Chongqing China gets plenty of attention for its cyberpunk skyline, scenic river cruises and fiery hot pot, but some of the best experiences in the region sit well outside the city centre. Our guide to the best day trips from Chongqing takes you to UNESCO World Heritage karst landscapes, ancient Buddhist rock carvings, Qing Dynasty towns and mountain villages where the Tujia and Miao minority groups keep their traditions alive.
We visited every destination in this guide during our time in Chongqing as guests of Wendy Wu Tours, travelling by both road and high speed rail, so everything below is based on our firsthand experience.
- Planning Day Trips from Chongqing
- Wulong District: Three Natural Bridges
- Dazu District: Dazu Rock Carvings
- Tongnan District: Shuangjiang Ancient Town
- Shizhu County by High Speed Train
- Pengshui County: Worth an Overnight Stay
- Prefer a Guided Tour? Wendy Wu Tours
- Before You Go: See Chongqing City First
- Day Trips from Chongqing FAQ
- Last Words on the Best Day Trips from Chongqing
Planning Day Trips from Chongqing
China’s high speed rail network has made day trips from Chongqing far easier than they used to be. Wulong and Dazu are both genuinely doable in a day by train, while the destinations further out are better suited to a driver, a tour or an overnight stay.
A few practical things to know before you set off. You will need your passport for every trip, both to book and board trains and to scan in at scenic attraction entrances. Train bookings open 15 days before travel and the fastest services regularly sell out, so book ahead. Trip.com is the easiest booking option for foreign travellers.
TIP*
When travelling in China many western websites such as Facebook, Instagram Google etc are automatically blocked. To avoid being blocked it is recommended that you pre-purchase an eSim prior to your travel.
This will ensure you can access websites as you would back home as soon as you arrive. We used a Simify eSim during our time in China which has a built in VPN and were able to access all sites without restrictions.
Purchase a Simify eSim here.
Wulong District: Three Natural Bridges
No list of day trips from Chongqing would be complete without the Wulong District and the breathtaking scenery of the Three Natural Bridges Scenic Area.
The distance from Chongqing to the Three Natural Bridges is 168km (104 miles) and takes approximately 2 ½ to 3 hours by car. The faster option is the high speed train from Chongqing North Railway Station, with the quickest direct services reaching Wulong in around 40 minutes and most others taking around 2 hours. A new Wulong South station also opened in July 2025. From the station it is a shuttle bus or a taxi ride of around 30 minutes to the visitor centre.
Three Natural Bridges Scenic Area
The Three Natural Bridges in Wulong are one of those places that will stop you in your tracks. This dramatic karst landscape is made up of three enormous limestone bridges that span a deep, mist shrouded gorge.
A tall rotating elevator takes you down to a set of pathways and stairs that twist their way past waterfalls, forested cliffs and narrow valleys. Suddenly you are engulfed by the rugged beauty of these looming natural arches.
Named after dragons, the Tianlong, Qinglong and Heilong Bridges feel almost otherworldly in their majesty, and it comes as no surprise that they are UNESCO World Heritage listed. The scenery is also famous for being the film location of Transformers: Age of Extinction.
Check here for more information on tours of the TianSheng Three Bridges
Dazu District: Dazu Rock Carvings
If ancient history and culture are more your style, make the Dazu District your first day trip from Chongqing. Here you will find one of the region’s most intriguing attractions, the historic Dazu Rock Carvings.
The distance from Chongqing to the Dazu Rock Carvings is 105km (65 miles) with a journey time of around 2 hours by car. Alternatively, high speed trains run from Shapingba Railway Station to Dazu South in as little as 20 to 40 minutes, with a taxi transfer of around an hour from the station to the carvings themselves.
Dazu Rock Carvings
The Dazu Rock Carvings sit in Chongqing’s Dazu District and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stretching across more than seventy locations, these impressive sculptures date from the 9th to the 13th centuries and include thousands of religious figures carved deep into cliff faces.
