Sanyou (Three-Visitor's) Cave lies between Xiling mountains on the outskirts of Yichang, 10 kilometres away from the city. It faces to Xialao Brook and its back is the Yangtze River. It is not only precious and strange,but also quiet and tastefully laid out.
A story says that, in 819 D.C., Yuanhe 19th year of the Tang Dynasty, the great poet Bai Juyi and his younger brother came cross another great poet Yuan Zhen. The three visited the cave together and they played there for the whole night. They said again and again that there was no place better than this fairy cave. Then Bai Juyi wrote the “Preface” to the cave. Thus the cave gained the name after the three poet travelers.
This is the early three visitors. After that the Three-Visitor's Cave spread its beauty. In 1137 (the Song Dynasty), literary giants Su Xun, Su Shi,and Su Zhe visited the cave. Each of them wrote a poem carved on the stone walls. These three visitors are called the late three visitors. From then on, the cave had greater reputation.
Besides numerous writings by famous ancient scholars on the wall of the Three Visitors' Cave, there are some relics on the top of the mountain, such as Liu Feng City, Zhang Fei's battlefield platform. The Ancient Martial Rampart, Chucai Building, the Valley Pavilion and Zhixi Pavilion were rebuilt ones. Climbing up the building and looking to the west, one can take in the scenery of the Xiling Gorge at a glance. Looking to the east, one can get a bird's eye view of the gigantic Gezhouba Dam. Seeing the Yangtze river flow eastwards and water connect with sky, one may easily get the feeling of “pleasure”. |
Asia Travel 
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