7-Day Chongqing In-Depth Tour

Upon arriving in Chongqing, a driver will pick you up and take you to the hotel for check-in. You can arrange the remaining time freely—either take a rest or go for a walk around the hotel to explore local cuisines.

In the morning, depart for Wulong Three Natural Bridges, a typical karst landform. It is home to the world’s largest cluster of natural bridges. High mountains, cascading waterfalls, canyons, and the bridge cluster together form a unique natural landscape. It served as an outdoor filming location for the movies Curse of the Golden Flower and Transformers: Age of Extinction. While enjoying the natural scenery, you can also learn geographical knowledge related to karst landforms.

"Tianfu Inn" in Wulong Three Natural Bridges

After visiting Three Natural Bridges, head to Longshuixia Fissure Gorge. Longshuixia Fissure Gorge is a typical rift-style canyon, with a depth of 200-500 meters, featuring deep canyons with steep cliffs and flowing waterfalls. Walking along the plank road in the scenic area, you can experience the steepness of the canyon and the grandeur of the natural scenery up close. You can visit iconic attractions such as Yinhe Waterfall (Galaxy Waterfall), Jiutan Shibatang (Nine Shoals and Eighteen Pools), and Yixiantian (One-Line Sky).

Your Journey’s Rewards:

Visit well-known karst landscapes such as Wulong Three Natural Bridges and Wulong Longshuixia Fissure Gorge, admire the wonders formed by karst landforms, feel the magic of nature, and learn relevant geographical knowledge.

Educational Focus:

How was the unique landscape of Longshuixia Fissure Gorge formed?

Takeaway:

The formation of Longshuixia Fissure Gorge dates back to the orogenic movements millions of years ago. Hundreds of millions of years ago, the Wulong area was once an ocean, where a large amount of limestone was deposited. Later, after multiple orogenic movements, the ocean gradually turned into land. The continuous uplift of the earth’s crust in the Wulong area exposed the limestone formations to the surface, where they were eroded by water. Under the long-term lateral and vertical erosion, a narrow and deep canyon landform was gradually formed.

Thought Challenge:

Wulong Karst is a fragile natural heritage. How should we protect its geological structure and ecological environment during tourism development?

In the morning, depart and arrive at Wulong Fairy Mountain National Forest Park. As a popular leisure and summer resort in Chongqing, it is known as the "Switzerland of the East" and boasts unique landscapes of forest seas and snowfields. Here, you can wander on the vast grasslands and interact with cute alpacas; visit the internet-famous Wave Road, or climb to the viewing platform to enjoy the panoramic grassland scenery.

After lunch, take a bus to Pengshui and visit Chi You Jiu Li Cheng, which houses China’s largest traditional Miao architectural complex. You can tour iconic structures such as Jiuli Palace, Jiudao Gate (Nine Gates) and Jiuli Divine Pillar. By admiring the buildings and visiting the internal exhibitions, you can experience the architectural characteristics and folk culture of the Miao ethnic group. You can also watch intangible cultural heritage performances, such as Miao drum beating and lantern opera singing performed by inheritors.

Chi You Jiu Li Cheng

Your Journey’s Rewards:

Visit Wulong Fairy Mountain National Forest Park and admire the unique landscapes of forest seas and snowfields. Appreciate the architectural features of the Miao ethnic group and learn about Miao folk culture at Chi You Jiu Li Cheng.

Educational Focus:

How does Jiudao Gate (Nine Gates) of Chi You Jiu Li Cheng reflect Miao culture?

Takeaway:

Jiudao Gate is built along the mountain ridge, consisting of three stone gates, three wooden gates and three brick-wood structure gates. It looks magnificent from a distance and has distinct shapes when viewed up close. Each memorial archway is carved with totems related to Miao folk culture and folk auspicious symbols. It is the only nine-entry courtyard in the world and also a landmark of Chi You Jiu Li Cheng.

Thought Challenge:

For scenic spots like Chi You Jiu Li Cheng that carry ethnic minority culture, how to maintain cultural authenticity in commercial operation?

After breakfast, head to Wanzu Wharf and take a boat tour of Wujiang River. Along the way, you can enjoy landscapes such as peculiar mountains, exotic rocks, clear green waters, treacherous shoals, ancient towns and covered bridges, and experience the tranquility and beauty of the mountain-water Miao villages.

The Scenery of the Wujiang River

In the afternoon, depart to explore Gongtan Ancient Town. With a history of over 1,700 years, the town features distinctive stilted buildings and a large number of structures from the Ming and Qing Dynasties along its streets. Besides visiting the buildings, you can also experience traditional crafts like mung bean starch noodle making, or taste special local cuisines such as Wujiang fish to feel the local food culture. Return to downtown Chongqing in the evening.

