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Introduction of the Three Gorges
The outstanding part of Yangtze River is the Three Gorges: Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge, together marked as Sanxia (‘San’ is ‘Three’, ‘Xia’ is ‘Gorge’, or ‘Three Gorges’). It’s 192KM long. Qutang Gorge, famous for its majestic look, is only 8KM long. Wu Gorge, 44KM long, is special for its deep valley and quietness. Under 12 peaks, the famous peak is the Goddess Fee. Xiling Gorge is 66KM long and has many precipitous mountains and beaches, it is the most dangerous part. Xiling Gorge Xiling Gorge is famous for its limestone, with over 170 Karst caves which the Chinese people have drilled. Wu Gorge Wu Gorge is about 40KM long and 1,000M high. It’s famous attraction are the 12 peaks, hidden in cloud and fog. Every gorge has its characteristics, especially the Goddess Fee, it is said the embodiment of Goddess Yaoji in Chinese myth. Qutang Gorge Qutang Gorge, about 8KM long, is the shortest gorge,but most dangerous because its rapids from high rock. The most narrowest part is short as 100 meters. Qutang Gorge stands as a door to the Yangtze River because of its rocks.
Cities and Sightseeing of The Three Gorges
Location : located in the east mouth of the Three Gorges Physical Features : higher in the west and lower in the east Population : 3.92 million Urban Population : 2.63 million Area : 21,084 sq km Nationalities : Han, Hui, Manchu, Miao, Tujia and Mongolian History : with more than 7,000 or 8,000 years of history; called as "the throat of Chuan (namely Sichuan province) and E (namely Hubei province)"; in the Xia and Shang dynasties, used to be the ancient "lands of Jingzhou"; in Spring and Autumn Period, as well as Warring States, cortrolled by the Chu State, being called "the west frontier fortress of Chu" in history; one of the cradles of Chu Culture; called "Xiling" in remote antiquity; also known as "Yiling" for the Yishan Mountain in the northwest, "Xiazhou" for guarding the Three Gorges Climatic Features : in subtropical humid monsoonal climate zone, four seasons clearly demarcated; cloudy and sunny not certain in springs; with humid and hot summers; fine autumns; dry cold winters; with frost free period of 220- 300 days Average Temperature : annual average temperature of 16℃ Rainfal l: annual even precipitation 1,100 mm; concentrated on June, July and August, as well as in spring
Jinzhou Location : situated at the Jianghan Plain, close to the Golden Waterway; Wuhan to the east, Yichang south, and the Jingmen city north; bordering on the Three Gorges Physical Features : higher west and lower east; densely cover by the network of waterway, as well as lakes; with winding river course Population : 6.30 million Urban Population : 1.56 million Area : 1,400 sq km Nationalities : Han, Hui, Manchu, Tujia, Miao and Mongolian History : a cultural ancient city with 2000 years history with the reputation of "the finest under heaven, being overwhelmed by 9 divisions"; one of the cradles of Chu Culture, and used to be the capital of the Chu State during the Spring and Autumn Period for totally 20 emperors; in Northern and Southern dynasty, the capital of Qihedi, Liangyuandi, the Later Liang; in Five Dynasties, the capital of the Nanping State Climatic Features : subtropical humid monsoon climate; four seasons clearly demarcated; cloudy and sunny not certain in spring, humid and hot summer, fine autumns, dry cold winter; plenty of sunshine; frost free period of 220-300 days Average Temperature : 16℃ annually Rainfall : plenty of rain, annual even precipitation 1200 mm; concentrated on June, July and August, as well as spring
Wuhan Wuhan is a city with both an ancient history and a thriving present. Historic relics excavated from ancient tombs tell the city's long history dating back 3,500 years. In the period of Pre-Qin (770 B.C. - 221 B.C.), this was the land of the State of Chu (one of the seven warring states before Qin, in China's first feudal dynasty) and was the cradle of the brilliant Chu Civilization. Starting here, merchants followed the great Yangtze River and lake network to expand businesses throughout the entire country. In the Qing Dynasty, Hankou became one of the four best-known towns in the country. For centuries, this city has been the center of trade and transportation in central China. Today it is an important hub in central China and a feature of Yangtze River cruises for sightseers and businessman traveling from Sichuan to Shanghai or Hong Kong. Wuhan is the place to find both history and natural wonders. Hubei Pronicial Museum and Yellow Crane Tower are two places to appreciate ancient Chinese history and culture. In the museum, chimes excavated from tombs reveal the incredible achievements of ancient people in music, acoustics and metallurgy. The classic poems and inscriptions on the tower, (although unrecognizable to most Westerners) can inspire your spirit as you pretend to be a poet with a bird's-eye view of the river from the tower window. In addition, the famous Villa of Chairman Mao Zedong on the scenic bank of East Lake, Wuchang, is an ideal place for Westerns to learn more about him. Wuhan is also a city with impressive nightlife. Today people have more entertainment choices than ever before. Instead of watching TV at home, locals go to the cinema with friends, or spend the evening at disco parlors, karaoke rooms, bars and pubs and other interesting places.
