國家(jia)5A級景區,國際旅游(you)景點神農(nong)溪(xi)位(wei)于(yu)長江西陵峽與(yu)巫峽接(jie)合處巴東(dong)縣城北岸,發源于(yu)國家(jia)自(zi)(zi)然保護(hu)區神農(nong)架南坡(po),是一條常(chang)流(liu)(liu)(liu)性溪(xi)流(liu)(liu)(liu),全長60公里,流(liu)(liu)(liu)向自(zi)(zi)北向南,年均流(liu)(liu)(liu)量(liang)20立方(fang)米(mi)/秒。沿(yan)途接(jie)納17條支流(liu)(liu)(liu),在巴東(dong)新縣城對岸,西距巫峽口2.5千米(mi)的西壤口,破(po)壁(bi)注入長江,流(liu)(liu)(liu)域面(mian)積(ji)1031平方(fang)公里,景區總面(mian)積(ji)300平方(fang)公里,森林覆蓋率達85%以上。
神(shen)農(nong)(nong)溪原名沿(yan)(yan)渡河,開發初(chu)期稱小三峽(xia)。1987年5月25日,長江三峽(xia)旅游規劃論證(zheng)會34名旅游專家(jia),乘豌豆角扁舟漂流(liu)考察沿(yan)(yan)渡河旅游資源(yuan),被沿(yan)(yan)渡河至西壤(rang)口流(liu)程中神(shen)農(nong)(nong)峽(xia)的(de)奇,綿竹峽(xia)的(de)險,鸚(ying)鵡峽(xia)的(de)秀,龍昌(chang)峽(xia)的(de)雄之自然風景著迷,論證(zheng)會上(shang)多名專家(jia)異(yi)口同聲建議定(ding)名“神(shen)農(nong)(nong)溪”。
神農(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)溪景(jing)(jing)(jing)區(qu)自然(ran)景(jing)(jing)(jing)區(qu)迷(mi)人(ren),是一(yi)幅天(tian)(tian)然(ran)的(de)(de)畫卷詩(shi)(shi)篇。從神農(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)溪景(jing)(jing)(jing)區(qu)入口(kou)西(xi)壤口(kou)逆流(liu)(liu)而(er)上,主流(liu)(liu)上依次有(you)龍(long)(long)昌(chang)(chang)峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)、鸚鵡峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)、神農(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)、支流(liu)(liu)綿竹(zhu)(zhu)峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)四個(ge)峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)段。龍(long)(long)昌(chang)(chang)峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)全(quan)長5.7公(gong)里(li),絕(jue)壁對峙,峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)迂(yu)回曲(qu)折(zhe),均寬不足(zu)20米,似幽巷(xiang)重(zhong)門,以(yi)雄著(zhu)稱(cheng)。唐代詩(shi)(shi)人(ren)杜甫曾乘(cheng)舟漂流(liu)(liu)過此峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia),賦詩(shi)(shi)贊美(mei)“迢迢水(shui)出(chu)走長蛇(she),懷抱江村(cun)在野(ye)(ye)牙。一(yi)葉蘭舟龍(long)(long)洞(dong)(dong)府,數間(jian)茅屋野(ye)(ye)人(ren)家。冬來純綠(lv)(lv)松杉樹,春(chun)到間(jian)紅桃李花(hua)。山下青蓮遺(yi)(yi)故址,時(shi)時(shi)常有(you)白云遮”。據史(shi)料記載“此洞(dong)(dong)非石(shi)(shi)洞(dong)(dong),乃山水(shui)之奇(qi)觀(guan)也,一(yi)洞(dong)(dong)十里(li),可浮舟往來”。