Apeng River Grand Canyon

　　The Apeng River Grand Canyon is a national AAA-level scenic area (currently applying for AAAA status), a municipal-level scenic spot, a national forest park, a national wetland park, a national geopark, and the birthplace of the Nanxi Haozi, a national intangible cultural heritage. It is known as the “Jade Belt in the Deep Mountains, Symbol of the Miao People.” Due to its unique geographical location, the Apeng River is the only river in China that flows from east to west. Since ancient times, it has been said that the Apeng River “flows backward for 3,800 li,” adding to its mystique. The Apeng River Grand Canyon features three major gorges — the Divine Turtle Gorge, the Heavenly Gate Gorge, and the Goddess Gorge — and enjoys the reputation of being the “Tender Embrace of the Gorge, a Poetic and Painting-like Fairyland.”

　　 The scenic area is located on the banks of the Apeng River, about 50 kilometers northwest of Youyang County. It covers an area of 31 square kilometers and boasts excellent accessibility — a 30-minute drive to the highway, 50 minutes to the airport, and 3 hours to Chongqing. It lies between the Youyang Peach Blossom Source National 5A-level Tourist Attraction, the Gongtan Ancient Town, and the Zhuoshui Ancient Town, both national 4A-level tourist attractions, all within a one-hour drive.

　　“Apeng” means “majestic and beautiful” in the Tujia language. The Apeng River originates in Lichuan, Hubei. The entire river flows from east to west, winding through the Wuling Mountain Range, passing through Qianjiang and entering the Wu River at Gongtan in Youyang, with a total length of 249 kilometers. It is the largest tributary of the Wu River.