Chongqing Transit Mingyue Sightseeing Cruise Ship (Photographed by Zhou Fei)

Captain Tian Dong, whose internship is about to end

CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- At the end of this year, Chongqing “Two Rivers Tour” Sightseeing Cruise Ship will officially have the youngest “post-80s” captain in history.

Tian Dong is a native of Chongqing. He has experienced the transformation of “Two Rivers Tour" from a simple ferry to a modern multi-functional star-rated cruise ship. He has also witnessed the change of scenery on both sides of the river. He has not only serviced the king of Cambodia, but also tens of thousands of ordinary tourists who are yearning for Chongqing.

The young man, who once dreamed of becoming a captain, realized his childhood dream and is about to steer the ship himself, taking more passengers into the dazzling night of the mountain city.

He grows up by the Yangtze River and wants to be a captain since he is a child

Tian Dong lived by the Yangtze River in Banan District, watching ships moving on the river since he was a child, during which the melodious siren became the bright moonlight that dotted his dreams. With his head lying on the window, Tian Dong looked at the river and sprouted a dream: to become a captain and pilot a big ship himself when he grew up.

In 2003, Tian Dong took his first tour of the Three Gorges and sightseeing of the Yangtze River. He can memorize names of dozens of docks, ports and conditions along the way from Chongqing to Shanghai.

Tian Dong also drove the “Chongqing Transit (Jiaoyun) Transportation Ferry 02” from Chaotianmen to Yangren Street before. As the time goes by, Tian Dong doesn’t find his work exhausting even in those windy and rainy days. From a sailor, a helmsman, to a second mate, and then to a first mate, he joined Chongqing Passenger Liner Co., Ltd. in February 2017 and started his work of “Two Rivers Tour”.

He has driven all the famous cruise ships “Manjianghong”, “Jiaoyun Mingzhu” and “Jiaoyun Mingyue” of the Two Rivers Tour. In March this year, the 38-year-old Tian Dong finally became the intern captain of the “Jiaoyun Mingyue” cruise ship. At the end of December, after passing the examination, Fan Qiang, the old captain of “Jiaoyun Mingyue”, will hand over the ship to the young captain——Tian Dong.

Most of the former captains of “Two Rivers Tour” were in their fifties; however, this cool-headed, experienced, competent “post-80s” young man has undoubtedly proved his own strength.

Every night, the “Jiaoyue Mingyue” he drives sets out from Chaotianmen, goes up along the Jialing River, makes a U-turn to Hongyadong, leaves the Jialing River, goes up along the Yangtze River to Chuqimen, makes a U-turn again, enters the Jialing River, and returns to the Chaotianmen Wharf in the end. The tour will be accompanied by beautiful night views of the mountain city. He can control the time accurately, while ensuring safety and stability.

“Two Rivers Tour” favored by the King of Cambodia 

The “Jiaoyun Mingyue” cruise ship driven by Tian Dong is the only cruise ship for the 2017 Chongqing Urban Tourism Festival and Intercity Tourism Fair, which can carry 500 passengers in total. It is decorated in modern Chinese style, which is one of the most high-end, atmospheric and fashionable ships in the “Two Rivers Tour” market.

In September 2019, King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia, Deputy Prime Minister Kong Sam Ol and his entourage also took his ship and praised the night view of the two rivers in Chongqing. Two days ago, the China Railway Express Negotiation Fair was also held on the ship, enjoying the beautiful scenery and working at the same time.

I will never get tired of enjoying the scenery of the two rivers, and I want to drive the ship until I retire

Tian Dong has never been tired of enjoying the scenery of the Four Banks of the Two Rivers. In recent years, with the rapid economic development of Chongqing, the scenery of the Four Banks of the Two Rivers is becoming more dazzling and magnificent.

Tian Dong, who is driving the ship, always appreciates Chongqing from another perspective, and he often introduces the way of visiting Chongqing on water to his friends from other places from the bottom of his heart.

Traditional festivals such as Spring Festival and National Day are the busiest and happiest time for Tian Dong and his crew. They often hear tourists from all over the country and even around the world praise the night view of Chongqing, saying, “Wow, how beautiful it is!” He will be contented himself for a long time. Whenever he has some free time, Tian Dong will stand on the deck to greet the guests and enthusiastically introduce the history, culture, cuisine and scenic spots of Chongqing. The young and handsome captain also became a beautiful tourist attraction in Chongqing’s “Two Rivers Tour”, and passengers often came to take pictures with him. During the break, Tian Dong will lean on the bow like an ordinary tourist, enjoy the lights flowing on both sides of the river, and indulge in the magnificent night view of the mountain city. “Chongqing’s Two Rivers Tour is irreplaceable. I want to drive the ship until I retire and witness its changes as the time goes by…” (Translated by Wang Junli, Fathom Language Limited)