The blooming Plum Trees enhance the tourism appeal of Wushan County in Western China

Thursday, March 14, 2024

In the picturesque landscape of Wushan County, nestled along the Yangtze River in Chongqing Municipality, a vibrant scene unfolds. The sixth Three Gorges (Wushan) Plum Flower Festival commenced on March 12, aiming to enhance the allure of the Three Gorges region for tourists through the delightful blossoms.

Captured in the quaint B&B courtyards of Ganyuan Village, Quchi Town, Wushan County, the blossoming plums paint a charming picture. Situated in the heartland of the Three Gorges, spanning the banks of the Yangtze River, Wushan County serves as a pivotal point for Chongqing’s connections with the eastern region, and an essential stop for those exploring the Three Gorges.

With roots tracing back to the Tang and Song dynasties, over a millennium ago, the tradition of cultivating Wushan crisp plums has endured. Presently, the cultivation spans 300,000 mu, ranging from altitudes of 175 to 800 meters, with the plum blossoms gradually reaching their peak from mid-March to mid-April. Blanketing the mountainsides like a dusting of snow, the blossoms create a captivating sight along the Yangtze River.

Recognizing the priceless value of pristine waters and verdant mountains, Wushan County has implemented numerous initiatives to preserve the local environment and elevate crisp plum cultivation into a cornerstone industry. Through advancements in variety breeding and technological enhancements, the county has elevated both the quality and scale of crisp plum production, earning renown as China’s hub for crisp plums.

However, crisp plum is just one facet of Wushan’s ecological treasures. The county has embarked on extensive land greening efforts, focusing on planting red-leaf tree species along the Yangtze River. This endeavor not only restores the local ecology but also creates a more concentrated and contiguous expanse of red-leaf trees, culminating in the annual Wushan International Red Leaf Festival, now in its 17th year, which celebrates the achievements of ecological development along the Yangtze River.

In the realm of transportation, Wushan has evolved into a comprehensive hub in eastern Chongqing, boasting an airport, high-speed railway connections, navigable waterways of the Yangtze River, multiple expressways, and a tourism loop route. With Wushan Airport serving 10 routes and the Zhengzhou-Chongqing high-speed trains making 43 daily stops at Wushan station, convenient transport options and shuttle services ensure that tourists can enjoy swift travel and leisurely exploration of the region.

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