vessel unless we partook in one of their excursions, which averaged between $120.00 USD ($157.40 AUD) to over $200.00 USD ($262.33 AUD) to basically go see some temples along the way. The kicker was that they wanted $5.00 USD ($6.56 AUD) for a local beer, which we had picked up at the local supermarket for 40 cents US / 52 cents Aussie - lucky we brought our own.
• CHENGDU ~ Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (Sichuan, CHN)
• CHENGDU ~ East Railway Station (Sichuan, CHN)
• YUZHONG ~ Yangtze River Cruise (Chongqing, CHN)
Day 14 - Chengdu to Yangtze River
See the famous giant pandas up close at the Panda Breeding Centre before boarding a fast train to Chongqing. Later, board the Chinese-style boat and settle in before tomorrow's cruise down the mighty Yangtze River and through the Three Gorges.
Visit the popular pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, created to provide an ideal breeding environment for these endangered creatures. Learn about their life cycle and habitat and take memorable photographs of these iconic national treasures. See a number of other rare species, including the little-known red panda. Arrive in the fall for a chance to see tiny newborn pandas.
Climb aboard the fast train, take your seat, and get around like the locals do. Float to your next destination in traditional style.