Qijiang Qingxi River

Qijiang Qingxi River

The Qingxi River, anciently known as Feng’en Stream, originates from the dense virgin forests of Xishui in Guizhou. It is one of the most beautiful rivers within Qijiang County, flowing through Guizhou, Simian Mountain in Jiangjin, Zhongfeng in Qijiang, Yongxin, and finally joining the Qijiang River at Qingxikou. The river stretches approximately 80 kilometers in total, with 38 kilometers lying within Qijiang County. Lined with lush green bamboo on both banks, the Qingxi River offers a tranquil and serene atmosphere, where white cranes soar overhead. Boating along the river allows visitors to take in the stunning natural beauty. The landscape features a mysterious Taiji (Yin-Yang) diagram formed by the surrounding mountains and waters, hiding endless secrets. The ancient town of Qingxi Pingtan Gully boasts traditional architecture with upturned eaves and dougong brackets, exuding an old-world charm and tranquility. The Qingxi River basin was once inhabited by the ancient Bo people, and remnants of their history can still be found along the ancient post roads by the riverbanks—thousands of stone carvings and sculptures of the male genitalia, created by ancestors seeking fertility and blessings. The carvings bear inscriptions from the Xianfeng, Tongzhi, and Guangxu eras, as well as phrases expressing gratitude for answered prayers. Renowned nationwide and even globally for their majestic, upright, grand, lifelike, rare, and peculiar forms, these carvings are called the mysterious “Oriental Cross.” Their historical legends and intriguing anecdotes are captivating. This area reflects a cultural confluence of the ancient Liao, Pu, and Ba peoples. The Panlong Gorge, located upstream of the Qingxi River, is home to the Panlong Pumped Storage Power Station, a national project with an investment of 3.8 billion yuan. The gorge is about 3 kilometers long, featuring red rocks, emerald waters, dense forests, deep valleys, steep cliffs, and fresh air. It serves as a great summer retreat and a winter destination for snow walking, offering breathtaking scenery. The Ming-Qing Street in Yongxin Pingtan Gully Ancient Town retains an old-world charm and peaceful ambiance. On the eastern bank lies a vast pear and plum orchard spanning tens of thousands of mu, which attracts tens of thousands of tourists every year during the “Phoenix Pear Blossom Festival” to enjoy the blooming flowers.