Two Gates · A Slice of Heaven

　　The Two Gates of HeYu Township, also known as Dragon Gate, were once a vital ancient route between Sichuan and Shaanxi. Driving about 3 kilometers east from the HeYu Township government office, you’ll arrive at the canyon’s entrance, where emerald green waters swirl beneath your feet and sheer cliffs rise high on both sides, hence the name “A Slice of Heaven.” Hiking up along the stream, the canyon stretches for about 20 kilometers, featuring beautiful mountains, clear waters, birdsong, and fragrant flowers. As you approach the Two Gates, towering cliffs hundreds of meters high rise from the ground like two immense gates standing opposite each other in the canyon — a marvel of nature that seems to open and close at will. It has long been said that “one gate locks two provinces.” Just dozens of meters in front of the gates, there is a prominent boulder in the middle of the river, atop which grow two or three sturdy, low-growing pines with lush foliage, like layers of dark clouds or phoenixes dancing in the deep valley.

　　Source: People's Government of Chengkou County, Chongqing Municipality