Three different religious practices are brought together in one place. Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian beliefs stand side by side. Along with peaceful Buddha carvings you will find scenes that share moral lessons and spiritual philosophies.
As you walk through the site, it’s hard not to be awestruck by the effort and craftsmanship that went into creating something this massive so long ago.
Dazu Rock Carvings 8K Dome Film
When visiting the Dazu Rock Carvings it is well worth watching the 8K dome film on show at the visitor centre. Soar high within the carvings to get a closer view of the majesty etched into the cliff walls.
Being surrounded by the images really helps you understand just how detailed and enormous the carvings are. It’s a great way to get a feel for the site and appreciate what you’re about to see before setting off to explore it yourself.
Check here for more information on a Dazu Rock Carvings tour
Tongnan District: Shuangjiang Ancient Town
One of the lesser known gems among the day trips from Chongqing is Shuangjiang Ancient Town in the Tongnan District.
The distance from Chongqing to Shuangjiang Ancient Town is 160km (99 miles) and travel time is around 2 ½ to 3 hours by car. There is no convenient rail option for this one, so it is best done with a driver or as part of a tour.
Our first glimpse of Shuangjiang Ancient Town was accompanied by the rhythmic beat of drums and cymbals. The square was filled with excitement as folk dancers wished us a warm welcome.
Walking around we could not help but admire the decoratively carved wooden archways and exteriors of this ancient Qing Dynasty town. The Yang Family Residence will have you stepping back in time as you explore its rich interiors swathed in red and dark wood furnishings.
Outside you will find vendors selling local sweet treats and delicacies. One talented vendor was making toffee lollipops. It was fascinating to watch him craft animals and insects out of a thin stream of sticky toffee. With a smile he handed me a beautiful butterfly which I greatly treasured.
Before we left, we enjoyed a rousing Sichuan Opera Performance which was accompanied by musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments.
Shizhu County by High Speed Train
Shizhu County is home to the people of the Tujia minority group, and reaching it is a day trip experience in itself thanks to China’s high speed rail network.
Waking early, we headed to Chongqingbei Railway Station to take the high-speed train to Shizhu County.
Chongqing North Railway Station is massive and has signs in both Chinese and English which makes it easier to navigate for foreigners. Inside were a selection of eateries including a Starbucks which was perfect for that early morning caffeine fix.
The train was clean and comfortable. Our journey was smooth considering we were reaching speeds of around 193km per hour. Along the route we whizzed past small villages on our way up into the mountains of Shizhu County.
When you visit the Wanshoushan Scenic Area and Wanshou Ancient Village you will discover the history, culture and cuisine native to the region.
Wanshoushan Scenic Area
In Wanshoushan Scenic Area traditionally dressed locals welcomed us with a variety of snacks and rice tea. We admired their colourful costumes and watched a powerful drum and martial arts performance which depicted the history of the county.
We walked high into picturesque mountain scenery, an area that also pays tribute to heroine General Qin Liangyu who is famous for defending the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) from attack with her skills in military strategy, horseback riding, archery and martial arts.
As we looked out over the mountains, we were entertained by the joyous singing of the Tujia people. While there we listened to the gentle strum of traditional musical instruments and had our names written in Chinese calligraphy.
Wanshou Ancient Village
Lunch was served in the open-air square of Wanshou Ancient Village. Here we tasted the exceptional flavours of Tujia cuisine. Each dish served showcased the fresh produce that Shizhu County is famous for.
After drinking the last bowl of wine, it is tradition to smash the bowl on the floor. Surprise quickly turned to fun and laughter as we all took our turn smashing these shallow earthenware bowls to the ground.
The laughter continued when we surrendered to the beat of the drums and joined in the Tujia folk dancing.
Pengshui County: Worth an Overnight Stay
Pengshui County is home to the Miao minority group. Popular tourist attractions include the Miao Ethnicity Village and Chiyou Juilicheng Scenic Area.
