By Keqiao Cheng

Komatsu Michihiko, Consul General of Japan in Chongqing, was invited to revisit the Three Gorges because he had visited it over 20 years ago. Hosted by Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development, the activity of “Back to the Three Gorges” held its opening ceremony at the Yangtze Gold 6 Cruise in SW China’s Chongqing November 7.

The activity invented about 200 tourists and workers who visited or worked in the Three Gorges 20 years ago to visit the place again and experience the changes of the Three Gorges.

"I still prefer this ‘new’ Three Gorges"

“It was over 20 years ago when I worked in the Consulate General of Japan in Guangzhou. It was my first time working in China. On the invitation for a business trip by the Foreign Affairs Office of Guangdong Province, I went on the trip to the Three Gorges.” Mr. Komatsu told iChongqing, “Since it was also my first trip in China by ship.”

“It seems that the Three Gorges tour was an emerging itinerary at that time. The cruise was not as good as now, with old facilities. The food was neither that good.” He added, “It is totally different this time. The cruise is huge and well equipped. The Yangtze River seems wider now, with less turbulence. The landscape is just amazing. Even though the Three Gorges in my memory was beautiful, I still prefer this ‘new’ Three Gorges.”

"The Three Gorges is still here, and it is even more beautiful"

When talking about how to attract the young generation of Japan to visit this place, Mr. Komatsu shared his opinion.

“Over 20 years ago, there was an awash advertisement about the Three Gorges in Japan, theming with ‘Say Goodbye to the Three Gorges’. Thus, thinking the Three Gorges would disappear, a lot of Japanese who were interested in the Three Kingdoms and Chinese poems of the Tang Dynasty decided to take a tour here. However, just because of this reason, the Japanese public think the Three Gorges is no longer existing. That’s why there have been less Japanese tourists in recent years.”

By participating in this tour back to the Three Gorges, Mr. Komatsu was positive about the future of this place. “I hope by holding more events like this one, more Japanese people will be informed that the Three Gorges is still here, and it is even more beautiful.” Said he.