Wujiang River

Brief Introduction of Wujiang River

The Wujiang River, rising from Shigang Cave at Yingdong Village, Yancang Township, Weining County, Guizhou Province, runs its course of 1,037 kilometers from south to north, emptying into the Yangtze River about one kilometer downstream from Baiheliang (White Crane Ridge) in Fuling County, Chongqing.

It is the Yangtze's largest tributary that runs in a south-north direction on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Running through the Mayang River Natural Reserves in Guizhou Province, the river crosses the boundary and enters Chongqing at the town of Wanmu in Dingshi District of Youyang County, Chongqing.

One Hundred Li Wujiang Art Gallery

The best of the scenery of the 500 kilometers of the Wujiang River lies in the One Hundred Li (about a half kilometer) Wujiang Art Gallery formed by the scenery of more than 60 kilometers of the Wujiang River from Wanmu to Gongtan, with the two ancient towns of Gongtan and Qingquan, and the scenery of the section of the Apeng River (a major tributary of the Wujiang River) from Gongtan to Dahekou.

The scenery of One Hundred Li Wujiang Art Gallery is really fascinating. The gorges on both sides of the river are formed by strange-looking rocks with old vines hanging on them; the land along the river is well covered with dense forests, 250,000 mu of which are in their natural virgin state, and there is a pasture of 100,000 mu. Many rare animals and plants can be found here. Some of the animals enjoy special protection. This region has a mild climate with a long frost-free period. It provides a cool place in summer and a place to enjoy the snow in winter.

Gongtan Ancient Town of Wujiang River

The ancient town of Gongtan is situated on the east bank of the Wujiang River at the confluence of the Wujiang River and the Apeng River. It is a town of more than 1,700 years old. It is surrounded by water on three sides. The long history has rendered it rich in cultural relics, and the combination of ancient Ba people and the local people has resulted in simple and yet profound local customs with strong features of different ethnic groups.

The main street, about two kilometers long, is paved with light blue slabs. The wooden building resting on slopes partly supported by wooden columns, old temples, terraced towers and pailou archways make the visitors as if he were in a town of the Ming or Qing dynasty. Tourist attractions about the town include the Meichang Peak, known as "the Peak of the Tujia Goddess" standing by the river, the "Million Volume Books" on the river bank, the endless towing path along the Wujiang River, ancient coffins hanging on the cliffs by the river left by people of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and the 200-year old corridor bridge without a single nail, to name just a few. Local cultural activities are varied and colorful, including loving song singing, hand-waving dance, the Yang opera and mama lanterns of the local Tujia and Miao People.

Apeng River – A Tributary of Wujiang River

Apeng River rising from Lichuan County of Hubei Province is a tributary of the Wujiang River. Running 294 kilometers, the river goes through five countries and cities of the county level in Guizhou and Chongqing. The section of the river near the town of Gongtan also has like natural scenery, similar cultural relics and identical peculiar customs of local people of different nationalities as those of the Wujiang River. The Dahekou scenic area has a number of tourist attractions, such as terraced fields on rocky hills, Bodaoyan (the sword-like rock), the Fairy's Tablet, the Column-like Rock, and local dwellings of the Miao mountain villagers. In the Shizhumen scenic area, there is the Shizhumen (stone column gate), site of the Huilongsi Temple, Yuquan Mountain, the ancient ferry cross at Tizidong, the Dafeng Cave, the Horse Hoof Spring, the Cock's Beak, the Carp's Rock, the Cock crest Mountain, etc. The Zengtan Scenic area has fascinating scenery along the local people can be found everywhere.

Some people say the Lesser Three Gorges on the Daning River are more attractive than the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River, but people who have visited the One Hundred-li Wujiang Art Gallery believe that the scenery on the Wujiang River is even more attractive than that of the Daning River, is only 300 kilometers from Chongqing proper, and it is worth visiting on a boat trip.