The Da Ning River, 300 kilometers in length, is the biggest tributary of the Changjiang River. Longmen Gorge, Bawu Gorge, Di Cui Gorge are the most outstanding spots in the seven gorges, and is called the Lesser Three Gorges. The Da Ning River has not only the beauty of the Yangtze River, but also its unique characteristics. There are peculiar cliffs, Zhan Dao (plank roads along the cliff face) and stone villages. Dragon-like pillars tower like a gate on the banks of the Longmen Gorges; the Bawu Gorges have rocks of strange shapes and sizes; clear water sparkles; human-like, thing-like, animal-like stalactites form beautiful natural sculptures. Along the Di Cui Gorges, there are weird mountains and luxuriant bamboo. Sometimes the river runs like a sting sword, sometimes like a mirror. Monkeys jump up and down on the giant cliffs.

Zigui is situated on the northern bank of the Changjiang River and is the hometown of QuYuan, the great patriotic poet of the period of Warring States. “Shiji”, an ancient history book contains a passage that tells how the name of Zigui originated. The passage reads: “Qu Yuan had a kind and virtuous sister . On hearing that Qu Yuan was dismissed from “his post and had returned to his home town, she went to Qu Yuan to comfort him. She told him to be optimistic and understanding. The village folk hoped that Qu Yuan would listen to his sister's advice. They gave the place the name of Zigui, which in Chinese means ‘Sister Returning Home'”.

Qu Yuan, as vice-premier of the State of Chu, had enjoyed the confidence of the ruler. While in office he advocated drastic reforms in internal affairs in order to make his country prosperous and strong. He also favored forming a diplomatic alliance with the State of Qin against the State of Chu. Pro-Qin officials in Chu were bribed by Zhang Yi, an emissary from Qin. They managed to frame Qu Yuan and induce the ruler of the State of Chu to go to Qin, where he was held prisoner until he died. The prince who succeeded to the throne was more muddleheaded than his father. He banished Qu Yuan to a remote place south of the Changjiang and forbade him to have anything to do with state affairs. In 278 B.C. Qin captured the captured the capital of Chu. Qu Yuan, who had been in exile for 20 years, was then 62 years old. He was overcome with anger and sorrow at the defeat of his country and the suffering of his people. In despair he drowned himself in the Miluo River. The tragedy took place on the 5^th day of the 5^th month according to the Chinese lunar calendar.

For more than 2,000 years, the people have cherished the memory of Qu Yuan. They have woven many moving tales implying that he is living on. Every year on the anniversary of his death, people go out on the river in dragon boats a custom symbolizing their desire to rescue him. Every family makes zongzi, a kind of dumpling made by wrapping glutinous rice in broad bamboo leaves. They are supposed to feed the dragon in the river so that it will not harm Qu Yuan.

In 1953, the World Peace Council held a meeting in commemoration of Qu Yuan and three other cultural giants of the world.