Xiangxi River, the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River

Where is Xiangxi River

Where is Xiangxi River? Xiangxi is located on the north bank of the Yangtze River at the mouth of Xiling Gorge in the Three Gorges. It is the largest river that flows through Xingshan and Zigui in Hubei Province, and is 572 kilometers away from the urban area of Chongqing. Xiangxi, also known as Zhaojun Creek, is a tributary of the Yangtze River. It is referred to as Xiangkou Creek in the "Shui Jing Zhu" and Xianqian River in the "Qing History Draft". According to legend, Baoping Village in the upper reaches of Xiangxi is the birthplace of Wang Zhao, the consort of Emperor Yuan of Han. Baoping Village is also known as Mingfei Village. Du Fu's poem goes: "Mountains and valleys lead to Jingmen, and the growing Mingfei still has a village.

The Origin of Xiangxi River

Xiangxi, formerly known as Xianqian River, originates from Luomadian in Shennongjia, Hubei Province and flows through Xingshan and Zigui counties. Baoping Village on the outskirts of Xingshan is said to be the hometown of Wang Zhaojun. Legend has it that one day, Zhao Jun washed his face by the creek and accidentally scattered the pearl necklace around his neck into the stream. From then on, the stream became clear and fragrant, hence the name Xiangxi.

Walk north along the Xiangxi Town highway, get off at Jiajiadian, cross the Xiangxi River, pass through the Qilixia valley, and you will arrive at Lepingli in Sanlu Township, Zigui County. It is said that this is the hometown of Qu Yuan. Because it is said that Qu Yuan, the great patriotic poet of Chu, and Wang Zhaojun, a beautiful woman who married the Xiongnu in the Han Dynasty, were both born in this watershed, the Xiangxi River is actually more famous than many major tributaries.

Zhao Junmei left her hometown and went to Han Palace through this waterway to Chang'an. When Qu Yuan left his hometown, with a sorrowful glance back, his melancholic figure was frozen in the long river of life in Xiangxi.

The main landscape of Xiangxi River

After leaving the mouth of Xiling Gorge in the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, one enters Xiangxi in Zigui. The Xiangxi River is like a colorful belt overflowing with fragrance. It connects the newly opened beautiful scenic spot in the Three Gorges Reservoir area of the Yangtze River - Gaolan Scenic Line, and builds a bridge to the wonderful forest park - Shennongjia. It also arouses people's curiosity and exploration in the water - Shennongxi Drifting Tour. The mouth of Xiangxi River is located on the north bank of the Yangtze River, 7 kilometers downstream of Zigui.

The approximately 45 kilometer long section of the river from Xiangxikou in Zigui to Guandukou in Badong is Xiangxi Kuangu. In Kuangu, there are outstanding figures such as Qu Yuan, the founder of Chinese poetry, Wang Zhaojun, the famous consort who made contributions to the northern frontier, Kou Zhun, a young and outstanding civil servant, and the mysterious Shennongjia wild man. They left behind many touching stories and unsolved mysteries at this time.

The stream flowing from Shennongjia first enters the embrace of Baoping Village, the hometown of Zhaojun. This stream is as green as jade, with red flowers and green willows on both sides, peach and apricot trees covering the slope, and orange trees forming a forest. Especially in spring, there are translucent and circular peach blossom fish swimming in Xiangxi, shining with the green trees on the shore and the colorful stones underwater. It's really wonderful. Baoping Village is backed by mountains shaped like carp, with green shade covering the ground in spring and yellow oranges hanging on the branches in autumn.

Here, you can admire the ruins of Zhaojun's residence, Wangyue Tower, dressing table, Nanmu Well, Wangzi Cliff, Mingfei Pier, etc. You can also admire the statue of Zhaojun, visit the Zhaojun Exhibition Hall, tour the hometown corridor and Zhaojun Pavilion, and other landscapes. About 5 kilometers from the confluence of the Xiangxi River and the Yangtze River, this is the hometown of the great patriotic poet Qu Yuan - Zigui City. Here, the mountains are clear and the waters are beautiful, and citrus fruits are abundant. Qu Yuan's famous poem "Ode to Orange" from his youth was written here.

There are memorial archway of "Qu Yuan's hometown" and grand Qu Yuan Temple rebuilt by modern people in the city. On Loong Boat Festival, you can also watch the "Loong Boat Race" held by Qu people in memory of Qu Yuan. Lepingli in Zigui is the birthplace of Qu Yuan, and there are still relics such as Qu Yuan's Tanshu Cave and Zhaomian Well.

During the peach blossom competition, a rare fish resembling peach blossoms, split into four petals, and crystal clear can be seen in the Xiangxi River. This is the Peach Blossom Fish (Peach Blossom Jellyfish), which is unique to the Xiangxi River. The main body of a fish is like an umbrella, with numerous tentacles, about 250 of which can be divided into 7 levels according to length. It floats and sinks due to the contraction of the umbrella and the up and down movement of the tentacles. It appears with peach blossoms and disappears with them.

It is said that from Yichang to Xingshan, and then from Xingshan along the Xiangxi River to the Three Gorges Dam in Zigui, it is like a piece of money, connecting attractions such as Xiaofeng, Gaolan, Xiaotianhou, Xiakou, Gaoyang, the water road, Xiangxikou, Lianziya, Jiuwanxi, and the Three Gorges Dam like pearls. If you have the opportunity to travel to the Three Gorges, why not also visit the birthplace of Wang Zhaojun and Qu Yuan.

Three Gorges Cruise Schedule Querywww.sanxia-china.com/yacht/timetable

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