Qutang Gorge

Qutang Gorge is the first of the Three Gorges encountered when cruising downstream along the Yangtze River. Though it is the shortest and narrowest, it is the most imposing and steepest gorge among the three.

 Attractions: 
Chalk Wall and Water-Stealing Holes      Mengliang Stairway and Iron Lock Pass       Bellows Gorge 

Also named Kui Gorge, Qutang Gorge is 8 km (5 miles) long, stretching from Baidi City in  Fengjie, Chongqing, to Daxi County in Wushan, Chongqing. As soon as your cruise ship enters the gorge, you will be astounded at the huge Kui Gate, made up of a red Mt. Chijia and a white Mt. Baiyan. As you cruise on, you enter a scene reminiscent of a Chinese landscape painting scroll. The peaks along the banks average 1,000 to 1,500 meters (3,280 to 4,920 feet) high, while the billowy Yangtze River cuts sharply down through the bottom of the valley, with the width of the narrowest section of the river less than 50 meters (54 yards). The narrow valley of Qutang Gorge has made it, since ancient times, the most critical reach in all the rivers in Sichuan and Chongqing area. Furthermore, the variety of shapes of hills and rocks on the mountains show the wonders of nature. You will find a phoenix holding up its head and regaling itself from a sweet spring, a lively rhinoceros looking at the moon, and a "monk" hanging up-side-down on the cliff.

In addition to its spectacular natural scenery, Qutang Gorge is also known as a gallery of culture and arts. On Baiyan Mountain are the sites of Wushan Ape Man, dating back 2 million years. You can also find 2,000-year-old hanging coffins and an ancient battlefield with more than 2,000 years of history. Located at the western end of Qutang Gorge, Kuizhou Ancient Town is the political, economic, and cultural center of Fengjie County. The ancient site of the Yong'an Palace of the Three Kingdoms Period (220 - 280)  extends the history of the town to nearly 2,000 years. There are also the famous Baidi City, Dufu's Thatched Cottage, and Yufu Tower. Standing on the cruise ship, you will also see the mysterious Mengliang Stairway, the impressive Chalk Wall demonstrating the splendid art of Chinese calligraphy, and the amazing ancient Kuiwu Plank Road built along the face of the cliffs. 

 Kui Gate 
Kui Gate is composed of two mountains at the western mouth of Qutang Gorge, Mount Baiyan and Mount Chijia. Mount Chijia (red armor in English) is covered with red rocks, resembling a giant in red armor, while Mount Baiyan (white salt in English) is composed of white limestone, resembling a salt mountain. The two mountains stand opppsed, at the northern and southern bank of Yangtze River, like a heavenly-made gate for the river, hence the name Kui Gate. The Yangtze River at Kui Gate is confined by the mountains to a width of only one hundred meters (109 yards). With the river flow reaching 50,000 to 60,000 cubic meters per second, when your cruise ship leaves the western end of Qutang Gorge, you will see the spectacular view of the river striving to rush out the "gate" between two huge and steep mountains. The magnificent view of Kui Gate has been printed on the CNY 10 note.

 Kuiwu Plank Road 
Kuiwu Ancient Plank Road is 65 km long, stretching from the foot of Baidi City to Qinglian Stream in Wushan. The construction lasted for 3 years from 1888 to 1891 during the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). The plank road is known for its dangerousness. In Qutang Gorge, part of the plank road was cut into the cliffs of northern bank. After it was finished, Kuiwu Plank Road became, at that time, the key route connecting Fengjie and Wushan. However, part of the road has been submerged due to the Three Gorges Project.

 Map

 Recommended Yangtze Cruise Itineraries: 
China Tour with Yangtze Cruise: 11-Day Small Group of Beijing, Xian, Chongqing, Yangtze River Cruise, Yichang, Shanghai 
China Cities with Yangtze: 15 Days of Beijing, Xian, Chongqing, Yangtze River Cruise, Yichang, Shanghai, Guilin, Yangshuo, Guilin, Hongkong
Yangtze Package Tour: 4-Day of Chongqing, Yangtze River Cruise, Yichang