Xiling Gorge
西陵峡
The longest stretch of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze, running 66 km from the Xiangxi River mouth in Zigui to Nanjin Pass in Yichang. Below the dam, the Lantern Shadow and Yellow Ox gorges retain their natural character and can be explored by the "Two Dams and One Gorge" cruise.
The Xiling Gorge runs from the Xiangxi River mouth in Zigui County in the west to Nanjin Pass in Yichang in the east, a total of 66 km. It is the longest and most winding section of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze. Historically, it was known for its dangerous rapids, such as Bingshu Baojian Gorge, Niugan Mafei Gorge and Kongling Rapids. The Three Gorges Dam divides it into two sections. The upstream section has become a calm lake due to the impoundment. The downstream section, including the Lantern Shadow Gorge, Yellow Ox Gorge (Yellow Ox Rock), Mingyue Gorge and the stretch to Nanjin Pass, keeps its natural river channel. Here the current is swift and sheer cliffs line the river, making it the only gorge where you can still see the Three Gorges' original water levels. There are three ways to explore. First, take the "Two Dams and One Gorge" one-day cruise from Jiuma Wharf in Yichang or the Three Gorges Visitor Center. It sails upstream through the Gezhouba ship lock, traverses the Xiling Gorge to the Three Gorges Dam, then returns by bus after touring the dam. The trip takes about 8 hours and costs roughly 300–400 yuan. Second, drive yourself or hire a car along the riverside road, and stop at viewpoints such as Three Gorges Tribe and the Xiling Gorge Entrance scenic area, which includes Sanyou Cave, Xialao Creek and Nanjin Pass. Third, take a Yangtze cruise ship on its final day, which passes through the Xiling Gorge. The Xiling Gorge Entrance scenic area, departing from downtown Yichang, includes Sanyou Cave, with inscriptions by Bai Juyi, Bai Xingjian and Yuan Zhen from the "Earlier Three Visits", the Zhang Fei Drum Platform and Xialao Creek. Admission is about 80 yuan, and a taxi from downtown Yichang takes about 20 minutes. Notes: in summer, cruise cabins can be stuffy, so choose a boat with air conditioning. Around the gorge entrance, rocks may fall from the cliffs after rain, so self-drivers should heed warning signs. Cruise ships usually pass through the Xiling Gorge in the morning, so get up early and go to the deck.
Opening hours
Canyon views all day; cruise boats usually depart at 8:30 am; Xiling Gorge Entrance scenic area 8:00 am–5:30 pm
Nearby sights
- Jiuwanxi River
- Qu Yuan's Hometown & Qu Yuan Temple, Zigui
- Three Gorges Dam
- Three Gorges Dam Closure Memorial Park
- Huangling Temple
- Dalaoling National Forest Park
- Three Gorges Tribe (Sanxia Renjia)
- Shipai Anti-Japanese War Memorial