The Minor Three Gorges are between the Qutang Gorge and Qu Gorge, most boat trips along the route stop for a few hours to transfer passengers to smaller boat to see the “Mini Three Gorges” along the Daning River.

The Daning River is one of the biggest tributaries leading into the Yangtze River near Wushan County Town, 25km west of Qutang Gorge. Three miniature gorges are situated along this route, namely Longmen Gorge, Bawu Gorge and Dicui Gorge. This river enjoys the same geographic situation as the Yangtze River, as similarly beautiful sight. Many travellers actually find this spot more impressive than the Yangtze Three Gorges themselves, and the river is certainly less polluted and more colorful than the muddy Yangtze. The Daning river is narrower than its father river and the cliff on both sides are even steeper and higher than those along the major Three Gorges.

Opposite to the Yunyang County, the magnificent Zhang Fei's Temple with glazed tiles and red walls perches on the Flying Phoenix Hill on the southern bank of the river. The Temple was built to commemorate General Zhang Fei——one of the three sworn brothers of the State of Shu during the Three Kingdoms Period, the other two were Liu Bei and Guan Yu. The Temple is a famous historical site along the Yangtze River.

A new Zhang Fei's Temple will be built on the southern bank of the river according to its original style and with its original building materials before it will be submerged after the completion of the Three Gorges Project.

Jiangdu Temple used to be the place where the ancestors offer their sacrifices to the god of the Yangtze River. It was originally built in Guilin Valley, Xintan Town, nearly one thousand year ago. The current structure has a history of more than 200 years. It was rebuilt in the year of 2002 on the top of Mountain Fenghuang (Phoenix), new Zigui County. Jiangdu Temple is one of the typical examples of the local architecture which merges the north official architecture pattern and the south delicate workmanship together. It is seldom seen among the numerous cultural relics unearthed in the Three Gorges region.

Also, Jiangdu Temple is one of the four “Du” temples which are situated all over the country and it is under well protection, only next to the key national relic reserve, “Jidu Temple”.

Shennongxi Stream starts at Mountain Shennongjia in Hubei Province, north of the Yangtze River. It comprises of the Parrot Gorge and the Dragon Boot Gorge with breathtaking scenery. Sailing through the treacherous gorges with lush pine and translucent water, visitors can see spectacular sights like ancient plank roads, ancient suspension coffins, aqueous caves, rainbow fountain and wild lives. It is also perfect to experience the culture of Tujia minority. Visiting Shennong Stream on a pea-like boat is a sensational experience.

Guanling Tomb is two kilometres away to the northwest of Dangyang City. In 219 of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Guan Yu led his troops to attack Wei Kingdom, occupied Xiangyang and Fan Cities, and then used water to submerge the enemies. In the end , he fled to Mai City and was killed. Sun Quan offered Guan Yu's head to Cao Cao who made a wooden body of GuanYu's and buried “him” in the south of Luoyang City. His true body was buried in Dangyang by Sun Quan.

From the Sui Dynasty on, many emperors granted Guan Yu high titles, he became a famous military man.His tomb was named Guanling (GuanYu's Mausoleum) in 1536 of the Ming Dynasty.

There are two red walls around Guanling which is divided into 5 yards and 4 halls which appear very solemn and grand. In the main hall, there is a silk banner embroidered with words of praise “The fame spreads over China” which was written by emperor Tongzhi in the Qing Dynasty. There are tens of hundreds of tablets inscribed by famous persons of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Of all the tablets, the one of Guan Yu's Statue and the ones inscribed by Yuan Hongdao and Yuan Zhongdao, writings of the Ming Dynasty, are the most valuable.