Qutang Gorge in Fengjie, Chongqing, as the first of the three gorges of the Yangtze River, is unique among the mountains and rivers of China with its majestic and precipitous appearance as well as its deep historical and cultural heritage, attracting countless tourists to come and enjoy its charm.
Geographic location: the throat of the golden waterway
Qutang Gorge starts from Baidi Mountain in Fengjie County in the west and ends at Daxi Town in Wushan County in the east, with a total length of only about 8 kilometers, but it is the shortest and narrowest but the most majestic gorge among the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. It guards the main road of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, and is the water transportation throat from Sichuan and Chongqing regions to the land of Jingchu, and has been a place of war since ancient times, with an extremely important strategic position.
Natural Landscape: Thousand-foot Walls, Magnificent Water Power
Stepping into Qutang Gorge, the first thing that catches your eyes is the towering Kui Men. The mountains on both sides face each other, and the cliffs are steep, like a giant axe splitting the earth, allowing the water of the Yangtze River to surge through. As the old poem says, “Baidi is high as the town of three gorges, Qutang is more dangerous than the hundred prison passes”, the majesty and steepness of Kui Men can be seen.
Inside the gorge, the river rushes and roars, and the sound of waves is deafening. Under the sunlight, the river sparkles, and the green mountains on both sides of the river reflect each other, constituting a magnificent landscape painting. Qutang Gorge clouds and mist is also a great, sometimes cloudy, the entire canyon covered in a haze, like a fairyland; sometimes the clouds and mist dispersed, revealing the precipitous peaks and rushing river, so people can not help but marvel at the wonders of nature.
History and Culture: A Humanistic Resort of Ancient Style
Qutang Gorge not only has magnificent natural scenery, but also carries a long history and culture. Baidi City is located on the north bank of the Yangtze River at the mouth of Qutang Gorge, and this ancient city has witnessed countless historical ups and downs and heroic legends. The story of Liu Bei’s entrustment of an orphan took place here, making Baidi City an important landmark of the Three Kingdoms culture.
Throughout the ages, countless literati and writers have left their popular poems here. Li Bai’s “Toward the Baidi colorful clouds, a thousand miles of Jiangling one day return”, Du Fu’s “the wind rushes to the sky high apes whistling and wailing, the islet is clear and the sand is white and the birds are flying back”, these poems vividly depict the magnificent scenery and unique charm of Qutang Gorge, and make Qutang Gorge become the Chinese literary history of It has also made the Qutang Gorge a monument in Chinese literature.
In addition, there are many precious historical relics preserved on both sides of the Qutang Gorge, such as ancient palisades and hanging coffins, etc. These relics bear witness to the wisdom and courage of the ancient people of Bayu, and also add a mysterious color to the Qutang Gorge.
Qutang Gorge in Fengjie, Chongqing is a majestic symphony of nature’s ingenious workmanship and history and culture. With its majestic and steep natural landscape, profound and long history and culture, it is waiting for every tourist to explore and feel its unique charm. Whether you are a nature lover or a history and culture seeker, Qutang Gorge can meet your expectations and leave you an unforgettable travel memory.