Wushan red leaves in autumn. (Photo/Wushan District)

Chongqing - Visitors to China's Yangtze Three Gorges can pair autumn red-leaf views with art films in Wushan, eastern Chongqing, this November. The Wushan Goddess Cup Art Film Week and Chongqing Yangtze Three Gorges International Red Leaf Festival both open on November 20, bringing cinema to a destination known for its dramatic canyons.

The 7th Wushan Goddess Cup Art Film Week will run from November 20 to 23 in Wushan. Meanwhile, the 20th Chongqing Yangtze Three Gorges International Red Leaf Festival will open on November 20 and last until January next year. '

What can visitors do during the film week? The opening ceremony gala will take place on the evening of November 20, alongside film screenings and a movie market. A film-themed concert, a drone light show and an awards ceremony will be held as well.

A total of 80 art films were submitted for this year’s edition, covering youth growth, history and culture, local customs and other themes. After preliminary selection and review, 20 titles, including Family Squabble, The Girl Who Wants to Fly and Watchful Eyes, will be screened for audiences. Free screenings will be available both indoors and outdoors. Secretary Mo Tuo, a documentary telling local Wushan stories, will hold its premiere in Shuanglong Town. 

Visitors may also join cast-and-crew meetups, post-screening discussions and creation seminars to immerse themselves in cinema. Updates will be released via the official WeChat account Wushan Release. 

The total area of red leaves in Wushan exceeds 800 square kilometers,‌ ranking the largest in Asia. Wushan has rolled out five film-themed tourist routes built around productions shot on location here. 

Following the route inspired by When the Mountain Is Covered with Red Leaves, tourists can explore the Goddess Scenic Area and hike the Three Gorges Dragon Ridge. The route themed on The Mountain Builders leads to the Xiazhuang Sky Road, where visitors learn from role models. The route for Secretary Mo Tuo takes guests to Shuanglong Town for the premiere and leaf carving experiences. Along the Still Life route, travelers can ride the Goddess Escalator, taste steamed buns and grilled fish. 

The route of the Yangtze River winds through Dachang Ancient Town and unveils the culture of the salt merchants. During the film week, 5,000 drones will stage the “Light and Shadow Three Gorges” show over the Wu Gorge.

Beyond film week events, the red leaf festival features intangible cultural heritage bazaars, exhibitions and performances. Cultural treasures ranging from the 2.04-million-year-old Wushan Man at Longgupo Site and the 5,000-year-old Daxi Culture to the Porters’ Work Chants and Three Gorges Shadow Puppetry are brought to scenic spots and city streets. 

Amid crimson foliage, visitors can listen to folk chants, watch shadow puppet shows, and wander heritage markets. Other highlights include the “Three Gorges Hike · Outdoor Wushan” event, concerts at the Goddess Escalator, and the “Goddess Peak · Sunset” on Mountain Top folk music gala.

For consumption perks, visitors can claim food coupons worth over RMB 100,000 (about 15,000 U.S. dollars) through links on Wushan Release. 

Local scenic areas, hotels and homestays jointly launch discounted packages combining accommodation and tickets, making admission to core red-leaf destinations including the Wu Gorge-Goddess Scenic Area and Three Gorges Dragon Ridge free for guests staying at the designated hotel‌. Those who hold valid tickets from designated cinemas during the film week can enjoy discounts at selected scenic spots, hotels and restaurants.