Differences Between Lesser Three Gorges and Shennong Stream

Lesser Three Gorges and Shennong Stream are the similar scenic spots. Both of them are the high mountain canyon scenery. The tourists mainly take small boat to enjoy the scenery. Hence, the Yangtze cruise ship chooses one of them as shore excursion.

Geographic Locations of Lesser Three Gorges and Shennong Stream

Lesser Three Gorges is located in Wushan county of Chongqing bordering on the Three Gorges scenic area. It is the national key scenic spot. In 1999, Lesser Three Gorges was named as "Top 40 Chinese Scenic Spots" and national AAAAA attraction. As to the domestic tourists, Lesser Three Gorges is much more famous than Shennong Stream.

Shennong Stream is situated in the new Badong county and it is the first tributary after Wu Gorge. Shennong Stream is originated from the south slope of Shengnongjia which called "First Peak of Central China". As the promising scenic area, it was developed later than Lesser Three Gorges, but its natural beauty is well-preserved. At present, over 70% foreign tourists prefer to visiting Shennong Stream by Yangtze cruise ship.

Features of Lesser Three Gorges and Shennong Stream

Lesser Three Gorges consists of Longmen Gorge, Bawu Gorge and Dicui Gorge which are on Danning River (a tributary of Yangtze River). Lesser Three Gorges is 50 km long, and the forest and bamboo covers about 18000 acres. The features of Lesser Three Gorges are elegant and magical. Some people believe that it has six wonders: the majestic mountains, limpid water, elegant peaks, dangerous beach, serene scenery, beautiful rocks known as the "The Most Fabulous Gorges in the World".

Shennong Stream is 60 km in length, consists of 3 gorges (Longchang Gorge, Parrot Gorge, Shennong Gorge) and one tributary (Mianzu Gorge). It combines the majesty, elegance, danger and fancy into one. Wherein, Longchang Gorge famous for majesty; Parrot Gorge famous for elegance; Mianzu Gorge famous for danger; Shennong Gorge famous for fancy.

Highlights of Lesser Three Gorges and Shennong Stream

Lesser Three Gorges: macaque of Three Gorges, ancient plank road and Dachang ancient town.

Shennong Stream: the boat trackers of Three Gorges, suspending coffins and flat bean-shaped sampan.

Sightseeing Time

The visit to Lesser Three Gorges takes 4-5 hours by sightseeing boat. Before the Three Gorges Dam began to reserve water, visit to Shennong Stream needs to take the flat bean-shaped sampan. After the water reservation, the visitors need to take the larger environmental ship but the last 1/4 part still needs to rely on the boat tracker's towing the wooden sampan. The whole journey takes about 4 hours.

The Influence Caused by Water Reservation

After the Three Gorges Dam began to reserve water, it makes big influence on the original rapids and arduous beaches of Lesser Three Gorges and Shennong Stream. But at the same time it provides the possibility for the tourists to reach further part of the original and arduous tributary. For example, the Mini Lesser Three Gorges. The Mini Lesser Three Gorges includes: Changtang Gorge, Qingwang Gorge and Sancheng Gorge. But now, only Sancheng Gorge has been developed.

Besides, after the Three Gorges Dam began to reserve water, Shennong Stream became a wild valley. The drifting area extends to the upstream. The scenery became more beautiful. The visitors need to take the larger environmental ship which can't enter Shennong Stream before the water reservation. The original feel of Shennong Stream hasn't faded away because of the water reservation.