Chongqing’s Three Gorges of the Yangtze River

Chongqing’s Three Gorges of the Yangtze River

Introduction

The world-famous Three Gorges of the Yangtze River stretch 193 kilometers from Fengjie in Chongqing in the west to Yichang in Hubei in the east. The Three Gorges consist of Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge.

Qutang Gorge is situated in the west, within the Chongqing-administered areas of Fengjie and Wushan. The gorge entrance is known as Kuimen, where two towering cliffs stand like a grand gate, and the river narrows to less than 100 meters at its narrowest point. With its high mountains and rapid waters, it is an extremely spectacular sight, often referred to as “Kuimen, the Most Majestic Under Heaven.” The gorge is home to numerous scenic spots, with cliff inscriptions and cliffside plank road ruins being the most eye-catching. At the higher end of the gorge entrance lies the ancient city of Baidi, which contains many relics from the Three Kingdoms period, and some cruise ships offer sightseeing tours to Baidi City. Below Qutang Gorge lies the Daning River Valley, and the Lesser Three Gorges of the Daning River are an important part of the Three Gorges’ scenery.

Wu Gorge is in the middle, located between Wushan County in Chongqing and Badong County in Hubei. It features deep valleys and long stretches of the gorge, offering a serene and elegant atmosphere. The famous Twelve Peaks of Wushan resemble twelve graceful fairies standing upright. Since ancient times, there has been a romantic legend that “in the morning they become floating clouds, in the evening they bring the rain.” Visitors should pay attention to these peaks according to the guidance provided on the cruise ships. The hometowns of the great patriotic poet Qu Yuan and the Han Dynasty beauty Wang Zhaojun are both near Wu Gorge.

Xiling Gorge is in the east, located within Hubei Province, stretching 75 kilometers in length. Historically, it was feared for its fast currents and numerous rapids, making navigation treacherous. However, after improvements, overall conditions have greatly improved. The rock walls along Xiling Gorge feature uniquely peculiar shapes and colors. Sections such as the Ox Liver and Horse Lung Gorge, the Military Book and Precious Sword Gorge, and the Yellow Ox Gorge all have their own distinctive characteristics. At the lower end of Xiling Gorge, the massive Three Gorges Dam project is under construction, forming a new cultural landscape centered around modern engineering.

The journey through the Three Gorges ends outside Xiling Gorge. Visitors can disembark and continue their travels by rail or road, or continue by boat through the massive ship locks of the Gezhouba Dam (the experience of passing through the locks is also quite interesting and can almost be considered a fourth gorge beyond the Three Gorges), to admire the magnificent scenery of the wide and gently flowing river downstream of the Three Gorges.

Chongqing’s Wushan County