Fuling Xiaoxi Scenic Area

　　The Xiaoxi Scenic Area is situated on both sides of the Three Gorges section of the Wu River, 12 kilometers south of Fuling’s urban area. It features both magical and profound mountain-water caves and a rich array of ancient Ba culture relics and beautiful folk legends. Opened to visitors in April 1992, the Xiaoxi Scenic Area was one of the earlier scenic spots opened in Fuling. It comprises five major scenic zones and thirty-six smaller attractions. Among them, the natural wonder of the Xiaoxi Natural Bridge gained international fame after being photographed by an American satellite and published abroad, leaving all who visit it in awe.

　　Other attractions are equally breathtaking. The “Ancient Path Through Seclusion” scenic zone includes sites such as Yiwang Ferry, Plank Road, Zhiyi Bridge, Mountain King Statue, Pavilion, Split-by-Hand Rock, Ma Yuan Stockade, and Jiudaoshui. This area blends the uniqueness of natural landscapes with the splendid legends of Shi Dakai, the Wing King of the Taiping Rebellion, who was active here. Visitors can lose themselves in a world where nature and history intertwine, enjoying the beauty while reflecting on the past, thus experiencing both aesthetic pleasure and spiritual enrichment. The “Heavenly Bridge Over the Waves” scenic zone features a massive natural stone arch bridge that spans the Xiaoxi River, connecting two mountains flanking the ancient path. The bridge is over 50 meters long, 15 meters wide, and 60 meters high. Its arch, naturally formed from a single piece of stone, curves like a drawn bow. On misty days, the bridge appears partially hidden amidst the trees and rocks, resembling a celestial bridge descending from the heavens. On clear, sunny days, looking up at this architectural marvel evokes a sense of awe—it is “not man-made, yet better than man-made.” The “Karst Cave Ba Kings’ Palace” and “Karst Cave Immortals’ Mansion” scenic zones, imbued with Ba culture and marked by the footprints of the ancient Ba people, condense many spectacular cave formations into one cave, shrinking them into a microcosm. Here, visitors feel as if they have entered the magnificent palaces and winding pavilions of the ancient Ba civilization. The “Underground Dragon Palace” amazes visitors with its diverse stalactite formations—such as its stalactite chime, Sky-Supporting Pillar, Jade Frog, Dragon Boat Stone, and Lion Watching the Waterfall—each offering unique shapes and charm that make it hard for visitors to tear themselves away.