Fengjie

Covering a mountainous area of about 4,099 square kilometers (1,012,885 acres), Fengjie County has now been inundated by water due to the recently completed Three Gorges Reservoir. A new Fengjie County township has been constructed at a higher altitude. It took five years for the construction of new buildings and the resettlement of about 124,000 inhabitants. For more details about the impact of the Three Gorges Project on surrounding areas, please click Influence & Significance.

Fengjie County lies to the east of Chongqing Municipality and has a population of about 1 million. Rich in historical sites and scenic spots, Fengjie is known as the 'City of Poems'. A great many poems are inscribed on the numerous steles scattered throughout the region. Baidi City and the Qutang Gorge are among the most well-known tourist attractions in Fengjie.

The topography in Fengjie County is varied and dramatic; rivers flow through deep valleys against a backdrop of lofty mountains. Although the area is generally warm in spring and hot in summer, the climate changes considerably with an increase in altitude; mountainous areas are cooler than valleys. The yearly average temperature is 16.4 ℃ (61.5 ℉).

Fengjie County has a long history of human settlement. The famous Daxi Culture Heritage Site of 6,000 years ago was discovered in this area. The name of the county has been changed many times. It was not until the year 649, in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) that the county was christened 'Fengjie', the name that is still used to this day.

 Eight Elements Battle Formation (Ba Zhen Tu)

Eight Elements Battle Formation (Ba Zhen Tu) refers to a military operation for deploying and arranging armies initiated in the Three Kingdoms Period (220 - 280) of China. It was Zhuge Liang of the Shu Kingdom who created the mysterious military wonder. Legends have it said that four sites of such formations were embattled and Fengjie County of Chongqing Municipality owns two.

For those who read Roman of the Three Kingdoms of Chinese classic literature, the Eight Elements Battle Formation can arouse maximal curiosity. According to the book, general Lu Xun of the Wu Kingdom chased after the defeated Shu army until the Fengjie County, when he stopped feeling something dangerous was ahead. But the sentinel returned reporting there was nothing but piles of stones and rocks. Lu Xun laughed and marched ahead all the way to the stone formation. All of the sudden the stones and rocks began to move like approaching swords up and down, encircling the troops. Although they were finally directed out of the formation, Lu realized the stratagem and the foresight of Zhuge Liang were unsurpassable.

Near the Fengjie County, a stone embankment measuring 600 meters (0.4 mile) wide, extending about 1,500 meters (0.9 mile) to the center of the Yangtze River is the formation abovementioned. Rocks and stones randomly rest on the embankment with a stream passing through. It is also the place where the above story had taken place. Locals called this site Eight Elements Battle Formation in water - now about 60 meters (197 feet) under the surface, while the Eight Elements Battle Formations on land can be found near Baidi City.

According to experts, a convention had been developed from the site of formation form the Tang Dynasty which is called 'Ta Qi'. That is, a get-together of people excurse here on 7th, January each year. Some celebrities such as Li Bai, Du Fu and Lu You were once here and crafted beautiful poetry. The mysterious formations have been catching great fancy of people from home and abroad. With one of the formations being submerged, the Eight Elements Battle Formation on land is likely to prove more popular than its underwater counterpart.

 Baidi City

Baidi City, a place full of poetic sense, gleams amongst forest-covered hills on the north bank of the Yangtze River near the entrance of the Qutang Gorge. Surrounded by waters, Baidi City gains its popularity by its rich heritage of literature contribution during thousands of years.

Baidi City posts the best viewpoint for the imposing 'Kuimen' (entrance of the Qutang Gorge). Countless literary works were left here by poets and intellectuals, ranging from the Tang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). Some are quite famous and widely known. No wonder it is reputed as the 'City of Poets'.

Baidi City is comprised of several architectural styles of the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing periods including Mingliang Hall, Wuhou Pavilion, and Wangjiang Pavilion. Visitors can also experience the history of the Baidi City by roaming through the many exhibition halls. There are more than 1,000 items of historical relics from different dynasties displayed. Over 100 paintings and calligraphies, and about 70 stone steles are sure to be a great vision for Chinese calligraphy lovers. Hanging coffins , as well as the relics excavated from inside the Qutang Gorge are also exhibited.

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