Zhongxi River Scenic Area

　　Zhongxi River Scenic Area resembles a giant dragon, lying quietly from west to east across the towering mountains at the border of Nayong and Dafang counties. This scenic area features a high-altitude subtropical climate, with an average elevation of 1,200 meters, offering a warm and humid environment. It enjoys approximately 1,500 hours of sunshine annually. The surrounding rocks are primarily composed of Permian limestone, and there are numerous seasonal and year-round waterfalls. The area boasts an abundance of wildlife. It combines waterfalls, clear waters, peculiar mountains, unique rocks, and caves along its river; embodying the ancient, graceful, strange, perilous, and serene all in one. It consists organically of a 13-kilometer-long river section, canyons, and 25 uniquely styled landscapes. It is the only section of the Wujiang River system suitable for rafting and drifting, hence earning its well-deserved title as the “Number One Drift of the Wujiang River.” Beyond canyon rafting, this scenic area is also an ideal destination for educational field trips, scientific research, rock climbing and exploration, cave adventures, and vacation retreats.

　　Currently, canyon rafting is the main tourism activity in the scenic area. As you drift downstream on a rubber raft from Wanshou Bridge,

　　passing through the Little Three Gorges, rounding the Big Bend, surmounting the Five Rolling Waves, and breaking through the Long Waves… you will feel as though you are sometimes standing on the crest of waves, filled with boundless heroism; sometimes darting through rapids, thrilling and exhilarating, full of vigor; and other times gently swaying on calm, clear waves, with a heart as serene as the water, feeling completely at ease. Bizarre mountains, spectacular cliffs, rare flowers and plants, playful monkeys, leaping fish, and soaring waterfowl offer a feast for the eyes. This marvelous experience of landscapes along the banks while you float as if in a painting is said to be something only found in heaven, not on earth. This surreal ambiance will leave you lingering and reluctant to leave.

　　Wanshou Bridge, a county-level cultural relic protection unit. Originally built in the 16th year of the Daoguang reign during the Qing Dynasty (1836 AD), it has a history of 126 years. This bridge is a single-arch stone structure, measuring 56 meters in length, 8.5 meters in width, and 25 meters in height. With its elegant design, unique architecture, meticulous construction, and solid structure, it spans dramatically over the steep cliffs on both sides of the Zhongxi River. Its construction takes full advantage of the uniquely complex geographical environment of the area. From any angle, it presents a majestic and breathtaking sight. In such a remote location, building such an exquisitely crafted bridge is truly rare. Not only does this bridge bear a beautiful and auspicious name — Wanshou Bridge — but it also has a rather intricate and legendary story behind it.

　　Long ago, there was no bridge over the Zhongxi River. Yet the best route from Shidongguan and Weixin in Bijie to Shuicheng and Yunnan had to cross this river. Merchants traveling from north to south and locals from nearby towns were always obstructed by the turbulent currents of the Zhongxi River. On normal days, ferry crossings were barely manageable, but during the rainy season, when the river swelled and the winds and waves turned fierce, people could only sigh helplessly by the river. Natural disasters were common — it was all too usual to see those who couldn’t swim tragically capsizing and losing their lives on boats, a heartbreaking sight that sent chills down people’s spines. Ferry tycoons also extorted passengers mercilessly, instilling fear in many.

　　In the early years of the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty (1836 AD), a wealthy merchant named Mi Million (original name Mi Zhaorui), originally from Gongrong County in Jiangting, followed his ancestors to Bazhong in Bijie. Endowed with remarkable intelligence and talent, Mi Million witnessed firsthand the disasters caused by the Zhongxi River. Determined and generous, he contributed over a thousand taels of silver, recruited skilled craftsmen, purchased construction materials, and decided to build a bridge. Truly, when people unite, even Mount Tai can be moved — in just a few months, a wide, flat, sturdy, and magnificent bridge was nearly completed, with only the final keystone left to be installed. The “keystone” is as vital to the bridge as the eyes are to a person. Strangely enough, for this bridge’s keystone, despite countless hours of labor and hundreds of stones being polished and tried, none fit properly. Later, Lu Ban, the master carpenter, moved by the enthusiasm of the bridge builders and regardless of his advanced age, personally took on the task of polishing the keystone without complaint, enabling the completion of the bridge. No wonder, from whichever angle you view it, the bridge appears so grand, sturdy, and majestic, giving off an aura of sovereignty.

　　Guanyin Pavilion stands atop a solitary peak right at the head of Wanshou Bridge. It is a temple built against the mountain and beside the water, featuring red railings, green windows, blue tiles, carved eaves, and an imposing and solemn presence.

　　It is meticulously laid out and constructed within a natural karst cave. The temple is fully equipped with steles, stone tablets, deities, drums, plaques, and couplets.

　　During quieter times, the place is bustling with visitors, incense smoke curling upwards, and an atmosphere of peace and serenity all around. People come to burn incense, worship Buddha, draw divination sticks, and more, all with great devotion. It is said that this temple was built to commemorate Guanyin Bodhisattva, hence the name Guanyin Pavilion.

