Scenic Spots of Lesser Three Gorges

There are many scenic spots in the Lesser Three Gorges: steep ridges and peaks, varied clouds and mists, crystal clear waterfalls and springs, mysterious cliffs and caves, lush green forests and bamboos etc.. Anyhow, visitors can enjoy both the natural "works" and the human relics.

Scenic Spots of Lesser Three Gorges - Red Leaves

Every year, the period from the November to December is the golden autumn of Lesser Three Gorges. Cruising down the river, you can see the sea of red leaves on both sides. Walking along the quiet plank roads, clusters of red leaves on the cliffs and rocks appear in front of you. You will really be stunned by the magnificent views created by nature.

Scenic Spots of Lesser Three Gorges - Panda Cave

Two dark holes are located on the mountainside. Looking at them from distance, they seem like two eyes of a giant panda looking down the Daning River. This is the Panda Cave. It is a natural cave formed as a result of the water storage in the Lesser Three Gorges. Small but unique, the Panda Cave seems to be an exquisite present of nature to the visitors.

Scenic Spots of Lesser Three Gorges - Monkeys in Summer

As the poet Li Bai in Tang Dynasty said in his poem which depicted the scenes of Wushan Mountain, "With the howling of the monkeys on both sides of the Yangtze River, my boat has passed many mountains", the monkeys in Wushan Mountain had been famous for a long time. Therefore, the view of monkeys in Lesser Three Gorges is another attraction. In summer, the mountain is abundant in wild fruits. So the monkeys can hunt for food in the mountain by themselves. Then you can have a close look at the monkeys and take pictures and even can watch interesting performance of them.

Scenic Spots of Lesser Three Gorges - Mandarin Ducks in Winter

In winter, many mandarin ducks traveled to Lesser Three Gorges from the cold northern places and become the "neighbors" of those monkeys. Monkeys play and eat on the bank while mandarin ducks swim and forage in the water- the sight adds lots of pleasures to the Lesser Three Gorges in winter.

Scenic Spots of Lesser Three Gorges - Congming Spring

In Chinese, "congming" means clever and smart. It is said that there was once a diligent youth whose family name was Luo. He studied very hard near the spring. Later, he drank the spring water and became a scholar. So people believe that if they drink the spring water, they can become clever, thus the spring obtained its name. Congming Spring lies in a stockade at the bottom of the Lesser Three Gorges. The gurgling sound of the spring is very fascinating and helps people to forget their annoyance.

Scenic Spots of Lesser Three Gorges - Luojiazhai Stockade

Near the Congming Spring stands a stone stockade fortress which is about 80 meters in height and covers an area of over 400 square meters. It was built based on the geological conditions of the mountain. It is said that there was a youth whose family name was Luo read books diligently here and became a scholar, and he gained fame and fortune. So it is called Luojiazhai Stockade. The stone fortress lies on the steep cliff and has been ragged, seeming to tell the old stories to the visitors.

Scenic Spots of Lesser Three Gorges - Suspending Coffins

There is an unique sight in the Lesser Three Gorges scenic area, Suspending Coffins. It is called

a wonder in the history of the world culture. It is said that the ancestors believed in "If one dies and are not buried in the earth, he is a noble person". So they suspended their coffins on the cliffs.

Thousands of years have gone, these Suspending Coffins are safe and sound, just as the old days. What's more mysterious is that how did our forefathers place those heavy coffins on the steep cliffs. Anyhow, the view of Suspending Coffins gives you a feeling of grandness and awe.