Baidi City–Qutang Gorge Scenic Area, Fengjie, Chongqing

Spot Facts

1. Visitor Center

   Start · Entrance

   Take the shuttle up to Baidi City: the old town built against the mountain, the Tuogu Hall tells the tragic story of Liu Bei entrusting his son at Baidi; the stele forest on the city walls gathers poems by Li Bai, Du Fu, Liu Yuxi, and more. About 1 hour. Why this route: Baidi City carries both Three Kingdoms and Tang poetry culture; climbing the city is the living scene of "bidding farewell to Baidi in the colored clouds."
2. Baidi City

   about 10 m (straight line) from the previous stop · Sight
3. Kuimen Lookout

   about 1570 m (straight line) from the previous stop · Sight

   Go to the Kuimen viewing platform west of town: two mountains flank the surging river—this is the "Kuimen, peerless under heaven" on the back of the 10-yuan note; pull out a bill to compare and snap a photo. About 30 minutes. Why this route: Kuimen is the iconic image of the Three Gorges; seen from Baidicheng, its grandeur hits you directly.
4. Qutang Gorge Pier

   about 1570 m (straight line) from the previous stop · Sight
5. Qutang Gorge

   about 1250 m (straight line) from the previous stop · Sight

   Board a boat into Qutang Gorge: the shortest (8 km) yet most precipitous gorge, with sheer cliffs on both sides and the cliff inscription "Kuimen is the world's most majestic" clearly visible; sailing through, feel the rushing wind and waves—experience the "danger of the Three Gorges." About 1 hour. Why this route: Only by boat through the gorge can you experience the Three Gorges scene of "monkeys crying on both banks"—the highlight of the Baidicheng trip.

Things to Note