The Lesser Three Gorges in Chongqing, the combination of the Longmen Gorge, Bawu Gorge and Dicui Gorge, stretches 25 kilometers in the lower reaches of the Daning River, which is a large tributary of the Yangtze River and joins it at the western end of the Wu Gorge. The length of these three canyons totals 60 kilometers and it is entitled as one of the “40 best tourist areas in China” and a 5 A level tourist spot in December, 2006. It is the highlight of the Yangtze River Cruise and praised as the spectacular wonder of China by travelers from home and broad.
Called the Lesser Gorge of Wushan, and also the Lesser Gorge of the Daning River, its regional resource is in Wushan county in the south and flows to Dachang county in the north, it is the essential part of the Daning River Scenic Area which catches the attention of numerous travelers by its charming scenery. Compared to the grand and steep three Gorgers, the Lesser Three Gorges are relatively pretty, unconventional, delicacy and elegant, therefore comes the reputation of” not the Three Gorges, but more than the Three Gorges!”
The Less Three Gorges are divided into three sections: Longmen Gorge, Buwu Gorge and Dicui Gorge.
Longmen Gorge, the “gate” to the Lesser Three Gorges, just as Kuimen is the “gate” of the Three Gorges, is the shortest among the Lesser Three Gorges with the length only 3 kilometers. Passengers can see the plank road built along the gorge cliff and normally most of them enjoy the scenery by walking along it.
Bawu Gorge with its length of ten kilometers, is famous for its grotesque mountains and especially the over-2000-year-old Hanging Coffins which was an ancient funeral custom of some minority groups, especially the Bo people of Southern China. You’ll find it interesting when passing through the gorge to enjoy its beauty while listening to the guild to tell you about the mysterious Hanging Coffins.
Dicui Gorge with a length of 20 kilometers, is the longest and most graceful of the Lesser Three Gorges, where the vegetation is the most flourishing and the best protected among the Lesser Three Gorges. It will be an impressive and peaceful experience on a quite day a trip through here in a small sightseeing ship.
As it is a highlight of the Yangtze Cruise, you can ferry in a small mat-covered wooden boat in the Mini Three Gorges, admire the fair-sounding folk songs of local people and take photos here. Best to visit there are late spring and summer. As it is so hot in July and August, it is suitable for you to wear short clothes, and forget to take umbrella and raincoat in hand as it rains often in Wushan. Moreover, don’t forget to taste all kinds of the fresh Yangtze River fish!
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