Yichang
Formerly known as Yiling, Yichang is an ancient city with a history
of 1,000 years. It is the dividing line between the upper and mid-lower
reaches of the Yangtze River. There are more than 340 scenic spots
with 42 priority places. Yichang is an important place in tourism
in China. From here visitors can set out to see beautiful natural
scenery of Yangtze in the Three Gorges and the man made Three Gorges
Project. Added to this are well-preserved ancient battlegrounds of
the Three Kingdoms Period, Sanyou Cave and local customs and folkways
of the Ba ethnic people.
Sanyou Cave
This beautiful cave is in the cliffs of the northern Peak of Xiling
Mountain, 6.2 miles northwest of Yichang. It was visited by three
poets, Bai Juyi, Bai Xingjian, and Yuan Zhen during the Tang Dynasty
and Bai Juyi wrote a preface in memory of the occasion. The cave has
also been visited by Su Xun, Su Shi, and Su Zhe and is thus a well-known
spot. It overlooks a deep valley and the cliffs are hundreds of feet
high. It is warm in winter and cool in summer and dotted with stalactites.
Poems and essays by many writers abound in the cave.
Natural Pagoda
On the northern bank of the Yangtze River south of Yichang is Natural
Pagoda, built by Guo Pu of the Jin Dynasty. It underwent repair in
the reign of Emperor Qian Long of the Qing Dynasty. Some 137 feet
high, it is a seven-storied octagonal structure of bricks and tiles.
The pedestal is also octagonal. There are eight vivid statues of Dvarapalas,
or guardian deities. Visitors may ascend the tower to take an overall
view of Yichang city.
Golden Lion Cave
Situated at the mouth of the Xiling Gorge, the limestone cave is 10.5
miles from Xiaoxita, Yichang County. It is 6,080 feet deep and there
are three layers. The cave is one million years old and the limestone
has taken on grotesque forms. A piece shaped like a lion attracts
particular attention and is very lifelike. The cave is known as the
number one cave of the world.
White Horse Cave
White Horse Cave is several hundred feet east of Sanyou Cave and visitors
are taken there by boat across a body of water, at the front of the
cave. In it there are grotesque stalactites and one in particular
is shaped like a horse, but is bigger than two ordinary horses, and
very lifelike.
Gezhouba Lock
Situated at a place where all tributaries flow into the Yangtze River,
Gezhouba is the biggest lock in the Yangtze. The dam is 1.5 miles
long and 230 feet high and is a magnificent project. Began in 1970,
it was completed in 1988. There are power generating units, a ship
lock, a flood sluice and a lock to clear sand. Visitors can see for
themselves how the water levels rise and fall and may visit the lock
by boat.
China Sturgeon
Aquarium
The aquarium is in Shuixita town, Yichang. The China sturgeon is under
first category protection by the state. It is a contemporary of the
dinosaur with a history of 140 million years, a living fossil. The
sturgeon measures up to 13 feet long, weighs over 1,102 pounds, and
is known as the king of fish in the Yangtze River. The aquarium now
rears the fish by artificial means.