據史(shi)考證,古時(shi)候峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)谷兩(liang)岸(an)樹木繁茂,藤(teng)蔓植(zhi)物攀附(fu)其(qi)上,蔽日遮天(tian)(tian),形(xing)(xing)似洞(dong)(dong)穴。現在的(de)(de)龍(long)(long)昌(chang)(chang)峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)不僅仍(reng)然(ran)雄偉壯(zhuang)觀(guan),而(er)且增添了(le)湖光倒影,山綠(lv)(lv)水(shui)清(qing)的(de)(de)美(mei)景(jing)(jing)(jing),此峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)有(you)巖(yan)棺(guan)、象(xiang)鼻山等人(ren)文自然(ran)景(jing)(jing)(jing)觀(guan)。鸚鵡峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)全(quan)長7.5公(gong)里(li),峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)山峰(feng)聳立,山巒疊嶂,樹林茂密,蟲鳴鳥(niao)叫,群猴嬉戲,金燕飛翔,黃羊奔跑,獐麂出(chu)沒,野(ye)(ye)趣盎(ang)然(ran),以(yi)秀見長。珍禽短嘴金絲燕。綿竹(zhu)(zhu)峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)因峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)兩(liang)岸(an)生長著(zhu)成(cheng)片(pian)翠(cui)綠(lv)(lv)的(de)(de)綿竹(zhu)(zhu)而(er)得名,全(quan)長5公(gong)里(li),綿竹(zhu)(zhu)峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)景(jing)(jing)(jing)觀(guan)奇(qi)特,峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)谷蓊郁幽深,峰(feng)巖(yan)夾峙,深邃莫測,絕(jue)壁仟仞,為罕見的(de)(de)遠古地(di)質構(gou)造運動遺(yi)(yi)跡標本(ben),以(yi)險著(zhu)稱(cheng)。巖(yan)壁間(jian)的(de)(de)鐘(zhong)乳石(shi)(shi)筍、石(shi)(shi)幔,有(you)的(de)(de)仿(fang)佛從天(tian)(tian)而(er)降,千姿百(bai)態;有(you)的(de)(de)寬達二、三百(bai)米,兩(liang)岸(an)山峰(feng)逶(wei)迤,溪流(liu)(liu)最窄處不足(zu)5米,兩(liang)岸(an)崖壁幾乎貼近,伸手可觸,天(tian)(tian)開一(yi)線,甚稱(cheng)“一(yi)線天(tian)(tian)”。峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)的(de)(de)“野(ye)(ye)人(ren)伸掌”、“蟒(mang)蛇(she)出(chu)山”、“鯤鵬展(zhan)翅”、“將軍(jun)把(ba)門”、“水(shui)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)山”等栩(xu)栩(xu)如生,形(xing)(xing)象(xiang)逼真,渾(hun)然(ran)天(tian)(tian)成(cheng),還有(you)“半邊(bian)街(jie)”古遺(yi)(yi)址。豌豆(dou)角舟穿行其(qi)間(jian),游(you)客仿(fang)佛置身于“世(shi)外(wai)桃源”。神農(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)因峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)有(you)一(yi)形(xing)(xing)似神農(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)炎(yan)帝(di)的(de)(de)山峰(feng)而(er)得名,全(quan)長25公(gong)里(li),峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)面寬緩。