For Day 14, we continue with our cruise along the Yangtze River but we will take a side trip up the Daning River along what is known as the Lesser Three Gorges - a miniature version of the larger Three Gorges.
The Lesser Three Gorges & The Daning River
At 155 miles (250 km) long, the Daning River is one of the main tributaries of the Yangtze River. While it is relatively small, the river is known for its beauty and tranquility and its exceptional scenery. We'll pass through the Longmen Gorge (Dragon Gate Gorge), Bawu Gorge (Misty Gorge) and Dicui Gorge (Emerald Green Gorge). The gorges stretch along the river from north to south for 31 miles (50 kilometers). Waterfalls are found among the green covered mountains. The natural scenery is spectacular, striking a sense of wonder and awe. With the creation of the Three Gorges Reservoir, the Daning River has become broader and more tranquil. We'll be disembarking our cruise ship into smaller boats for a tour up the river.
 |
| Lesser Three Gorges & The Daning River |
Returning to our cruise ship, we keep on going up the Yangtze River where we'll encounter the Wu and Qutang Gorges
Wu Gorge
Also called Da Xia (the Large Gorge), the Wu Gorge is the second of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze. (Recall that yesterday, we went through the Xiling Gorge and later this afternoon, we'll be travelling through the Qutang Gorge).
The gorge is comprised of Golden Helmet and Silver Armor Gorge (Jinkui Yinjia Xia) and Iron Coffin Gorge. With strange peaks and grotesque rocks shrouded in fog and clouds, it considered to be the most memorable. Because of the long and deep canyons, the hours of sunlight shining into the gorge are short thus impeding the morning evaporation of moisture within the gorge. This creates clouds and fog in a variety of shapes. Stretching for 28 miles (45 km) from Wushan to Guandukou, the gorge has been known as the Wu Gorge since at least the Three Kingdoms Period (220–280). The mountains on both sides of this part of the Yangtze are known as the Wu Mountains.
 |
| Wu Gorge |
Qutang Gorges
Continuing upstream, we next pass through the last of the Three Gorges, the Qutang Gorge, on our cruise ship. This is the shortest and most spectacular of the Three Gorges. At this point in the river, the Yangtze passes between the Chijia Mountain on the north and the Baiyan Mountain on the south through what is called the Kuimen Gate. The gorge is only 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) long, but it is also the narrowest of the Three Gorges. At its widest, the gorge is only 500 feet (150 metres) wide with mountains on either side reaching as high as 4,000 feet (1,200 metres). This combination of narrow canyons among high mountains with several switchbacks in only 8 kilometres creates spectacular vistas.
 |
| The Qutang Gorge |
For dinner, we're on our cruise ship. Tomorrow, we arrive at the Shibaozhai Temple with the Captain's Farewell Dinner on the cruise ship.
No comments:
Post a Comment