The fire dragon lives! Dawn of the new century saw some 4,000 active steamers in this ancient but fast-changing land. See QJ class 2-10-2s being rebuilt, receiving heavy shopping, and strutting along the mainline with freight and passenger. Two classes 2-8-2s are viewed on several lines, and working the massive Anshan Steel complex. Visit Tiefa, where coal is king and 38 steam passenger trains, plus freight, call daily. There are narrow gauge quarry and forest lines. Marvel to double headed QJ's on a mountain pass line opened in 1995, short coal drags on a steep grade requiring three locos, plus "below zero" eruptions of steam which are truly awesome. In addition to the various steam centers, short interludes show life on the train, a ride down the Yangtze through the endangered Three Gorges, university life and other facets of modern China. Someday the Iron Rooster will crow no more, but in 2001 this was simply the greatest steam show on earth!