Wushan Little Three Gorges is located in Wushan County, Chongqing Municipality. It is the general name for Longmen Gorge, Bawu Gorge and Dicui Gorge, through which the lower reaches of the Daning River flow in Wushan. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. The scenic area has a total length of 50 kilometers and a total area of about 50 square kilometers. It is famous for its majestic mountains, beautiful peaks, dangerous shoals and serene scenery, integrating natural landscapes with cultural landscapes. Here, the river course is narrow, the water flow is rapid, and the strange peaks stand steeply on both banks, with lush bamboos and trees. Within the scenic area, there are cultural landscapes such as ancient plank road relics and hanging coffins, as well as wild animals like monkey groups and mandarin ducks. There are no large-scale buildings in the scenic area; it mainly consists of original ecological natural landscapes and a small number of facilities for tourism services, such as piers and viewing platforms.
History and Culture
Wushan Little Three Gorges has a profound historical and cultural heritage. The relics of ancient plank roads are important historical witnesses. These plank roads were first built in the Pre-Qin Period. They were constructed by the ancients who chiseled holes and laid planks on the steep cliffs, serving purposes of transportation, trade and military affairs. Stretching for hundreds of miles, they demonstrate the wisdom and courage of the ancient working people. Hanging coffins are also a unique cultural landscape of the Little Three Gorges. According to research, most of the hanging coffins were made by the ancient Ba people more than a thousand years ago. Their burial method is full of mystery, reflecting the unique funeral customs and religious beliefs of the ancient Ba people. In addition, the Daning River Basin has been one of the important birthplaces of Ba culture since ancient times. It has nurtured rich folk legends, ballads and folk activities, carrying the life memories and cultural heritage of the local people.
Major Scenic Spots
Longmen Gorge
Longmen Gorge is the first gorge of Wushan Little Three Gorges, with a length of about 3 kilometers. At the entrance of the gorge, two mountains stand opposite each other, forming a shape like a gate, hence the reputation of "How majestic Longmen Gorge is!". Inside the gorge, the mountains are high and the valleys are deep, with rapid water flow. Strange peaks and grotesque rocks stand in great numbers on both banks, among which landscapes such as "Ganoderma Peak" and "Yinwo Shoal" are vivid and lifelike. At the mouth of Longmen Gorge, there is a Longmen Bridge spanning both banks, connecting Wushan County Seat with the Little Three Gorges Scenic Area, and it is also a unique scenic spot.
Bawu Gorge
Bawu Gorge is about 10 kilometers long and is famous for its deep, beautiful scenery and swirling clouds and mists, enjoying the reputation of "How wonderful Bawu Gorge is!". The gorge is covered with stalactites, and the stalagmites and stone pillars come in various shapes. Some look like fairies standing by the river, and some resemble Pigsy paying homage to the God of Longevity, all being extremely lifelike. In addition, there are many hanging coffins in Bawu Gorge, distributed on the steep cliff walls, adding a sense of mystery to the gorge. When tourists pass by by boat, they feel as if they are in an ink wash painting.
Dicui Gorge
Dicui Gorge is the longest, deepest and most beautiful gorge among the Little Three Gorges, with a total length of about 20 kilometers, known as "How serene Dicui Gorge is!". Inside the gorge, bamboos and trees are lush and green, remaining verdant all year round. Clear mountain springs and waterfalls cascade down, and hanging springs drip with greenery. Groups of playful monkeys and pairs of mandarin ducks can be seen from time to time on the steep cliffs on both banks, filling the area with vitality. Famous landscapes such as "Red Cliff Touching the Sky", "Heavenly Spring Rainfall" and "Cliffside Buddha Statues" are all located in this gorge, making tourists reluctant to leave.
Tour Route
Tourists usually board the boat at the tourist pier in Wushan County Seat and visit Longmen Gorge, Bawu Gorge and Dicui Gorge in sequence. The entire tour is by boat. At major scenic spots, the cruise ship will make a short stop to facilitate tourists to take photos and enjoy the scenery. The tour takes about 3-4 hours, and after the tour, tourists return to the tourist pier in Wushan County Seat.
Tour Suggestions
- It is recommended to visit in spring or autumn. During these seasons, the weather is mild and the scenery is pleasant, without the heat of summer or the cold of winter.
- When touring by boat, you can prepare a camera or mobile phone in advance to take photos in time when stopping at scenic spots. Pay attention to photography safety and do not walk around the boat casually.
- When tasting local food, you can go to regular restaurants in Wushan County Seat, which can not only ensure food safety but also allow you to taste authentic flavors.
- If you are interested in history and culture, you can learn about relevant knowledge of ancient plank roads and hanging coffins in advance to better experience the cultural connotation of the scenic area.
Precautions
- When touring by boat, be sure to wear a life jacket, follow the instructions of the crew on board, and do not lean your body out of the boat to avoid danger.
- Some roads in the scenic area are slippery. Pay attention to your steps when getting on and off the boat or walking at the pier. Especially for the elderly and children, they must be accompanied by a dedicated person.
- Protect the environment of the scenic area. Do not litter casually or damage vegetation and cultural relics.
- When visiting in summer, take measures to protect against the sun and mosquitoes; when visiting in winter, keep warm.
Transportation
- By Air: You can first arrive at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, then take a long-distance bus to Wushan at the airport's long-distance transfer center. The journey takes about 5-6 hours.
- By Train: Take a train to Wanzhou Station, then take a bus to Wushan from Wanzhou Coach Terminal. The journey takes about 4 hours.
- By Self-driving: Depart from downtown Chongqing, take the Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway and Shanghai-Chengdu Expressway. The total distance is about 450 kilometers, and the driving time is about 5-6 hours. After arriving in Wushan County Seat, go to the Little Three Gorges Tourist Pier.
- Intra-county Transportation: In Wushan County Seat, you can take a taxi or bus to the Little Three Gorges Tourist Pier. Bus Route 3 and other routes can take you directly there.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open all year round, with opening hours from 08:00 to 17:00. The departure time of cruise ships will be adjusted according to passenger flow. It is recommended to consult the scenic area in advance.
Tickets
The ticket (including boat ticket) for Wushan Little Three Gorges is 120 yuan per person. The scenic area may adjust the ticket price according to peak and off-peak seasons or special events. For specific information, please refer to the official announcement of the scenic area.