The distance from Chongqing to Chiyou Juilicheng Scenic Area is 215km (133 miles) and is around 3 hours’ drive from central Chongqing. To be honest, with that much travel each way and the best experiences happening in the evening, we recommend treating Pengshui as an overnight trip rather than squeezing it into a single day.
Chiyou Juilicheng Scenic Area
Chiyou Jiuli City in Pengshui County is the largest traditional Miao building complex in China. Set into the mountains, it pays tribute to Miao folk traditions, history and architecture through cultural displays and performances.
Of an evening Chiyou Jiuli City turns into a magical kingdom as these ornate buildings radiate a golden glow against the dark backdrop of the mountains.
Miao Ethnicity Village Long Table Banquet
We enjoyed a long table banquet dinner at the Miao Ethnicity Village. Here we sampled an almost never-ending assortment of delicious Miao dishes. We joined in the Miao folk dancing and had lots of fun and laughter playing Miao drinking games.
Juili Night Cruise
After dinner we watched a spectacular light and sound show aboard a Juili Night Cruise. As we made our way up the river we were entertained with musical and traditional face changing performances.
Prefer a Guided Tour? Wendy Wu Tours
If organising trains, drivers and tickets sounds like hard work, a guided tour takes care of all of it. Wendy Wu Tours visit many of these attractions, along with the famous city sights, on their New Horizons of China tour, the Inspiring China tour and the Christmas on the Yangtze & New Year in Hong Kong tour.
These tour itineraries offer a fabulous selection of destinations across China. Visit Beijing and the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Warriors in Xian or enjoy a Yangtze River cruise before discovering the wonders of Chongqing. To see what touring with this company is really like, read our honest Wendy Wu Tours review from our time in Chongqing.
From start to finish Wendy Wu tours will have you falling in love with the history, landscapes and culture of China.
Check here for details on the range of Wendy Wu China Tours
Before You Go: See Chongqing City First
Before you head out on these day trips, make sure to take a few days to explore Chongqing itself. The Giant Pandas, Ciqikou Ancient Town, the Yangtze and Jialing River night cruise and the Saturday night drone light show should all be on your list. You will find everything in our guide to the best things to do in Chongqing China.
Day Trips from Chongqing FAQ
Yes. Take the high speed train from Chongqing North Railway Station to Wulong, which takes around 40 minutes on the fastest direct services, then a shuttle bus or taxi of around 30 minutes to the visitor centre. Book your train tickets ahead as the fastest services sell out.
Choose Wulong for dramatic natural scenery and Dazu for history and culture. Dazu is the shorter rail journey at 20 to 40 minutes from Shapingba Railway Station, while Wulong rewards the longer trip with the more spectacular landscape.
Yes. Your passport is required to book and board trains in China and is scanned at the entrance to scenic areas such as the Three Natural Bridges, so carry it on every day trip.
Trip.com is the easiest option for foreign travellers and lets you book in English with your passport details. Bookings open 15 days before travel and the most popular services sell out quickly, so book as early as you can.
Wulong and Dazu are both straightforward by high speed rail. Shuangjiang Ancient Town, Shizhu County and Pengshui County are easier with a private driver or as part of a guided tour, although Shizhu does have a high speed rail connection from Chongqing North.
Last Words on the Best Day Trips from Chongqing
We hope our guide to the best day trips from Chongqing has helped you discover a region filled with natural beauty, cultural encounters and some of the best foodie experiences that China has to offer.
If you have plans to visit China, make sure to leave room in your itinerary for Chongqing’s outer districts and counties. The bright lights of Chongqing may draw you in, but the mountains, gorges, ancient towns and village banquets beyond it will leave everlasting memories.
Disclaimer:
We were guests of Wendy Wu Tours during our visit to Chongqing and its outer districts and counties, including Dazu, Tongnan, Wulong, Shizhu and Pengshui. All opinions are our own.