峽(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)(xia)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)可目(mu)睹神農(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)氏采采藥栓馬的(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)樁、石(shi)(shi)罅類(lei)巖(yan)棺(guan)、鑿穴巖(yan)棺(guan)、九孔(kong)巖(yan)、神農(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)洞(dong)(dong)、夫妻(qi)樹、神農(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)瀑布、神農(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)溫泉等景(jing)(jing)(jing)點(dian),令人(ren)叫絕(jue)稱(cheng)奇(qi),故以(yi)奇(qi)著(zhu)稱(cheng)。
關于(yu)神(shen)農(nong)(nong)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)的來歷,傳說中華(hua)民族的始祖炎帝神(shen)農(nong)(nong)氏,沿(yan)著神(shen)農(nong)(nong)溪遍嘗(chang)百草,架(jia)木(mu)為(wei)(wei)梯(ti),上山采(cai)藥,為(wei)(wei)民治病,一旦采(cai)到鏈子巖采(cai)藥時發現(xian)了此(ci)(ci)洞(dong)(dong)(dong),便進洞(dong)(dong)(dong)居住,舌(she)順溪而(er)上,一路采(cai)藥直(zhi)到神(shen)農(nong)(nong)架(jia)。后人(ren)為(wei)(wei)了紀(ji)念(nian)神(shen)農(nong)(nong)炎帝,就把此(ci)(ci)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)稱(cheng)之為(wei)(wei)“神(shen)農(nong)(nong)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)”。洞(dong)(dong)(dong)內涓(juan)涓(juan)流水,清風(feng)陣陣,筍(sun)柱峭拔,乳花繽(bin)紛(fen)。真(zhen)可謂(wei)“天造地(di)設四百景(jing),鬼斧神(shen)工(gong)八千(qian)奇”。尤以仙(xian)女浴,神(shen)農(nong)(nong)掌.千(qian)丘田等景(jing)觀惟(wei)妙惟(wei)肖,堪稱(cheng)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)穴奇觀。
在(zai)橡(xiang)皮(pi)艇漂流的(de)第一(yi)(yi)碼頭對岸(an)的(de)巖壁上,有(you)斷斷續(xu)續(xu)一(yi)(yi)排六十見(jian)方深尺許的(de)方孔(kong),這(zhe)便是古(gu)棧(zhan)(zhan)道(dao)(dao)的(de)遺跡。這(zhe)個棧(zhan)(zhan)道(dao)(dao)與鸚鵡和(he)龍昌兩(liang)峽的(de)古(gu)棧(zhan)(zhan)道(dao)(dao),在(zai)同一(yi)(yi)條(tiao)水(shui)(shui)平線(xian)上,開(kai)鑿此棧(zhan)(zhan)道(dao)(dao),始于(yu)何(he)時(shi),用于(yu)何(he)事,眾(zhong)說(shuo)紛(fen)紜,有(you)說(shuo)是通往(wang)神(shen)農架(jia)所建(jian),也有(you)人說(shuo)是闖王李自成的(de)部(bu)將劉體(ti)純屯墾紅(hong)砂(sha)陳家坡時(shi),為到(dao)鹽場河熬鹽而鑿,無(wu)一(yi)(yi)定論。古(gu)人有(you)詩曰:“滔滔溪水(shui)(shui)萬(wan)古(gu)流,巍(wei)巍(wei)棧(zhan)(zhan)道(dao)(dao)何(he)人修,古(gu)棧(zhan)(zhan)雖(sui)毀(hui)石現在(zai),留得(de)偉(wei)跡壯神(shen)州”。
