Natural Creation - The Individualized Symphony of Three Gorges
The beauty of the Three Gorges lies in the magnificence of Qutang, the beauty of Wuxia, and the danger of Xiling, each with its own advantages and continuous development.
Qutang Gorge (Xiong): the head of the Three Gorges, starting from Baidi City in the west and ending at Daxi Town in Wushan in the east, with a total length of only 8 kilometers, but it is the shortest and most dangerous. At the entrance of Kuimen, the walls of Chijia Mountain and Baiyan Mountain on both sides stand like sharp cliffs, resembling a gate. The river surface suddenly shrinks to less than a hundred meters, and the water rushes and roars with great momentum, known as the "Kuimen of the world". The cliff carvings on the rocks, such as "Kuimen" and "Xiongzai", are a dual monument of culture and nature.
Wuxia (Xiu): Stretching for 45 kilometers, it is known for its deep and beautiful scenery, shrouded in clouds and mist. During the voyage, the green peaks on both sides are stacked and winding, sometimes "there is no way through the mountains", and sometimes "there is another sky when the bay returns". The Goddess Peak stands tall and graceful, and the legend of Yao Ji helping Yu control the floods adds a romantic touch to it. The twelve peaks of Wushan in the north and south of the Yangtze River form a natural ink painting gallery, which is the most poetic section in the Three Gorges.
Xiling Gorge (Dangerous): In the past, it was famous for its many beaches and fast flowing water, with a total length of 66 kilometers, making it the longest canyon in the Three Gorges. In the past, there were famous dangerous shoals such as Qingtan, Xietan, and Gaoling shoals. There was a saying among boatmen that 'Qingtan Xietan is not a shoal, but Gaoling is the gateway to hell'. After the Three Gorges Dam was filled with water, the dangerous shoals disappeared into Pinghu, but the rugged mountains and majestic waters of the canyon still left a lasting impression. Nowadays, Xiling Gorge is enriched with modern and cultural landscapes such as the Three Gorges Dam, Three Gorges households, and the hometown of Qu Yuan.
Red leaves and clouds in the Three Gorges: In late autumn, trees such as the Chinese parasol tree and the Chinese parasol tree that cover the mountains and fields turn red after frost, and the layers of forest are stained, forming a strong contrast with the emerald green river water, which is breathtaking. In the spring and summer seasons, the misty clouds often linger in the gorge, casting a soft veil over the green mountains and clear waters, creating an ethereal and ethereal atmosphere, like a fairyland.
Humanistic Craftsmanship - Civilization Footprints on the Cliff
Between the cliffs of the Three Gorges, there are traces of the survival and faith of our ancestors, telling the story of their tenacious vitality.
Baidi City: Located at the mouth of Qutang Gorge, surrounded by water on three sides, it is known as the "City of Poetry". This is the place where Liu Bei took care of himself, and also the place where poets of all ages came to pay tribute. Looking into the distance from the city, the majestic Kuimen can be seen in full view, with historical storms and magnificent mountains and rivers intertwined in the heart.
Shibaozhai: Located on the north bank of the Yangtze River in Zhongxian County, Chongqing, a twelve story red wooden attic is built along the mountain with flying eaves and wings, known as one of the "Eight Wonders of the World". It cleverly integrates mountains and buildings, and is an outstanding representative of folk architectural wisdom.
Hanging coffins and ancient plank paths: In the cracks or caves of certain cliffs in Wuxia and Xiling Gorge, mysterious hanging coffins of ancient Ba people can be seen, and how they were placed remains a mystery to this day. The ancient plank road with square holes intermittently visible on the cliff is the lifeline of ancient communication between the Xiajiang River, evoking memories of the difficult journey of ancient times.
The Three Gorges Dam: the pinnacle of contemporary human engineering. Climbing onto the Tanziling viewing platform, overlooking this giant that spans the Yangtze River, and experiencing the grandeur of 'high gorge emerging from flat lake'. Experiencing the "water elevator" process of a ship passing through a five level lock firsthand is an excellent way to understand its operating principles and experience the power of modern technology.
Photography tips:
Panoramic view of Kuimen: The best shooting point is at the observation deck on the top of Baidicheng Mountain or by boat to the center of the river, using a wide-angle lens to capture the majestic composition of the mountains and rivers on both sides.
Shennv Peak Qianying: Use a telephoto lens to capture the hazy and ethereal appearance of Shennv Peak in the morning mist or sunset on the viewing platform across from Qingshi Town or Shennv Peak in Wuxia.
Ship lock light and shadow: At the top or bow of the fifth level ship lock, the geometric light and shadow formed by the ship and the huge gate inside the lock room are captured during the blues time in the evening, which is extremely sci-fi.
