China Travel Guide - Three Gorges

Author: Xu Junfeng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-11-01
Features: A convenient travel guide is essential when traveling. The pocket-sized "China Travel Handbook" published by Shaanxi Travel Press is divided into 28 regional travel sections, each designed with themed scenic spots and hot routes. It includes descriptions of urban landscapes, cultural landmarks, and natural scenery, as well as practical travel information and fascinating local customs from the perspective of "great culture, new life." This portable travel guide provides assistance to travelers anytime, anywhere.
When the Yangtze River flows along the eastern edge of the Sichuan Basin, it carves through towering mountains, creating the magnificent and world-renowned Three Gorges Scenic Area. The Three Gorges Scenic Area consists of three gorges: the Qutang Gorge, the Wu Gorge, and the Xiling Gorge. It stretches from the White Emperor City in Fengjie in the west to Nanjinguan in Yichang in the east, covering a total length of 192 kilometers, known as the "Great Three Gorges." Each of the Three Gorges has its own unique charm: the Qutang Gorge is majestic, the Wu Gorge is elegant, and the Xiling Gorge is perilous, together forming a spectacular and magnificent landscape.
The Qutang Gorge is known for its towering mountains, with steep cliffs on both banks, as if carved by an axe. Some peaks reach as high as 1,500 meters. The cliffs along the river are extremely narrow, making the river width no more than 100 meters at its widest and just tens of meters at its narrowest. Among them, the Kuimen Mountain is particularly majestic, earning it the title of "the Mightiest Pass under Heaven," with the words "Kuimen is the Mightiest under Heaven" inscribed on the cliffs. Beyond the mountainous terrain, the water of the Qutang Gorge is also "majestic." It "controls the water of the entire Sichuan Basin and the throat of Bashu," as described in a poem: "All waters converge at Fuwan, Qutang competes for one gate." Here, the water rushes fiercely, creating a grand spectacle.
The Qing Dynasty poet He Mingli once wrote a poem that perfectly captures the "majesty" of the Qutang Gorge's landscape: "Kuimen opens as a single line, strange stones pierce the flowing water. Peaks connect with the sky, boats sail through the earth's belly." Kuimen, also known as the 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 the river are named "White Salt Mountain" in the south and "Red Shell Mountain" in the north, rising abruptly from the ground and soaring into the clouds. Near the riverbanks, the cliffs stand vertically, as if naturally crafted as a grand gate. White Salt Mountain is named after the calcium-rich water solutions adhering to the rocks, giving it a white salt-like appearance. Red Shell Mountain, on the other hand, is named after the iron oxide-rich water solutions that adhere to the weathered rock layers, turning the mountain's soil and stones red, as if a person is lying bare-backed.
When viewed across the river, one red-clad and one white-draped, they present a stunning sight. Both mountains are limestone, and long-term erosion by wind and rain have left the cliffs resembling those cut by an axe, creating beautiful fragments of landscapes. The sheer cliffs facing the river, though barren of grass, display vibrant colors, which, when illuminated by morning light, evening clouds, and moonlight, create scenic views such as "Red Shell at Dawn," "White Salt at Sunrise," and "Kuimen Moon at Autumn." The Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu once wrote a poem praising these two mountains: "Red Shell and White Salt pierce the sky, neighborhoods winding up to the peaks. Maple and orange trees in autumn paint the scene, while double roads and golden towers hang like brocade."
Here, the river is only about 100 meters wide, tightly compressing the vast river into a-like passage, yet the flow often reaches up to 50,000 cubic meters per second. Du Fu's line "All waters converge at Fuwan, Qutang competes for one gate" vividly captures the powerful water flow of Kuimen. When a ship exits the Qutang Gorge, if you stand at the stern and look up, the panoramic view of the majestic Kuimen will be before you—this is the best angle for taking a photo. Today, the stone cliffs by the river still bear the calligraphy of Sun Yuanli: "Kuimen is the Mightiest under Heaven, warships and planes pass lightly." The seal of Li Duanhao, "Kuimen is Majestic," and his calligraphy "Kuimen · Qutang" are still clearly visible.
