Scenic Spots of Xiling Gorge

Xiling Gorge stretches from the aditus of Xiangxi Stream in the west to the Nanjinguan Pass in the east. It is famous for the devious route, queer stone and rapid water in the history. After the governing of Chuanjiang River route and the completion of Gezhouba Dam water conservancy project, the water potential in Xiling Gorge become more gentle and the beautiful scenery as usual.

Scenic Spots of Xiling Gorge - Military Manual and Precious Sword Gorge

Military Books and Precious Sword Gorge also named Rice Storehouse Gorge. It suited in the middle of Xintan Shoal and Xiangxi Stream, last 4 kilometers. There is a thing looks like a volume in the crack of steep precipice on the south bank of the gorge. It was said that the "volume" is Zhuge Liang's "military manual". There is a stone, which is thick on the upside and sharp in the downside, looks like a precious sword point into the river, under the "military manual". That's the Precious Sword Stone. So this gorge is called Military Manual and Precious Sword Gorge.

Scenic Spots of Xiling Gorge - Ox Liver and Horse Lung Gorge

Ox Liver and Horse Lung Gorge located in the upside of Xiling Gorge, 15 kilometers to the Xiangxi Stream in the west side. This gorge gets the name for 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 the name is for Qu Yuan ever plant nine wan irises and orchids on the bank.

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.

Scenic Spots of Xiling Gorge - Lantern Shadow Gorge

Lantern Shadow Gorge also named Bright Moon Gorge. Although the gorge is short, the scenery in the gorge is spectacular. You can see all the mountain in the gorge is very steep, all the water comes from Cliffside spring. When the bright sky shadows the bright cliff, it's just like an ink painting. Especially in the night, when the moon in the sky, you will have no words to describe the scenery of bright moon and clean water. That's why it also named Bright Moon Gorge. The name of Lantern Shadow Gorge is formed by the Gorge shape. There are four wonder stones, which look like Bonze Tang and his three apprentices on their back way, on the Horse Teeth Mountain. The image is vivid and lifelike. When the sunglows shine, looking in the gorge, they look like the figures in the shadow play (local people named lantern shadow play). So this gorge is named Lantern Shadow Gorge