神(shen)衣溫(wen)泉(quan)(quan)(quan)源于一石洞內,一年四(si)季熱氣騰騰,水(shui)(shui)溫(wen)34℃。傳說,古代神(shen)農炎帝采藥(yao)時曾在(zai)此用(yong)溫(wen)泉(quan)(quan)(quan)沐浴,并用(yong)溫(wen)泉(quan)(quan)(quan)水(shui)(shui)為當地百姓治(zhi)愈過多種(zhong)疾病(bing),具(ju)有(you)奇特(te)療效(xiao)作(zuo)用(yong)。故稱(cheng)此水(shui)(shui)為“泉(quan)(quan)(quan)神(shen)”、“神(shen)水(shui)(shui)”。常(chang)洗(xi)神(shen)農溫(wen)泉(quan)(quan)(quan),對各種(zhong)皮膚病(bing)、關節炎等慢性疾病(bing)有(you)比(bi)較明顯的(de)治(zhi)療效(xiao)果(guo),現(xian)代科學研究證(zheng)明,溫(wen)泉(quan)(quan)(quan)之(zhi)所以能治(zhi)病(bing),主要在(zai)于礦泉(quan)(quan)(quan)水(shui)(shui)的(de)溫(wen)度、壓力和浮力的(de)物(wu)理(li)作(zuo)用(yong)和礦泉(quan)(quan)(quan)水(shui)(shui)的(de)藥(yao)物(wu)化學作(zuo)用(yong),放射性元(yuan)素綜(zong)合作(zuo)用(yong)的(de)結果(guo)。這就是(shi)溫(wen)泉(quan)(quan)(quan)的(de)奇特(te)作(zuo)用(yong)。躺在(zai)微熱的(de)溫(wen)泉(quan)(quan)(quan)中,熱量直接導(dao)入(ru)體內,沐浴之(zhi)后,渾身輕(qing)松,旅(lv)途顛簸(bo)疲乏(fa)之(zhi)感盡除,讓(rang)你洗(xi)了這次(ci)還想下次(ci)。
沿“雙神”公路(lu)行進(jin)約(yue)(yue)2.5公里,來(lai)(lai)到了石扳坪石板坪有一(yi)(yi)個美麗的(de)(de)傳說,相(xiang)傳五百余(yu)年以前(qian),以河為界(jie),河的(de)(de)兩(liang)(liang)岸(an)分住著兩(liang)(liang)個不(bu)同(tong)的(de)(de)民族(zu)(zu),兩(liang)(liang)族(zu)(zu)之問靠這(zhe)(zhe)座鐵(tie)(tie)索橋(qiao)來(lai)(lai)往甚密,(鐵(tie)(tie)索橋(qiao)走(zou)在上面,一(yi)(yi)閑一(yi)(yi)閃(shan)挺(ting)舒服的(de)(de),游(you)客們可(ke)以上去走(zou)一(yi)(yi)走(zou))。但兩(liang)(liang)個族(zu)(zu)的(de)(de)族(zu)(zu)規(gui)規(gui)定:“兩(liang)(liang)族(zu)(zu)之間的(de)(de)青年男女,不(bu)能相(xiang)愛,不(bu)能成親,若有違(wei)(wei)者,將用水刑(就是把人扔進(jin)活(huo)里活(huo)活(huo)淹死)進(jin)行處(chu)罰。這(zhe)(zhe)一(yi)(yi)族(zu)(zu)規(gui)延續了很多年,無人敢違(wei)(wei)反。有一(yi)(yi)天,兩(liang)(liang)個族(zu)(zu)的(de)(de)一(yi)(yi)對青年男女在趕集(ji)的(de)(de)時候相(xiang)識(shi)了,她們相(xiang)親相(xiang)愛,并(bing)經常來(lai)(lai)到這(zhe)(zhe)里(石板坪),對面的(de)(de)山頂上約(yue)(yue)會,談情說愛,私自定下了終身。
終于有一(yi)天,兩個族的族長發現(xian)了(le)她(ta)們,于是便召(zhao)集所有族民,按族規對她(ta)們進行(xing)了(le)嚴(yan)厲而殘酷(ku)的處罰,將他(ta)們用繩子捆在一(yi)起(qi),扔(reng)到(dao)了(le)河中,相愛的一(yi)對青年男女,就這樣(yang)被活活的淹死了(le)。
