Wushan County is situated above the Yangtze on the north bank and embraced by lovely mountain peaks where flourishes the tung tree, whose oil was used for the caulking, oiling and varnishing of junks and sampans. The small town of Wuxia,with l5,000 residents, is the county seat. Wuxia is the starting point for boat trips up the Daning River through the Three Little Gorges–the main reason for making a stop at Wushan.
Of the counties of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Wushan has the most cultural relics and historic sites, over 40 historic sites and one thousand rare cultural relics in all.
Longgupo Pithecanthrope Site, found in Wushan, is the site of fossils of one of the earliest human beings – Wushan Man. About two million years ago, Wushan Man lived in Wushan Area. Daxi Town, where the Neolithic Site is located, has 5,000 years of history and is home to the famous Daxi Culture. The area of Wushan also contains the Ancient Town of Dachang (1368 – 1644), well-preserved Han Tombs, one of the Yangtze’s ancient Tang Dynasty temples and Luyou Cave.
Of the cultural relics in Wushan, the Ancient Plank Road and the Suspended Coffins are well-known.
Besides boasting a long history, Wushan takes pride in its natural scenery. As Wushan traverses the whole part of Wu Gorge and most of Qutang Gorge, it combines many landscapes of the two gorges of Yangtze River. Among these are the twelve peaks of Wushan along the two banks of Wu Gorge. The Goddess Peak is the most prominent and has many beautiful legends.
Near Wushan are the Three Little Gorges of Daning River. Because of its unique beauty and dangers shoals, it has been visited by numerous tourists and celebrities and praised as one of the marvelous spectacles of China. Yangtze River cruise ships usually stop here to give visitors a chance of drifting along the Three Little Gorges.
Wushan has been visited by numerous poets who wrote works praising its scenery. It is not only the cradle of Daxi Culture and Bachu Culture but also that of Goddess Culture and Wu Culture.
Since the instigation of the Three Gorges Dam Project, a new, more charming, scene has been appeared in Wushan. Don’t miss Wushan and its scenery while cruising along the gorgeous Yangtze River.
