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Sanxia (Three Gorges)
The Three Gorges of Yangtze River extend 193 kilometers
from the western Baidicheng in Sichan Province, to Nanjinguan of
Yichang city in Hubei Province in the east. They differ from each
other in sceneries: Qutang Gorge is straight and craggy; Wu Gorge,
deep, serene and exquisite; while Xiling Gorge perilous for its shoals
and rapid currents.
 Qutang Gorge:
From east to west, it measures 8 kilometers, starting
from Baidicheng and ending at Daixi township. With vertical cliffs of
some thousand meters high as its two flanks, the Qutang Gorge is only
a few dozens of meters wide just like a narrow gateway. With swash and
rumble, the surging Yangtze River pours into the gateway with great
momentum. Looking up towards the tops of towering precipitous
mountains along the Gorge, one sees from a boat only a narrow strip of
clouds and sky, but under foot the River tears on violently.
Wu Gorge:
It extends 40 kilometers from the mouth of Daning River
of Wushan Mountain in the west to Guandukou of Badong in the east.
 The Wu Gorge is gifted with exquisite peaks and lush mountains and
ranges. It's deep and serene with changeable weather. The rolling
River twists and turns and boats zigzag their way along, as if
cruising in a fantastic gallery.
The twelve peaks of Wushan Mountain all rise to the blue sly. They are
endowed with various fascinating shapes. Among them, the most fabulous
is the Peak of Goddess. It pierces through the heaven, and towers over
the Yangtze River. A protruding rock of the Peak has the shape of a
slim girl shrouded in clouds and mist faintly visible as if clad in
fine gauze dress, looking attractive and exuding tenderness and love.
Xiling Gorge:
It measures 75 kilometers from Xiangxikou to Nanjinguan.
The whole Gorge area is covered with high mountains, gullies,
dangerous shoals and hidden reefs of various sizes. The best-known
perilous shoal is Qing Shoal. It's formed by collapsed
 craggy cliffs.
Surging waves and rapid currents churn over the shoal embedded with
rocks and stones here and there, and then drop two meters in
elevation. Ships go downstream over the shoal at an arrow speed, but
up the shoal it's as difficult as climbing a steep hill. |
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