As boats glide through the Bingshu Baojian Gorge in Qu Yuan Town, Zigui County, Hubei Province, the Yangtze River unveils one of its most breathtaking views. The landscape bursts with vibrant red leaves, glowing like sunset clouds.
Bingshu Baojian, meaning "Military Books and Precious Sword," is named after a legend about Zhuge Liang – one of ancient China's most famous strategists, statesmen and inventors. During his famed westward expedition into Shu, Zhuge is said to have left a long sword and two iron-bound military books atop a sheer cliff, giving the gorge its unique name.