Three Goeges

Coursing over a distance of 6,380 kilometers, the mighty Yangtze is the longest river in China and the third longest in the world after the Amazon in South America and the Nile in Africa. It is also a cradle of ancient Chinese civilization. The most impressive section of the river is the three Yangtze River gorges: the Qutang Gorge, Wuxia Gorge and Xiling Gorge, collectively known as the Sanxia, or Three Gorges. In the west of the Three Gorges, Qutang Gorge, eight kilometers long, extends from Baidicheng of Fengjie County to Daxizheng of Wushan County. This first groge is the shortest but the grandest part of the three. The turbulence water are flanked by sheer cliffs; between the cliff one can sees a swatch of the sky. At the western entrance of Qutang Gorge, sheer precipices on either side form a colossal gate over the river. On the cliff are carved five Chinese characters--Kui Men Tian Xi Xiong (Kuimen, the strongest gate under the heaven). This is Kuimen Gate or Qutang Pass, a key junction contested by all strategists. There are lots remains of construction in the Three Kingdoms. It also provides such historic sited as Zhang Fei Temple, Meng Liang Steps and ancient "hung Coffin" at Fengxiang Gorge. The 40-kilometer long Wuxia Gorge follows the Qutang. It extends from Daninghekou of Wushan County to Guandukou of Hubei's Badong Couty. The river snake among the high mountains and cliffs. The gorge looks like a zigzag gallery of landscape paintings. Going down the stream, you will be attracted by the Twelve Peaks of Wushan Mountain--Denglong, Shengquan, Wangxia, Songluan, Jixiang, Feifeng, Cuiping, Juhe, Jingtan, Qiyun and Shanfsheng. Each of them has a beautiful story behind it. In the east of the Three Gorges, Xiling Gorge extends from Xiangxikou of Zigui County to Nanjingguan of Yichang County. The gorge, including Mioanan Wide Valley, is 75 kilometers long and has many rapids and shoals. Ranging from the west to the east Bingshubaojian Gorge, Niuganmafei Gorge, Dengying Gorge and Huangmoa Gorge. The channel of Kongling Gorge (former Kongling Shoal) used to be a very narrow with perilous shoal and rapid currents. Sailing there is a gamble with life. Now the channel through the gorge has been dredged with shoals cleared. Navigation has become very safe at all times now. Around Dengying Gorge you can enjoy pouring waterfalls and bizarre limestone caverns. At the end of this gorge, the famous Sanyou Cave (Three Tourists Cave) is named for being visited by Tang Dynasty Poets Baijuyi, Baixingjian and Yuan Zhen. The sight around Daninghwe Wide Valley are fascinating for its "Three Lesser Gorges"--Longmen, Shuanglong and Shuanglongshan. The Three Gorges and the Three Lesser Gorges now attract more and more visitors both at home and abroad.

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