Baiheliang

On the banks of the Yangtze River in Fuling District, Chongqing, lies the world's first underwater museum of archaeological sites, Baiheliang, literally known as the White Crane Ridge. It is a 1,600-meter-long and 15-meter-wide stone ridge engraved with inscriptions about the Yangtze River dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618–907). It recorded the 72 low-flow years of the longest river in China from 763 to 1963 and is claimed to be the world's oldest hydrographic survey device. It was named Baiheliang, or White Crane Ridge, simply because white cranes often gathered on the beam in the early years, spreading their wings and playing.

Visitors can access the museum via a 92-meter-long escalator that descends to the bottom of the Yangtze River. The entire corridor for visitors spans 77 meters and features 23 circular observation windows. Through the glass, tourists can feel as if they are on a time machine, visually touching the ancient inscriptions in the museum.

The museum also showcases many rubbings of inscriptions carved by calligraphers on the stone ridge. Among these, the most prominent ones are Bai He Liang (White Crane Ridge) and Zhong Liu Di Zhu (the mainstay) in large font size.

The creation of this underwater museum was made possible by the construction of the Three Gorges Dam along the Yangtze River. With the dam in place, Baiheliang would have been permanently submerged. To protect these precious inscriptions and share them with the world, the government invested heavily in building this underwater museum from 2003 to 2009.

The original appearance of the Baiheliang inscriptions.

When spring quietly arrives, the water level of the Yangtze River gradually drops, revealing Baiheliang's true face. This mysterious and legendary place continues to showcase the beauty of the Yangtze River civilization and Chinese culture, engaging in cultural exchange and mutual learning on a global scale.

Entering Yangtze River from Baiheliang

Baiheliang has transformed from an ordinary natural stone beam into a cultural symbol of the Yangtze River civilization, becoming a landmark and gateway to this ancient civilization.