Collect one hundred beautiful scenes from poems. At the peak of the Three Gorges, the monkeys on both banks keep calling, and the light boat has already passed through thousands of layers of mountains

📍 Complete Hiking Guide to the Peak of the Three Gorges｜Tested Pitfall Avoidance Tips

This is the second spot I have personally hiked before. I hope to complete all one hundred places in my lifetime.

🔥 Scenic Highlights
This is not only the highest point of the Yangtze River Three Gorges (1388 meters) but also the location featured on the back of the 10 yuan RMB note! After a long climb to the top, standing on the viewing platform overlooking the Qutang Gorge, you truly feel the joy of "the light boat has already passed through thousands of layers of mountains."

🚶 Hiking Route Test
1️⃣ Hardcore Player Route
👉 Route: Baidi City → Chijia Tower → Monkey Mountain (beware of food-snatching monkeys!) → 66 Switchbacks (the most tiring but most beautiful) → 1314 Steps → Endpoint
⚠️ Notes:
- You must buy a Baidi City ticket (100 yuan) to complete the whole route. It seems people from Dadukou can enter for free.
- Bring enough water! There are only 2 supply points along the way.

2️⃣ Lazy Essential Route (6.8km/4h)
This is the route I took friends on for the second time, with great cost performance!
👉 Route: Get off at Aokou → head straight to 66 Switchbacks → 1314 Steps → Summit
✨ Advantages:
Skip the first 3 km of devilish climbing
Fewer people, great for photos (especially the Z-shaped plank road at 66 Switchbacks)

3️⃣ Tourist Special Route
Cable car + 20 minutes walk to the summit, suitable for bringing parents
💰 Cost: Round-trip cable car 80 yuan

🚗 Transportation Pitfall Tips
For high-speed rail travelers:
- Chongqing to Fengjie Station takes 2 hours
- Look for the "Scenic Area Shuttle" sign when exiting the station (don’t trust unlicensed taxis!)
- 15 yuan to Aokou, 30 yuan to Baidi City

Self-driving tips:
Navigate to "Peak of the Three Gorges Visitor Center"
Parking is free but limited
Recommended to arrive before 8 AM

🍜 Food and Accommodation Recommendations
Accommodation:
Find something casually in Fengjie County town

Food:
Don’t miss the 5 yuan roadside navel orange juice

💡 Practical Tips
Best season: October to November (the red leaves are stunning)
Must-have items:
Non-slip shoes (lots of moss!)
Sunscreen (no shade at the summit)
Trekking poles (otherwise climbing is very tiring; you can also pick up tree branches along the way)

Finally, to be honest:
Choose the full route if you want a challenge
Choose the half route if you want to enjoy the scenery
Take the cable car if you have elderly or children with you

The moment you stand at the peak of the Three Gorges, you will truly feel it was worth the trip! (Just your legs might shake a bit...)