Starting at the White Emperor City in the west and ending at Daxi Stream in the east, the Qutang Gorge, or Kui Gorge, known for its magnificence, is only 8 kilometers long.

The shortest in the world-famous Three Yangtze Gorges, it is the most spectacular. In this section, the Yangtze carves its way through the gorge between the sheer precipices of overhanging mountains at both sides. The mountain peaks are nestled in the clouds, making one of the Qutang Gorge's magnificent views. The narrowest pint of the river bed is only several dozen meters while the widest pint is more than 1, 800 meters. Kui Gate at the entrance to the gorge, two perpendicular cliffs rear over the river surface on either side, looking like a pair of  giant door leaves.
Here the width of the river is reduced to 100-200 meters and the narrowest places are no more than a few dozen metros while the principal peaks on the banks are as high as 1,000-1,500 meters.

The turbulent waters flowing in the deep gorge along a continuous line of peaks make a most magnificent picture. The rolling and roaring river bursts through the rock gate that towers over the water.

Having entered Kui Gate Pass, one would be faced by Mount Chijia (Bare-backed Soldier) on the north bank and Mount Baiyan (White Salt) on the southern bank. The former calls to mind a soldier without top armor, hence the name Chijia. The latter is so named because of its silvery color no matter whether the weather is fine or overcast.

After the Three Gorges Project is completed, most of the ghost city will be submerged. It's been planned relocated across the Yangtze River.