Enjoying the Three Gorges and Eastern Chongqing – A Joyful Journey
Lately, the weather has been unseasonably cool, making it perfect for outdoor trips. Let’s seize the tail end of May and set off together!
The magnificent scenery of the Three Gorges, awe-inspiring and splendid, is truly the perfect first stop for this journey. "Mount Emei towers vast and high, Kuimen and Wushan lock the west wind. The river current cannot be held back, all waters flow eastward" — Ode to the Three Gorges.
A Three Gorges tour must have a starting point. Considering geography and transport convenience, Wanzhou makes an ideal beginning. This city, embraced by mountains and rivers, steeped in history and unique landscapes, lives up to its reputation: "Mountains in the city, water in the city, people living amid the landscape."
Strolling the streets of Wanzhou, the biggest impression is that it truly deserves its name, derived from "a gathering of myriad rivers" and "a convergence of thousands of merchants." Watching the mighty emerald Yangtze roll endlessly, feeling the locals' fiery warmth and the bustling streets, the entire city exudes the fragrance of a thriving age.
Three Gorges Migration Memorial Hall
Just over 20 years ago, a world-shaking event took place here. Due to the construction of the Three Gorges hydroelectric project, 1.31 million reservoir residents left their homes to resettle in new places.
Whole families relocated to support the project. To honor their sacrifice, a memorial hall was erected by the riverbank — the Chongqing Three Gorges Migration Memorial Hall in Wanzhou. It houses cultural collections about the migration and the humanistic history of Wanzhou.
A city's charm often lies in its cultural depth and historical texture, so the first step in Wanzhou must be this memorial hall.
Approaching the building, its rock-shaped exterior inspires awe and a sense of unyielding spirit.
Inside the first floor, you are immediately enveloped by a rich historical atmosphere. It's a mirror of history, a trace of time, showing Wanzhou's journey from turbulent eras to today's prosperity, reflecting the harmonious progress and resilient will of its people.
The second and third floors use projectors, multimedia, and other technologies to vividly display the Three Gorges Project and the massive migration. A special digital wall records the number of relocatees — a staggering ratio: one out of every 1,000 Chinese was a Three Gorges migrant. The impact is hard to overstate.
After visiting the memorial hall, I seemed to love this city even more. Time flies when it's meaningful, and unnoticed, the sun had already set. Brimming with freshly absorbed humanistic and historical sentiment, I walked down the streets as an evening breeze blew, making every sight, smell, and feeling uniquely charming.
Suddenly, a waft of aroma from afar stimulated my appetite. Of course! Since I was in Wanzhou, its signature dish is not to be missed — Wanzhou grilled fish. I had been craving it even before arriving. Following the scent, I saw a fish clamped in an iron frame, grilled over charcoal on a stove.
Prepared with dozens of spices and seasonings, the fish is grilled to perfection with precise heat control. The skin is crispy, the flesh tender and succulent, and the fragrance fills the air. It truly lives up to being Wanzhou's signature culinary delight. Great food must not be betrayed; eating every last bite is the greatest respect. This trip to Wanzhou has been richly rewarding.
After seeing the distinctive clock tower and the unique square, more wonders await. After a long journey, we arrived at the second gorge of the Yangtze's Three Gorges — Wu Gorge.
Wu Gorge lies in the middle stretch, with more than just one or two sights to behold. As the saying goes, "Among Badong's Three Gorges, Wu Gorge is the longest," it is famed for its long, deep valley and layers of towering peaks, rugged rocks, and strange formations.
Sailing through the deep and narrow valley, a sense of mystery and gloom envelops you. On both sides, peaks rise endlessly, one after another, sometimes seeming to block the way forward entirely — yet as you approach, the path suddenly turns, revealing a new vista, just like "dark willows and bright blossoms leading to another village."
Gazing around, only sheer cliffs meet your eyes. The long, deep gorge resembles a corridor of paintings. Sailing through, bizarre rocks and fantastical peaks, misty veils of water, and winding turns offer a unique charm — the scenery here is breathtaking beyond words.
"The twelve peaks of Wushan all float in the azure void." Six stand on each side of the Yangtze, north and south, echoing one another. Each of the twelve has its own posture, all magnificent and alluring, captivating countless travelers.
Among them, Goddess Peak is the most elegant and beautiful. The story of the Wushan Goddess is so moving that anyone who hears it can't help but yearn to learn more. Since ancient times, many literati and poets have come here to write verses and inscriptions.
