Nestled at the eastern gateway of Chongqing, Wushan serves as an obligatory stop for those embarking on the breathtaking journey through the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. Steeped in history, adorned with ancient relics, and blessed with abundant resources, Wushan has been a cradle of civilization for millions of years, with the earliest upright humans, known as the “Wushan Man,” thriving in this region over two million years ago.
Wushan, with its distinctive natural beauty, stands out in the landscape. Renowned globally for the Three Gorges of the Yangtze, Wushan encompasses the entirety of Wuxia (Wu Gorge) and a significant portion of Qutangxia (Qutang Gorge). The allure of Wuxia lies in its deep, picturesque valleys, winding and twisting through the landscape, with the famous “Wushan Twelve Peaks” standing sentinel on both sides of the mighty Yangtze River. Among these peaks, the Goddess Peak (Shennü Feng) stands out as the most exquisite, a pinnacle of natural beauty.
The Wushan Twelve Peaks (巫山十二峰) showcase the enchanting beauty of the region, with their shapes and formations capturing the imagination. The ever-changing clouds, frequent rain showers, and the captivating play of mist contribute to the unique charm of Wushan. The renowned Tang Dynasty poet Yuan Zhen immortalized the enduring allure of Wushan in his timeless verses:
“The blue sea makes all other waters unworthy of the name, After Wushan, all other clouds are mere puffballs above.”
Situated at the junction of Sichuan and Hubei provinces, the Wushan mountain range extends in a northeast-southwest direction, connecting with the Daba Mountains to the north. The main peak, Wuyun Ding, stands at an impressive altitude of 2400 meters. The Yangtze River, cutting across the Wushan anticline from west to east, creates the spectacular Bai Li Wuxia (Hundred Miles Wushan Gorge). Due to Wushan’s status as one of China’s prominent regions for heavy rainfall and its location in a limestone area, the continuous erosive forces of wind and rain, coupled with the deep cutting action of the rivers, have sculpted a landscape adorned with majestic peaks and stunning ridges – the Twelve Peaks of Wushan being the most captivating among them.
The Wushan Twelve Peaks are strategically positioned on both sides of the Yangtze, with six peaks to the north and six to the south, each varying in distance from the Wushan County, ranging between 10 to 30 kilometers. The six northern peaks include Denglong, Shengquan, Chaoyun, Wangxia (Goddess), Songluan, and Jixian, while the six southern peaks, Jingtan, Qiyun, Shangsheng, as hidden behind the mountains on the southern bank, are only visible as Feifeng, Cuiping, and Juhe.
Apart from their diverse and picturesque shapes, the Wushan Twelve Peaks are shrouded in mystery, with the ever-changing clouds and mist enhancing their enigmatic allure. The mist, rising from the high mountains and valleys, at times forms floating clouds and drizzles, creating an ethereal atmosphere. The Twelve Peaks seem to appear and disappear in the swirling clouds, resembling a celestial realm.
The altitudes of the Twelve Peaks are as follows:
- Qiyun Peak: 720 meters
- Cuiping Peak: 740 meters
- Feifeng Peak: 740 meters
- Shangsheng Peak: 780 meters
- Juhe Peak: 820 meters
- Songluan Peak: 820 meters
- Chaoyun Peak: 820 meters
- Jixian Peak: 840 meters
- Wangxia Peak: 860 meters (also known as Goddess Peak)
- Shengquan Peak: 870 meters
- Jingtan Peak: 1020 meters
- Denglong Peak: 1130 meters
Each peak tells a story of geological forces, natural beauty, and cultural significance, making the Wushan Twelve Peaks a captivating destination for those seeking to explore the wonders of nature and history in the heart of China.