Kuimen
» Chongqing, Si Chuan

夔门 '众水会涪万,瞿塘争一门'

Kui Gate

Kuimen is the gate through which the Yangtze River flows into the Three Gorges from the Sichuan Basin. The White Salt Mountain is on the southern bank and the Red Armor is on the northern bank. Both rise perpendicularly into the sky. The sheer cliffs on either side of the river are like a gate guarding the river, narrowing it in a width of just over 100 meters.

Rapid torrents

The river flows through this gate usually at the rate of 50,000-60,000 cubic meters per second. It is just like how the poet Du Fu in Tang Dynasty 1200 years ago described it, "All the waters converge at Fu and Wan, Fighting for the gate at Qutang." Du Fu used the words "fighting for" to draw a vivid picture of the torrents at Kuimen. As the riverbed is narrow and the flow voluminous, the river may rise 10-20 meters in a day. In a year, there may be a difference of over 50 meters in the water level.

Two huge gates

The Qutang Gorge is the shortest and most spectacular of China's Three Gorges, only 8 kilometres (5 miles) long. But it is also the narrowest among the three Yangtze gorges. While, Kuimen is the western tip it.

Immediately downstream of the ancient village Baidicheng the Yangtze River passes between the Red Armor Mountain on the north and the White Salt Mountain on the south. The point where the river passes between these mountains is called the Kuimen. The White Salt Mountain looks white because of the dissolved calcium deposited on the rock surface, while the weathered rocks of the Red Armor Mountain are coated with dissolved ferric oxide. As the mountain looks reddish like the back of a human being, it is called the Red Armor Mountain. Both mountains are of limestone.

Marvelous cliffs

Kuimen Gate is a symbol of the Three Gorges and was called the most magnificent scenery in the world by ancient Chinese writers.Here the river is flanked by sheer cliffs on both sides.

Cliffs with colours

The cliff walls of Kuimen towering over the Yangtze are 350 meters high. Eroded over the centuries by wind and rain, the cliffs on both banks are perpendicular as if they have been hewn with an axe, presenting a marvelous natural scene. Where there are slopes, they are covered with dark green growth. Although nothing grows on the sheer cliff faces, they are in a great variety of colors, white, red, yellow and brown. With the morning sunlight, evening clouds or bright moonlight reflected on them, they present such famous scenes as "the Red Armor in Fine Morning Sunlight," "Morning Color of the - White Salt" and "Autumn Moon over Kuimen."

Cliffs with carvings

Twelve places on the cliff are covered with carvings made from the Southern Song Dynasty to the Republic, totally some 200 square meters. An inscription Song Zhong Xing Sheng De Song is still well preserved. Another inscription saying, "Kuimen is the most magnificent in the world, and ships sail through rapidly with east" is the calligraphic work by Su Yuanliang, a modern calligrapher. The eight Chinese characters of enormous size are written in the Li style of the Han Dynasty.

Attractions around » Chongqing, Si Chuan

Natural Scene

Natural Scene

Historical Site

Historical Site

Cultural Site

Cultural Site

Historical Relic

Historical Relic

  Weather

  1. Is Chongqing's weather very hot? What to notice?

  Shopping

  1. What sourvenirs should I buy and where?

  Travel

  1. Can I tour around Chonqing by bike?

  Customs

  1. Could I get to know something about minority cultures in Chongqing?

  Other Hints

  1. Notice this if you tend to drink beer in a bar
  2. Emergency numbers
  3. Mind this customs rule

  • Is Chongqing's weather very hot? What to notice?

    Chongqing is located in the transition area between the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Middle-lower Yangtze Plain. Which is famous for its hot summers and it is known as one of 'the three furnace cities'. The other two are Nanjing and Wuhan. Bring light clothing such as T-shirts, shorts and sandals if you come in summer. Also, remember to bring your umbrella, sunglasses, and suntan lotion to avoid the heat of the 'burning furnace'. The best season to visit Chongqing is in spring, autumn and winter.


  • Could i get to know something about minority cultures in Chongqing?

    Chongqing is a multi-cultural city, with about 23 distinct minority cultures. The Tujia and the Miao are the largest two minorities in Chongqing and mainly inhabit the Qianjiang Development District and the Fuling District. Every January 3 to 15 of the lunar calendar, Tujia people hold grand activities of worship, praying and dancing. The Miao people express themselves through singing.


  • Can i tour around Chonqing by bike?

    The bike is the worst choice for people who understand the structure of the mountain city. First timers to Chongqing should be warned it is very easy to get lost. The bus system and monorail are advised as the best forms of transportation.


  • What sourvenirs should I buy and where?

    The local "Tan Mu Jiang" (Carpenter Tan) carpentry shop is worth a visit for its fine wood artwares


  • Notice this if you tend to drink beer in a bar

    There are many bars in Chongqing, but most are underpopulated. Several branches of the Newcastle Arms offer the closest thing to proper beer, but be sure they get your beer from the pump and not the slop tray.


  • Emergency numbers

    • Ambulance: 120
    • Emergencies: 110
    • Fire: 119
    • Tel No. Enquiry: 114
    • Police: 110



  • Mind this customs rule

    Customs rules require an accounting of all valuables including watches, jewellery, cameras and currency that you are taking in. A copy of this is surrendered on departure and anything missing may well be treated as imported and duty required accordingly. Therefore make sure you obtain a police report for any goods stolen during your stay.
    Recorded video-tapes must be declared and may be viewed by the Authorities on arrival.


Also known as Qutang Pass, Kuimen (Kui Gate) is the west door for Three Gorges, the western tip of Qutang Gorge. Here the river is flanked by sheer cliffs on both sides. Eroded over the centuries by wind and rain, the cliffs on both banks are perpendicular as if they have been hewn with an axe, presenting a marvelous natural scene.



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