Wu Gorge (巫峡), also known as Daxia (the Great Gorge) and historically referred to as Baxia (巴峡), is renowned for its elegant beauty. It consists of two sub-gorges: Jin Kui Yin Jia Gorge (Golden Helmet and Silver Armor Gorge) and Tie Guan Gorge (Iron Coffin Gorge). The gorge was formed by the Yangtze River cutting through the anticline of the Wushan Mountain range.
Wu Gorge lies between Wushan County in Chongqing and Badong County in Hubei. It stretches from the mouth of the Daning River, east of Wushan, to Guandukou in Badong. Inside the gorge, there are notable scenic spots, including the Three Platforms (Da Yu’s Book Receiving Platform, Chu Yang Platform, and Dragon-Slaying Platform), Eight Views, Twelve Peaks, and the Kongming Stele. These landmarks offer rich cultural and natural beauty, making Wu Gorge a must-see along the Yangtze River.
Travel Information abotu Wu Gorge
Tickets and Opening Hours
Visiting Wu Gorge doesn’t require an entrance ticket, as the stunning scenery can be enjoyed from a cruise ship along the river. As long as the weather is favorable, the gorge can be visited at any time.
Best Time to Visit
Thanks to the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, the water levels are now stable year-round, allowing boats to travel directly to Wushan. For the best views, it is recommended to visit during spring or summer. Wushan often experiences rain, so it is essential to bring an umbrella or raincoat.
How to Get to Wu Gorge
Location: Wu Gorge starts at the mouth of the Daning River, east of Wushan, and stretches over 40 kilometers to Guandukou in Badong County.
Transportation: You can take a boat from Chongqing to reach Wu Gorge.
Scenic Rating
- Beauty: ★★★★★
- Unique Features: ★★★★★
- Cultural Experience: ★★★★★
- Relaxation: ★★★★
- Romance: ★★★
- Excitement: ★
Highlights of Wu Gorge
Wu Gorge Yangtze River Bridge
The Wu Gorge Yangtze River Bridge is the only bridge in the Three Gorges Reservoir area built at the mouth of a gorge. From a distance, it appears delicate, while up close, it exudes grandeur. Whether viewed from afar or nearby, the bridge seamlessly integrates with the surrounding landscape of Wu Gorge and the lake formed after the dam’s water storage. Amidst the dreamy scenery of the mountains and waters, the bridge adds a vibrant and captivating touch.
The saying “High gorges produce a calm lake” perfectly describes the view beside the bridge – a serene lake, devoid of the once-turbulent waters and treacherous cliffs, now replaced by a tranquil setting that invites admiration of both nature and culture. This beautiful arc, resembling a rainbow, serves as a connecting point between the high gorge and the peaceful lake.
East and West Sections of Wu Gorge
Wu Gorge is divided into eastern and western segments. The eastern section includes Tie Guan Gorge and Men Shan Gorge, while the western section comprises Jin Kui Yin Jia Gorge and Jian Chuan Gorge.
Tie Guan Gorge: Named after a black hanging coffin discovered in the cracks of the cliffs, which locals called the “Iron Coffin.” This gorge is about 10 kilometers long. The best-preserved group of hanging coffins can be found 25 kilometers northeast of Wuxi County in Jingchuanba, where 24 black coffins remain. The cliffs on both sides of the gorge are filled with oddly shaped rocks, forming natural sculptures with unique and fascinating appearances.
Men Shan Gorge: Located between Nanmuyuan and the mouth of Wu Gorge, this 2.5-kilometer-long gorge gets its name from the towering Da Mian and Jianzi Mountains on either side, which resemble two massive doors blocking the river from flowing eastward. The cliffs are steep, featuring the narrow Banbi Rock and the ancient perilous Chainzi Creek plank road. The stunning scenery also includes the Man Dong Bridge, built using an ancient stone stacking technique, which adds to the area’s charm.
Jian Chuan Gorge: Located in the western section of Wu Gorge, east of Lao Shu Cave, this gorge is named after a local legend. It is said that the mighty Chu King once wagered that he could shoot an arrow through a stone beam under Chaoyun Peak, and he succeeded, hence the name “Arrow Piercing Gorge.”
Jin Kui Yin Jia Gorge: A small gorge located 10 kilometers downstream from Wushan. Its name comes from the resemblance of the rocks to ancient armor, with the grayish-white cliffs resembling silver scales and the limestone peaks at the top taking on a golden hue, much like a warrior’s helmet. On the northern bank of the Yangtze River, a small creek called Hengshi Creek flows with crystal-clear waters, merging into the Yangtze.
Goddess Peak
Among the Twelve Peaks of Wu Gorge, Goddess Peak is the most famous and captivating. At the top of the peak stands a graceful stone pillar, resembling a slender and elegant maiden. This peak is the first to greet the morning glow and the last to bid farewell to the evening light, earning it the name “Wangxia Peak” (Peak of Watching the Clouds).
