Yangtze Three Gorges

Author: Compiled by China Travel Press
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-11-01
Features: The longest river in Asia—the Yangtze River—originates from the snow-capped Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Over its 6,300-kilometer course, it gathers thousands of tributaries, cuts through deep gorges, and flows majestically into the East China Sea. As it passes through the Sichuan Basin, it receives major tributaries such as the Min River, Tu River, Jialing River, and Wu River, causing its water volume to surge dramatically. With an unstoppable force, it carves through towering mountains and valleys, making its way eastward, forming the world-famous Three Gorges. The Three Gorges are the most spectacular section of the Yangtze River, a gallery of breathtaking landscapes. They stretch from Baidicheng in Fengjie, Sichuan, in the west to Nanjinguan in Xuchang, Hubei, in the east, covering a total length of 192 kilometers and consisting of three gorges: the Qutang Gorge, the Wu Gorge, and the Xiling Gorge. From a tourism perspective, this route can extend westward to the Dazhu Stone Carvings near Chongqing, a mountain city, and eastward to Jingzhou Ancient City, all the way to Wuhan. Along this 700-plus-kilometer landscape scroll, mythical scenery and ancient relics intertwine seamlessly, captivating both ancient and modern visitors and leaving them spellbound, reluctant to leave. The Three Gorges are renowned for their natural and cultural wonders. The Qutang Gorge is famous for its grandeur, danger, and uniqueness. It stretches from Baidicheng in Fengjie, Sichuan, to Xixi Town in Wushan, with a length of only 8 kilometers, making it the shortest and steepest gorge among the Three Gorges. As you enter the gorge, towering cliffs rise on both sides like giant gates, known as "Kui Gate." The river surges forward with extraordinary momentum, creating magnificent scenery. In the middle of the gorge, towering peaks and cliffs overlap, casting shadows that block the sunlight, as if traveling through an underground passage. The Wu Gorge in the middle section of the Three Gorges is celebrated for its seclusion and beauty. It extends from Ninghe River in Wushan, Sichuan, to Guandukou in Badong, Hubei, spanning 45 kilometers, making it the longest gorge among the Three Gorges. The Wu Gorge is dotted with towering peaks on both sides, with a winding, narrow valley shrouded in mist. As boats navigate through, they often encounter sheer cliffs or sharp turns, adding to the intrigue. The Xiling Gorge is known for its numerous rapids and treacherous waters. It stretches from Xiangxi River in Zigui, Hubei, to Nanjinguan in Yichang, covering a total length of 66 kilometers, though the actual navigable length is 35 kilometers due to wide valleys separating sections. The famous rapids—Xintan, Xietan, and Konglingtan—are all located in the Xiling Gorge. The gorge is filled with hidden reefs, perilous cliffs, and swift currents, creating a treacherous landscape. However, after years of improvement, the navigation channel has been significantly enhanced. In addition to these three continuous, narrow, and deep gorges, there are three relatively open wide valleys: the Daning River Valley, the Xiangxi River Valley, and the Miaonan Valley. In these wide valleys, the river widens, the terrain slopes gently, and citrus groves and tea plantations are scattered, forming the main agricultural areas of the Three Gorges. Moreover, the Three Gorges have numerous tributary scenic routes. These tributaries primarily originate from the Daba Mountains and the southwestern forests of Hubei, with clear waters and increasingly narrow and deep valleys, creating some areas known as "not the Three Gorges, but better than the Three Gorges." Today, these have become an indispensable part of the Three Gorges' scenic beauty. The enchanting landscapes and long history of the Three Gorges region have nurtured rich cultural heritage. The Three Gorges lie in the cradle of ancient Chu culture in China, a land of abundant resources and outstanding talent. Zigui in Hubei, within the Xiling Gorge, is the hometown of Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet of the Chu Kingdom during the Warring States period, and Wang Zhaojun, a renowned beauty of the Western Han Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms period, the Three Gorges region, being a strategically contested area between the Wu and Shu states, witnessed many historical events and left behind countless famous historical sites. Baidicheng, with its multi-tiered pavilions and towers, is located on the northern bank of the Qutang Gorge. It houses Liu Bei's farewell spot and Zhuge Liang's Star Observation Pavilion, where he supposedly observed the stars at night. On the eastern shoal of Baidicheng, there is a legend that Zhuge Liang once cleverly arranged the Eight Trigrams battle formation. The ancient battlefield of Yiling in the Xiling Gorge, where General Zhang Fei once beat the drums, remains a historic site. Throughout China's history, literary giants have been captivated by the beauty of the Three Gorges, composing countless poems that have become timeless classics, forever linking the verses with the breathtaking scenery.