Yangtze Three Gorges -- Visiting Ancient Sites Hidden Under the Dam: Visiting Ancient Sites Hidden Under the Dam

Author: Xu Jiaguo
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-01-01
Features: The Yangtze Three Gorges, each with its unique charm and wonder: Qutang Gorge is majestic, Wuxia Gorge is elegant, and Xiling Gorge is perilous, together forming a magnificent and spectacular scroll. Qutang Gorge's mountainous terrain is imposing, with towering cliffs on both banks, some peaks reaching as high as 1,500 meters. The cliffs along the river are extremely narrow, making the river width no more than 100 meters, and in some places only dozens of meters wide. Among them, Kuimen Mountain's terrain is particularly majestic and is known as the "Greatest Pass Under Heaven," with the five characters "Kuimen is the Greatest Under Heaven" inscribed on the cliff. Beyond the mountainous terrain, Qutang's water flow is also "majestic," as it "locks the water of the entire Sichuan Basin and controls the throat of Bashu." Poems describe it as "All waters gather at Fuwan, Qutang competes for one gate." Here, the river water becomes turbulent and roaring, creating a grand spectacle. Qing Dynasty poet He Mingli once wrote a poem that perfectly captures the "majesty" of Qutang's landscape: "Kuimen connects as a single line, strange rocks pierce the flowing water. Peaks connect with the sky, boats sail through the earth's gullet." Kuimen, also known as Qutang Pass, is the gateway for the Yangtze River as it enters the Three Gorges from the Sichuan Basin. The high mountains on both sides of Kuimen, southwardly named "Baiyan Mountain" and northwardly "Chiji Mountain," rise abruptly from the ground, soaring into the clouds. Near the riverbanks, the cliffs stand vertically as if carved by nature, resembling a grand gate. Baiyan Mountain is named after the calcium-rich water solutions adhering to the rocks, giving it a white salt-like appearance. Chiji Mountain is named because the iron oxide-rich water solutions adhere to the weathered rock layers, turning the mountain's soil and rocks red, as if a person is bare-backed. Across the river, one is dressed in red while the other is in white, creating a spectacular scene. Both mountains are limestone, and long-term wind and rain erosion have left the cliffs as if they were chiseled by knives, forming beautiful fragments of landscapes. The sheer cliffs facing the river and wind, though barren, display various colors, which, in turn, reflect the morning light, evening glow, and moonlight, creating scenic views such as "Chiji's Bright Dawn," "Baiyan's Morning Hue," and "Kuimen's Autumn Moon." Du Fu once wrote a poem praising the red and white mountains: "Red Chiji and white Baiyan pierce the sky, streets and houses winding up to the mountain peaks. Maple and orange trees in red and green, double roads and ornate towers hang like brocade." Here, the river is only about 100 meters wide, tightly compressing the vast river into a ravine, yet the flow often exceeds 50,000 cubic meters per second. Du Fu's use of the word "compete" vividly captures the powerful water flow of Kuimen. When a cruise ship exits Qutang Gorge, if you stand at the back and look up, the panoramic view of Kuimen's majestic scenery will unfold before you. This is the best angle for taking a photo. Today, the stone walls by the river still bear Sun Yuanli's ten large regular script characters: "Kuimen is the Greatest Under Heaven, warships and aircraft pass lightly." Li Duanhao's seal carving "Great Kuimen" and regular script "Kuimen · Qutang" are still clearly visible. Wuxia Gorge is deep, mysterious, and exquisitely beautiful, with towering peaks on both banks and dark mountain hues. Ancient trees and green vines thrive among the rocks, while waterfalls and springs cascade down the cliffs. The river twists and turns within the gorge, creating a sense of "meandering water leading to tranquility." The most famous sight in Wuxia Gorge is undoubtedly the twelve peaks of Wushan. Among them, Shennü Peak is the most enchanting. Standing by the river, its peak is often shrouded in mist and drizzle, making it feel as if it will wet the clothes but leaves a refreshing sensation upon touching. The