　　Legend has it that the heartfelt and moving scene of constructing Wanshou Bridge reached the heavens and moved Guanyin Bodhisattva herself. Touched, she descended to the Zhongxi River. She transformed into an extraordinarily beautiful young lady, standing on a small boat in the middle of the river, claiming her surname was Guan and that her father, a wealthy man, had sent her here to find a husband. She declared that whoever could strike her with a silver coin would marry her, and she would not go back on her word. For a moment, local landlords, rich young men, and dandies all scrambled to throw silver coins at Miss Guan, hoping to hit her. In no time, her little boat was filled with gleaming silver, yet not a single coin hit her. Later, Miss Guan gave all the silver on the boat to Mi Million to support the construction of Wanshou Bridge. Just as Mi Million finished gathering the coins, Miss Guan disappeared. People searched anxiously but only saw a willow branch floating on the Zhongxi River. At that moment, someone in the crowd exclaimed, “Miss Guan’s ‘Guan’ is the same as ‘Guanyin’ (the Goddess of Mercy)!” It turned out Miss Guan was the incarnation of Guanyin Bodhisattva. To commemorate her contribution to funding the bridge, the locals built Guanyin Pavilion on the spot. Since then, on the 19th days of the second, sixth, and ninth lunar months each year, tens of thousands of people flock to this temple to worship Guanyin Bodhisattva.

　　Yingbin Gorge (commonly known as Circular Gorge) is like two fists held together in front of the chest, greeting visitors from afar in a very friendly manner. Here, the exposed rock layers reveal the clearly visible circular structures. The tectonic cutting between both banks dates back 500,000 years, making it one of the few geological textbooks in existence. Dagqing Bay has calm waters with crystal-clear visibility. The cliffs on both sides hang over the water, with tree branches dipping into the river. Sitting on the raft, leisurely stretching your limbs feels like boating on a tranquil lake; drifting along with the current is soothing to the soul.

　　Duck Stone looks like a plump grayish-white duck, lying quietly on the water surface. It politely makes way for you, bringing a smile to your face.

　　Shenjia Wave is where the river suddenly narrows and the current quickens. The rubber raft speeds forward like an arrow shot from a bow. The rapid currents lift the raft, propelling it toward cliffs and bizarre rocks — an immensely enjoyable thrill.

　　Changlang Gorge features waves like wild horses galloping, one after another, crashing against the rocks blocking their path. It’s as if they’re trying to break stone with eggs — the rocks remain unharmed, but the waves shatter into pieces, sending spray flying everywhere. The spectacular scene and majestic momentum are awe-inspiring, prompting deep thoughts and emotions.

　　One-Line Sky is where the cliffs on both sides close in sharply, causing the view to suddenly darken, evoking a sense of eeriness. Looking up, jagged rocks and towering ancient trees fill the sky, which narrows to a thin white line. Precipitous peaks jut out on both sides, like crouching tigers and coiled dragons. Brown rocks are covered in evergreen vines, and crevices sprout upright pine trees, maples, and other unnamed trees, creating diverse and striking shapes as if set within two grand landscape paintings. Xuanyi Cave hangs on the cliffs of One-Line Sky in the Zhongxi Mountain Gorge. The cave entrance is about 100 meters above the riverbed. By disembarking and ascending the steps, you can explore the cave’s magical and enchanting natural scenery. Historical records indicate that during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1664 AD), when Wu Sangui led troops to suppress the Shuixi region, he engaged in fierce battle with An Kun, the Xuanwei Envoy of Guizhou. After An Kun was defeated, he retreated to this cave to hold off the enemy. Even Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty feared this place. The formidable Wu Sangui attacked An Kun relentlessly but failed to capture the cave after prolonged efforts, suffering heavy losses before retreating in vain. Envoy An Kun turned danger into safety, hence the cave became known as Xuanyi Cave and gained fame throughout the land.

　　Xuanyi Cave is large, spacious, wide, and deep. The cave entrance is broad, and the cave stretches over 2,000 meters with numerous branching tunnels. Inside, it boasts a grand and spectacular scale. Many vivid and uniquely shaped stalactites can be found, such as the Stone Bodhisattva, Xuanwei Sword, Sky-Supporting Pillar, Royal Jade Curtain, Jade Forest, Stone Turtle, and Old Man of Longevity — all incredibly lifelike and fascinating, offering a visual feast. In March 2001, Sino-French cave experts who surveyed the cave commented: “Xuanyi Cave is a typical inlet cave hanging on the right bank of the Zhongxi River Canyon. Its ceiling shows flow marks, forming a massive meandering cave developed along rock strata — a rare sight in China. Especially on the right side of the cave’s entrance, dozens of deeply cut, extremely narrow, and highly curved meandering sections are particularly unique. The slender stone pillar over ten meters tall at the end of a left-side branch cave, along with calcified deposits in other sections, are highly scenic.”

　　Baihe Cave is said to have once been a concentrated nesting ground for beautiful white cranes. Sadly, due to ignorance, foolishness, and rampant hunting in previous years, white cranes are now rarely seen. Interestingly, whenever heavy rain passes, spring water gushes out from inside the cave, cascading down to the river surface like a white dragon crossing the river. Some say it is the sorrowful tears of Baihe Cave mourning the loss of the white cranes — a thought that is truly heartbreaking and enraging. Aren’t humans and animals originally one family?

　　Wubolang is an area where the significant drop in elevation causes particularly fierce currents, forming five large waves, each more powerful than the last. When the raft reaches this point, it alternates between being on the crest of waves and dropping into troughs. The undulating waves and rapidly shifting scenery are nerve-wracking. After experiencing these dramatic ups and downs five times, you will truly grasp the value and meaning of life and comprehend the essence of existence.