Fuling Baiheliang (White Crane Ridge)

In the Northern Fuling section of the Yangtze River, there is a natural giant stone ridge - Baiheliang (White Crane Ridge). It is 1,750 yards long and 18 yards wide, with numerous inscriptions and carvings on it and the ridge usually emerges above water level during the low-flow period. The White Crane Ridge is reputed as the only ancient well preserved hydrologic station in the world by UNESCO.

White Crane Ridge was formed by orogeny movement. Its surface is of hard sandstone and soft shale. When autumn and winter come, thousands of white cranes dwell here, hence its name White Crane Ridge. As the only key cultural relic under the state's protection along the Three Gorges of Yangtze River, the carvings and inscriptions on the ridge are of great value whether from the point of view of history, science or art.

On the ridge, there are 164 segments of inscription and carving works. Among them, 108 are hydrological inscriptions, 12 are carvings of fish as well as some other works. The records on the ridge offer important historical data for research into the regular low water and changes in the displacement of the Yangtze River.

The hydrological inscriptions on the ridge record the history of the low water levels of Yangtze River from 763 to 1963. Among the 108 recordings, there is one from the Tang Dynasty, 98 from the Song Dynasty, five from the Ming Dynasty, while 39 relate to the Ming and Qing Dynasties and over 40 more during modern times. However, what makes the ridge even more important is that, authentic poem and essay works of over 300 celebrities of the past dynasties are carved upon it.

In addition, there are stone fish, Kwan-yin works and the carving of a white crane on the ridge. On the west side of Baiheliang, there is a stone fish that is three yards long and 1.6 yards wide. It is known as the king of carps. It is said that when the stone fish appears when the water in the Yangtze River is low, there will be a good harvest.

As the water level rises due to the Three Gorges Dam Project, Baiheliang has been submerged in the river forever. In order to let visitors admire this great work and protect the relic, an underwater museum has been built where it will be possible to have a chance to admire this under-water stele forest in the crystal palace in the water.

Further Reading: History of China