Font Size:  -  Large  -  Small

Back to Xiling Gorge

Nine miles east of the Fragrant Stream (Xiangxi Stream) is Bingshu Baojian Xia (Military Books and Precious Sword Gorge), a three-mile-long small gorge in Xiling Gorge. The gorge is named because it resembles the roll of a military book, and a stone under the book looks likes a precious sword on the northern bank of the gorge.

It is said that the military book was left by Zhuge Liang, a great military strategist in Shu State of Three Kingdoms Period. When he passed through Xiling Gorge, he hid his original military book and his precious sword on the crag for brave men to discover. For years, many people have tried to explore its mystery. Now we know that the so-called military book is not a book at all, but the site of three coffins.

In July 2003 when the water level reached 361 feet due to the Three Gorges Project, the coffins in the gorge were in danger of being submerged. Specialists of cultural relics took them from the cliff. In the coffins, many relics were discovered, including bronze spears, a sword, and many bows and arrows. Now, people can admire these relics in the Qu Yuan Memorial Hall in Zigui.

Yangtze River

Ports of Call

 Scenic Sopts by Ports

Xiling Gorge
Huangling Temple
Nanjin Pass
Ox Liver and Horse Lungs Gorge
Three Travelers' Cave
Lantern Shadow Gorge
Military Books and Precious Sword Gorge