The Goddess is a symbol of beauty, China's Venus. To not pause and gaze upon her would be to miss the meaning of this trip. Stand before Goddess Peak, feel the fusion of nature and culture, and silently make a wish — perhaps the Goddess will hear your heartfelt prayers!
Climbing Goddess Peak lets you encounter beautiful myths up close. The peak is filled with countless mythological tales; though ethereal, they sincerely reflect the ancients' thoughts and innermost hopes.
The scenic spots within Goddess Peak, each paired with its own legendary story, are truly unique. There's the Goddess Heavenly Palace, a cave stretching several li deep with bizarre stalactite formations.
There is the Shu Pavilion, which inspired the poetic line: "Rather than be exhibited on a cliff for thousands of years, I'd rather weep all night on my lover's shoulder."
Morning Cloud Pavilion and Evening Rain Terrace, where clouds appear in the morning and rain falls at dusk; King Xiang's Ladder, carrying the tale of an eager king and an indifferent goddess; and the majestic Goddess Temple at an altitude of 860 meters, home to many other sights. All these scenic wonders are imbued with deeper meaning — nothing less than people's beautiful aspirations. Such refreshing sights make this journey deeply fulfilling.
Travel inevitably brings fatigue, so rest whenever you can. But with stunning views everywhere, the weariness seems worthwhile. After seeing rugged rocks and sheer peaks, my heart races even more toward the next leg of the journey.
Shizhu, an autonomous county south of the upper Yangtze River in Chongqing, hides many tourist areas and eye-catching spots waiting to be discovered.
With beautiful scenery along the long road, and after a good rest, we will soon arrive at a new camping paradise. This is a place where wildness and beauty unite, where the soul is soothed — a blend of gentleness and grandeur.
Qianye Grassland, an alpine meadow at an altitude of 1,300 to 1,700 meters, lies along the Fangdou Mountain range in Yuchi Town, Shizhu County. A national AAAA-level scenic area, it invites you to breathe in nature, gaze into the distance, and let joy fill your heart amid the lush greenery. Thanks to its high altitude, even in the scorching summer, high temperatures seldom invade, making it perfect for escaping the heat and relaxing. Add this gem to your itinerary, gather your friends, and enjoy the first cool breeze of summer to soothe restlessness.
If you are lucky, you might see couples here, witnessing the creation of romantic wedding photos. How could such beauty be wasted? Every rock, every blade of grass, every forest blends into a scene like a vivid painting. Even if we can't take wedding photos, we should seize the moment for stunning snapshots — picture-perfect at any moment.
After appreciating mountain forests and meadow grass, it's time to immerse in local culture. A historical and cultural ancient town, comparable to Wuzhen, certainly deserves a visit. Xituo Ancient Town is not only Shizhu's gateway on the Yangtze but also a key tourism area. As early as the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, it thrived with water and land trade, bustling with boats and crowds.
The ancient town is steeped in a thick historical atmosphere, yet also exudes a modern cultural and artistic vibe. The sights within are captivating, the most distinctive being the "First Street along the Yangtze" — Cloud Ladder Street.
This street is vastly different from ordinary roads. At first glance, its structure shows remarkable ingenuity. Running perpendicular to the Yangtze, it rises in a dragon-shaped ascent, stretching 1.2 kilometers. Climbing the stone steps, with mist swirling around, feels like ascending into a fairyland.
Walking along, both sides are lined with preserved Tujia stilted houses, their antique charm wafting over you, calming the mind. The variety of inns, shops, and teahouses dazzle the eyes, while the sounds of vendors blend with the architecture, creating a lively and down-to-earth atmosphere.
Strolling through, you discover the street layout holds hidden depths. With a "front street, back market" and "front shop, back residence" functional division, it makes browsing and exploring very convenient for visitors.
After the ancient town's influence, my mind feels much quieter. Time flies, and before I knew it, we had reached the final stop — Zhongyi Township. Though designated one of Chongqing's 18 deeply impoverished townships, it is also a national AAAA-level scenic area. Surrounded by diverse attractions, it's a rare gem. The township not only has a rich ethnic culture but also well-preserved Tujia-style courtyards. Tourism resources are plentiful, and many tourism projects have been developed.
With forest coverage as high as 88%, the air is more than just fresh. At an average altitude of about 1,000 meters, even under a scorching sun, the temperature remains pleasantly cool. Here, up close with the fusion of humanity and nature, where art collides with history, travel fatigue instantly melts away. This place is truly a resting spot from busy life — relax, fill yourself with hope, and move forward more confidently.
Travelling thousands of miles is better than reading thousands of books. Seize the moment while the sun shines and beautiful scenery awaits — set off now!
