Three Natural Bridges is located 20 kilometers (12 miles) southeast
of Chongqing City in Wulong County. It is a rare geological wonder and an eco-tourist's
delight. It features three natural karst bridges: Tianlong Bridge, Qinglong Bridge
and Heilong Bridge. The three natural karst stone arch bridges, with an average
height of over 200 meters (656 feet), and an average span of over 200 meters
(656 feet), constitute the largest natural bridge cluster in Asia.
The three natural bridges are situated in a 1.5 kilometer (12
mile) - long gorge. They evolved due to tectonic uplift and the
erosion by underground water. Some parts uplifted forming the bridges,
and others collapsed to form karst pits. Therefore, the unique
landscape of 'Three Natural Bridges enclosed with Two Pits' is
solely nature's creation.
Tianlong Bridge is about 200 meters (656 feet) in
height, 100 meters (328 feet) in width. It spans 450 meters (1,476
feet), and has two arches from south to north. The south arch was
also called Mihun Cave. The northern arch is a passage. Qinglong
Bridge is about 350 meters (1,148 feet) high, 150 meters (492 feet)
wide, and spans over 400 meters (1,312 meters). After the rains,
a waterfall pours over the bridge and forms a mist. When the sunset
reflects on the mist, a colorful rainbow emerges like a dragon
ascending to the heaven. Heilong Bridge has a deep and long arch
passage, like a black dragon winding its way out from the passage.
Helong Bridge is also renowned for its four springs with tortuous
trickles of stream. The Three Natural Bridges is a karst stone
arch bridge cluster unrivalled elsewhere of Asia in terms of height
and the thickness of the bridge surface. It is magnificent.