Icons live on in scenic Yichang

Yichang city in Central China's Hubei province is home to the country's key water control projects, the Gezhouba Dam and the Three Gorges Dam. Both are must-visit tourist attractions best experienced by cruises.

It's also the hometown of two renowned historical figures — Qu Yuan, a poet from the State of Chu during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), from Zigui county, and Wang Zhaojun, one of the "four beauties" of ancient China, from Xingshan county.

According to the legend, when Qu Yuan came to know that the capital of his home state was conquered, he was in despair and took his life in the Miluo River on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

The date is now commemorated as Duanwu Festival, or Dragon Boat Festival.

Every year, Zigui county organizes grand dragon boats racing and colorful cultural events. People also eat zongzi, glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves.

Originally constructed during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the Qu Yuan Temple was rebuilt several times and relocated because of the construction of the Three Gorges Dam.