Font Size:  -  Large  -  Small

Back to Qutang Gorge

On the northern bank of Qutang Gorge, opposite the Meng Liang Stairway, there is a small branch of the Yangtze River, called Caotang River. Just at the place where the Caotang River flows into the Yangtze River, there is a stone disk bearing two iron posts. On the southern bank, there is a stone hole. In ancient times, people threaded iron chains between the posts and the hole in order to block the Yangtze River and prevent the intrusion of the enemy. This is called the Iron Lock Pass.

The Iron Lock Pass was firstly constructed during the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907). In the Song Dynasty (960-1279), a general called Xu Zongwu once built seven Iron Lock Passes in order to prevent the intrusion of the army of Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368). It is said that, the two iron posts remaining were consecrated by General Xu. The two iron posts are seven feet high and have been rusty for years. Besides the posts, there are inscriptions from the Yuan Dynasty caved onto the rock.

Yangtze River

Ports of Call

 Scenic Spots by Ports

Qutang Gorge

Ancient Plank Road
Bellows Gorge
Chalk Wall
Daxi Culture
Iron Lock Pass
Meng Liang Stairway and
    Hanging Monk Rock
Rhinoceros Looking at the
    Moon
Water Stealing Hole

Yangtze Cruise

Cruise Ships

Yangtze Pictures

Yangtze Hiking