Located along Ningjiang Road in Wuxia Town, Wushan County, Chongqing, the Little Three Gorges & Mini Three Gorges Scenic Area is a natural masterpiece adjacent to the Yangtze River’s iconic Three Gorges. The Little Three Gorges encompass three breathtaking sections of the Daning River:
- Longmen Gorge (Dragon Gate Gorge)
- Bawu Gorge (Misty Gorge)
- Dicuixia Gorge (Emerald Gorge)
The Mini Three Gorges, their smaller counterpart, lie along the Madu River tributary and include:
- Changtan Gorge (Long Beach Gorge)
- Qinwang Gorge (King Qin Gorge)
- Sancheng Gorge (Three Poles Gorge)
Spanning 65 kilometers, this UNESCO-tier wonder dazzles with six immersive landscapes:
- 1.Aquatic Marvels: Rivers, springs, streams, pools, rapids, curtain-like waterfalls, and pebble beaches.
- 2.Geological Drama: Sheer cliffs, jagged peaks, surreal rock formations, and natural stone mosaics.
- 3.Karst Mysteries: A labyrinth of limestone caves, underground rivers, and caverns of all sizes.
- 4.Biodiversity: Forests teeming with rare flora and fauna.
- 5.Cultural Treasures: Ancient trails, cliffside relics, and ethnic heritage.
- 6.Vertical Grandeur: Sky-piercing vistas where water, rock, and sky collide.
Accolades
- May 8, 2007: Designated a National AAAAA Tourist Attraction (China’s highest scenic rating).
- 2007: Named “National Advanced Scenic Area” for conservation excellence.
- December 31, 2019: Listed among Chongqing’s first Smart Tourism Demonstration Zones.
- April 2022: Recognized as a “Lucid Waters and Lush Mountains” Innovation Base for sustainable tourism.
Longmen Gorge (Dragon Gate Gorge)
The gateway to the Little Three Gorges, this 8-kilometer stretch between Daning River Mouth and Dongpingba is famed for its towering cliffs resembling colossal gates. Dubbed “Surpassing Kuimen” (a famed Yangtze narrow), highlights include:
- Ancient plank road ruins
- Qingshi Shoumen (Lion Guardian Rock)
- Jiulongzhu (Nine Dragon Pillar)
- Panda Cave and Pipa Zhou (Lute Sandbar)
Bawu Gorge (Misty Gorge)
A 15-kilometer realm of whimsical karst sculptures between Dongpingba and Shuanglong Town. Its 10-kilometer core section features:
- Monkey Fishing the Moon (limestone pillar)
- Fairy Tosses a Silk Ball (hanging stalactite)
- Guanyin on Lotus Throne (rock formation)
- Piggy Worships Guanyin (humorous stone carving)
Dicuixia Gorge (Emerald Gorge)
The longest (20 km) and most serene gorge, stretching from Shuanglong to Tujiaba. Highlights:
- Bamboo forests clinging to vertical cliffs
- Hidden waterfalls and wild macaque troops
- Feiyun Cave (Flying Cloud Cave)
Mini Three Gorges
Sancheng Gorge (Three Poles Gorge)
A 5-kilometer narrow passage on the Madu River, navigated by poling bamboo rafts. Features:
- Deer Turning Head (rock silhouette)
- Mother Stone and Moon Village
Qinwang Gorge (King Qin Gorge)
A 4-kilometer drift-friendly stretch with legend-steeped sites:
- Qinwang Cave (bandit king’s lair)
- Carp Leaping Dragon Gate (symbolic rock)
Changtan Gorge (Long Beach Gorge)
A 5-kilometer corridor with a 2-kilometer mirror-like sandbank. Highlights:
- Fossil-rich pebble beaches
- Dripping Rock and Clever Spring
Cultural Heritage
Hanging Coffins
Perched 400–500 meters up Bawu Gorge’s cliffs, these 2,000-year-old coffins of the ancient Pu people defy gravity. Theories suggest they symbolized status, protection, or filial piety.
Boat Coffins
Unique to the Ba culture, 7-meter wooden “boat coffins” rest 100 meters above the Daning River.
Ancient Plank Road Ruins
A 400-kilometer engineering marvel with 15 cm square holes carved into Longmen Gorge’s cliffs—once vital for transport and military logistics.
Luo Family Fort
A cliffside study retreat from the Ming Dynasty, accessible via a thrilling 50-meter climb in Dicuixia Gorge.
Dachang Ancient Town
A 1,700-year-old Ming-Qing gem with intact walls, gates, and 37 heritage buildings. Relocated in 2007 to preserve it from the Three Gorges Reservoir.
Other Highlights
- Autumn Red Leaves: 6,700 hectares of fiery foliage, best viewed in Bawu Gorge.
- Macaca Monkeys: Over 3,000 wild macaques in Bawu and Dicuixia Gorges.
- Dangyang Grand Canyon: A biodiversity corridor linking Shennongjia and the Three Gorges.
- Yangfan Waterfall: A trio of cascades resembling fluttering silk banners.
- Mid-Level Waterfall: A hidden plunge pool with misty rainbows.
Why Visit?
Glide through emerald gorges on bamboo rafts, decode ancient engineering mysteries, and wander time-warped towns where history whispers from every stone. This UNESCO-caliber landscape—where monkeys swing through crimson forests and waterfalls dance with sunlight—is China’s hidden symphony of nature and culture.
