Fuling Shijia Gou

　　Introduction     The Shijia Gou Scenic Area is situated within Wuling Mountain Township (formerly Longtang Township), approximately 45 kilometers southeast of Fuling District. With an average elevation of around 1,500 meters, it lies in the southwestern section of the renowned Wuling Mountain Range and spans an area of about 30 square kilometers. The area boasts striking and diverse mountain landscapes, abundant and varied native vegetation, fresh and pleasant air, and an exceptionally pristine ecological environment—truly comparable to the idyllic Peach Blossom Spring described by Tao Yuanming. It offers a comprehensive range of natural attractions including mountains, forests, springs, caves, waterfalls, lakes, pools, gorges, and sinkholes, making it an extraordinarily rich tourism destination. The ten-mile-long Grand Canyon is majestic and magnificent, with peculiar rocks piled at the bottom and murmuring streams flowing through. The Thousand-Foot Triple-Step Waterfall cascades dramatically down sheer cliffs from great heights. The Qingtian Gorge, a breathtaking rift valley stretching over 1,600 meters, is unparalleled in the world—with cliffs just a few feet apart that soar straight into the clouds. Exploring this area instills a sense of awe and tranquility, evoking an ancient and mysterious atmosphere. Along the journey, the wonders are too numerous to count: five towering stone peaks, thin as paper and shaped as if hewn by axe and chisel, rise abruptly and are named "Buddha’s Palm"; sheer cliffs face each other across a narrow gap just a few feet wide, with a cliffside plank path embedded between them and crystal-clear pools at the bottom—this is known as "Shijia Gate"; towering cliffs display rows of fine cracks on their surfaces resembling book pages, hence named "Ten Thousand Volume Book". Other highlights include Lover’s Valley, Carefree Valley, Jade Pool, Crystal Lake, Sacrifice Cliff, Lamp Pole Rock, Laojun Cliff, Heaven’s Crack, Bottomless Pit, Five Monkeys Descending the Mountain, Shijia Sea of Clouds, Crocodile Emerging from Water, A World of Its Own, and the Green Corridor—each offering ever-changing views and breathtaking beauty that captivate the eye and overwhelm the senses. In spring, all trees vie in lush greenery; in autumn, forests blaze with layered colors; summer brings cool respite; and winter adorns the land in silvery white. This is nothing short of a picturesque paradise on earth—welcome to the enchanting Shijia Gou.

　　 Chongqing Fuling District