Gongtan Ancient Town

Your Journey’s Rewards:

Take a boat tour of Wujiang River and admire the ink painting-like natural scenery. Explore the architectural features of stilted buildings in Gongtan Ancient Town, experience traditional crafts and taste local specialties.

Educational Focus:

Gongtan Ancient Town is famous as an "Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Town". What ICH items are there?

Takeaway:

The ICH items in Gongtan Ancient Town include precious cultural heritages such as Youyang Folk Songs, Youyang Ancient Songs, Youyang Mask Yang Opera, Tujia Hand-Waving Dance, Youyang Drum Performance, Climbing the Knife Mountain and Stepping on Red-Hot Iron Plates.

Thought Challenge:

How can Gongtan Ancient Town promote its ICH culture in the process of tourism development?

You will start a full-day exploration journey of stone carving culture. Head to the Stone Carvings at Baoding Mountain in Dazu. The Dazu Stone Carvings, featuring Buddhist themes, are extremely exquisite and magnificent. Visit Dafowan (Great Buddha Bay) to see the finest Thousand-Hand Guanyin (Avalokitesvara) statue in China as well as other carvings. There, you can listen to the guide explain the story behind each carving and appreciate the exquisite carving techniques. Then, continue to visit core scenic spots such as Xiaofowan (Small Buddha Bay) and Shengshou Temple. Explore a variety of Buddhist carvings and stone inscriptions, and experience the artistic value of Buddhism.

Dazu Rock Carvings

Dazu Rock Carvings

Dazu Rock Carvings

Your Journey’s Rewards:

Visit the spectacular Buddhist art at the Dazu Stone Carvings, admire the exquisite carvings, learn about Buddhist stories, and feel the artistic value of Buddhism.

Educational Focus:

What makes the Dazu Stone Carvings special?

Takeaway:

Starting from the aesthetic feature of "secularization of life" in its artistic expression, the Dazu Stone Carvings embody a high level of craftsmanship and secular aesthetic taste through the analysis of the content of its statues, its unique "comic strip"-style presentation, and the "painterly" characteristics of its sculptures. It holographically preserves and condenses all aspects of social life during the Tang and Song dynasties, reflecting the aesthetic tastes of the citizen class at that time.

Thought Challenge:

In tourism development, how to avoid secondary damage to the statues caused by factors such as carbon dioxide emissions and touch friction from an excessive number of tourists?

You will have a full day to explore Chongqing's iconic attractions and experience the distinctive features of the city. First, head to Chongqing Zoo. Visit the Panda House to see the Internet-famous pandas, watch their cute eating behaviors, and take photos as a souvenir. Then, proceed to Liziba Station to witness the spectacular sight of light rail trains passing through a building, take creative photos, and you can also experience riding the light rail.

Giant Panda

Liziba Light Rail Station

Next, set off for the Chongqing Three Gorges Museum. Explore the exhibits and audio-visual materials inside the museum, and under the guide's explanation, learn about Chongqing's historical development and the natural scenery of the Three Gorges area. After that, go to Ciqikou Ancient Town. There are numerous traditional snack shops and handicraft stores in the ancient town; wandering through it allows you to experience Chongqing's urban characteristics. In the evening, visit Hongyadong. Hongyadong is an ideal place to stroll along the old streets of the mountain city, enjoy the scenery of the two rivers, and taste local delicacies. The scenery of Hongyadong after the lights are turned on is brilliant and magnificent, making it one of Chongqing's iconic attractions.

Taste Delicious Hotpot in Ciqikou

Hongyadong

Your Journey’s Rewards:

Exploring Chongqing Zoo, Chongqing Three Gorges Museum, Ciqikou Ancient Town, Hongyadong, and riding the light rail will help you gain an in-depth understanding of Chongqing's urban historical development and urban characteristics, enhance your knowledge of the city, and broaden your worldview.

Educational Focus:

What are the characteristics of Chongqing's cuisine?

Takeaway:

Chongqing's local cuisine is centered on the feature of spiciness (both numbing and hot). It prefers the use of chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns. Chongqing's hot pot, Jianghu cuisine (a style of casual, flavorful local dishes), and small noodles all stand out for their spicy, numbing, and savory flavors. These dishes not only help dispel dampness and keep the body warm but also deliver a strong taste impact.

Thought Challenge:

What kind of urban construction concept of Chongqing is reflected in the design of "light rail passing through a building" at Liziba Light Rail Station?

In the morning, enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then head to the airport and return to your hometown with the wonderful memories of your Chongqing trip.