The Three Gorges of the Changjiang River, a world-renowned tourist attraction, start at Baidicheng (White King City) in Chongqing City in the west and end at Nanjinguan Pass in Hubei Province in the east. The total length of the gorges extends 193 kilometers.

The steep mountains, the dangerous rugged shoals and the turbulent waters are characteristic of the gorges. The perpendicular cliff and grotesque peaks with clouds wrapping them in a blanket of mist create one of natures' most majestic sights.

The area of the gorges was also the cradle of culture of the ancient Chu State. it has a long history with a galaxy of talents. Here were born two famous characters in Chinese history: Qu Yuan, a great patriotic poet and Wang Zhaojun, who did her bit for the promotion of the national unity. A host of great historic poets, such as Li Bai, Du Fu, Bai Juyi greatly admired the beautiful and charming landscape and wrote down quite a number of emotional poems.

Wuxia Gorge

Wuxia Gorge stretches across Chongqing and Hubei Province from the Daning River Estuary in Chongqing to the Guangdukou in Badong County of Hubei Province in the east.

Flanked by craggy peaks and grotesque rock, it forms a meandering scenic gallery. Sometimes there seems no way ahead, suddenly an unimpeded path is in from while the water ends along mountain ridges. The beautiful sceneries on both banks are too changeable to take them all in.

On a cruise down the Wuxia Gorge, the twelve peaks line the banks. All the peaks are given names by their different shapes. Varying from seasons and weathers, their pretty sceneries are the everlasting appeal to tourists.

Xiling Gorge

Xiling Gorge begins at the Xiangxi stream in the west and ends at Nanjinguan Pass in the east. It is known for its numerous hidden rocks, dangerous shoals and rocks, dangerous shoals and turbulent rapids. Xiling Gorge consists of 4 small gorges and several dangerous shoals: the Gorge of the Sword and Book on the Art of War; the Gorge of the Cow's Liver and Horse's Lung; the Kongling Gorge and the Gorge of the Shadow Play; the Blue Shoal; the Discharge Shoal; the Kongling Shoal and the Yaocha River.

It is said that the Gorge of the Sword and Book on the Art of War was the place where Zhuge Liang, Prime Minister of Shu State of the Three Kingdoms Period, had stored his grain and a book on the art of war. The Gorge of the Cow's Liver and the Horse's Lung is on the north bank of the Changjiang River. On the cliff there are 4 or 5 yellow stone slabs shaped like cow's livers. Above them one can see half of a rock there in the form of a horse's lung. The Kongling Gorge used to be full of hidden rocks that results in rapids. On the river bank of Kongling Gorge stands a set of rocks that looks like a person leading a cow. The Shadow Play Gorge is situated on the south bank of the Changjiang River, the four rocks jutting up into the sky resemble four characters in the Chinese mythological novel "Pilgrimage to the West". When viewed from a distance Monkey, Piggy, Sandy and the Buddhist Monk silhouetted against the setting sun are really in a natural shadow play. Therefore, the gorge is named the Shadow Play Gorge.

Qutang Gorge

Qutang Gorge extends from Baidicheng in the west to the town of Daxizhen in the east. it is the shortest, but the most magnificent of the Three Gorges.

Qutang gorgeis is also known as Kuixia Gorge. With overhanging precipices rising vertically on both sides, the gorge is like a narrow corridor. The broadest span is only 150 meters, while the narrowest is less than 100 meters. At the entrance stand two perpendicular cliffs facing each other. They look like two giant gates, hence the name Kui Gate or Qutang Pass. The river water is forced in between turbulent waves roaring on like wild horses stampeding. It is known as the most fearsome waterway.

On the north bank of the gorge is Chijia Mountain that looks cromson. Opposite it stands the Baiyan (white salt) Mountain that bears the colour of grayish white. The two mountains present a sharp color-contrast, marvelous to look upon. Besides Baidicheng, there are many scenic spots and places of historical interest in the gorge, such as the peculiar rock of the "Monk Hanging by His Feet", the legendary Meng Liang Staircase, Fengxiang Gorge, an ancient plank road built along the face of a cliff and Phoenix Fountain, etc.