Highway draws crowds of families to learn about geology

By Chen Si, Yichang International Communication Studio

More than 30 families participated in an educational trip to the G348 Three Gorges Highway on August 17.

The tour, jointly organized by the libraries of Zigui County and Yiling District, provided the families with detailed introductions to each location by volunteers.
 

Students from Zigui County and Yiling District are taking part in an educational journey.

The main attraction of the tour was the opportunity to learn about the origins and changes brought about by the Three Gorges Dam and Xiling Gorge, as well as to experience the natural scenery, topographical features, and geological landscapes along the highway.

During the summer vacation, many families brought their children to visit the G348 Three Gorges Highway, which is considered an educational corridor that combines transportation and tourism. Taking your children here will give them a vibrant outdoor geology lesson.

The G348 Three Gorges Highway was built in 1970. After 50 years of use, most of its sections no longer met updated secondary highway standards. In 2020, a major renovation project was kicked off.
 

An aerial view of G348 Three Gorges Highway.

Popular with both locals and tourists, the 39.6-kilometer road is a scenic corridor, connecting some of Yichang’s core attractions.

G348 Three Gorges Highway runs alongside Xiling Gorge, an important section of the Three Gorges Scenic Spot. It connects various scenic areas including Xiling Gorge, Sanyou Cave, and Three Gorges Indigenous Scenic Area.

Along the highway, there is a geological science park and 99 geology education points. These points provide visitors with information about the diverse landscape. Each point is labeled with a QR code that offers explanations in both Chinese and English. As a result, the road is commonly referred to as the "Three Gorges Geological Museum".

Moreover, the road features numerous picturesque spots for photography. These include the Xiling Gorge 0.618 Service Area, the Starry Sky Parking Area, the Valley of Listening to the Wind, the Terrace to View the Bright Moon, the Mountains Beyond Mountains, and the Liantuopan Bridge.


Chinese geological experts have collected and identified geological specimens along the route, such as Huangling granite, Liantuo Formation sandstone, and Shibantan biota. This road is recognized as "China's Geological Science Popularization Highway".

Both driving and cycling are excellent options for exploring this road.