Archive for category Three Gorges
Zigui County
Posted by act2009 in Three Gorges on June 30th, 2009
Qu Yuan Temple, the symbol of Zigui County in Three Gorges Area
Zigui (秭归) is located near the west mouth of Xiling Gorge of the Three Gorges, in western Hubei Province. It is said that the foundation of ancient Zigui County was made of the boulder, and the city looks like a gourd, so it is also known as Stone city or Gourd city. Zigui is a time-honored ancient town. It was formally established to be a county in the Han Dynasty’s China. Zigui area is the cradle of Chu (or Shu) culture in the Three Kingdoms Period. At the end period of Chu State, the great patriotic poet of China, Qu Yuan (屈原, 340 BC – 278 BC), was born here. His thoughts and poems played a key role in China’s cultural history. In fact, the name of Zigui County was originated from the story of the famous poet. It is said that Qu Yuan was exiled by King of Chu State due to slander, and his elder sister intentionally came back to see him, generally in southern China, she was called by her little brother as Zizi (姊姊) in dialect of southern China, and “归” (Gui) meant “return” or “come back”, therefore this place was called Zigui. Qu Yuan Temple is a symbol of Zigui and it is one of the main tourist attractions.
Zigui is a main orange producing area in China
Having excellent natural environment, Zigui is the main producing region of oranges in Three Gorges area of China. Mineral resources are very rich too.
Zigui is in a depression area of mountains of Daba, Wushan and Bamian. Yangtze River is flowing through the center of the county after passing Badong County in Hubei. The Zigui section of the river is 64 kilometers and it divides the county into south and north parts, where quite mountainous with a basin-like area in the county’s center. Two peaks, east and west, are 1,920 meters and 2,057 meters above sea level respectively, and the lowest point is 40 meters.
Fengjie County
Posted by act2009 in Three Gorges on June 29th, 2009
Build up area of Fengjie County, Chongqing
The ancient and rich cultural Fengjie County (奉节县) is located in the east of the Chongqing City, bordering the Wushan County to the east and Hubei Province to the south. It has a history of about 2,400 years. The county takes up an area of 4099 sq. km, a mountainous region, which about 88 percent of land is high ground. The highest point in Fengjie County is 2123 meters above sea level while the lowest is the 86 meters, where it is the gap of the Qutang Gorge, before the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, to which the water will be storing up here.
The majestic Qiyao Mountain is divided by the great Yangtze River, so the famous Qutang Gorge is formed here. The farther from the river, the higher the elevation, and the craggy mountains and the big river make the scene so eye-catching. Fengjie’s climate is typically sub-tropical monsoon with high relative humidity and high summer temperature, but the higher the elevation, the lower the annual average temperature.
Fengjie County is also known as the Poem City. Many eminent Chinese poets, such as Wang Wei, Li Po, Du Fu, Bai Juyi, Su Shi (Su Dongpo), and Su Zhe had been there and they left many moving poems to chant the beautiful scenery of the county in Yangtze River.
Wushan County
Posted by act2009 in Three Gorges on June 29th, 2009
Street scene in Wushan County
In the easternmost of Chongqing Municipality, there is the picturesque county with abundant historical heritage called Wushan (巫山县). It got the name from Wu Xian (巫咸), a famous royal doctor to Emperor Yao (尧) in ancient China. Wushan became a county about 2,200 years ago. It is at the center of the beautiful Three Gorges scenery and the Wu Gorge is located here. The rich tourism resources have made the county as one of the key tourist attractions of the Three Gorges area. “If I have experienced the beauty of the Wushan, there will be no other places can catch my attention.” This has always been an appropriate phrase to describe the enchanting beauty of the Wushan Mountain since old time.
The human fossils here are the earliest found in China hitherto. The relics of the “Wushan People” whose were living here about 2 million years ago, and the cultural heritage of from the New Stone Age, which flourished about 5,000 years before present are found. The old plank road built along the cliff in the Qin Dynasty, well-preserved Han tombs and the refined architecture from late Ming and early Qing Dynasties. Majestic peaks and ancient pavilions, which some Chinese odes and chants praised as well. Furthermore, natural mineral and agricultural resources are rich too.
Baiheliang and Underwater Museum
Posted by act2009 in Three Gorges on June 25th, 2009
The old stone carving of three Chinese characters “Bai He Liang” (白鹤梁, literally “White Crane Tablet”) is located in the upper reaches of Yangtze River’s Three Gorges Dam in northeast Fuling city in Chongqing. It is the only state key cultural protection ancient hydrological station and UNESCO praised as the best-preserved ancient hydrological station in the world.
