Wushan

Wushan is quite hot in summer, while the autumn and winter red-leaf season is good for sightseeing. Wushan sits between the Yangtze River and the mountains, combining Three Gorges river views, mountain-city landscapes, and hearty riverside cuisine. The itinerary below is a good reference for first-time visitors to Wushan.

• Lesser Three Gorges: A national 5A-rated scenic area made up of Longmen Gorge, Bawu Gorge, and Dicui Gorge. The visit is mainly by boat. Along the way, you can see emerald-green river water, lush cliffs, thousand-year-old hanging coffins, and remains of ancient plank roads. Midway, you also transfer to a black-awning boat to enter the Mini Lesser Three Gorges. The whole trip takes about 4 hours.
• Three Gorges Dragon Ridge: A free hiking route divided into three sections. Hiking the third section in reverse offers better views, with distant vistas of the Yangtze River, Wushan county seat, and the sunset from the ridgeline. The route requires a moderate level of fitness. It is about 7 km in total and takes around 3 hours.
• Shennü Avenue: This area has the world’s longest outdoor escalator, with a total vertical drop of 242 meters, equivalent to about 80 floors. After taking the escalator up to the mountaintop, you can overlook the whole Wushan county seat and the mouth of Wu Gorge. The night lighting is also worth staying for.
• Little Red Boat: This is a transport boat used daily by villagers along the river, with fares from 15 to 40 yuan. Departing from Gucheng Wharf, the boat travels through the Three Gorges. When passing Qingshi Village, you can see Goddess Peak in the distance and get a close sense of local life on the river.
• Wushan Museum: Free to enter with an ID card. The museum displays the 2.04-million-year-old “Wushan Man” jawbone fossil and many Three Gorges cultural relics. The outdoor terrace faces the Yangtze River and is a good place to learn about Wushan’s history in a more systematic way.

Classic 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Wushan and get familiar with the mountain city
  • Afternoon: After arriving at Wushan Station, go to your hotel and check in. For accommodation, consider staying near Binjiang Road in the county seat or around Shennü Avenue, where transport and dining are both convenient.
  • Dusk: Visit Ningjiangdu Park. The park is located where the Daning River meets the Yangtze River. It offers panoramic views of Wushan county seat and is also a good spot for sunset.
  • Evening: Take a walk along the river and have Wushan paper-wrapped fish or grilled fish for dinner to experience the everyday local dining atmosphere.
• Day 2: See the gorges by boat and view the county seat from above
  • Morning: Go to the Lesser Three Gorges Visitor Center and take a cruise to visit the Lesser Three Gorges and the Mini Lesser Three Gorges. Boats usually run on fixed schedules, generally at 8:50 and 14:00, so plan your time in advance.
  • Afternoon: After returning to the county seat, take the Shennü Avenue escalator up the mountain and overlook the mountain-city terrain and Yangtze River scenery from above.
  • Evening: Walk around Wushan Night Market and try snacks such as Wushan rolls, griddled potatoes, and jade-green liangfen jelly.
• Day 3: Hike Three Gorges Dragon Ridge or take the Little Red Boat, then return
  • Option A (for those with good stamina): Get up early and go hiking on Three Gorges Dragon Ridge. It is recommended to start from the end point of the third section and walk in reverse. As you move along the ridgeline, the views open up, with overlooks of the Yangtze River and the county seat.
  • Option B (for a relaxed pace): Go to Gucheng Wharf and take the Little Red Boat. Enjoy the Three Gorges scenery from the river, experience local water transport, and you may also be reminded of the Three Gorges atmosphere in Jia Zhangke’s film *Still Life*.
  • Afternoon: Visit Wushan Museum, learn about local history, and then begin your return trip.

Wushan Food Guide: Must-Try Dishes

Wushan cuisine is mainly made up of riverside-style dishes and local snacks. The flavors tend to be spicy and richly aromatic.

Accommodation and Transport Tips

• Accommodation suggestions:
  • High-end river views: Chongqing Wushan Hualuxe Hotel, Home2 Suites by Hilton Wushan. Both hotels have relatively new facilities and broad balcony views of the river, suitable for travelers who care about accommodation quality.
  • Convenient and affordable: Ji Hotel (Municipal Square branch), Hanting Hotel. These are in fairly central locations, with many dining options nearby. You can walk to Shennü Avenue, and the prices are relatively budget-friendly.
• Transport guide:
  • Getting there: High-speed rail goes directly to “Wushan Station” (about 2 hours from Chongqing North Station and about 4 hours from Chengdu East Station). For flights, you can choose Wushan Airport, or arrive at Wanzhou Airport and then transfer by bus or high-speed rail.
  • Local transport: Taxis are convenient within the county seat, with a starting fare of about 5 yuan. To reach scenic areas such as Three Gorges Dragon Ridge and the Lesser Three Gorges wharf, you can take a taxi or bus. Some scenic areas require a chartered car or self-driving.

Practical Tips

• Boat schedules: The Lesser Three Gorges cruise boats and Little Red Boats have limited daily departures, usually only 2 per day. Confirm the schedule before you go and leave extra time to catch the boat.
• Heat and sun protection: Wushan has relatively high summer temperatures, and sun exposure can be strong when hiking Three Gorges Dragon Ridge or taking a boat. Use sun protection, wear quick-drying clothes and non-slip athletic shoes, and carry enough drinking water.
• Red-leaf season: Wushan’s red leaves are usually best viewed from November to January of the following year. If visiting during this period, it is recommended to book hotels and boat tickets in advance.
• About steps: Wushan has the typical terrain of a mountain city, with many steps in the county seat and around areas such as Shennü Avenue. Wear comfortable flat shoes, and use escalators and taxis when needed.