The Little Three Gorges of the Jialing River

　　The Little Three Gorges of the Jialing River is the collective name for the Lǐbí Gorge, Wēntáng Gorge, and Guānyīn Gorge, located in Beibei District and Hechuan District of Chongqing, with a total length of 27 kilometers. According to the "Ming History: Chronicles of Events," in the 31st year of the Hongwu Emperor's reign during the Ming Dynasty, the emperor passed away, and his grandson Zhu Yunwen succeeded to the throne. Three years later, in the second year of the Jianwen Emperor's reign, the Jianwen Emperor was overthrown by his uncle, Zhu Di, who then established the Yongle era. In the first year of the Yongle era (1403) and the seventh year (1409), Emperor Yongle visited Shànqìng Lǐ (now Yùlín area) to see his former minister Du Jingxian (an official of the Ministry of Personnel), and they often traveled through the gorges. Later generations commemorated these events by renaming the Xī River of Linshui to Yùlín River, and the gorges took the river’s name.

　　The upper section is the Lǐbí Gorge, also known as Niúbí Gorge or Tóngkǒu Gorge, mainly located in Yánjǐng Town, Hechuan District, with a total length of 3 kilometers. The river here flows swiftly with unfathomable depths, and the high, steep, and serene peaks along the gorge feature spectacular sights such as Jùliáng Tān (Giant Beam Shoal), Shīzi Fén (Lion Tomb), Xiào Héshàng (Laughing Monk), Niúbí Dòng (Ox Nose Cave), Hóuzi Shí (Monkey Stone), and Mòzi Tuó (Millstone Shoal). The middle section is the Wēntáng Gorge, also called Wēnquán Gorge or Wēntāng Gorge, situated in the Jìnyún Mountain area of Beibei District, Chongqing, with a total length of 2.7 kilometers. In ancient times, there was a hot spring pool at the mouth of the gorge called Wēntáng, which gave the gorge its name. The river roars into the gorge with swirling eddies and majestic momentum; the cliffs on both sides are no more than 200 meters apart, standing like they were carved from knife and chisel. Hot springs gush from the mid-section of the rock walls, emerging like vapor from the earth, creating beautiful scenery that is considered the crown jewel of the Little Three Gorges. The lower section is the Guānyīn Gorge, also known as Wénbǐ Gorge, with a total length of 3.7 kilometers, also within Beibei District. At the riverbank entrance of the gorge stands a huge rock resembling an official tablet, commonly called Wénbǐ Shí (Writing Brush Rock), and nearby on the cliff is an ancient temple named Guānyīn Gé (Guanyin Pavilion, now gone), from which the gorge gets its name. Within less than a kilometer of the gorge, six large bridges have been built or are under construction, including the Cháoyáng Bridge, Cháoyáng Double Track Bridge, Bèidōng Bridge, and the Jiaolü Railway Jialing River Bridge, making it the area with the highest bridge density in China.

　　Guānyīn Gorge, also called Wénbǐ Gorge, gets its name from a massive rock on the bank of Wénbǐ Tuó (Writing Brush Shoal) that resembles an official tablet, commonly referred to as Wénbǐ Shí. High on the cliffs near the rock is an ancient temple called Guānyīn Gé, from which the gorge is named. Stretching 3.7 kilometers, the gorge features towering stone walls on both sides, rugged rocks along the river, narrow and deep waters, winding curves, and standing boulders. With misty peaks towering above and the gloomy, surging river, it is the most precipitous of the Little Three Gorges. The Tang Dynasty poet Chen Zi'ang wrote when passing through the gorge: “The wind and mist are still faintly visible, but songs and laughter are hard to hear; the path winds through the green hills, the peaks turn as daylight fades, turbulent waves surge upward endlessly, and rolling breakers crash down below. In the blink of an eye, you doubt you’ve arrived; then you’re separated once again.”

　　There are many historical relics and caves along the banks, such as Sānfēn Shuǐ Dòng (Three Forks Water Cave) and various cave clusters. Sānfēn Shuǐ Dòng is located halfway up the cliffs, dozens of meters high, with three springs gushing from its mouth and plunging into the river, a unique sight in the gorge since ancient times. The cave has three levels, and Qing Dynasty cliff inscriptions can be found at its entrance. On the eastern bank, there is a military path dug by Zhang Fei when leading troops north to Lángzhōng, hindered by floods—known as Zhāng Fēi Dào. Remains such as the “Zhāng Fēi Dòng” (Zhang Fei Cave), where he was said to have cooked meals, can still be found. Today, a railway bridge and a highway suspension bridge span the valleys between Jīgōng Shān (Rooster Mountain) and Fēi'é Shān (Moth Mountain) on both sides of the gorge, creating a spectacular view of “twin rainbows flying across opposing peaks.” The gorge walls consist of Permian, Triassic, and Jurassic rock layers, exposed due to the river’s cutting action, featuring well-developed geology and clear fault structures, making it a natural geological exhibition hall.

　　The Niúbí Gorge, also called Lǐbí Gorge, Tóngkǒu Gorge, or Xiènǚ Gorge, is named for a pair of caves in the gorge with openings only a stone’s throw apart, tilting inward like an ox’s nostrils. Clear springs trickle year-round into the river with a gentle sound, hence the name Niúbí Dòng (Ox Nose Cave), from which the gorge takes its name. Other ox-related features in the gorge include Gǔniú Shí (Ox Rock) at the upper gorge entrance, Niúnǎo Ké (Ox Skull), Niúbèi Liáng (Ox Back Ridge), and others. A poem titled “Niúbí Gorge” reads: “A lone ox by the stream sleeps by the river’s head; its full form can't be seen, only its nose weeps without end. Hard to lead it away casually, just listen and answer the ox.”

　　The Niúbí Gorge stretches 3 kilometers from Jùliáng Tān (Giant Beam Shoal) to Fāngjiā Tuó (Fangjia Shoal). Towering peaks and rugged rocks line both banks. At the gorge entrance, the Giant Beam Shoal has long rocks stretching across the river, creating a winding and rapid channel that is extremely treacherous. Other scenic spots along the gorge include Shīzi Fén (Lion Tomb), Xiào Héshàng (Laughing Monk), Kuàngshān Liángzi (Mine Ridge), Hóuzi Shí (Monkey Stone), Mòzi Tuó (Millstone Shoal), and Gézǎo Kǒng (Flea Hole).

　　The Wēntāng Gorge, also called Wēntáng Gorge or Wēnquán Gorge, is 2.7 kilometers long. It is named for the hot springs in the gorge; in ancient times, a pool was built at the spring’s mouth called Wēntáng, hence the name.

　　The Wēntāng Gorge features towering, rugged mountains on both banks with abrupt peaks. The northern cliffs, Xīshān (West Mountain) and Chányán (Zen Cliff), stand like they were hewn by axe and knife, while Xiāmá Xī (Toad Creek) cuts between them, forming two opposing cliffs in a uniquely spectacular scene—thus the gorge is also called Èryán Gorge (Two Cliffs Gorge). The southern cliffs belong to Jìnyún Shān (Jinyun Mountain), lush and towering into the clouds. Midway up the cliffs, springs gush like boiling water, emerging from the “cloud roots.” On the Zen Cliff at the gorge entrance is a cave that can hold dozens of people, called “Jīngāng Dòng” (Vajra Cave), said to be where monks stored valuables. Legend also says a dragon lived inside the cave and would fly out to listen to the monks’ sermons. With its towering, serene, and steep cliffs, the Wēntāng Gorge boasts the most beautiful scenery among the Little Three Gorges.