Silver Waves at Dragon’s Neck

Silver Waves at Dragon’s Neck

Silver Waves at Dragon’s Neck

Silver Waves at Dragon’s Neck Silver Waves at Dragon’s Neck is located at the confluence of the Chengjiang River and the Hongshui River in Hongdu Village, Chengjiang Township. There is a pool here that resembles a giant dragon opening its mouth to swallow the waters of the Chengjiang River before they flow into the Hongshui River—hence the name “Dragon’s Neck.” About half a li from the mouth of the pool lies a strange rock that spans across the river, while beneath the riverbed lies a “rock gorge” acting as a natural barrier. During flood season, the rushing waters pour down, swiftly passing through the gorge, splashing against the rocks with white spray resembling silver blossoms. The dazzling light and the astonishing waves can be heard for miles, hence the name “Silver Waves.” In autumn and winter, when water levels drop, the current inside the pool slows down, allowing people to fish in the pool. The flowing water reflects the sunlight, creating a dazzlingly brilliant scene that makes visitors feel as though they are in a crystal dragon palace. A local poet, Wei Jingzhong, once wrote: “The boundless depths exude majestic grandeur; / Silver waves surge, shaking the vast sky. / Layer upon layer, massive waves roar like shifting mountains; / Wave after wave crashes back as if overturning the seas. / It seems the Thunder God beats his war drums; / Like a fierce tiger battling a dragon. / Climbing the cliff to gaze at the waters on the shore, / It feels as if one dwells in a world of perfect harmony.” The renowned writer and poet Pan Quanmai composed another poem: “A mighty dragon coils around the land, lifting its proud head high, / Cradling the clear waters as they flow beneath its neck. / The roars of tigers and dragons shake the mountains; / Fishing boats scatter in fright for ten miles around.” In 1995, the county government built the Dragon’s Neck Hydropower Station about 1,000 meters upstream from the Dragon’s Neck rapids. Since then, the shining “star” has added even more charm to the “Silver Waves at Dragon’s Neck.”