the three gorges of yangtaze river

The Yangtze River is the longest river in China and the third longest in the world, next only to the Nile and Amazon rivers. Both the Yangtze and Huanghe rivers are referred to ad cradles of the Chinese nation, giving rise to the culture of the two river valleys and the time-honored brilliant Chinese civilization. The Yangtze river has its source in the Geladaindong Snow Mountain, the main peak of the Tanggular Range, which stands 6,000 meters above sea leave on the southwestern border of Qinghai Province. The river flows 6,300 kilometers in eight provinces, one autonomous region, and two municipalities directly government. It features a unique landscape before emptying into the East China Sea.

As the Yangtze river snakes along the eastern fringe of Sichuan Basin, the Wushan Mountains straddle from south to north to block the way. The mighty Yangtze cuts through mountains with an irresistible force and forms a magnificent landscape, the landscape of the Three Gorges. The Three Gorges are composed of Qutang, Wuxia and Xiling gorges. The section of the Yangtze in the Three Gorges area extends 193 kilometers, forming the largest gorges area in the world.

Also called Kuxia Gorge, Qutang Gorge stretches from Baidicheng in the west to Daxi Town of Wushan Country in the east, including an eight kilometers section of narrow gorge. It is known for its magnificence and precipitous. At the western entrance to the gorge, two mountains stand opposite each other across the river like two huge door leaves and steep cliffs rise and fall in an endless string. The rock face at the entrance bears five Chinese characters, meaning the lofty Kuimen under heaven. It is known as the first gate under heaven. The roaring Yangtze rushes downstream in the river channel about 100 meters wide, with the narrowest spot being less then 50 meters wide. There, the river flows swiftly and the sky above become narrow, making tourists feel as of the mountain peals touch the sky and boats sail in a tunnel.

The trumpet-shaped Wuxia Gorge stars from the estuary of the Daning River in Wushan Country, Chongqing Municipality, in the west and ends at Guandukou in Basong Country, Huber province, in the east. It extends 40 kilometers long and narrows up towards east. The zigzag long and deep gorge is flanked by strange-shaped peals and enveloped in mist. It has been known for its cloud and mist since ancient times. The better known scenic attractions along Wuxia Gorge are the 12 peals, six on the northern bank and the other six on the southern bank of the Yangtze River,

Xiling Gorge is the longest of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze river. It is 120 kilometers long, including a 31 kilometers section of narrow balley, between the mouth of the Xiangxi River in Zigui country and Nanjingguan in Yichang city. In the past, the gorge was known for its zigzag navigation channel, odd shaped rocks in the water, perilous shoals, and swift currents. After the founding of new China in 1949, the navigation channel was dredged and the Yangtze river in the gorge becomes slow and gentle. The construction of the three gorges water conservation pivotal project is being carried out on Zhongbao islet in Xiling gorge. A world-class landscape will soon appear.