Today’s
blog is a simple one—just a quiet reflection on the places we visited, each
etched into memory by the grandeur of nature and the ache in our legs from
trekking high above the Yangtze River.
---
*🏔️ Morning: Top of the Three Gorges – Fengjie
County, Chongqing (奉节县)*
We began
our day at the *Top of the Three Gorges*, located in *Fengjie County*, part of
*Chongqing Municipality*. This scenic viewpoint sits atop a mountain ridge
overlooking the *Qutang Gorge*, the first of the Three Gorges along the Yangtze
River. The climb was steep and demanding, but the reward was a sweeping view of
the gorge below, framed by towering cliffs and misty peaks.
This area
is rich in history and poetry—ancient Chinese poets once stood here, inspired
by the dramatic landscape. The air was crisp, the silence profound, and the
view unforgettable.
---
*🚢 12:30 PM: Sailing Through Qutang Gorge (瞿塘峡)*
By midday,
our cruise ship entered the *Qutang Gorge*, the shortest but most dramatic of
the Three Gorges. Its narrow passage is flanked by sheer limestone cliffs that
rise over a thousand meters, creating a natural corridor that feels both
intimate and immense.
This gorge
is so iconic that it was once featured on the *10 yuan Renminbi (RMB)*
banknote. As we sailed through, the river narrowed and the cliffs seemed to
close in, creating a cinematic experience that felt like drifting through a
living scroll painting.
---
*🌄 2:30 PM: Entering Wu Gorge (巫峡)*
In the
afternoon, we glided into the *Wu Gorge*, known for its ethereal beauty and
legendary peaks. Stretching about 45 kilometers, Wu Gorge is famous for its
*twelve cloud-covered peaks*, each with its own myth and name. The most
renowned is *Goddess Peak (Shennu Feng)*, said to resemble a woman watching
over the river.
The gorge’s
name, “Wu,” evokes mystery and enchantment. The interplay of light and mist on
the jagged cliffs created a dreamlike atmosphere, perfect for quiet
contemplation.
---
*🌉 9:30 PM: Passing Through the Ship Lock of the
Three Gorges Dam*
As night
fell, our ship approached the *Three Gorges Dam Ship Lock*, a marvel of modern
engineering. This massive structure allows vessels to bypass the dam by
ascending or descending through a series of five lock chambers.
Watching
our ship rise through the lock under moonlight was surreal. The process is slow
and deliberate, a reminder of the scale and ambition behind the world’s largest
hydroelectric project.
---
*📝 Final Thoughts*
Day 5 was a
journey through contrasts—ancient landscapes and modern marvels, physical
exertion and serene drifting. From the summit at Fengjie to the depths of
Qutang and Wu Gorges, and finally through the ship lock of the Three Gorges
Dam, each moment was a testament to the power of nature and the ingenuity of
humankind.
Tomorrow,
we continue our descent along the Yangtze. But tonight, we rest with hearts
full and legs sore, dreaming of misty peaks and river songs.
---
No comments:
Post a Comment