Wu Gorge or the Grand Gorge boasts the most immediately beautiful and spectacular scenery of the Three Gorges. Stretching across two counties; Chongqing and Badong in Hubei, it covers over 40km, starting in the west at the mouth of the Daning River and winding across to Badong County in the east. Flanking the river are a series of green mountains, precipices and peaks which, as the water zig-zags forward give way to some attractive scenery.  Wu Gorge is most famous for its Kong Ming Tablet. A large slab of rock inscribed with a description of the alliance between the Shu and Wu states, its shape resembles a huge pair of scissors, pointing skywards. Badong is the main town along this stretch, situated on the southern bank of the river within the gorge. Twelve Peaks line the banks of the gorge here, rising thousands of meters into the sky, amongst which, Wangxia Peak (or the G... more >>

At just 8 kilometers long, Qutang Gorge (Qutang Xia) is the shortest of all Three Gorges but don't let that put you off—it's also the narrowest and the deepest (1200-meters down and just 150-meters at its widest point), which makes for some very dramatic scenery. At its western end is the Kui Gate (Kui Men), a narrow bottleneck through two precipitous cliffs that makes for an exhilarating ride as the powerful waters rush through. On the southern river bank by the Kui Gate is a stretch of white chalk wall known as Fen Bi Tang, that famous calligraphers dating back to the Song Dynasty simply couldn't resist. Thousands of characters, some up to 1.7-meters wide are carved into it, representing many different calligraphic periods and styles. All along the gorge, from the ancient town of Baidi Cheng to Daixi, can be seen traces of ancient walkways carved into the rock face. Thes... more >>

At the far end of Dicui Gorge (the last of the Lesser Three Gorges), the Madu River branches off from the Danang River and into three, even smaller gorges: Sancheng Gorge, Qinwang Gorge and Changtan Gorge. Visitors can take a trip through here on narrow wooden, mat-covered boats. They get you much closer to the water and with the closeness of the cliffs it's quite an awe-inspiring ride despite the rising water levels. The boats are pulled upstream by haulers using the plank walkways that are found all along the Three Gorges region of the Yangtze River, adding a quaint touch to a modern tourist experience. These days however, more and more tour operators are switching to rubber rafts which though more stable and durable, also give the tranquil atmosphere a more boisterous air. Stalactites in all manner of bizarre shapes and sizes cover the cliff faces and are in turn coated by ve... more >>

Modern day China's answer to the great civil engineering projects of the emperors, the Three Gorges Dam creates a wall across the mighty Yangzi. The largest electricity generating plant of any kind in the world, it stands 185 meters tall, its great walls (115 meters thick at the bottom and 40 at the top) holding back the 600 kilometer long reservoir beyond. An observation deck at the top offers vistors a bird's eye view of the mammoth project. For those continuing on by boat, part of the experience will also include ascending in one of its great locks. Conceived by Sun Yat-Sen back in 1919, work began on preliminary plans for the dam under Chiang Kai-Shek's Nationalist Government. Interrupted first by the Japanese invasion of 1944 and later by the Chinese Civil War, plans got back underway with the support of Mao Zedong, but it was slow progress with the Great Leap Forward and Cu... more >>

The first scenic stop on the Three Gorges cruise from Chongqing, Fengdu Ghost City is located on the slopes of Ming Mountain on the northern bank of the Yangtzi River. The name ostensibly refers to the temple-strewn mountainside complex higher up but could equally be talking about the now underwater town of old Fengdu itself, gone to a watery grave with the rising of the flood waters in 2009. With a two thousand year history, the Fengdu Ghost City brings together Confucian, Taoist and Buddhist culture and a firm belief in the afterlife. Many famous literary works like Journey to the West, Apotheosis of Heroes and Strange Tales of a Lonely Studio contain vivid references to Fengdu. Fengdu got its name as the Ghost City in the Eastern Han Dynasty when two officials from the imperial court, Yin Changsheng and Wang Fangping, decided to come to Ming Mountain to practice Taoist teach... more >>

Baidi Cheng or White Emperor City is situated on Baidi Mountain (now an island) at the entrance to Qutang Gorge, one of the famous Three Gorges of the Yangzi River. The approach to this historic site from nearby Fengjie passes through scenes of pagoda-topped hillsides but he view is sadly marred by factories and workers' housing built in the 1970s. Once ashore however, the complex of temples and halls and great views of Qutang Gorge more than make up for this. The story goes that the town was chosen as the headquarters of first century (AD) general Gong Sunshu. He spotted its strategic potential and remains of the old city wall can still be seen on the hill behind Baidi Mountain. In AD 25, white vapour in the shape of a dragon was seen rising from a nearby well. Taking this as an auspicious omen, Gong declared himself the "White Emperor" and the town "White Emp... more >>

These narrow gorges are considered by many to be more impressive than their larger namesake. Situated on the narrow and fast-flowing Daning River (the largest branch of the Yangzi) the Little Three Gorges can only be accessed by small passenger boat. Covering a 31 mile stretch that winds its way from Wushan County in the south to the Dachang Ancient Town in the north, the gorges offer stunning natural scenery filled with high mountains, sheer cliff faces and historical relics. Dragon Gate Gorge (Longmen Xia) is usually the first gorge visitors see. Just over 3000 yards long, two precipitous cliffs create a narrow mouth reminiscient of the Kui Gate of the Qutang Gorge. Sights here include the Dragon Gate Spring, the Ancient Plank Road, and Bear Cave. Next up is Misty Gorge (Bawu Xia). Six miles long, a black coffin suspended at one end has given this gorge the nickname of "I... more >>

A tributary that meets the Yangzi in Xirangkou, Hubei province, the name Shennong Stream (Shennong Xi) is a little misleading—water levels have risen a staggering 155 meters since 2006 and the construction of the Three Gorges Dam. It is only 15km upstream that the depth diminishes and Shennong Xi returns to its original depth of 30-80cm. 60 miles long, it originates in the Shennongjia Nature Reserve from which the waters flow crystal clear and unpolluted. Despite losing much of the magnificent height of the towering limestome cliffs that once borderd each side, the scenery downstream is still spectacular. Surrounded by strangely shaped peaks and lush greenery, it offers a more primeval feel than you'll get from the generic Three Gorges experience. Located in Badong County, a region whose long history dates back to the Warring States period (BC 403-221), signs of early... more >>