The origin of the name of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River

After the Yangtze River flows through Yibin, Sichuan Province, the section from Jiangjin, Chongqing to Yichang, Hubei Province is commonly known as "Chuanjiang", which is the only water passage from Bashu and Guizhou (flowing into the Yangtze River through Wujiang River in Fuling, Chongqing) to the east of China.

Rivers in the lower reaches of the Chuanjiang River pass through Wushan, the second step of Chinese mainland, forming the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River: Qutang Gorge, Wuxia Gorge and Xiling Gorge, so this area is collectively called the "Three Gorges".

Geological evolution

Due to different regional lithology, the Three Gorges can be divided into canyons and wide valleys. The canyons are mostly located in limestone areas with hard strata and strong corrosion resistance. Therefore, the erosion of the river on both banks is weak, but the vertical cracks are relatively developed, and water flows in from the cracks and erodes the bottom.

With the gradual deepening of the riverbed, the slope and valley rocks on both sides of the river gradually lose balance and collapse into the river along vertical cracks, forming cliffs.

However, when the river passes through soft sandstone and shale areas with poor corrosion resistance, the erosion of the river on both banks is strengthened, forming a wide valley.

There are different opinions about the concrete formation of the Three Gorges. There is a consistent view in the geographical and geological circles that the Yanshan movement 70 million years ago formed a series of folded mountains such as Wushan in eastern Sichuan and western Hubei.

They change from southwest to northeast to east and west, and the terrain gradually decreases from south to north. Between these mountains and Bashan in the north is a relatively low-lying area, along which the Xiajiang section of the ancient Yangtze River flows eastward. As the crust in this area continues to rise, the river cuts more and more violently, and finally the Three Gorges is formed.

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Natural landscape

The Three Gorges of the Yangtze River has beautiful scenery. During the Northern Wei Dynasty, Li Daoyuan described the Three Gorges in Zhu.

The Three Gorges, 700 Li, is surrounded by mountains on both sides, and there is no gap. Rocks piled up like mountains, blocking the sun and the sky. There has been no sunrise since midnight. As for launching Xiangling, it is along the back block. Or the king ordered an emergency notice, sometimes going to Baidicheng and going to Jiangling at dusk. During this period, although he took the wind, he didn't get sick. ?

In spring and summer, the green pool is surging and the reflection is clear. There are many strange cypresses, hanging springs and waterfalls, waterfalls. Rong Qing Junmao, it's fun. At the beginning of every sunny day, the frost shines, the forest is cold and sad, and there are often high apes whistling, which leads to sadness, the empty valley echoes, and the sadness turns to leisurely. So the fisherman sang: "The Wuxia Gorge in the Three Gorges of Badong is long, and the apes cry three times, and tears are spilled on their skirts."

There are many famous scenic spots in the Three Gorges. The famous Kuimen is located at the entrance of the Three Gorges. The slashing of the cliffs on both sides of the strait is very spectacular. Since ancient times, there has been a saying that Kuimen is the best in the world. Twelve peaks are the most spectacular in Wushan Mountain on the north and south sides of Wuxia Gorge, among which goddess peak is the most striking. According to legend, it is the incarnation of a fairy who helped Dayu control water and navigate for the boatman.

Xiling Gorge includes the famous Baojian Gorge, Niuganmafei Gorge, Huangniu Gorge and Dengying Gorge. The Three Gorges of the Yangtze River is also known as "Qu, Wuxia Xiu and Xiling Qi".

human landscape

Yuan in the Eastern Jin Dynasty described the magnificent scenery of the Three Gorges in Yidu Mountains and Rivers: "It is often said that there is a water disease in the gorge, and Si Kou has learned to guard against terrorism. Never called the beauty of mountains and rivers. I'm glad to be here, but I don't believe what I heard is better than what I saw with my own eyes. Its overlapping peaks present strange shapes, which are difficult to describe. The trees are bleak, only towering, which is on the surface of Xia Qi.

Look up, look down, learn from each other's strengths, linger in the house, never forget. I have never read my resume. Since I am glad of this spectacle and the mountains and rivers are full of spirits, I should also be surprised to know my friends through the ages. "

"Apes on both sides of the strait stop crying, and the canoe has passed Chung Shan Man" in Li Bai's poem "Send Baidicheng Early" describes this place.

References:

Baidu Encyclopedia-Three Gorges of the Yangtze River