Mingyue Gorge

    Name in Chinese: 明月峡  Míng Yuè xiá  [min jue ʃa:]

    Duration of Tour: Three Hours

    Location: Mingyue Avenue, Chaotian District, Guangyuan, Sichuan Province

    Highlights: Photography and Exploration of the Ancient Sichuan Transportation

    Reputations: A National Four-star Scenic Area, a National Key Historical and Cultural Relic Site under Protection, the Natural Museum of Transportation

    Mingyue Gorge lies in the north of Guangyuan, about 30 km(19 miles) from the downtown. The view is quite gorgeous. It is known as the Natural Museum of Transportation. The Jialing River flows through the gorge. It used to be the most important waterway in the north part of Sichuan. The Ancient Shu Path winds its way on the cliff. It could be dated back to the Warring States Period(476-221B.C.). A railway lies on the cliff. Trains run into tunnels. The railway was built in 1950s. Visitors can also find the relic of the Chuanshan Road. It was completed in 1937. Li Bai(701-762) was the most outstanding poet in the Tang Dynasty(618-907). The poet once traveled to the north of Sichuan. He depicted the roads to Sichuan in one of his poems as more difficult than those to the heaven. Nowadays, travelers can drive along the expressway or ride the bullet train to Guangyuan. They can also fly to Guangyuan from Chengdu and some other cities. Mingyue Gorge shows the transportation changes in the past 2,000 years. It also attracts visitors with its natural beauty.

    The Ancient Shu Path

    The path is also known as the Ancient Wuding Road or Golden Buffalo Path. It was built by the ancient Sichuan people in 316 B.C.. Wuding means five giants in English. It refers to the warriors of the Ancient Shu State.

    During the Warring States Period, the Zhou Dynasty(1100-256 B.C.) declined and the vassals of the Zhou struggled for the supreme power. The strongest was the Qin State. Sichuan was occupied by the Ancient Shu State. The king of the Qin wanted to annex the latter. However, the road to Sichuan was very difficult for his troops. He set a trap for the king of the Shu. His soldiers moved a big stone buffalo to the street and placed some gold wares at the hind legs of the buffalo. The soldiers told people that the buffalo could produce gold and the king of Qin planed to present it to the king of Shu.

    The lie spread to Chengdu. The king of the Shu was fatuous and greedy. He sent his warriors and people to build up the road in the mountains. After the road was completed, the king of Qin waged a war against the Ancient Shu State.

    The Ancient Shu Path is 450 km(280 miles) in length. The path stretches from Chengdu to the north part of Sichuan. It used to be the most important link between Sichuan and the central China.

    Travel Tips:

    How to Get to Mingyue Gorge

    Mingyue Gorge is located in the north of Guangyuan. The distance between the gorge and the downtown is about 30 km(19 miles). Guangyuan lies about 300 km(186 miles) to the northeast of Chengdu. Visitors can ride a car or take a bullet train to Guangyuan Railway Station. It takes around 4 hours to get to Guangyuan from Chengdu by car.

    Opening Hours:

    7:30 A.M. --- 6:30 P.M. in the summer

    8:00 A.M. --- 6:00 P.M. in the winter

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    Chengdu Travel Guide

Author: Tina Luo

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