4 Day Chongqing City + Wulong Karst Tour

After breakfast today, you will be collected by your guide who will pick you up from the hotel and drive to the day’s first destination, Chongqing Zoo. There are many highlights here, but by far the most popular is the zoo’s renowned Panda House. As one of China’s foremost centers for giant panda conservation, it is home to 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.

Wander through Jiefangbei, the heart of Chongqing, where you can take your time wandering in and out of the stores as the rest of Chongqing passes by. Explore Kuixinglou Square, a standout for its unique architectural features, which have put Chongqing on the map of must visit destinations in China.

The best way to experience Chongqing is a stroll through Shancheng Alley (Mountain City Alley), an historic lane that winds along the ancient city wall. Lined with traditional shops, quaint teahouses, and cafes, it is a step back in time. Discover ruins of historical sites, including a former French church, and gain a real taste of Chongqing at leisure when you take time out for a tea in a traditional teahouse overlooking the city.

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

Day three begins with the road journey to Wulong Karst. Taking around three hours from Chongqing’s centre, on arrival at Fairy Mountain Town, you’ll commence a tour of the Three Natural Bridges, the largest natural bridge cluster in Asia. Creating a dramatic and picturesque landscape, this is the perfect spot for capturing beautiful travel memories.

Enjoy a leisurely hike through the grand valley to discover the stunning limestone arches of Tianlong (Heavenly Dragon) Bridge, Qinglong (Green Dragon) Bridge, and Heilong (Black Dragon) Bridge. Gaining international attention through being featured in the movie “Transformers: Age of Extinction”, travelers come from all over to see where the action was captured.

At the base of Three Natural Bridges, discover Tianfu Postal Relay Station. Built during the Tang Dynasty as the hub for dispatch of official documents between the present day Sichuan and Guizhou Province. In 2005, a Chinese courtyard was reconstructed for filming of Curse of the Golden Flower, directed by the renowned director Zhang Yimou of Raise the Red Lantern fame. In addition to the remarkable natural wonders of the area, Wulong Karst attracts countless film devotee tourists each year.

Continue today’s tour to Fairy Mountain National Forest Park, an alpine grassland famous for its rolling hills, expansive meadows, pine forests, and snowy landscapes. Covering an area of 8,910 hectares and at an average elevation of 1,900 meters, it is a getaway for locals to escape from the summer heat and enjoy skiing in winter.

This beautiful day in nature concludes with the return trip to your hotel in Chongqing. Enjoy a quiet evening in or liaise with your local guide for an opportunity to experience a relaxing foot massage and dinner at one of your guide’s recommended local favorites.

Meals included: Breakfast

Depending on the time of your departure from Chongqing there may be time to explore a little longer in the morning before checking out and moving on to your next destination. You will be transferred from the hotel to the airport or the train station for the next stage of your travels.

Meals included: Breakfast

Travel Note: We love helping our customers make the most of their available travel time. Looking for guidance about 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.