Pingshan Gorge

Pingshan Gorge

Pingshan Gorge, also known as the ancient "Xiong'er Gorge," is located 25 kilometers south of the city. It was formed by the Min River cutting through the Longquan Mountain Range. The gorge consists of interconnected sections — Plowshare, Back Gorge, Pingshan, and Three Gorges — forming a cohesive whole, also referred to as the Little Three Gorges of the Min River. Its upstream and downstream sections face the county's Zhongyan area and the Leshan Giant Buddha respectively. Towering green mountains line both banks, their ridges and peaks connected in a continuous stretch, where lush forests often reveal peculiar cliffs and strange rocks.

The river in the gorge flows like a ribbon, murmuring eastward, often dotted with fishing boats and small groups of waterfowl. On a moonlit autumn night, boating through the gorge allows you to further appreciate the shimmering moonlight on the water and the picturesque landscape. It was here that Li Bai, when he “set off with sword in hand, leaving family and homeland for distant travels,” composed his timeless verse: “Lo, the moon o’er Mount Emei’s crest / Casts its sheen on the stream of Pingshan West; / I leave the clear stream at night for the Three Gorges; / Do you not see me start for Yuzhou from this place?” This poem has imbued the scenery of Pingshan with boundless poetic charm. Within the gorge lies “Fish Hollow,” home to the precious and renowned “River Tuan” fish, whose tender and delicious meat is rare in the world.