Autumn at Goddess Peak: A Family Journey Through the Three Gorges

For many people, Goddess Peak in Wushan is a mythical place. For me and my parents, it became a place of warmth, memories, and simple happiness during our autumn trip to the Three Gorges. After 12+ years in Singapore, I have grown to treasure every moment I get to spend traveling with my parents. This Goddess Peak Scenic Area adventure turned out to be one of the most meaningful trips we’ve taken in a long time.

Late autumn is the most beautiful time of year here. When red leaves blanket the mountain ranges of Wu Gorge, the whole place looks like it’s covered in a painter’s palette. As I walked with my parents beneath those flaming branches and the cliffs and soft Yangtze River light, I felt a peace I haven’t experienced in years.

Visit to Goddess Peak: Between Mountains and Legend

The Goddess Peak Scenic Area (女峰山风景区) is in Wushan County, in the very center of the Three Gorges region. The area is named for Goddess Peak, also known as Shennü Peak (神女峰). The Goddess Peak Mountain is a graceful and iconic landmark that towers over Wu Gorge. The two peaks of Goddess Peak are shaped like a woman in flowing robes, gazing down at the river.

The legend behind Goddess Peak tells that she was a heavenly maiden who came down to earth to save humanity from raging floods and guide ship captains safely through the narrow gorges. For generations, locals have said that “the Goddess remains unharmed” — 神女无恙 — a prayer for protection, strength, and peace.

I have been to many scenic spots around Chongqing, but Goddess Peak felt like the heart of the Three Gorges to me. The mountain ranges in this area rise steeply from the river, carving one of the most dramatic and striking landscapes you’ll find in China. In the autumn, when the red leaves bloom, the whole gorge turns into a sea of color.

It was the perfect time of year to visit with my parents.

The Red Leaf Trail: Forest Bathed in Autumn Colors

Our walk began on a wooden boardwalk beneath thousands of red maple-like leaves. Their bright colors wrapped the mountain range in multiple layers of red, gold, and orange. My father led the way, stopping to look at the cliffs beyond the red canopy. My mother kept pace behind him, capturing the falling branches above her. I walked behind them in silence, appreciating the moment of my family being together.

The sun shone through the canopy, giving everything a soft, warm glow. It was so bright and vibrant that it almost looked like we were walking inside a painting. The railing, the curvy path, the dramatic cliffs — everything combined into a beautiful scene so peaceful that we unconsciously slowed our pace. We walked slowly, each step immersed in nature.

The one thing I loved was the silence. Other than the leaves rustling in the breeze and our footsteps on the boardwalk, there was nothing but nature. No pressure, no rush, just simple autumn beauty.

It felt like being embraced by the season itself.

The Three Gorges From Above: Scenic River Views Below

Emerging from the red leaf forest, the path opened out to sweeping panoramas of the Yangtze River. Below, the river curved softly between sheer cliffs that almost rose vertically from the water. The boats that passed through the gorge were dwarfed by the massive rock faces around them.

Standing with my parents on the viewing platform, I was awestruck by the sheer size of it all. You can really see how millions of years have carved into the rock, etching deep valleys and uncovering layers of stone with a story much older than history books. That is the feeling I get when I visit the Three Gorges. Everything is so stark, from the placid river to the looming cliffs, that you feel like you’re in a grand and timeless painting.

My parents and I stood there for a while, enjoying the view in comfortable silence. Sometimes family time is best when you don’t have to say a word.

Poetry of the Goddess Peak

Of all the famous mountains in the Three Gorges, Goddess Peak felt like the most poetic to me. She stood like a guardian, elegant and unbroken. Locals tell stories of how the Goddess Peak watches over travelers and protects all those who sail the river.

As we walked, I kept repeating the line:

赏红叶、望神女，神女无恙、观三峡地心，园满！
Appreciate the red leaves. Look at Goddess Peak.
May the Goddess be well.
And the Three Gorges expose their hearts.
May all be complete.

I repeated it to myself many times that day. I think because, as I grow older and my parents, too, the words have a deeper meaning. We have all faced our difficulties, but as I stood beneath the peaceful canopy of red leaves with them, I felt so grateful that we too remain “无恙” — healthy, well, whole, and together.

A Multicolored Cable Car Ride Across the Hill

A special highlight for my parents and me was the cable car, where rows of colorfully painted gondolas (blue, pink, yellow) floated high above the forest. The contrast of those bright cheerful cars gliding above the warm red and gold leaves was such a joyful and playful sight.

From above, the mountains felt softer. Cloaked in red bushes and yellow leaves, they revealed the gentlest and prettiest side of the Three Gorges. The higher we got, the tinier the trees below became. We could take it all in, every nook and cranny, admiring the entire landscape together. My parents enjoyed this the most. They kept quiet and simply relaxed in the cabin, watching the mountains on both sides stretch into the distance as we glided above them.

It felt like a gentle interlude suspended between earth and heaven.

Traveling With My Parents: Simple, Quiet Happiness

What made this trip so special and memorable was not just the scenery, but the time I got to spend with my parents. I’ve been living overseas for a long time, and one thing I have come to value is the quiet, unhurried, and peaceful moments.

Looking at my father appreciating the cliffs
Looking at my mother taking photos beneath the red leaves
Seeing them walking slowly along the path…

These are the memories that I want to carry with me.

As children grow up, we often realize that time spent with parents is precious. This Goddess Peak trip reminded me to appreciate every moment. Nature does have a power to unite people, to slow down life for just a little while so you can feel what really matters.

Getting to Goddess Peak

Traveling to Goddess Peak in Wushan is simple and accessible. 

• The fastest way is via the high-speed train from Chongqing to Wushan Railway Station, from where a shuttle or taxi ride to the Wushan Scenic Area is short. 
• Yangtze River cruises offer an alternative travel experience with a boat journey that passes through the Three Gorges and views of Goddess Peak’s silhouette. 
• Long-distance buses and private car hires are slower but budget-friendly or more flexible options. 

The Wushan Scenic Area is well signposted and accessible once in Wushan, providing a stress-free continuation of the journey for travelers.

Final Thoughts: A Complete Day in the Mountains

At the end of the day, when we gazed back at the red leaf path, at the sparkling river, and at the outline of Goddess Peak in the distance, I felt full.

Complete. Just as the words promised:

赏红叶、望神女、神女无恙，圆满。
We admired the red leaves.
We gazed at Goddess Peak.
May the Goddess remain well.
The day is complete.

If you are in Chongqing — especially in late autumn — Goddess Peak is one of the most spectacular places you can visit. The red leaves, the cliffs, the legend, the quiet and tranquil trails, everything here is unforgettable.

But if you can make the trip with your parents, or your loved ones, it is even more special.
Because at the heart of this trip, beyond the breathtaking Three Gorges, was something simple:

A family walking together through the autumn leaves.