Qutang Gorge of Yangtze River

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Qutang Gorge, the shortest and most majestic of the Three Gorges, winds five miles from Baidi City in Fengjie County to Daxi Town in Wushan County. The two banks of the gorge contain numerous scenic spots.

Southwest of the Qutang Gorge is the Kui Gate, also called the Qutang Pass. Two peaks, Mt. Baiyan (White Salt Mountain) in the north and Mt. Chijia soar above the horizon. The two mountains resemble a gate that might have been created by Heaven and placed here on earth.

As the peaks along the two banks are 3,281 feet to 4,921 feet high and the Yangtze River is only 109 yards to 219 yards wide, the Yangtze River looks like a narrow belt winding its way through the deep canyons. The deep gorge, fast-moving water, and chains of mountains form an imposing picture. Because of the Kui Gate, it is also known as the Kui Gorge.
 

Yangtze Qutang Gorge Map (Click the map to enlarge it, or go for more Yangtze River Maps)

Upstream from the mouth of Qutang Gorge is the ancient county of Fengjie where one can admire the Ba Zhen Tu (Eight Element Battle Formation). In the gorge, Baidi City (White Emperor City) lies at the top of the northern bank. On the southern bank one can find an unusual sight--the Chalk Wall--on which numerous inscriptions are carved. Also, Mengliang Stairway and Hanging Monk Rock, which have a legend associated with them, are located on the southern bank. The northern bank is also endowed with some interesting sights. Among them are Bellows Gorge (Fengxiang Xia) where the ancient hanging coffins are located and the remains of the ancient plank road. Holes for the road's supports were chiseled into the sheer face of the cliffs by the ancient people. The road was once the only means of transportation for people and goods while the river was in flood.

Other attractions include the Rhinoceros Looking at the Moon--a unique stone in the shape of a rhinoceros looking at the moon not far from the Bellows Gorge, the Iron Lock Pass--used to prevent enemy invasions during the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279), and the Daxi Culture Heritage Site - the perfect place to learn about Chinese Neolithic Culture.

After the damming of the Yangtze River for the Three Gorges Dam Project, great changes took place in Qutang Gorge; some historic relics along the two banks have been submerged in the water. As a result, the unique image of a smooth lake rising in the narrow gorge now appears.
  Chalk Wall (Fen Bi Tang)
 Water Stealing Holes
 Bellows Gorge (Feng Xiang Xia)
 Rhinoceros Looking at the Moon
 Meng Liang Stairway and Hanging Monk Rock
 Iron Lock Pass (Tie Suo Guan)
 Ancient Plank Road
 Daxi Culture Heritage Site