Xijiang River runs eastward through
Zhaoqing City of Guangdong Province, and flows into the South Sea at the cliff
of Xinhui City. On its northern bank is Zhaoqing City, and on the southern bank
is Gaoyao City. Along the part in Zhaoqing City, there are many beautiful spots
and famous historical relics, including the Antelope Gorge, the Dating Gorge,
and the Sanrong Gorge. Riding a boat down through the river will be a very
joyful thing.
Riding a boat from east to west, you will
see an inkstone-like island floating in the middle of the water -- the Yanzhou
(inkstone) Island. It is said that this is the inkstone that people in Duanzhou
(famous for its inkstones) sent to Bao Zheng (999-1062), a righteous official in
the Song Dynasty (960-1279), on his departure, which was thrust to the river by
Bao because he would never receive any present. The inkstone turned into an
island and people called it Yanzhou Island in memory of him, and built a temple
for Bao. Besides, sunset, beach, moon, gorges, and boat sails are also famous
views in the Xijiang River.
The Xijiang River is the one with best water
in China. It is rich in aquatic products. In spring, river shrimps are
available, and in summer there are Sanli fish, carps in autumn and grass carps
in winter.