Shore Excursions

City Of Ghosts
When taking a cruise downstream from Chongqing to the Three Gorges, the first shore excursion is to disembark for a visit is the Ghost Town located on the north bank of the Yangtze River. Fengdu is the name of the abode of ghosts or town of devils, an ancient city of more than a thousand years. Since the Tang Dynasty, 48 temples full of sculptures, fresco and statue of demons and devils have been built on a hill.

The origin of the town's extraordinary reputation as a shrine dedicated to the gods of the underworld dates back to the Han dynasty when two officials became Daoists, living a reclusive life and eventually immortals. According to the popular religious belief, the dead come to dwell in Fengdu and the evil souls go on to hell. In Chinese mythology, it's said that those who commit acts of evil during their lifetime will be destined for the hell at the 18th layer under ground after a trial and have to endure eternal punishment. Shopkeepers used to keep a basin of water for customers to throw their coins in and those that floated werethought to be ghost money and unacceptable. There is a cable car up to the temple complex or it can be reached by a 30 minute hike.

The Red Cliff in Puqi
The Red Cliff also called "Chibi" in Chinese, lies on the southern bank of Yangtze River 31 km north to Puqi City. Composed of three rolling hills and facing the Yangtze River, the Chibi Mountain appear to be like a herd of galloping stallions against a luxuriant green painted landscape. You can't miss it when touring the Three Gorges of Yangtze River the site is classified as the Ancient Three States in Hubei. It is the only well-preserved ruins of the ten most famous ancient battlefields in China.