Published : 3:38 A.M. EST, Nov 9, 2007

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The Wushan County Government of Chongqing City has announced to open the first Three Gorges Red Leaf Festival and the eighth Shennu (the Goddess) Tourism and Culture Festival from November 28^th to December 28^th.

The red leaf plants of Three Gorges along Yangtze River cover the largest area in China. It stretches east to Nanjinguan in Yichang City, west to the Qutang Gorge in Fengjie County, south to Enshi City and north to Daba mountainous area. Especially, the red leaf area within Wushan County is about 3,295 acres. In Three Gorges area, there are over 200 kinds of plants of which leaves turn to red during the autumn and the period for appreciating red leaf usually last for three months.

During the festival, there will be mainly four sections of activities:

First, the opening ceremony will start at the Municipal Square of Wushan County on the morning of November 28^th; second, art performances with local features are to be presented at nights; third, a red leaf photography contest will be held; fourth, a local gourmet food contest will be displayed to please visitors' appetite. What's more, visitors will be able to travel by boat along the river to appreciate the red leaves.