The biggest overseas group is to visit the area around the Three Gorges Reservoir since the SARS outbreak last year has just finished its tour. The trip also marks the maiden voyage of the Victoria Katarina, the largest vessel designed by the only Western-managed cruise line sailing the Yangtze River.

More than 250 American visitors have just finished their week long tour to the areas around the Three Gorges Reservoir. They were sailing on the Victoria Katarina, the first of three new sister ships to be designed by a US-based cruise company.

Bi Dongjiang, president of US Victoria Cruises Company, said, "The scenery in the Three Gorges area has all changed since last year. An increasing number of people who have never been here before have great interest in visiting. And people who have been here before want to come back and see what the Three Gorges, Chongqing, and China look like today. I believe the New Three Gorges Tour Project will be a success."

The reservoir, which began filling with water in June last year, is part of the massive Three Gorges Project, and now has a water level of 135 meters. Located on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, Chongqing City is serving as a bridge between China's developed eastern coastal areas and the economically backward western regions. Experts say the success of tourism around the Three Gorges Reservoir will largely boost the city's tourism market after the stagnation due to the outbreaks of SARS and Bird Flu.

(CCTV.com April 3, 2004)