The giant tablet has a length of 1,600 meters and 15 meters width. It only appears above the water in dry season in Yangtze River, i.e., December to March. It is said that in the Tang Dynasty a man had diligently cultivated himself in religion and eventually attained spiritual enlightenment, he sat on a giant crane and flied to the heaven, therefore the stone got its name.
In addition to the three big Chinese characters, there are many articles about ancient hydrological facts and beautiful fish figures carved on Baiheliang, to which they documented the water level of ancient Yangtze River and old fine arts. In 1974, the Chinese delegation presented “Fuling Stone Fish Inscriptions” (涪陵石鱼题刻) to as they attended the International Hydrological Services Conference in Paris. The scientific value of the ancient relics has been recognized internationally. The beautiful stone inscriptions are copied to Fuling People’s Square that give people an opportunity to see the cultural heritage conveniently.
Opened on May 18, 2009, Baiheliang Underwater Museum is an important part of the protection of the old cultural and scientific heritage. It comprises four parts, Underwater Museum, Transportation Corridor, Mound for Anti-collision Underwater and Exhibition Hall on Land. Baiheliang Underwater Museum actually looks like a protective shell for the Baiheliang stone tablet. State-of-the-art lighting facilities are installed in the underwater crystal palace, in which you can walk and view the giant Baiheliang stone tablet by operation a video camera in different angles.
Yichang
Posted by act2009 in Three Gorges on June 22nd, 2009
Yichang city
In southwest Hubei Province, Yichang city (宜昌市), originally known as Yiling (夷陵), where the Yiling Battle, one of the famous wars fought during the Three Kingdoms Period, took place. In 222 AD, Sun Quan (孙权) of Wu (吴) State and Liu Bei (刘备) of Shu (蜀) State disputed over the strategically important land of Jingzhou area (荆州, in south-central Hubei). At first, Sun Quan’s army occupied Jingzhou. The move had a negative impact to Zhuge Liang’s plan (he was the wise man in Shu State at that time), which was good for Liu Bei to unify China. Jingzhou was an essential land for him to destroy Shu and Wei (魏, where controlled by Cao Cao, 曹操) States, so he must recaptured the area. However, he failed because his army managed to capture Jingzhou in a hurry without adequate preparation.
Yichang has 2700-year history also the cradle of ancient Ba culture and origin of Shu culture. It is the hometown of Qu Yuan (屈原), a Chinese great patriotic poet. Qu Yuan lived in the Warring States Era over 2,000 years ago, and he was suicide for his motherland invaded by other stronger power.
Three Gorges scenery in Yichang
It is the hometown of Wang Zhaojun, who married Hun Khan in exchanging for peace and stability. It is also the destinations of many famous scholars, litterateurs, artists, poets and ideologists, who once indulged themselves in the city’s beautiful scenery. Yichang was once the place for exiling demoted officials. If you are interested in Peking Opera, you will find more specific images or characters in the story performed on stage. Yichang is undoubtedly one of the best tourism cities in China today.
Yichang is located in the middle reaches of Yangtze River, where also known as the golden waterway, Jiaozuo-Liuzhou Railway, No. 318 National Expressway are all going across the city. It is an increasingly important position for land and water transportation. The world-famous Three Gorges Project is so near to downtown. It is the second largest city in Hubei Province after Wuhan, the provincial capital. Yichang has an area of 21,000 square kilometers with a total population of 4,149,300.
Yichang is in subtropical monsoon and humid climate zone with four distinct seasons. Rainwater is rich especially in summer, which is very hot.
Baidi Town
Posted by act2009 in Three Gorges on June 21st, 2009
Baidi Town architecture
Baidi is a famous small town located near the mouth of Qutang Gorge in Fengjie County, Chongqing Municipality. In the county, boats sailing on the upper reaches of Yangtze River go downstream smoothly. There are ancient Chinese style houses among the dense, green forest, which is on the high hill located on the northern bank of the river. This is Baidi Town in the Three Gorges area.
