Yangxi Gorge

Yangxi Gorge Yangxi Gorge is located to the north of Shiqian County, about 5 kilometers from the county town, and is part of the "Kaixia River Scenery." The Kaixia River from Qiandong exits the gorge here, flowing between fields on both banks for about 1 kilometer to the pontoon bridge crossing, where it joins the Longchuan River and continues northward. This section of the river has a wide surface, with sandy beaches and flowing water, hence the name Yangxi. Deep within Yangxi, the steep cliffs and tranquil waters and rocks form a striking contrast to the open scenery outside. At the mouth of Yangxi Gorge, to the left stand the towering Fengmaoding and Yanziyan with their steep cliffs sloping down to the mountain base; to the right are the precipitous Huangjianao and Dapianyan, with hanging stalactites, resembling an open stone gate—creating a charming landscape. Yangxi Gorge is renowned for its caves. A cluster of caves can be found in the cliffs at the entrance of the gorge. In ancient times, these were dwelling places for hermits pursuing immortality, and thus rarely visited by people. According to old records, during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, a "Donghua Taoist" from Nanyang, Suixian, resided in the caves of Yangxi, practicing alchemy known as "plum elixir." It’s said that the Fengshen Cave, where he once lived, would roar like thunder and emit black smoke from its entrance whenever the weather changed suddenly. The farther the black smoke spread, the heavier the hail that would fall. As a result, locals feared the cave and its spirits, and dared not venture deep inside. Inside, there are stacked upper floors, skylights above, and underground rivers below. The main cave includes a stone hall, sand hall, and scenic hall, featuring "war gods" clad in golden and silver armor, crystal-clear stalagmites and stalactites, and even glistening hollow stone beans in the water. It is a delicate and well-preserved cave, offering great sightseeing value. In the 1980s, the Yangxi Hydropower Station was built in the gorge, dividing the river into two sections. Within the dam, the water is calm as a mirror, forming an artificial lake; beyond the dam, the valley remains deep and serene, with murmuring streams. During spring and summer flood seasons, the surging waters cascade over the dam, creating massive waterfalls that echo through the valley and occasionally produce misty rainbows—an awe-inspiring spectacle. The infrastructure of the power station blends harmoniously with the natural scenery of the valley, making it a uniquely scenic destination near the county town.