Electric sightseeing boat sets sail on upper Yangtze River

CHONGQING — A fully electric-powered sightseeing boat has been put into service on the upper Yangtze River, the longest waterway in China, in an effort to enhance the environmental protection on the river.

The boat with 80 passenger seats has a cruise route passing through scenic spots of the Qutang Gorge and the ancient town of Baidi in the river course that runs through Fengjie county of Southwest China's Chongqing municipality.

The first electric vessel put in service on the upper Yangtze and powered by batteries, the boat, fitted with a panoramic glass sunroof, can reduce diesel consumption by 80 kilograms per voyage, compared with that of a conventional craft.

This was among four such electric cruise boats and one charging vessel donated by China Three Gorges Corporation for developing eco-friendly tourism in Fengjie.

Yangtze River cruises at the scenic section of the Three Gorges in Chongqing, and on the river course between Chongqing and the central city of Wuhan, Hubei province, are hugely popular with travelers.

The Three Gorges, which consist of the Qutang, Wuxia and Xiling gorges, extends for about 200 kilometers on the upper and middle reaches of the river.