The east of the town faces the Kuimen Gate (夔门), the west the Eight Battle Formation Diagram and Baidi Town is like a peninsular in Yangtze River. It had also been a place of strategically importance. A legend goes that Gongsun Shu established this small town in late Han Dynasty for storing grains. He wanted to be a king for a long time, so he ordered his servants distributed such an information that there was always white gas emitted from a downtown well, which looked like a white flying dragon (in general, in ancient China the appearance of dragon was an auspicious prediction). Thereafter Gongsun Shu became the King in 25 AD and called himself Baidi (”bai” = white and “di” = emperor) Emperor, so this town was named after him. In 37AD, Liu Xiu, the Founding Emperor of the East Han Dynasty attacked Shu State and Gongsun Shu failed and died. When Gongsun reigned as an emperor, he developed agricultural and water conservancy works, which were benefit to his people. Later, the local established a temple to commemorate him, and this was Baidi Temple.
The Baidi Temple
In 222 AD, Liu Bei failed in the battle against Eastern Wu State in Three-Kingdom period. Since then, Liu Bei was ill until his death. He made up his will and requested his Prime Minister Zhuge Liang to bring up his son. Therefore, Baidi Temple honored Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang with their golden-gilt statues. However, it is quite strange to see without the Baidi emperor, because his statue has been removed during the Ming Dynasty.
The temple also displays cultural relics discovered from the Hanging Coffins in Qutang Gorge, 73 stone tablets of ancient calligraphy and about 1,000 pieces of heritage from different dynasties.
After the completion of the Three Gorges Dam Project, Baidi Town will become an island in Yangtze River due to the increasing level of water. The island will be looked like a heavenly fairyland.
Three Gorges Tour – Goddess Peak
Posted by act2009 in Three Gorges on June 18th, 2009
Goddess Peak, in Three Gorges, Yangtze River
Goddess Peak (神女峰) is located in the north of Yangtze River, 15 kilometers from east of Wushan County (巫山县). Goddess Peak is actually a giant stone, standing in clouds and fog, so seen from water it seems like a fairy goddess. It has the typical features of ancient beauties in China, hence many poets or essayers wrote a lot of articles to speak highly of her charm and prettiness.
As for the anecdotes or fairy story of Goddess Peak, there are diversified. One is the story, created by Song Yu in his famous article – Ode to Goddess, the pretty goddess had a date with Chuxiangwang (the emperor of ancient Chu State), the other one is that Goddess Yao Ji (瑶姬) intentionally got down from the heaven to the earthly world in order to help Da Yu (大禹) with flood control.
Yao Ji was a fairy princess living in the heaven, but she was very tired of heavenly life, so she traveled the earthly world with her sisters. During their trip, they found 12 evil dragons doing harm by casting devilish spells to the earthly people. So she helped Da Yu to fight the flood, besides, she also managed to present Da Yu a book written about flood control, but she was caught by the sacred soldiers from the heaven before she told how to use this book. Later, she returned to the earthly world with the deadline set by queen. She helped Da Yu succeeded in dredging the rivers between the mountains and gorges. She also fell in love with the three gorges and forgot the deadline. Therefore, she stayed in the earthly world to lead the boats in trouble and did good things to the local, as time went she became a peak forever. Nowadays, travelers visiting Yangtze River’s Three Gorges can always see her prettiness on the peak.
The magnificent scene of Goddess Peak, looking from afar
Huangling Temple, Three Gorges tours
Posted by act2009 in Three Gorges on June 18th, 2009
The Ox figure
Huangling Temple (黄陵庙) is located in the middle reaches of Xiling Gorge on the southern bank of Yangtze River. Originally, known as Ox, Ox Temple or Ox Spirit Temple (Huang Niu means Ox), Huangling Temple is the only well-preserved ancient building groups. Among which, Yuwang Hall (禹王殿) is the center for commemorating legendary Da Yu (大禹) who made great contribution to the flood control in ancient China. However, the actual date of construction is unknown, and some archeologists think that it was built during the Han Dynasty, more than a thousand years ago. A large number of well-preserved important sites and real remains concerned with the catastrophic flood water level in Three Gorges area of Yangtze River. The invaluable stuffs and information helped the building the Gezhouba Water Conservancy Project and the Three Gorges Dam.
Huangling Temple
Huangling Temple faces Yangtze River directly and in China’s orange producing area; therefore, if you visit here in time, you may feel the orange fragrance in the courtyard. The temple is surrounded by high and verdant mountains. It is in old-fashioned architectural style with elaborate decorations and carvings. Entering the leading hall, Yuwang Hall, you see a wooden Da Yu statue with four-meter height. If someone is on their knees, the statue handled by the monks will stand up to return greetings automatically. It is fully expressing the advanced techniques in ancient China.
There are also lifelike statues of Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, the most mysterious man and thought to be the earthly immortal) and his young servants. At the backyard of Huangling Temple, some moist mummies are being collected. It is a traditional temple indeed without overcrowded visitors, nice place to visit.
