By Keqiao Cheng, EDITOR

Baiheliang, literally meaning White Crane Ridge, served as a device for measuring water levels of the Yangtze River in ancient China. In other words, it was a hydrometric station. Located in Fuling District, SW China’s Chongqing, Baiheliang has been submerged underwater due to the building of the Three Gorges Dam. However, an underwater museum was constructed and opened in 2009.

On November 8, the tourists of “Back to the Three Gorges” arrived in Fuling by the Yangtze Gold 6 Cruise, and visited the underwater museum.

A modern tour to the past Baiheliang

20 years ago, Baiheliang was not submerged in water yet. It was a natural giant stone ridge standing in the Yangtze River, to the north of Fuling. In early times, the white cranes used to gather and rest in the ridge, and thus the name White Crane Ridge.

Engraved in the rock are 165 inscriptions and pictures, which include hydrological annotations of over 1,200 years, since the first year of AD 763. Due to its scientific, historical and art value, the site has been well protected.

When these visitors came to the Three Gorges 20 years ago, there was no underwater museum yet. This time, they were lucky to have the chance to have a close look from 40 meters underwater. There is no doubt it was incredible for any of them.

For the Three Gorges cruise, Fuling was not a routine stop. However, since March 2018, there have been some changes. Fuling now has been a stop for some cruises. A total of over 3,000 foreign tourists has visited Fuling ever since. Besides the famous zhacai, Fuling now is more ambitious about integrating itself in the tourism market.