green peaks and cliffs in the mist are like a traditional Chinese landscape painting with varying shades of ink. The magic of Wushan's mist and rain is captured by Tang Dynasty poet Yuan Zhen: "Having seen the vast sea, nothing else compares to the clouds of Wushan." Famous attractions in Wuxia Gorge include the Three Platforms (Kuotai Platform, Shoushu Platform, and Zhanlong Platform), the Eight Scenic Views (Nanling Spring Dawn, Sunset Reflection, Ninghe Evening Crossing, Qingxi Fishing, Clear Pool Autumn Moon, Xiu Peak Temple, Women's Viewstone, and Morning Cloud Evening Rain), and the Twelve Peaks (Shengquan Peak, Denglong Peak, Chaoyun Peak, Shennü Peak, Songliao Peak, Feifeng Peak, Cuiping Peak, Juhexian Peak, Jingyun Peak, Qiyun Peak, Shangsheng Peak, and Juxian Peak). Shennü Peak, also known as Wangxia Peak, is located about 15 kilometers east of Wushan County on the northern bank of the Yangtze River. A giant stone stands prominently among the green peaks and clouds, resembling a graceful and beautiful young woman, hence its name. Ancient scholars once said, "The peaks rise to the heavens, while the mountain base plunges into the river. It is said that Tai, Hua, Heng, and Lu have none of this wonder." Whenever the peak is shrouded in mist, the humanoid stone pillar appears as if draped in a light veil, making it even more affectionate and charming. Every day, it welcomes the brilliant morning glow and sends off the splendid evening glow, hence the name "Wangxia Peak." Xiling Gorge is known for its numerous shoals and rapid currents. Among them, Xietan, Qingtan, and Konglingtan are the three most famous dangerous shoals in the Three Gorges. In the past, sailing through them was perilous, with boats and people often lost. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the navigation channels were improved through years of renovation. Additionally, the Gezhouba Project's water storage has created a backflow of over 100 kilometers, raising the water level and submerging the dangerous shoals and reefs, rendering them harmless. Konglingtan is located in Kongling Gorge, with towering cliffs on both sides and swift currents, making it extremely difficult to pull boats. The saying goes, "Clear the peak first, then pass," hence it is also known as "Kongling." In the past, the shoals were dangerous and the currents were fierce, with dense reefs, including the famous "Twenty-four Pearls," among which the "Great Pearl" stone beam is about 220 meters long, 40 meters wide, and 15 meters high, projecting from the water like a tiger lying in the river. Together with the nearby "Second Pearl" and "Third Pearl," they are known as the "Three Pearls in a Row." Below them, the chaotic rocks and reefs are like sharp swords, making the navigation channel winding and narrow, with waves. A slight mistake in sailing could lead to hitting the reefs and sinking. The folk saying goes, "Qingtan and Xietan are not dangerous, but Kongling is the ghost gate." Thus, it is known as the most dangerous shoal in the Yangtze Three Gorges. The peaks on both banks are layered and lush, surrounded by clouds and greenery, with waterfalls and springs flowing, snow-like splashes, and mountains filled with citrus trees, green leaves and golden fruits, creating a colorful and beautiful landscape. The Yangtze Three Gorges Scenic Area is a national-level tourist scenic spot that combines sightseeing, scientific research, cultural heritage, art appreciation, folk customs, and architectural studies. Scattered throughout the area are attractions such as the Fuling Zhouyi Garden, the underwater stone inscriptions of Baiheliang, Fengdu Mountain, the "Jade Pearl of the River," Shibaosi, Zhang Fei Temple, the "Literary and Artistic Land," Baiditown, the "Three Kingdoms Relics" of Baidicheng, the Eight Trigrams, Qu Yuan Temple, the Ancient Huangling Temple, and the Three Tourists' Cave, as well as Nanjinguan, among many others. The Yangtze Three Gorges not only have the already completed Gezhouba Dam but also the world's largest hydropower project—the Three Gorges Dam currently under construction. These new cultural landscapes, along with the original natural landscapes, create a magnificent new scene in the Yangtze Three Gorges.