Xiangxi Stream

A Brief Introduction to Xiangxi Stream

Xiangxi Stream is also named Zhaojun Stream. It is the biggest tributary of the Yangtze River in the Three Gorges reach flowing into the Chuan River. The fan-shaped drainage area of the Xiangxi Stream is about 3,100 square kilometers with a length of more than 90 kilometers and a head drop of 1,540 meters. Xiangxi Stream is a beautiful stream, originating from the Shennongjia area, flowing from the north to the south and finally emptying into the Yangtze River. Since the famous patriotic poet in the history - Qu Yuan and the beauty Wang Zhaojun who married to the leader of Xiongnu nationality in Han Dynasty were both born in this area, the Xiangxi Stream is quite famous too.

Beautiful Legends of Xiangxi Stream

As to the origin of the Xiangxi Stream's name, there are two beautiful legends. One is that Wang Zhaojun (Wang Zhaojun was the imperial concubine of Emperor Yuan in the Han Dynasty) often washed her fragrant handkerchiefs in this stream before she married to Emperor Yuan, thus making the water in the stream quirt fragrant. So the stream obtained its name as Xiangxi (fragrant) Stream.

Another legend goes that one day Wang Zhaojun was washing her faces on the stream bed. Then one of the pearls on her necklace dropped in the stream. From then on, the water in the stream is clear and is also very fragrant. Thus it is called Xiangxi (fragrant) Stream.

Attractions of Xiangxi Stream

The Xiangxi Stream is like a colorful ribbon giving off fragrance and beauty.

Fountainhead of Xiangxi Stream

The fountainhead of Xiangxi Stream is located 3 kilometers north of the Muyuzhai Village of Shennongjia in Hubei Provinces. Three Chinese characters-Xiang-Xi-Yuan (the foundation of Xiangxi Stream) were written by the poet Xu Chi on a stone here. It is said that here is the place where Shennong – Yan Emperor washed herbs after picking up them. Thus the water here absorbed the essence of many herbs and reflected the spirit of Shennong. With steep mountains, lush forests, clouds and mists surrounding, wild flowers blooming in the forests, the fountainhead of Xiangxi Stream is really a mysteriously beautiful resort.

Taohua Fish in Xiangxi Stream

When the peach trees are in blossom every year, a kind of transparent crystal fish in the shape of peach flower can be found in Xiangxi Stream. The fish is called Taohua (peach flower) Fish. The main body of this kind of fish is like an umbrella with about 250 tentacles. What is surprising is that the fish appear with the appearance of the peach flowers and disappear with the disappearance of the peach flowers.