🌇 Qutang Gorge

The Qutang Gorge is the shortest of China's Three Gorges. Immediately downstream of the ancient Baidicheng (白帝城) fortress, the Yangtze River passes between the Chijia Mountain (赤甲山) on the north and the Baiyan Mountain (白鹽山) on the south. The point where the river passes between these mountains is called the Kuimen (夔門) and it is the entrance to the Qutang Gorge – the first of the three Yangtze gorges. The Qutang Gorge is only 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) long, but it is also the narrowest of the Three Gorges. The widest point measures only 150 metres (500 ft) wide. The mountains on either side reach as high as 1,200 metres (4,000 ft). This combination of narrow among high mountains with several switchbacks in only 8 kilometres creates spectacular vistas, and the Qutang Gorge is often considered the most beautiful of all Three Gorges.