According to legend, Yaoji, the youngest daughter of the Queen Mother of the West, passed by Wushan with other gods while traveling to the East China Sea. Seeing the destructive floods, they helped Yu the Great cut through the rocks, channel the water, and clear the obstructions, taming the disaster. After the flood subsided, Yaoji remained to bless the people, ensuring bountiful harvests and safe passage for boats. Over time, she transformed into the Goddess Peak. The peak rises majestically by the river, often shrouded in mist. During light rain, the refreshing coolness of the mist lightly dampens the air. The cloud-covered cliffs of the peak create a breathtaking landscape, resembling a traditional Chinese ink painting with its perfect blend of light and shadow.
The Twelve Peaks of Wushan
The Twelve Peaks of Wushan are an iconic feature of the Wu Gorge, with green mountains stretching across both sides of the river, forming a natural gallery. The peaks rise steeply, creating a deep and scenic backdrop as the Yangtze River winds through the gorge. The twelve peaks are divided between the northern and southern banks of the river.
On the northern bank, from west to east, you can find the peaks of Denglong, Shengquan, Chaoyun, Goddess Peak, Songluan, and Jixian. Among these, Goddess Peak is the most famous, while the others complement the gorge’s serene beauty with their own unique forms.
On the southern bank, although there are also six peaks, only three – Feifeng, Cuiping, and Juhe – are visible from the river. The remaining three peaks – Jingtan, Qiyun, and Shangsheng – lie farther inland. To fully appreciate the latter peaks, you would need to travel upstream from Feifeng Peak near Qingshi Creek, and disembark at Lanchang to experience their majestic presence.
Kongming Stele
Located near Goddess Peak, the Kongming Stele is situated at the base of Jixian Peak, also known as Scissors Peak due to its resemblance to a pair of scissors pointing towards the sky. This stele is one of the most easily accessible ancient sites in the Wu Gorge region. It is carved into a large, rectangular white rock face under the peak, slightly recessed to resemble a stele, with three bold inscriptions: “Steep Cliffs and Layers of Wu Gorge (重岩叠嶂巫峡),” “Majestic Peaks Soaring (名峰耸秀),” and “The Twelve Peaks of Wushan (巫山十二峰).”
Legend has it that the phrase “Steep Cliffs and Layers of Wu Gorge” was written by the famous strategist Zhuge Liang, which is why it is called the “Kongming Stele.” This ancient relic is one of the most significant historical landmarks in Wu Gorge. According to stories, the stele once bore smaller inscriptions, which included a passage from Zhuge Liang’s “Longzhong Plan,” outlining his strategy to ally with the Kingdom of Wu to defeat Wei.
Dayu Shoushu Platform
Dayu Shoushu Platform is located about 30 kilometers east of Wushan County, within Feifeng Peak, facing the renowned Goddess Peak. According to legend, when Dayu, the mythical hero famous for taming the floods, arrived in Wushan, he struggled to find a solution to control the waters. One night, he dreamed of a platform with a box on it, which contained a divine book detailing the methods for flood control.
The next day, he ventured into the mountains in search of the book. To his amazement, he encountered a woman holding a box. When she opened it, it contained the very treasures he had dreamed of – heavenly knowledge to control the floods. Using the guidance from this divine book, Dayu was able to swiftly resolve the flood issues. In honor of this event, the platform was named Shoushu Platform, meaning the “Platform of Receiving the Book.”
Shennü Stream
Shennü Stream, stretching 31.9 kilometers long, is located 20 kilometers from Wushan County, directly opposite Goddess Peak on the southern bank of Wu Gorge. The stream flows through an area of towering mountains and deep valleys, remaining largely in its original, untouched state. Its serene, picturesque landscape feels like a world apart, offering a tranquil escape from modern life.
As you journey upstream along the stream, you’ll reach the Erhekou and the breathtaking “One Line Sky” gorge within the Jingtan Peak Scenic Area. The gorge narrows significantly, with fast-moving waters that have remained largely unexplored, making it one of the few pristine tourist destinations along the Three Gorges. Once known only to a handful of photographers, Shennü Stream has now become one of the most captivating and sought-after attractions along the Yangtze River, famed for its unspoiled natural beauty.
Wushan Red Leaf River
Wushan Red Leaf River is located in the middle section of the Baolong River, about 15 kilometers from Goddess Peak, with its core scenic area near the Twelve Labyrinth Caves. This region is characterized by towering peaks and remote, sparsely populated landscapes. The area is covered in vibrant red leaves, creating a striking display. When the wind blows, the leaves fall and blanket the mountains like a red carpet, some drifting into the river, turning it into a shimmering stream of red – hence the name “Red Leaf River.” In addition to the breathtaking red leaves, the Red Leaf River Scenic Area also features other stunning sites such as Narrow Gate Gorge, Butou Lake, and Twelve Rapids.
Wushan Mountain
The Wushan Mountain range is located at the intersection of Sichuan and Hubei provinces, connecting to the Daba Mountains to the north. It stretches in a northeast-southwest direction, with its highest peak, Wuyun Peak, reaching an elevation of 2,400 meters. The Yangtze River cuts through the Wushan syncline from west to east, creating the stunning 100-mile-long Wu Gorge.
As one of China’s renowned heavy rainfall regions, Wushan experiences significant precipitation, particularly in its limestone landscape. Over time, the continuous erosion from wind and water has sculpted the area into a dramatic landscape featuring numerous striking peaks and ridges. Among these formations, the Twelve Peaks stand out as the most captivating and iconic, showcasing the unique beauty of the Wushan peak forest.