#Chongqing Wushan Little Three Gorges - Little Three Gorges Tour Guide (2026 latest) Wushan Small Three Gorges - Small Three Gorges is the first batch of 5A-level scenic spots in the country, located on the Daning River, a tributary of the Yangtze River. It is composed of Longmen Gorge, Bawu Gorge, Dicui Gorge (Small Three Gorges) ** and Changtan Gorge, Qinwang Gorge, and Sanzhuan Gorge (Small Three Gorges) ** of the tributaries of the Madu River. It is famous for "Xiu, You, Qi, Xiong" and has the reputation of "Not the Three Gorges, but better than the Three Gorges". The core gameplay is ** Boat tour canyon + exploration of ancient ruins + transfer to a black canoe to experience the narrow gorge scenery **. --- ##1. Basic information (verified in August 2026) ###1. Tickets and opening hours - ** Tickets **: Small Three Gorges 120 yuan/person, Small Three Gorges 150 yuan/person (most packages include ferry tickets + transfer to Ukan, it is recommended to buy a joint ticket for more cost-effective, online platform advance booking from 125-135 yuan, some including pick-up/explanation) - ** Opening hours **: - Small Three Gorges: 08:00-18:00 - Small Three Gorges: 07:00-14:00 (due to the large number of shallow beaches, only morning/afternoon boats can enter, and transfer will stop after 14:00) - ** Cruise Ship Frequency **: The fixed frequency is ** 8:50 am and 14:00 pm **, and the ship will be shipped on a rolling basis during peak seasons/holidays according to the number of tourists. It is recommended to check tickets at the pier 30 minutes in advance. - ** Tour Duration **: Small Three Gorges + Small Three Gorges round-trip about 4 hours (about 3 hours by boat, about 50 minutes-1 hour by small Three Gorges Ukan). ###2. Traffic Guide - ** High-speed rail (recommended) **: Take the high-speed rail from Chongqing North Railway Station to Wushan Station, about 2 hours. After leaving the station, take a taxi/bus 101/105 to Wushan Tourist Terminal (Small Three Gorges Visitor Center), about 20 minutes by car. In the direction of Yichang, you can take the high-speed rail/Three Gorges cruise ship to Wushan Port, and walk to the cruise ship terminal. - ** Self-driving **: Chongqing City takes Yuyi Expressway to Wushan County, the whole journey is about 450 kilometers/5 hours, and the county stops at the tourist terminal to board the ship. - ** Car **: Chongqing 4km Junction/Longtousi Bus Station Take the bus to Wushan, about 5 hours, and transfer to the bus/taxi to the tourist center. - ** Steamer **: Chongqing Chaotianmen Wharf takes a passenger ferry to Wushan, and transfers to Longmen Ferry. --- ##2. Core play route ▶ half-day easy tour (suitable for time-strapped/passing tourists) ** Route **: Wushan County → Small Three Gorges Visitor Center by boat → Longmen Gorge → Bawu Gorge → Dicui Gorge → Madu River Ferry Transfer to Ukan Boat Tour Small Three Gorges → Return to the county by the same way - Highlights: 4 hours to watch the scenery of the core canyon, no need to rush the itinerary, suitable for tourists who return to Chongqing/Yichang on the same day. - Time reference: catch the 8:50 flight, return to the pier around 13 noon, and return after eating delicious food in the county seat in the afternoon. ▶ one-day classic tour (preferred by most tourists) ** Route **: Small Three Gorges + Small Three Gorges → Dachang Ancient Town - Morning: 8:50 take a boat tour of the Small Three Gorges - Small Three Gorges, along the way to see the canyon, hanging coffins, ancient plank road; - Noon: The cruise destination can arrive at Dachang Ancient Town (the Ming and Qing ancient town rebuilt as a whole, retaining the original architectural pattern), and eat farm dishes in the ancient town; - Afternoon: visit the ancient town and see the ancient buildings. In the afternoon, take a cruise/scenic spot to return to the county seat. In the evening, you can visit Ningjiangdu Park or Wushan Museum to learn about the salt road culture of Daning River. ###▶ Two days and one night in-depth tour (suitable for families/photography enthusiasts) ** Day1 **: Arrive in Wushan → check in the county seat/Dachang ancient town → take the 14:00 flight in the afternoon to visit the Little Three Gorges (soft light is suitable for