Scenic night cruises along the Yellow River start

The night cruises along the Lanzhou segment of the Yellow River have started running from May 29 onwards. Members of staff who have devoted most of their time to managing the scenic spot were the first batch of visitors specially invited to take the cruise this year.

As the first ship cruised through the Yellow River, 60 sanitation workers aboard chatted, danced and had fun with their family in the refreshing night breeze. "I've been maintaining the environment in the scenic region for nearly 20 years. It's my first time to go on the cruise to enjoy the beauty of the Yellow River at night. I feel so excited," said a worker.

Lanzhou Water Bus Company in Lanzhou, capital of Gansu province, offers the Yellow River night cruise services every year when the river rises to a certain degree. This year, thanks to the remarkable effects of the waterway dredging project, the river has risen to meet necessary navigation standards a month earlier than the last year, prompting the cruise services ahead of time.

Three ships serve the scenic river route, with a capacity of 100 passengers each. The cruise starts at the Lanzhou Port and sails through some famous landmarks along the Yellow River, such as the White Tower Mountain, Zhongshan Bridge and Longyuan sculpture groups. A round trip takes about 40 to 45 minutes.

The ticket prices vary between 20 yuan ($3.2) and 40 yuan according to passenger's age. This year, a family package is made available. It costs 100 yuan and allows a family of three people to travel together.

Edited by Mevlut Katik