Community Education Center Association

China's Three Gorges - Presentation By Greg Lee

Dec 03, 2002

"This is NOT the typical Yangtze River tour. Join the LAGS on a trip along the longest river in China (third longest in the world). This will be the last chance to see the Small 3 gorges and the Small, Small 3 gorges on the first tributary (the Da Ning He and MaDu He) and Shennong Creek. We will camp and raft on the tributaries. By the Fall of 2002, these areas will be underwater as the massive Three Gorges Dambegins to fill."

These words were part of the initial trip announcement made to the Los Angeles Geographical Society (LAGS). The LAGS group became the first foreign group of travelers to visit Dacheng,an old town on the Daning River (considered to be the first major tributary of the Yangtze River). The Daning River creates the Small Three Gorges, a natural scenic area. From there, the group ventured to the Madu River to raft through the Small, Small Three Gorges. No foreign groups had ever done this before. They were also the first foreign group to visit Yanduhe and to float down Shennong Creek to see the Small Three Gorges of Western Hubei.

Greg Lee, trip organizer and leader (and member of the CEC Association) will present an illustrated talk about this unique trip at the Association meeting on December 11.

Recent reports from China indicate that these tributary areas are now being flooded. The scenes and experiences witnessed by the LAGS travelers cannot be repeated.