photography) → visit the county night market at night, eat Wushan grilled fish, buy specialties; ** Day2 **: In the morning, you can choose the Wuxia Goddess Peak cruise (about 2.5 hours, see the Goddess Peak red leaves/clouds), or visit Dachang Ancient Town for in-depth experience, and return in the afternoon. - Accommodation suggestion: Priority is given to hotels near the pier in Wushan County, with complete facilities and convenient meals; if you want to experience the atmosphere of the ancient town, you can stay in Dachang Ancient Town Homestay, which is cost-effective but slightly inferior to the county seat. --- ##3. Must-see highlights (point by point) 1. ** Longmen Gorge (male) **: The gateway to the Three Gorges, the cliffs on both sides are like knives, forming a "one-line sky" wonder, you can see the remains of the thousand-year-old plank road (the square stone hole on the cliff, excavated in the Tang Dynasty for the salt spring), the natural stone lion "Green Lion Guard Gate". 2. ** Bawu Gorge (Qi) **: Also known as "Iron Coffin Gorge", the core attraction is the ** Cliff Hanging Coffin ** (the relic of the thousand-year Ba people, hanging high above the cloud and fog cliff), lucky to see the mountain macaque group. 3. ** Dicui Gorge (Show) **: The essence section of the Small Three Gorges, the deepest gorge and the most lush vegetation, with "Chibi Ferris" golden cliffs and "Tianquan Flying Rain" 100-meter waterfalls, the water color is clear and the reflection is beautiful. 4. ** Small Three Gorges (secluded) **: The tributaries of the Madu River cannot be accessed by motor boats due to the large number of shallow beaches, so they must be transferred to hand-paddled caravans. The canyon is narrower, and the vegetation on both sides is almost within reach. You can tread water and play on the beach in summer. The autumn and winter red leaves are just around the corner, which is the most "wild" paragraph. --- #4. Food and Specialties ###Must eat delicious food - ** Wushan Grilled Fish **: the characteristics of the birthplace, integrated with pickling, roasting and stewing processes, with Sichuan-style hot pot base, many old shops on Binjiang Road in the county seat; - ** Jade jelly **: a famous Chinese snack made of stinky yellow thorn leaves, hot and sour appetizer, smooth entrance, and super greasy in summer; - ** Wushan Snow Jujube **: Traditional cakes in Dachang Ancient Town, with white powder like frost on the outside and snow filaments on the inside, sweet but not greasy. ###Specialty recommendation Wushan crispy plum (summer), Wushan tea, farm bacon, Shansher orange, Codonopsis, Gastrodia elata. --- #5. Practical tips 1. ** Dress and equipment **: - The river is windy, even in summer, it is recommended to bring a thin coat; on board, sunglasses, sunscreen, and sun hat; - Go ashore and take the plank road/ancient town with steps, wear light and non-slip sports shoes; - The weather in the Three Gorges is changeable, so bring folding rain gear with you. 2. ** Precautions for cruise ships **: Remember the port and sailing time of the cruise ship, and be sure to return before sailing to avoid being left behind. - Catering on board is expensive, it is recommended to bring a small amount of snacks and mineral water; - Wear a life jacket when changing to a canoe, do not stand and shake at will, and take pictures of the narrow gorge section to prevent the mobile phone/camera from falling. 3. ** Pit avoidance reminder **: - Wushan High-speed Railway Station/Wharf ignores private boats and black tour guides who solicit customers, and regular cruise ships are uniformly checked in the tourist center; - During the wet season (summer), the water level is high and the current is urgent. The small Three Gorges caravan may adjust its route according to the water level, subject to the notice of the scenic spot on the day; Autumn and winter red leaf season (November-December) is the peak season, it is recommended to book ferry tickets and hotels 3-5 days in advance. 4. ** Best season to visit **: Spring and summer (April-August) have green vegetation and clear water, suitable for summer play; autumn and winter (November-December) are full of red mountains, which is the golden period for enjoying red leaves.