It's again the time to enjoy a sea of red leaves in west China's Chongqing 
Wushan County. The 14th China Chongqing Yangtze River Three Gorges (Wushan) 
International Red Leaves Festival opened on November 20. During the festival, 
Wushan County in Chongqing will launch 13 red leaves tour routes and more than 
20 interactive experience activities.

There are nearly 200 varieties of red-leaves trees such as Cotinus coggygria 
and maple trees in Wushan, with a total area of more than 1.2 million mu, of 
which more than 150,000 mu are concentrated in patches. The period to enjoy red 
leaves can last as long as three months, from early November to January of the 
following year. In Wushan, it is a mixture of colors in mid-autumn, dominantly 
red in late autumn and flamboyantly red in early winter, according to Wushan 
County Publicity Department.

Among the scenic spots to enjoy red leaves in China, Wushan is unique as it has 
the most characteristic features, largest growing area, most varieties, most 
beautiful landscape, longest viewing cycle, highest viewing value, best 
combination of landscape and most flexible touring choices.

Chongqing is located in the southwest of inland China and the upper reaches of 
the Yangtze River. It is the only municipality in the central and western 
regions. Wushan County is located in the eastern part of Chongqing City and in 
the heart of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, standing across the Wuxia Gorge. 
It is known as the gateway of northeast Chongqing.

Wushan was Wujun of Chu State during the Spring and Autumn Period and the 
Warring States Period, and was changed to Wu County in Qin and Han dynasties, 
which was about 2,297 years ago. The Yangtze River gave birth to the "Wushan 
people" in Longgupo 2.04 million years ago and the Daxi civilization 5,000 
years ago. Since ancient times, the place has never failed to inspire poets. 
Many literary giants such as Li Bai, Du Fu, Bai Juyi, Liu Yuxi, Lu You and Wang 
Anshi traveled to Wushan, leaving more than 6,000 poems which are still read 
nowadays.

In addition to its splendid civilization, Wushan is also famous for its 
beautiful scenery, long gorges and deep valleys. The Three Gorges is 700 miles 
long, with the Wu Gorge being the longest. Wu Gorge is the most wonderful 
landscape gallery along the Yangtze River, integrating canyons, red leaves, 
landscapes, clouds, villages and ancient sites. There are the Three Gorges 
featuring canyons and river scenery. There are small Three Gorges with 
exploration, leisure and rafting tourism as its main features. There are a 
cluster of scenic spots represented by the Goddess Peak.

In autumn and winter, Wushan features clouds, rivers, mountains and red leaves, 
presenting a magnificent landscape in which wide lakes in the high gorge and 
red leaves over mountains add radiance to each other. Lush forests, flourishing 
red leaves, and layers of clouds flowing in the mountains make Wushan a 
fairyland on earth.

For more details, please visit http://cqws.gov.cn/.

Source: Wushan County Publicity Department