奉节县 — The Poetic Gateway to the Three Gorges
Fengjie County sits at the western entrance of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River, guarding the legendary Qutang Gorge and the iconic Kuimen Gate — the towering cliff formation featured on the Chinese ¥10 banknote. For over 2,300 years, this historic city has been celebrated in Chinese poetry, most famously as the home of Baidi City (White Emperor City), where Liu Bei met his historical end and where countless poets including Li Bai and Du Fu found inspiration.
Beyond its literary and historical treasures, Fengjie boasts remarkable natural wonders including the Tiankeng Difeng — one of the world's deepest sinkholes and longest natural bridges, and the Three Gorges Summit (三峡之巅) offering breathtaking panoramic views of the entire Yangtze canyon system. The county is also famous for its sweet and juicy navel oranges (奉节脐橙), considered among the finest in China. With dramatic landscapes, deep history, and world-class citrus fruits, Fengjie delivers an unforgettable Three Gorges experience.
Baidi City, perched on a hill overlooking the Yangtze and Qutang Gorge, is one of China's most historically significant ancient sites. Named after Wang Mang's self-proclaimed "White Emperor" during the Xin Dynasty, the site gained immortal fame when Liu Bei, founder of the Shu Han kingdom, retreated here after his devastating defeat and entrusted his son to his chancellor Zhuge Liang in a legendary scene now immortalized in the classic novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." The site features beautifully preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, ancient stone inscriptions, and temples dedicated to the Three Kingdoms heroes.
From the temple complex, visitors enjoy spectacular views of the Kuimen Gate and Qutang Gorge entrance. The famous "Kuimen" characters carved into the cliff face opposite are visible from the viewing platforms. The on-site museum displays artifacts from the Three Kingdoms era and ancient Ba culture. The mountain itself is covered with ancient trees, winding stone paths, and pavilions that have been described in poetry for over a thousand years, making it an essential pilgrimage for Chinese history and literature enthusiasts.
Hours: 8:00–17:30 (March–October), 8:30–17:00 (November–February)
Admission: ¥100 (includes Baidi City and entrance to viewing areas)
Transport: Bus No. 1 from Fengjie town center to Baidi City (20 min), or taxi (~¥30)
Qutang Gorge is the first and most dramatic of the Three Gorges, stretching 8 kilometers between towering vertical cliffs that rise over 1,000 meters directly from the river. The gorge's entrance is marked by the Kuimen Gate — a natural gateway formed by two massive rock walls that narrow the Yangtze to a mere 50 meters wide. This iconic landmark, often called the "Gate of China," is so culturally significant that it was chosen to appear on the back of the Chinese ¥10 banknote.
Boat passages through Qutang Gorge offer awe-inspiring views of the sheer cliff walls, ancient plank-road holes, hanging coffins, and dramatic rock formations. The famous "Kuimen" calligraphy characters, each over 20 meters tall, are carved into the cliff face and visible from the river. The best way to experience the gorge is by small tourist boat from Fengjie, which allows you to appreciate the scale and hear the echoes of the river against the towering walls. On clear days, the sunlight creates spectacular effects on the narrow canyon walls.
Hours: Boat tours 8:00–16:00 (daily), best viewed from Yangtze cruises at any hour
Admission: ¥50–120 (gorge boat tour), included on Yangtze cruises
Transport: Boat from Fengjie Yangtze pier (10 min walk from town center)
Tiankeng Difeng is a spectacular karst landscape featuring one of the deepest sinkholes on earth — the Xiaozhai Tiankeng (小寨天坑), which plunges 662 meters with a circumference of over 2 kilometers. This massive sinkhole was formed by the collapse of a limestone cave system over millions of years, creating a natural amphitheater visible from space. The vertical walls are covered with lush vegetation, and at the bottom a pristine underground river system flows through hidden caves.
The "Earthly Seam" (Difeng) is a spectacular slot canyon extending over 37 kilometers, with sections so narrow that only one person can pass through at a time. The seam reaches depths of over 200 meters with walls barely 1–2 meters apart. Walking through the narrow passage is a thrilling experience, with sunlight barely reaching the canyon floor. The entire scenic area features hiking trails, viewing platforms, and guided tours that explore both the sinkhole rim and the depths of the seam.
Hours: 8:00–17:00 (daily)
Admission: ¥80 (sinkhole and seam combined ticket)
Transport: Bus from Fengjie to Xiaozhai Town (1.5 hours), then scenic shuttle or 30-min walk
The Three Gorges Summit is a newly developed scenic area perched on the highest point overlooking the Three Gorges entrance, offering what many consider the most spectacular panoramic view in all of Chongqing. Located at an elevation of over 1,200 meters, the summit provides a bird's-eye view of the Qutang Gorge, Kuimen Gate, Baidi City, and the Yangtze River snaking through the mountains below. On clear days, visibility extends for dozens of kilometers across the successive mountain ranges.
The scenic area features modern viewing platforms, a glass-bottom walkway extending over the cliff edge, and well-maintained hiking trails along the ridge. A cable car brings visitors most of the way up, followed by an easy 20-minute walk to the summit. Sunrise and sunset visits are particularly magical, with the changing light transforming the colors of the river and cliffs. The facility includes a restaurant and observation deck café, making it easy to spend several hours soaking in the views.
Hours: 8:00–18:00 (daily), cable car 8:00–17:30
Admission: ¥50 (scenic area), ¥60 (cable car roundtrip)
Transport: Bus from Fengjie to Sanxia Zhi Dian scenic area (40 min), then cable car to summit
Fengjie is world-famous for its navel oranges (脐橙), considered by many connoisseurs to be the finest in China. The oranges thrive in the unique microclimate of the Yangtze River valley, with abundant sunshine, mineral-rich soil, and perfect temperature variations that concentrate their sweetness. The orange orchards carpet the hillsides along the river, creating a stunning landscape of green foliage dotted with bright orange fruits during harvest season from November through March.
Several orchards welcome visitors for fruit-picking experiences, where you can select and harvest your own oranges directly from the trees. The experience includes orchard tours explaining cultivation techniques, orange tasting, and the opportunity to purchase freshly picked fruit at farm-gate prices. The annual Fengjie Navel Orange Festival (usually December) celebrates the harvest with cultural performances, competitions, and special tastings throughout the county.
Hours: Orchard visits by arrangement (November–March peak season)
Admission: ¥20–50 (orchard tours with fruit tasting)
Transport: Bus from Fengjie to various orchard areas in surrounding countryside (20–40 min)
This district continues to reveal new attractions and experiences for visitors. Local cultural sites, natural landscapes, and community events offer authentic glimpses into daily life in Chongqing's diverse districts. The area is particularly known for its warm hospitality and unique regional characteristics.
Travelers who venture here often discover hidden gems not found in typical guidebooks. From local festivals to weekend markets, from family-run eateries to scenic walking paths, the district rewards curious explorers with genuine experiences that create lasting memories of their time in Chongqing municipality.
This district rewards slow travel. Take time to chat with locals, try small family restaurants, and wander down side streets. The best experiences are rarely the most famous ones.
Located within Chongqing municipality, this area combines natural beauty with cultural heritage. Whether you are interested in hiking, photography, or food, you will find plenty to explore throughout the year.
Don't forget to bring a camera - the landscapes here are stunning, especially during golden hour just after sunrise and before sunset. The misty mornings over the hills create particularly atmospheric photos.