Wushan Three Gorges and Dragon Ridge Weekend Trip Itinerary

Wushan county is hands-down one of my top recommendations for anyone visiting Chongqing—and one of the most underrated hidden gems in the region. Many international travellers have never even heard of it, or they skip it because they think it’s too far away.

But trust me: Wushan’s breathtaking landscapes and stunning scenery are absolutely worth the journey and live up to every bit of their legendary reputation.

If you’re already planning a trip to Chongqing, do yourself a favour and carve out a couple of days to explore Wushan. I promise—you won’t regret it for a second.

Wushan Highlights

Wushan County sits on the East side of Chongqing, about 520 km away from the Chongqing urban area, accessible through a 2-hour high-speed train ride from Chongqing.

If you’ve heard Chongqing’s new tourism slogan, “Majestic Landscape, Dynamic Chongqing”, Wushan brings it to life like nowhere else.

Its dramatic mountains, deep gorges, and mighty rivers perfectly capture that sense of grandeur and natural power.

As Chongqing’s eastern gateway, Wushan connects directly to Hubei Province near Shennongjia UNESCO Park and marks the entrance to the legendary Wu Gorge in the Three Gorges region.

It’s also home to one of Asia’s most significant archaeological sites: the Longgupo(“Dragon Bone Slope”) site, birthplace of the famous “Wushan Man” fossils—among the earliest evidence of human ancestors in the region, dating back over 2 million years.

For centuries, Wushan’s breathtaking beauty has inspired poets and artists alike. Countless classical poems—thousands in total—have immortalized its misty peaks, swirling clouds, and the timeless romance of the Yangtze River here. It’s no wonder this place has been celebrated in Chinese literature for so long.

2 Days Wushan Backpacking Itinerary Map

Day 1: Departing from Chongqing to Wushan

The High-speed Train from Chongqing to Wushan

While driving takes around 5 hours, we chose a much easier and more comfortable option: the high-speed train, which whisks you to Wushan in 2 hours.

We departed on a Friday evening, allowing us to make the most of the entire weekend exploring Wushan’s top attractions.

The High-speed train station taxi waiting area is right outside the train station exit, turn to the right. There are many taxis taking you to different places in Wushan. Prepare the address to show to the taxi driver and expect that they won’t be able to speak any English.

Day 1: The IHG Wushan Hualuxe Hotel

We stayed at the Wushan hualuxe hotel, a fantastic choice, thanks to its convenient location—just a 10-minute taxi ride from the station—and its prime spot on the Yangtze River, often called the “Victoria Harbour of Wushan” for its stunning waterfront views.

The hotel is beautifully perched on the Riverbank. From our balcony, we enjoyed a breathtaking nighttime panorama of Wushan County, where the city lights twinkled like a sky full of stars.

The sweeping views encompassed the majestic Yangtze River, serene Daning river, and the distant Three Gorges Dragon Ridge — a dramatic ridgeline that looks truly spectacular.

The hotel’s design blends modern elegance with new Chinese style, making it one of the most distinctive places I’ve ever stayed.

A huge plus for international travellers: the staff speak fluent English and are always happy to help non-Chinese-speaking guests plan itineraries, recommend local tips, and point out those hidden, off-the-beaten-path gems.

Day 2 Morning: Three Gorges Dragon Ridge

Start your Wushan adventure the right way — with the legendary Three gorges dragon ridge, often called the most jaw-dropping hiking trail in the entire Wushan area.

And the best part? Admission is 100% free!

Before lacing up your hiking shoes, it’s crucial to choose the right route for your fitness level.

Check out the comparison chart I’ve prepared below — it breaks down the distance, time needed, difficulty, and who each route is ideal for.

Option 1: Hiking + Sightseeing Bus

Option 1 is the most suitable for beginners, less experienced hikers, or seniors.

It involves approximately 2 km of gentle hiking combined with 2 km of sightseeing by shuttle bus, for a total experience of about 4 km — easy, enjoyable, and low-effort.

Option 2: Half Trail (Recommended)

Option 2 is ideal for people who enjoy hiking and is also well-suited for families with school-aged children or those who are reasonably fit.

The trail begins at the Visitor Center and climbs steadily for about 700 meters in elevation to reach Sanqing Palace Square — this first section is the most challenging part.

From Sanqing Palace Square onward to Denglong Service Station, the path becomes much flatter and easier, making it a more relaxed and enjoyable hike overall.

Option 3: Full Trail

Highlights Along the Dragon Ridge Trail

The Dragon Ridge trail is world-renowned for two spectacular crown jewels: the ancient Zhenshui Pagoda and the fiery Three Gorges red leaves of autumn.

To witness the mountains truly “ablaze,” plan your visit between late November and early December. During this window, the hillsides transform into a vivid sea of crimson, forming a “red corridor” that stretches across the horizon.

While this visual spectacle is a dream for photographers, keep in mind that it coincides with Wushan’s peak travel season; expect larger crowds sharing the view.

