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 verdant foliage. Due to the relatively low tourist traffic compared to the larger gorges nearby, they have escaped naming for the moment.

Hubei guide | Wuhan guide | Wuhan attractions | Wuhan flights | Wuhan hotels | Wuhan on the China Travel Blog