The Wu Gorge is deep, mysterious, and elegant, with peaks standing tall and mountains colored like ink. Ancient trees and vines thrive among the rocks, while waterfalls and springs cascade down the cliffs. The river winds and turns within the gorge, creating a sense of "meandering water leading to tranquility." The most famous sight in the Wu Gorge is the Twelve Peaks of Wu Mountain, with the Goddess Peak being the most enchanting. She stands by the river, her peak often shrouded in mist and drizzle, making the clothes damp yet refreshing. The green peaks and cliffs in the mist resemble a traditional Chinese ink painting. The poet Yuan Zhen of the Tang Dynasty once wrote: "After having seen the vast ocean, nothing else compares to the clouds of Wu Mountain."
The Wu Gorge is home to famous attractions such as the Three Platforms, Eight Scenes, Twelve Peaks, and Zhuge Liang's Stele: the Three Platforms include the Chu, the Book, and the Dragon; the Eight Scenes are the South Ling Spring Dawn, Sunset Reflection, Ning River Evening Crossing, Green Creek Fishing, Clear Pool Autumn Moon, Elegant Peak Temple, Lady Guan's Stele, and Morning Cloud Evening Rain; the Twelve Peaks are the Holy Spring Peak, Dragon Ascending Peak, Cloud Watching Peak, Goddess Peak, Pine Ridge Peak, Flying Phoenix Peak, Green Screen Peak, Gathering Crane Peak, Pure Cloud Peak, Rising Cloud Peak, Ascending Peak, and Gathering Immortal Peak. The Goddess Peak, also known as the Dawn Cloud Peak, is located about 15 kilometers east of Wushan County on the northern bank of the Yangtze River. A giant stone stands amidst the green peaks and clouds, resembling a graceful and beautiful young woman, hence its name. The ancients said, "Peaks rise to the heavens, feet plunge into the river. None of the great mountains like Tai, Hua, Heng, and Lu can match this wonder." When mist swirls around the peak, the stone pillar, like draped in a light veil, appears even more tender and charming. It welcomes the brilliant morning clouds and bids farewell to the splendid evening clouds, hence the name "Dawn Cloud Peak."
The Xiling Gorge is known for its numerous rapids and swift currents. Among them, the Xietan, Qingtan, and Konglingtan are the three most famous dangerous rapids in the Three Gorges. In the past, sailing through them was perilous, with frequent shipwrecks and casualties. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the navigation channels were improved through years of effort. Additionally, the Gezhouba Project's water storage has created a backflow of over 100 kilometers, raising the water level and submerging the dangerous rapids and rocks, rendering them harmless. The Konglingtan is located in the Kongling Gorge, with sheer cliffs on both sides and rapid, turbulent waters, making it extremely difficult to tow boats. The saying goes, "Clear the peak first, then pass," hence it is also called "Empty Listening." In the past, the rapids were treacherous with dense rocks, including the famous "Twenty-Four Pearls," among which the "Great Pearl" stone beam is over 220 meters long, 40 meters wide, and 15 meters high, sticking out of 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 sharp as swords, making the navigation channel winding and narrow, with waves. A slight mistake in sailing could lead to shipwreck. The folk saying goes, "Qingtan and Xietan are not dangerous, Kongling is the ghost gate." Thus, it is known as the most dangerous rapid in the Three Gorges.
The mountains on both banks are layered and lush, surrounded by clouds and greenery. Waterfalls and springs flow, spraying snow and pearls, with orange groves covering the mountains, their green leaves and golden fruits creating a colorful and beautiful scene. The Three Gorges Scenic Area is a national-level tourist scenic area that combines sightseeing, scientific research, cultural heritage, art appreciation, folk customs, and architectural studies. Scattered throughout are attractions such as the Fuлинg Zhouyi Garden, the Underwater Stele of Baihe, Fengdu Mountain, the "Jade Pearl of the River," Shibao Pagoda, Zhang Fei Temple, the "Literary and Artistic Land," Bai Decheng, the Eight Trigrams, Qu Yuan Temple, the Ancient Huangling Temple, the Three Tourists' Cave, and Nanjinguan, among countless others.
The Three Gorges not only feature the already completed Gezhouba Dam but also the world's largest hydropower project—the Three Gorges Dam. These new cultural landmarks, when intertwined with the original natural scenery, create a spectacular new landscape in the Three Gorges.