Zhengshui Pagoda

Originally constructed during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, the Zhengshui tower sits at an elevation of over 720 meters. Perched dramatically at the mouth of the Wu Gorge, this Taoist landmark offers more than just historical significance:

• The Ascent: A spiral staircase winds through the interior, leading you to a high-altitude observation platform.
• The View: From the top, you’re rewarded with a 360-degree panorama of Wushan County and a dizzying look into the depths of the gorge. It is arguably the most “postcard-perfect” spot on the trail.

Wenfeng Taoist Temple

Wenfeng taoist temple is widely considered the premier vantage point for viewing the “First Bend of the Yangtze.”

The name Wenfeng (Literary Peak) is a nod to the mountain’s unique silhouette, which resembles a giant traditional Chinese writing brush reaching toward the sky. Standing here, you can watch the Yangtze River perform its first dramatic, sweeping turn through the peaks—a truly unforgettable sight.

As you continue, the trail follows the Yangtze for another 4.5 kilometres, offering continuous views of the river winding through the rugged gorges.

We recommend concluding your hike at the Denglong service station. It’s the perfect place to refuel with snacks, rest your legs, and catch the shuttle bus back down.

Day 2 Evening: Shenve Avenue

Shennv avenue is well-known for its exceptionally long staircases. It serves as a miniature reflection of the Three Gorges Reservoir Project.

Running north-to-south, it connects Ningjiang Road in the south to Jingtan Road in the north. The avenue is divided into four sections, spanning a total length of approximately 905 meters with a vertical rise of about 242 meters.

The most renowned feature is the Shennv Grand Escalator, which opened during the 2026 Spring Festival. Extending the full 905-meter length of the project, the facility is equipped with 21 escalators, 8 elevators (including barrier-free elevators for pedestrian overpasses), 4 moving walkways (travelators), 2 pedestrian overpasses and 2 cross-line channels.

Day 3: Little Three Gorges River Cruise

We set sail on a river cruise along the Daning River, famously known as the “Little Three Gorges.”

Over the course of this 4-hour journey, you’ll be immersed in a landscape of towering peaks and jagged cliffs often shrouded in ethereal mist. You’ll pass hidden waterfalls and crystal-clear springs before encountering one of the region’s greatest enigmas: the ancient hanging coffins of the Ba people, which have remained a mystery for millennia.

Key Cruise Information

Head to the Little three gorges cruise terminal to board your ship.

It sails 2 times a day, at 9:00 am and 2:00 pm. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time to allow enough time to check in.

Where to sit on the vessel?

The vessel has 3 floors. You can sit on the 1st floor and walk out to the bow to enjoy the breeze; you are welcome to stay there for the duration of the trip, except during docking.

Alternatively, you can head up to the 3rd-floor viewing deck. This level features a VIP area where, for 20 RMB per person, you can sit comfortably and enjoy a cup of tea.

We chose the third floor, as we felt it provided the absolute best vantage point for taking in the majesty of the gorges.

Longmen Gorge: The Gateway to the Small Three Gorges

As the vessel sails along the Daning River, the first sight to greet you is Longmen gorge (dragon gate gorge), easily identified by its iconic red arched bridge.

Located about 3 kilometres from Wushan County, this is the first of the Three Small Gorges. You will pass directly under the Longmen Bridge, which spans the banks.

This gorge is often compared to Kui Gate (the famous entrance to Qutang Gorge). In fact, there is an ancient saying: “It is not Kui Gate, yet it is even more magnificent than Kui Gate.”

Keep a close eye on the cliff faces; you can still see over 300 ancient plank road post-holes. These stone relics once supported timber pathways along the precipice.

Similar ruins can be found throughout Chongqing, such as at Fotuguan and Diaoyu Fortress.

The 175-Meter Waterline

On the rock walls of both banks, you can clearly discern a line marking the maximum water level of 175 meters reached after the construction of the Three Gorges Dam. Before the reservoir was filled, the water level sat at only about 60 meters.

This means the Three Gorges you see today are actually 110 meters higher than they once were—a height equivalent to roughly 37 stories. If you find yourself awestruck by the towering cliffs now, imagine adding another 37 floors of vertical rock stretching toward the sky; the original landscape must have been truly staggering.

Transformation of the Yangtze Shipping

One of the primary reasons for the reservoir project was to enhance the transportation capacity of the Yangtze River. The Three Gorges were once notorious for narrow channels, hidden reefs, and treacherous rapids, which made it impossible for 10,000-ton cargo ships to reach Chongqing.

Following the rise in water levels, the narrow river widened, reefs were submerged, and the rapids vanished. This transformation has drastically boosted shipping efficiency, allowing massive vessels from Shanghai to pass through the Three Gorges Dam and sail directly into the heart of Chongqing.

The Resettlement

After passing through Longmen Gorge, the river opens up. On the left side of the boat, you will notice two solitary households. To the right of these houses, in the middle of the river, sits a tiny, isolated island.

Before the water levels rose, the area between these houses and the island was a bustling village of over 30 households.

In 2003, due to the reservoir project, the residents were resettled across Guangdong, Anhui, Hubei, and Chongqing’s Tongliang and Liangping districts.

