The Lesser Three Gorges in Wushan was selected as one of the forty top
tourist attractions in China in 1991, jointly by the tourists and the China
Tourism Commissioners votes and evaluation.
The Lesser Three Gorges in Wushan refers to the three separate valleys of
the Daning River, namely Dragon-Gate Gorge, Misty Gorge and Emerald Gorge.
These three gorges, with an area of 160 hectares of forest, lie on the lower
reaches of Daning, extending from the entrance of the Dragon-Gate Gorge in the
South to Tujiaba in the North for 50 km. Here sheer cliffs and steep mountains
rise on either side, creating one of natural fine arts gallery as natural scenic
wonders unfold on both banks of the river. Its subtle mountains, clear waters,
pretty rocks, dangerous rapids, sharp turns, fantastic caves, and stalactites in
various shapes characterize the natural landscape in the Lesser Three Gorges.
Monkeys, mandarin ducks, water birds and fish can be seen in this area. In
addition to the continuous natural scenery there are a number of historical
places of interest along the way, such as suspending coffin, boat coffin,
remains of ancient plank walkway. The area has been made one of the key nature
reserves in China and is becoming known as a tourist attraction continuing to
offer its charms along the golden Yangtze Gorges Travel Line.
Dragon-Gate Gorge, 3 km long, is the shortest of the three, stretching
from the Dragon-Gate Bridge to the Rapids of Silver Nest. It is spectacular due
to the mountains on both sides that are so high that they seem to touch the sky.
In the gorge, there are the remains of the longest ancient plank walkway in
China and a number of scenic sights, such as the Dragon-Gate Spring, Gate
Guarded by Lion, Nine Dragons Pillar, etc. Shooting the Rapids of Silver Nest,
the boats fly like arrows. The Daning then meanders through terraced hillside
before entering the Misty Gorge. The boat has to pass the Panda Cave, Nameless
Gorge and Pipazhou.
Misty Gorge, 10 km long, starts at the Tortoise Shoal and ends at the
Double-Dragon Town. Stalactites in numerous shapes and various sculptured groups
have formed on both banks of the river. A good imagination is all your need to
enjoy the sights and perhaps discover a few of your own. The traditionally seen
shapes resemble the Monkey Fishing in the Air, Horse-Returning to Mountain,
Dragon In and Tiger Out, Dragon-returning Cave, Fairy Peach Peak, Fairy Throwing
a Silk Ball, the Goddess of Mercy Seated on Lotus Platform, Piggy Worshipping
the Goddess of Mercy, Suspending Coffin. All are remarkably lifelike, and many
scenes are related to wonderful fairy tales or touching legends.
Emerald Gorge extends for 20 km from the Double-Dragon Town to Tujiaba. It
is the longest and also gathers the beauty of the Lesser Three Gorges. On the
banks, each peak seems more beautiful than the other does and the bamboo groves
are luxuriantly verdant. No waterfall in not swift; no water is not green.
Mandarin ducks swim in pairs in the river and monkeys leap from branch to
branch. Other scenic spots include the Water Curtain Cave, Stalactitic Buddha on
Cliff, the Dancing Rain from Heavenly Spring, Sheep Cliff, the Mini-Three Gorges
on Madu River, Imitation Plank Paths, Steel Rope Bridge, Sky-Scraping Red Wall,
Boat Coffin, Two Eagles Playing on Screen and Flying Clouds Cave.
As tourism is expanding and developing rapidly in China, the Lesser Three
Gorges, like a shinning pearl hidden in remote mountains, has created a great
attraction to the tourists both at home and abroad. Those who have been to the
place seem to return to the embrace of nature. Tourists hearty praise of the
Lesser Three Gorges goes that this is the most splendid river adventure
throughout China. In order to make it known to the outside world, they take
photographs, write articles, compose poems and draw paintings enthusiastically
one after another.