A full day of travel today as we headed across country on a 7hr train journey to Yichang, the gateway to the Yangtze River.

Our two bullet trains took us 1,250km across country through a series of tunnels cutting through the mountain terrain.

We had a 1hr layover back at Chengdu were we indulged in some Tom Horton bagels (not v Chinese we know but we were hungry and in need of food we recognised!).

After some nourishment we went for a wander to explore this goliath train terminal.

The journey whilst long was in reasonable comfort and after a few card games with other friends on the tour group we managed a little snooze.

Our day of travel involved 2 buses and 2 trains and the inspection of our passport ID on at least half a dozen occasions!

Train travel in China has come a long way in the last 20yrs and it’s now a quick, reliable and affordable means of transportation for much of the population, preferable to flying for most.

The countryside scenery was inter-dispersed with unknown cities of high rise buildings that appeared out of nowhere then grouped together in high blocks.

Our arrival at Yichang our final destination was a pleasant surprise, as the city was cosmopolitan and looked more Mediterranean with large homes sitting next to the Yangtze River.

We left Yichang at around 6pm and picked up a coach for a final 90min journey to our cruise boat on the Yangtze River, the gateway to Three Gorges Dam.

Arriving at the boat, our home for the next 3 nights, we checked into our pleasant cabin, before heading up to one of the Upper Deck bars for a much needed cool beer and a catch up with the ‘young guns’ in the tour group!

Whilst the boat is a little old and perhaps in need of some TLC, the staff are friendly and helpful and we have already booked to go on an excursion tomorrow to The Tribe of Three Gorges.

Our tour tomorrow will take us along the river to one of the inlet gorges where we will get to see an old fishing village with the locals in their historic dress performing songs and dances.