Ox Liver and Horse Lung Gorge

Ox Liver and Horse Lung Gorge – Brief Introduction

Ox Liver and Horse Lung Gorge suited on the upside of Xiling Gorge, 15 kilometers away from the Xiangxi stream of Zigui County in west side. The name of Ox Liver and Horse Lung Gorge is reformed by the two ox liver shape and horse lung shape yellowish-brown color stalactites on the cliff of north bank. The Ox Liver was damage by English gunboat in Qing Dynasty, so there is only Horse Lung can be seen. On the both bank of Ox Liver and Horse Lung Gorge, there are many green mountains, steep cliffs, pouring down waterfalls. On the south bank, there is a Goddess Peak stand among the clouds and mist, just like a cloud faerie. Under the Goddess Peak, there is a clean stream – Jiuwan Stream. It is said that Qu Yuan ever plant nine wan irises and orchids on the bank, hence the name. In fact, Ox Liver was made up of several stones in different size, and the shape looks like xo liver hanging on the steep cliff. Under the left side of Ox Liver, there is a lung shape rock which is Horse Lung. So the name of Ox Liver and Horse Lung Gorge formed. Actually, they are the stalactites which form by the calcium carbonate precipitate of underground water.

Ox Liver and Horse Lung Gorge – Removal

In June 1st, 2003, Three Gorges Dam began to impound. In June 3rd, half of the "Horse Lung" which was damage by the English gunboat was submerged, and the "Ox Liver" would be submerged in 3days.

The government of Zigui County decided to cut off the "Ox liver" and remove it to Phoenix Mountain. So this sight spot can be protected. According to estimate, it will take 2 or 3 days to remove the "Ox Liver". In the morning of June 4th, a local company which is in charge of this project began to work. After 3 days work, the incision project completed. In June 7th, workers safely removed the whole "Ox liver" to Phoenix Mountain.

In June 8th, the water impounding in Three Gorges dam came to eighth day. The water level in Three Gorges Dam reached 129.20 meters. The place where Ox Liver and Horse Lung Gorge located has been submerged. There present the grand landscape of smooth lake rises in the narrow gorges.

Ox Liver and Horse Lung Gorge – History

In April, 25th year in Guangxu period, the English gunboat "Woodcock" drove into Xiajiang. Woodcock was started from Yichang County and wanted to drive to Chongqing. As it can't pass the gravelly beach in Guizhou, it had to go back. In October, Woodcock made trial sailing again, but it also can't pass Guizhou. Then, it came back to Yichang County. When it passed by the Ox Liver and Horse Lung Gorge, it opened fire at the Ox Liver and Horse Lung shape stone and damaged one part of the Horse Lung. In the autumn of 1961, Guo Moruo who is the great modern poet wrote a poem when he passed by Xiling Gorge. As Three Gorges Dam built, the increasing water level submerged the Ox Liver and Horse Lung shape stone. But the scenery of the Ox Liver and Horse Lung Gorge didn't change. When you pass by the gorge, you also can enjoy the beautiful Goddess Mountain, clean Jiwan Stream and the Jiwan Stream Bridge which located over the aditus of Jiuwan Stream.