4 Day Chongqing City + Dazu Rock Carvings Tour

After breakfast today, explore Chongqing with your guide who will pick you up from the hotel and drive to Chongqing Zoo. Your first highlight awaits at the zoo’s renowned Panda House. As one of China’s foremost centers for giant panda conservation, it houses one of the country’s largest populations of these beloved bears, offering you a wonderful opportunity to observe them in a carefully managed habitat.

Moving on from the zoo, take time to immerse yourself in local history with a visit to Ciqikou Ancient Town. Wander through its characteristic steep alleyways, where the atmosphere of old Chongqing comes alive. Explore traditional teahouses, browse unique artisan shops tucked into narrow spaces, and sample classic local snacks from street vendors.

A visit to Chongqing is not complete without a visit to the remarkable Liziba Station. See one of the city’s most iconic sights: a metro train line that passes directly through the centre of a residential apartment building, offering a fascinating glimpse into Chongqing’s innovative adaptation to its mountainous terrain.

The best way to experience Chongqing is a stroll through Shancheng Alley, an historic lane that winds along the ancient city wall. Lined with traditional shops, quaint teahouses, and cafes, it feels like stepping back in time. Discover ruins of historical sites, including a former French church, and get a real taste of Chongqing at leisure when you take time out for a cup of tea in a teahouse overlooking the city. Another traditional style street connecting the upper and lower parts of Chongqing is Chongqing Shibati (Eighteen Steps). With over 200 stone paved stairs and surrounded by the modern skycrapers, the 400 - meters street, was renovated in 2021 and became one of the main landmarks in Chongqing featuring the traditional architecture, teahouses, cultural museum, boutique shops and local snacks.

Today’s final highlight is the vibrant Hongyadong complex, a popular attraction built into the cliffs along the Jialing River. This multi-tiered labyrinth of streets is a trove of boutique shops and restaurants, inviting travelers to experience life as locals do. By night the area transforms, lighting up the city’s horizon and creating a dazzling reflection on the river. The driver and guide will return you to your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

After enjoying the hearty breakfast, you will start today’s adventure by taking a 2-hour drive in the comfortable vehicle from Chongqing to Dazu for the exporation of Dazu Rock Carvings. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, the Dazu Rock Carvings impress visitors with a series of elaborate Chinese religious sculptures and carvings dating from the 9th to the 13th century. The first stop will be a visit to the Baodingshan (Baoding Mountain) cluster, the crown jewel of the Dazu complex. Created over 70 years between the 12th and 13th centuries, the construction came under the careful direction of a monk, Zhao Zhifeng. Remarkably, this site features over 6,000 intricate sculptures carved directly into a natural limestone amphitheatre. Unlike earlier cave temples, the carvings at Dafowan (Great Buddha Bend) unfold like a spectacular open air storybook. Wander at your own pace to admire masterpieces, including the serene 32 meter long Reclining Buddha, depicting Shakyamuni entering Nirvana, and the awe inspiring Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Avalokiteshvara. This statue, which towers at 7 meters, features 1,007 uniquely carved arms and is a testament to unparalleled artisan skill following an eight-year restoration.

After immersing yourself in the ancient art of the rock carvings at Baodingshan (Baoding Mountain) cluster, your guide will escort you to the modern Dazu Rock Carvings Museum located within the scenic area. This contemporary facility uses engaging multimedia and digital displays to deepen your understanding of the carvings and their importance as traditional cultural relics. The museum provides the opportunity to learn about the history of the carvings, the confluence of Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian beliefs they represent, and the ongoing efforts to preserve this UNESCO World Heritage site for future generations.

Continuing your exploration of Dazu Rock Carvings by visiting Beishan (Northern Mountain) cluster for the exquisite elegance, delicate details and varied forms. Carved from 892AD to 1162AD, the statues/sculptures are on a cliff face stretching for 300 meters. Unlike the large-scale statues at Baodingshan, the rock carvings at Beishan are mostly small to medium-sized niches, with exquisite and meticulous carvings that emphasize detail. The elegant Guanyin statues, famous Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, renowned Zhuanlun Jingzang Ku (Rotating Sutra Cave) exhibit Dazu’s most sophisticated craftmanship.

You will then begin the return journey to Chongqing and visit Kuixinglou Square, which is celebrated for its distinctive architecture. A landmark that has become a symbol of the city’s dynamic spirit, Kuixinglou Square is a must-see for visitors seeking to understand contemporary Chongqing. Head to the bustling Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, centered around Chongqing’s most iconic landmark, the Liberation Monument. This area is the commercial and cultural heart of the city, a vibrant shopping district characterised by modern malls, flagship stores, and local restaurants. You will be transferred back to your hotel for a relaxed evening.

Meals included: Breakfast

Today you will be met by your guide and transferred to the airport or the train station for your next destination. Your Chongqing tour ends here. Alternatively, you can start your own exploration journey in Chongqing.

Meals included: Breakfast

Travel Note: We love helping our customers make the most of their available travel time. Need helping planning your next destination? We can help. With a network that extends all over China, we can take care of every detail and arrange your departure train or flight from Chongqing – or anywhere else while you’re in China. Kindly note a surcharge will apply.