沒過幾天,族(zu)民們(men)發現從青年男女被扔的地方(fang)長出了兩棵樹(shu)(shu),人們(men)便說:她(ta)們(men)生(sheng)不能做夫妻(qi),死(si)了也(ye)要變成公母做夫妻(qi)”,夫妻(qi)樹(shu)(shu)也(ye)因此而得名(ming),夫妻(qi)樹(shu)(shu)母樹(shu)(shu)結子(zi),而公樹(shu)(shu)不結子(zi),現在的夫妻(qi)樹(shu)(shu)高20余(yu)米,粗約(yue)2.5米,枝繁(fan)葉(xie)茂(mao),一(yi)(yi)片翠(cui)綠。她(ta)們(men)經常約(yue)會的地方(fang)也(ye)一(yi)(yi)夜間變成了一(yi)(yi)整塊大石板,似(si)一(yi)(yi)張桌面(mian),對面(mian)的山頂上也(ye)長出了一(yi)(yi)對“金(jin)人”,“金(jin)人對金(jin)桌”,意喻(yu)青午(wu)男女的真誠愛情,石板坪其名(ming)由此而來。
這(zhe)塊高聳突(tu)兀的石柱,就是人們(men)(men)(men)常說(shuo)的望(wang)(wang)夫(fu)石。艱久(jiu)很久(jiu)以前,這(zhe)深(shen)山(shan)里住看少(shao)得可(ke)憐(lian)的幾(ji)戶人家。他(ta)(ta)們(men)(men)(men)過(guo)著(zhu)(zhu)男耕女織(zhi)的生活,上山(shan)狩獵(lie)是他(ta)(ta)們(men)(men)(men)快樂之事:一天(tian),幾(ji)位男子(zi)(zi)漢相約(yue)著(zhu)(zhu)出(chu)(chu)去打獵(lie),幾(ji)位妻(qi)子(zi)(zi)憧憬(jing)著(zhu)(zhu)丈(zhang)(zhang)夫(fu)的雄姿,靜靜地守(shou)候愛(ai)(ai)情。可(ke)丈(zhang)(zhang)夫(fu)們(men)(men)(men)一去不(bu)復(fu)返(fan),妻(qi)子(zi)(zi)們(men)(men)(men)走出(chu)(chu)家門到這(zhe)里尋找(zhao)丈(zhang)(zhang)夫(fu)。她(ta)們(men)(men)(men)用全身氣撕心裂肺(fei)地呼喚(huan)著(zhu)(zhu),用滿懷期望(wang)(wang)和盈(ying)含淚水的雙眼眺望(wang)(wang)著(zhu)(zhu),他(ta)(ta)們(men)(men)(men)就這(zhe)樣癡(chi)癡(chi)地等(deng)(deng)待,在希(xi)望(wang)(wang)中等(deng)(deng)待。觀音(yin)菩薩憐(lian)愛(ai)(ai)著(zhu)(zhu)這(zhe)些苦命而癡(chi)情的女子(zi)(zi)、靈光一閃(shan)將他(ta)(ta)們(men)(men)(men)變成了這(zhe)塊石柱。讓他(ta)(ta)們(men)(men)(men)一直守(shou)望(wang)(wang)著(zhu)(zhu)自己的丈(zhang)(zhang)夫(fu)的回歸(gui)。
神農(nong)溪(xi)以(yi)峽谷風光、纖(xian)(xian)(xian)夫(fu)文化(hua)、土家歌(ge)舞、龍舟競(jing)渡為主題定位(wei),頗具(ju)特(te)色。其中船工號子(zi)、纖(xian)(xian)(xian)夫(fu)拉(la)纖(xian)(xian)(xian)在(zai)整(zheng)個(ge)長江三峽已絕跡多年,而神農(nong)溪(xi)上(shang)的纖(xian)(xian)(xian)夫(fu)拉(la)纖(xian)(xian)(xian)項(xiang)目因(yin)旅游發展的需要被保(bao)留至今,是三峽地區保(bao)存較好的纖(xian)(xian)(xian)夫(fu)“活化(hua)石”,并(bing)以(yi)民歌(ge)《纖(xian)(xian)(xian)夫(fu)的愛》唱遍全(quan)國,走向世界。135水位(wei)后纖(xian)(xian)(xian)夫(fu)拉(la)纖(xian)(xian)(xian)項(xiang)目仍被保(bao)留并(bing)永遠(yuan)向世人展示,船工號子(zi)、激流闖灘、纖(xian)(xian)(xian)夫(fu)拉(la)纖(xian)(xian)(xian)作為神農(nong)溪(xi)上(shang)的一道(dao)亮麗的風景,是其它任何(he)景區不可替代的獨特(te)旅游項(xiang)目。