Three Gorges

Author: Editorial Board of "China Travel Guide"
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2000-12-01
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 boasts towering and steep mountains, with cliffs on both banks hanging high and sharply descending, as if carved by an axe. Some peaks reach as high as 1,500 meters. The cliffs between the rivers 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 is particularly majestic and is known as the "Greatest Pass Under Heaven," with the words "Kuimen is the Greatest Under Heaven" inscribed on the cliffs. Beyond the mountain's grandeur, Qutang's water is also "majestic," as it "locks the water of the entire Sichuan Province and controls the throat of Bashu." A poem describes it as "All waters gather at Fuwan, Qutang competes for one gate." Here, the river water becomes fierce and roaring, creating a spectacular sight. 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 stones pierce the flowing water. Peaks connect with the sky, boats sail through the earth's grotto." Kuimen is also known as Qutang Pass. The high mountains on both sides of the river stand like gateways, marking the entrance of the Yangtze River into the Three Gorges from the Sichuan Basin. The high mountains on both sides of Kuimen are called "Baiyan Mountain" in the south and "Chiji Mountain" in the north, rising abruptly from the ground and soaring into the clouds. Near the riverbanks, the cliffs stand like they were carved by nature, resembling a grand gate. Baiyan Mountain is named after the calcium-rich water solutions adhering to the rocks, giving it a salt-white hue; Chiji Mountain 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 bare-backed. Across the river, one is dressed in red while the other is in white, creating a breathtaking scene. Both mountains are limestone, and years of wind and rain erosion have left the cliffs looking as if they were chiseled by knives, forming beautiful fragments of landscapes. The sheer cliffs facing the river, though barren, display various colors, which, when illuminated by morning light, evening clouds, and moonlight, create scenic views such as "Chiji's Sunny Glow," "Baiyan's Dawn Color," and "Kuimen's Autumn Moon." Du Fu once wrote a poem praising these 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 golden towers hang like brocade." Here, the river is only about 100 meters wide, tightly squeezing the vast river into a ravine, yet the flow often reaches as much as 50,000 to 60,000 cubic meters per second. "All waters gather at Fuwan, Qutang competes for one gate," Du Fu's use of the word "compete" vividly portrays the powerful water flow of Kuimen. When a ship exits Qutang Gorge, if you walk to the back of the boat and look up, the panoramic view of the majestic Kuimen will be before your eyes. This is the best angle for taking photos. Today, the stone cliffs by the river still bear Sun Yuanli's ten large calligraphy characters: "Kuimen is the Greatest Under Heaven, ships and planes pass lightly." The seal carving of Li Duanhao, "Great Kuimen," and his calligraphy "Kuimen · Qutang" are still clearly visible. Wuxia Gorge is deep, mysterious, and exceptionally beautiful. The peaks on both banks are tall and elegant, with shades of dark green; ancient trees and vines thrive among the rocks; waterfalls and springs cascade from 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 one's clothes are about to get wet, yet refreshing upon touching. The green peaks and cliffs in the mist and rain resemble a traditional Chinese landscape painting in shades of ink and color. The beauty of Wushan's mist and rain is best described by Tang Dynasty poet Yuan Zhen: "After having seen the vast sea, nothing else compares to the clouds of Wushan." Famous attractions in Wuxia Gorge include the Three Platforms, Eight Scenic Views, Twelve Peaks, and Zhuge Liang's Stele: The Three Platforms are the Chu (Platform of Chu), Shoushuo (Platform of Granting Books), and Zhuanlong (Platform of Slashing Dragons); the Eight Scenic Views are Nangling Spring Dawn, Sunset Reflection, Ning River Evening Crossing, Qingxi Fishing, Clear Pool Autumn Moon, Xiu Peak Temple, Women's Viewstone, and Morning Cloud Evening Rain; the Twelve Peaks are 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 out 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. No other mountains like Tai, Hua, Heng, or Lu can match this wonder." When mist and clouds swirl around the peak, the stone pillar resembling a human figure seems to wear a light veil, appearing even more affectionate and charming. Every day, it welcomes the brilliant morning glow and bids farewell to the splendid evening glow, hence its name "Wangxia Peak." Xiling Gorge is known for its numerous rapids and rapid currents. Among them, Xietan, Qingtan, and Konglingtan are the three most famous dangerous rapids 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, after the Gezhouba Project's water storage, the backwater extended for over 100 kilometers, raising the water level and submerging the dangerous rapids and rocks, rendering them harmless. Konglingtan is located in Kongling Gorge, with towering cliffs on both sides and swift currents, making it extremely difficult to tow boats. The saying "Clear the mountain first, then pass" reflects its difficulty, hence it is also known as "Kongling." In the past, the rapids were dangerous and the currents were fierce, with dense rocks, including the famous "Twenty-Four Pearls." Among them, the "Great Pearl" stone beam is about 220 meters long, 40 meters wide, and 15 meters high, sticking out of the water like a tiger lying in the river. It is joined by the nearby "Second Pearl" and "Third Pearl," forming a trio of linked stones. Below them, the chaotic rocks and reefs are like sharp swords, making the navigation channel winding and narrow, with waves. A slight mistake could cause a ship to run aground and sink. The folk saying goes, "Qingtan and Xietan are not rapids, Kongling is the ghost gate." Thus, it is known as the most dangerous rapid 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 forests of oranges with green leaves and golden fruits, creating a beautiful and limitless landscape. The Yangtze Three Gorges Scenic Area is a national-level tourist and scenic area 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," Shibao Pagoda, Zhang Fei Temple (the "Literary and Artistic Land"), the "Three Kingdoms Remains" White Emperor City, the Eight-Diagram Formation, Qu Yuan Temple, the Ancient Huangling Temple, and the Three Tourists' Cave, as well as Nanjin Pass, among countless others. The Yangtze Three Gorges not only has the already completed Gezhouba Dam but also the world's largest hydropower project—the Three Gorges Dam. These new cultural landmarks, when combined with the original natural scenery, create a magnificent new landscape in the Yangtze Three Gorges.