Chongqing (abbrv: Yu, also called Mountain-, River- and Fog(gy) City ) located on the confluence of the two rivers Yangtze and Jialing and has a deep history of more than 3.000 years. Because of the countless hills all over the city, bicycles are not often used. It’s the largest and most important industrial- and trading city in Southwest China and today an autonomous city. With a population of about 30 million people advanced the metropolitan area of Chongqing to the largest autonomous city of China, beating Shanghai with “only” 16 million people. The city accounts for several reasons as an important travel destination. For one is Chongqing a highly interesting mountainous city. Furthermore is the proximity to Dazu important, since here is a treasure chamber with relieves dating back to ancient times of China. On the other hand is the city the starting point for every cruise through the three gorges of the Yangtze river. Every year, between Mai and June the international Three Gorges Tourist Festival is celebrated. The city is foremost the departing point for Yangtze cruises but time allowing it is worthwhile to go on a sightseeing tour to downtown, between the liberation memorial and the docks at the “Heaven’s Gate” (chaotianmen). The cityscape is changing rapidly, the modernisation of great parts of the town leaves barely time to breathe, but still numerous alleyways are to be discovered, which have been spared from the omnipresent wrecking ball.
It is one of the most important parts on Yangtze River, special for its variety and the 50% of the inhabitants are immigrated because of the Three Gorges Project.
Connected with Little Three Gorges, three seperate villages near Daning River. You can take a boat and enjoy nature wonder.
Fengdu , on the northern bank of the Yangtze river , was in the past more popularly known as the “ City of Ghost ”. Its name can be traced to the “Fengwen” Dam and “Pingdu” Mountain, which are in the surrounding countryside. It seems that the origin of the town's extraordinary reputation dates back to the Han dynasty (206BC-AD220) when two officials, Yin and Wang, became Daoist (Taoist) recluses here and eventually Immortals. When combined, their names mean “King of the Underworld”. Today, however, the town is thronged with tourists attracted by temples and shrines dedicated to the gods of the underworld. From the Tang Dynasty (618-907) on, feudal rulers down through the centuries built scores of temples on Pingdu Mountain. They house sculptures of devils and demons in various fantastic postures. Some carvings are called “Between the living and the Dead”, the “Bridge of Helplessness”, the “Balcony of Nostalgia”, the “Palace of the Jade Emperor”, the “God of Constellations”, the “Palace of the King of Hell” and the “Palace of Rosy Clouds”. They all demonstrate the exquisite carving skills of the Chinese people of ancient times.
Shibaozhai (Stone Treasure Stronghold), on the northern bank of the Changjiang River and 52 kilometers away from Wanxian County. This is a rock over 30 meters high which juts up in the air and looks like a rectangular seal lying on the ground, hence the nickname-“Stone Seal”. In the early years of the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1797) of the Qing Dynasty, a temple “Lanruodian” was built at the top. To facilitate the ascent to the temple, a pavilion was built during the reign of Emperor Jiaqing (1797-1821) of the same dynasty. This wooden structure shaped like a pagoda 11-storeys high was built close to the stone stockade on the river side. Visitors can climb to the top of the stronghold by a spiral staircase built in the pavilion. From there they can enjoy a beautiful view of the wooded mountain ranges on one side and the winding Changjiang dotted with numerous white sails on the other. The fresh, cool breeze makes people feel relaxed and happy. The “Lanruodian” Temple houses a statue of Buddha and a stone tablet with inscriptions on it to commemorate the construction of the pavilion. These are among the important historical relics of the locality. According to a popular legend, long time ago there was a small hole in the temple, from which rice poured out every day. Small as the stone hole was, it provided the monks there and occasional visitors with just enough rice for their daily meal. The grateful monks called it the “Stone Treasure.” But some greedy monks thought that if they made the hole bigger, more rice would pour out and they could make a fortune out of it. The moment they set to work, the “Stone Treasure” died and not a single grain of rice has come out ever since. That was a punishment meted out to those insatiable monks, the legend says.
Several hundred steps lead up the wooded BaiDi Mountain. Because of its strategic position the town was chosen in the first century by Gong sun shu, an official turned soldier, as the site of his headquarters. The legend goes that in AD25 white vapour in the shape of a dragon was seen rising from a nearby well. Taking this as an auspicious omen, Gong declared himself the “white Emperor” and the town “white Emperor city”. Remains of the city wall can still be seen on the hill behind Baidi Mountain. The Western Pavilion on the slope is believed to have been occupied by the great poet Du Fu, who wrote numerous poems at this site in Tang Dynasty. A red wall with an imposing yellow dragon-head gateway embraces the temple complex. Though the temple was originally dedicated to Gong sunshu, the White emperor, his statue was removed in the Ming Dynasty(1368-1644) and replaced with images of Liu Bei, Zhugeliang, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, heroes of the Shu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms Period. The present halls date bake to the Ming Dynasty. The front hall contains large modern statues which depicts Liu Bei on his deathbed entrusting his sons to the care of Zhugeliang. Mingliang Hall is dedicated to Liu Bei, who is shown surrounded by four attendants, as well as the black-faced Zhang Fei, and the red-faced Guan Yu on one side, and Zhuge liang on the other. Fine view of the entrance to Qutang Gorge can be seen from the temple. When the Three Gorges Dam is completely finished, the Baidi Mountain will become an island.
The Shenlong River originates at the foot of the Shenlong Mountains that is one of the national nature reserves. It flows downstream into the Yangtze at the Wuxia Gorge. With its crystal-clear flow of water, it is an ideal place to go rafting.
The hanging coffins were placed there by inhabitants about 2000-3000 years ago. It is not clear, how it was put there? Why was it laid there? There are many reasons. One is that the dead will be close to heaven. The second is the coffins announced wealth and authority. The third is the protection of the body from wild animals. How can they hang coffin so high? One is they hang the coffin from the top of mountain. The other is they build a wooden bridge. |