The reason those two families remain on the left bank is simply that their homes sit above the 175-meter high-water mark, making them ineligible for the mandatory relocation program.

Echoes of the Past: The Local Life

Looking to the right bank, you will see a white pillar—this marks the site of a former village school.

Before the reservoir was filled, the water here was so shallow during the dry season that it barely reached half a meter deep.

In those days, children didn’t need a boat to get to class; they would simply hike up their trousers, hoist their schoolbags over their heads, and wade across the river.

Today, the school has been repurposed into a livestock farm.

Wushan is known for its local husbandry, including mountain chickens, wild boar, and goats. Villagers keep their animals in the former classrooms, releasing them to roam in the early mornings.

You won’t see them from the river today, however, to protect the famous Three Gorges Red Leaves, the livestock are now kept on the back slopes of the mountains.

Bawu Gorge: The Gallery of Legends

As we enter the second section of the Small Three Gorges, known as <strong>bawu gorge, we encounter the longest stretch of the journey and the one most densely packed with landmarks. Here, the landscape is a natural gallery of “reclining buddhas” and ancient mysteries.

If you look down from the highest peak on the right side of the vessel, you will see a natural formation resembling a Reclining Buddha, or as locals prefer to call it, “The Fairy Washing Her Hair,” appearing like a beautiful woman deep in slumber.

While the scenery seems untouched, life thrives behind these peaks. Wushan County has a population of about 150,000, yet only 50,000 live in the town center; the remaining 100,000 reside on the “hidden” sides of these mountains. The Tang Dynasty poet once wrote of “households deep within the white clouds,” and he was describing this exact reality.

If you look closely, you can see narrow paths winding up from the riverbank. Even so, it takes about three hours to walk from the shore to the nearest village. To truly understand the isolation, one can visit Xiazhuang, the most remote village, where a famous 8-kilometre “Sky Road” was carved into the cliffs during China’s poverty alleviation campaign.

Ancient Footprints and the Hanging Coffins

On the left side, you will notice a cave entrance. This site holds traces of some of the earliest human activity in Asia.

Due to the high water levels, only the top of the cavern is visible now, but it is vast inside. Notice the soot stains on the ceiling—clear evidence of the ancient people who once called this cave home.

Further ahead lies the only Hanging coffin in the Three Gorges that remains perfectly intact in its original position.

Hanging coffins are a funerary custom of the ancient Bo (Wu) people, who carved rectangular holes into 100-meter-high sheer cliffs to inter their dead. While most coffins have been moved to the Wushan Museum for preservation, this thousand-year-old relic remains untouched. You must turn to the right side of the boat to spot it.

It leaves one wondering: in an era without modern technology, how did they scale these vertical walls to place a heavy coffin where no path leads? It remains a secret hidden for millennia.

Dicui Gorge: The Emerald Sanctuary

Dicui (emerald) gorge lives up to its name with its shimmering, verdant waters. In ancient times, the Chinese carved plank roads into these walls, but those paths now rest approximately 40 meters beneath our hull.

High on the right-hand cliff, you will see a solitary temple. It was built by a devoted father to provide his son with a quiet place to study for the Imperial Examinations (the highest level of civil service testing in ancient China).

While it now appears to sit near the water’s edge, before the reservoir was filled, it was perched a hundred meters in the air—a sanctuary of absolute silence, far removed from the distractions of the world.

Entering the Mini Three Gorges

After Dicui Gorge, passengers transfer to even smaller vessels to enter the Mini three gorges, a “sister” tributary of the Daning River.

This area is even more secluded, primitive, and thrilling than the main gorges.

As the waterway narrows to a mere sliver between towering cliffs, you might spot wild monkeys playing on the banks.

This is a “deep-dive” experience where the river twists so sharply that it perfectly embodies the Chinese idiom: “Where the mountains and rivers end and one doubts a path exists, shaded willows and bright flowers bring one to yet another village.”

Top Things to Eat in Wushan

Paper Wrapped Fish 巫山纸包鱼

Unlike traditional grilled fish, which is cooked over open charcoal, Wushan Paper Wrapped Fish is wrapped in special parchment paper and cooked on a flat griddle.

The paper locks in the moisture and aromatics, essentially steaming the fish in its own juices and spicy oils. It’s generally considered a “healthier” and “cleaner” version because there is no direct contact with carbon or flames.

Smoked Pork 巫山腊肉

Wushan is also well-known for its smoked bacon over cypress branches or orange peels, giving the meat a woody and citrusy aroma.

Pork Buns 巫山包子

Wushan steamed pork buns are made with fresh minced pork, known for their soft, cloud-like dough that springs back when touched.

Fengjie Navel Oranges 奉节脐橙

Grown in the Three Gorges reservoir area, the oranges benefit from a unique microclimate—lots of sunshine, no frost, and limestone-rich soil. Fengjie Navel Oranges are famous for having no seeds, no residue (the pulp melts in your mouth), and no wax (they have a natural shine).

Discover Chongqing with WelcomeCQ!

From mountains to grasslands, Chongqing has something to offer for everyone.

Start planning, find an inspiration, or search for a place.

Find

Or follow us on social media.