Sanyou Cave Scenery
Posted by act2009 in Three Gorges on June 17th, 2009
- Sanyou Cave
Sanyou Cave (三游洞) is located 7 kilometers to the northwest of Yichang City. Sanyou is a huge cave on the cliff of the northern peak in Xiling Mountain. It backs on the Three Gorges of Yangtze River and mouth of Xiling Gorge. It is a famous place of interest and important site of protection and preservation. Since Tang and Song Dynasties, many famous Chinese writers and poets visited here Bai Junyi, Yuan Zheng, Ouyang Xiu, Su Xun, Su Shi, and Su Che, to name a few. The well-preserved works contain more than a hundred wall inscriptions and stele carvings other than nearly 60 calligraphy works. They are highly worthy of artistic appreciation and historic value. It is also a revolutionary site. Before 1949, the Taoists in the temple near to the Sanyou Cave were the information tellers of Communist Party of China.
- Chinese inscriptions in the cave
The landscape in Sanyou Cave area is quite dangerous and it concaves, but it is mild in winter and cool in summer. The irregular rectangle cave is about 30 meters deep, 23 meters wide and 9 meters high. It was formed through long history of corrosion by underground water. The stony surface of a certain part in the area had later been collapsed. The geological age is from 500 millions to 600 millions years before present. Inside the cave, the rock surfaces are rugged or cracked, with many eye-catching patterns as well as interesting stuff, such as three stalactite columns, which seem with round cross sections but actually, they are not. They divided the spacious cave into front and back areas. The front is big with inscriptions of old poem on the wall and seemingly well illuminated, while the back is deep, cool and having a small passage that goes to outside. There is a rock bell hanging on the ceiling of the back space, you can hear the actual bronze bell sound if hitting by stone. In this location, you will also hear the drumming sound if you drop a rock onto the ground! Very interesting indeed.
Ticket: 48 RMB.
Transportation: Take bus No. 10 at Yichang’s Yuanjiang Avenue (沿江大道) Bus Station or take a mini bus there, you can get directly to Sanyou Cave area.
Shennong Stream
Posted by act2009 in Three Gorges on June 15th, 2009
The entry of the Shennong Stream scenic area
Shennong Stream (神农溪) originates from Shennong Ridges, flows through Badong County (巴东县) in Hubei Province and links to Yangtze River in the east of Wu Gorge. Shennong is actually a valley stream to which the water is as if a silvery belt embedded among the mountains. The 60-kilometer-long stream is also known the Jade Passage of Yangtze River.
Living along the Shennong Stream is a luxurious dream or desire to many urban people. It is another world, an idyllic and beautiful place. There is no the anxiety and worries of urban life and no distorted values to money, society and life. It is a virgin land with China’s ancient and traditional custom, mysterious and charming local culture, beautiful flowery, purified smile, the open-minded and impassioned folk songs as well as the comfortable lifestyles in the countryside.
The misty morning scene
On the way to Shennong Stream, its charming mountains and greens on both sides will intoxicate you. It is the virgin forests and original mountains without any human affects and reconstructions. It totally belongs to the nature and wild animals. Wherever the human is, the pollution and natural disasters will be there. Hence, Shennong Stream is one most valued place for human to visit quietly and seriously. The steep mountains and the silvery water from the heaven make you forget this earthly world. Shennong Stream is clearer than the table-water that can directly use for human drinking.
Local wedding and funeral ceremonies diversify the local custom. Sitting on the boats free drift and listening carefully to the local pretty guides’ introduction. It is really a dreamland full of smile, sunshine, and comfort. You do not want to return. If you find there are some cottages separately surrounded by many trees on both sides of mountains. Please do not surprise. It means there is a beautiful and unmarried girl in this family and tells you that you will have opportunities to marry this beauty. The folk songs are also as charming as the local girls are. You may like to join in a wedding ceremony or bridegroom-selection performance, you will be probably lucky to be selected by those performers as her bridegroom in the performance, and then you could learn more from it! Perhaps you will be willing to be a real bridegroom here!
Boat ride
If you are the lucky enough you may see some wild animals suddenly revealing in the trees on both sides of stream, even you could hear the ape’s sound far from the mountain. It is said that some visitors in the past have once met wild men somewhere around Shennong Stream. The mysterious hanging coffins on both sides of cliffs may broaden your eyes. It is an enigma so far that what kind of measures the ancient people took to raise these coffins up to those high cliffs.
Recent Comments