Guide to viewing red leaves in the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, and recommended classic hiking routes in the Three Gorges

Preface

When it comes to the Yangtze River, the first thing that comes to mind is definitely the Three Gorges. With the magnificent mountains and rivers along the Yangtze River and the magnificent Three Gorges Project, it's safe to say the Three Gorges are our pride, and a trip to the Three Gorges should be on everyone's travel list.

Some people may remember a movie from the 1980s called "When the Mountains Are Full of Red Leaves", which tells a poignant love story and also takes everyone to see the scenery of the Three Gorges before water storage. The interlude in the movie, "The colorful clouds reflect the Three Gorges every year, and the red leaves on the mountains are like colorful clouds", is about the red leaves in the Three Gorges.

The red leaves of the Three Gorges are restrained and unobtrusive. They start from the top of the mountain, which is more than a thousand meters high, and extend all the way to the mountainside. There are no whole patches of red, but they are dotted with green leaves and set against yellow. Wherever you look, there is a sea of colors.

(Picture from Baidu)

The best season for viewing the red leaves of the Three Gorges

The Three Gorges' crimson leaves, primarily trees like Chinese tallow and cotinus, cover over 100,000 mu (approximately 1,000 hectares) of land, scattered across the mountains and valleys along the Yangtze River, stretching from Yichang, Hubei, in the east to Fengjie, Chongqing, in the west, Enshi, Hubei, in the south, and the Daba Mountains in the north, stretching across the entire Yangtze River's Three Gorges Basin. So, when is the best time to enjoy the crimson leaves of the Three Gorges? If someone tells you it's autumn, they're either not sincere or haven't been. Why? Because the Three Gorges' unique geographical location creates a unique climate. When the rest of the country enters autumn, the leaves of the Three Gorges are just beginning to turn red.

(Photo from China-TravelNote team leader Bogda Peak)

The viewing period for the red leaves in the Three Gorges lasts for three months, from November to January of the following year.

Every year in early November, the alpine mountains along the Yangtze River begin to turn red. From late November to early December, scenic areas such as Wushan's Goddess Peak, Goddess Stream, the Little Three Gorges, and Qutang Gorge's Kuimen Gate enter their peak viewing season. Visitors can enjoy the stunning scenery of "high gorges emerging from calm lakes" and the vibrant colors of mountains and forests.

(Photo from China-TravelNote tour leader Gu Feng)

Tips:

The best time to enjoy the red leaves in the Three Gorges is in early winter. Because the Yangtze River basin has more moisture and the temperature is lower, please prepare warm clothes and rain gear.

The best route to view the red leaves of the Three Gorges

The red leaves of the Three Gorges are on the mountains. If you take a traditional boat tour of the Three Gorges, you should choose a special voyage, that is, a voyage that allows you to stay ashore in Wu Gorge specifically to view the red leaves. I won’t introduce it here, and will talk about it in the next batch of cruises to the Three Gorges.

(Photo from China-TravelNote tour leader Gu Feng)

Traffic Information

There is currently no direct train to Wushan, and you need to take a bus from Chongqing or Yichang to get there.

Although Wuxia Gorge is located in Chongqing, the fastest way to reach it is not to go to Chongqing first, but to transfer in Yichang. Yichang is served by numerous trains from all over the country. Next to Yichang Railway Station is Yichang Bus Station, which offers direct buses to Wushan County. Once in Wushan County, you can choose to join a local day tour group or plan your own itinerary.

Tips:

Yichang to Wushan bus schedule (if there is any update, please feel free to correct it)

Departs at 7:30/9:30/11:30/13:00/15:30/17:30, ticket price 110 yuan

Yichang Bus Passenger Transport Center Station-Wushan Cuiping Bus Station

(Photo from China-TravelNote tour leader Gu Feng)

(Picture from Baidu)

After arriving in Wushan, it is recommended to hike in Wushan, so that you can have more time to appreciate the red leaves all over the mountain and go deep into the red leaves.

If you arrive in Wushan in the morning, you can choose to charter a local car or share a car to the Liuping Visitor Center, which takes about 1 hour.

Then take the scenic bus to Yaotai and start hiking down the mountain from Yaotai, which takes about 4 hours.

If you depart from Wushan and do not reserve at least 6 hours or arrive in Wushan in the afternoon, it is recommended to take a boat from Wushan Ancient City Pier to Qingshi first, or stay in Wushan for one night and hike up the mountain the next day.

Tips:

1. There is currently no shuttle bus from Wushan to Liuping Tourist Center. If you are not in a group, you can choose to charter a car or carpool. You can ask several drivers to avoid unnecessary losses. There is currently no market price.

2. Wushan Ancient City Pier - Qingshi Ferry Schedule

8:00/10:00 AM, 2:00/4:00 PM

Four boats depart for Qingshi every day

3. Accommodation in Qingshi is limited, so it is not recommended to go there directly. You should book accommodation in advance before going there to avoid having no accommodation after you arrive. The conditions are limited, basically there are beds, but it is on the bank of the Yangtze River, so the artistic conception is very good.

4. The hiking route is very simple and the road is obvious. You can also use software such as Six Feet and Outdoor Assistant to follow the trail.

Red Leaves in Qutang Gorge

In addition to the Wuxia Gallery, where the red leaves are most concentrated, the red leaves in the Kuimen section of Qutang Gorge are also very spectacular and worth a visit.

(Photo from China-TravelNote tour leader Gu Feng)

How to get there

To enjoy the red leaves in Qutang Gorge, you can start from Baidi City and go directly to the top of the Three Gorges - Zhengkuimen, which is the section with the most red leaves in Qutang Gorge.

There are two ways to reach Baidi City, one by water and one by land.

If you choose to take a boat, you need to take a boat from Wushan to Baidi City. If you take a car, you need to go to Fengjie first, and then to Baidi Town. The car is a bit troublesome, so it is recommended to take a scheduled boat.

There is only one boat per day, departing from Wushan Ancient City Pier at 8:00 in the morning. After National Day, the departure time will be adjusted to 8:30 and arrive at Baidi Town around 10:30.

Hiking routes

After arriving at Baidi Town, explore Baidi City for about 1.5 hours before heading to Chijia Tower on the back mountain to begin your hike to the summit of the Three Gorges. This hike will be based on your stamina and availability. If you need to return to Baidi City that day, you'll only be able to complete a portion of the hike. If you have more time, you can bring a change of clothes and stay overnight, returning the next day.

Going up the mountain from Chijia Tower, you will pass the monkey sanctuary where a group of cute macaques live. They are not afraid of people.

(Photo from China-TravelNote tour leader Gu Feng)

To hike to the top of the Three Gorges, you need to have enough physical strength and time. Hiking to the top of the Three Gorges requires passing through the poetic plank road and the dangerous rock bird path. The whole journey is about 11 kilometers and the ascent is about 1 kilometer.

(Photo from China-TravelNote team leader Bogda Peak)

Tips:

1. The most convenient and quickest way to reach Baidi Town from the top of the Three Gorges is to return to Baidi City along the same route. You need to take a ferry from Chijia Tower in Baidi City to Baidi City. The latest ferry is at 17:30, so remember not to miss it.

2. There are some accommodations in Pingcao Village on the top of the mountain, but the conditions are limited. The cost of food and accommodation is about 150 yuan per person.

Conclusion

If you don't want to worry about going it alone, why not go with China-TravelNote? China-TravelNote has traveled extensively throughout the Three Gorges, exploring the area numerous times to create a truly unique itinerary.