Savor Three Culinary Delicacies, Visit Asia's No.1 Waterfall | Great Getaway near Chongqing

Wanzhou, the City of Commerce and the Gateway to Eastern Chongqing! You may not have heard of this city, but you’ve surely eaten grilled fish—this internet-famous dish that swept the nation was born right here in Wanzhou. A city on the banks of the Yangtze River, it’s bold, spicy, and full of flavor. Grilled fish, lamb gege, Wanzhou zhajiang noodles—these authentic local foods can’t even be replicated in downtown Chongqing. Only by coming to Wanzhou can you taste the real deal. And Wanzhou is far more than just a foodie’s stop; it’s a place to have a blast. Explore the widest waterfall in all of Asia, let loose amid mountains and rivers with your loved one, visit the one and only Three Gorges Migration Museum to witness the moving history of the reservoir area, snap trendy photos at Xishan Park, then cap it off with a night stroll along Binjiang Road to soak in the glittering nightscape of this merchant city. This is how you do National Day!

Got a plan? Here’s how to get to Wanzhou

If you’re already in Chongqing, hop on a high-speed train at Chongqing North Railway Station—just 1.5 hours to Wanzhou. Trains run frequently from 6:33 a.m. to 23:10 p.m. Spend the afternoon at Hongya Cave, and by evening you can be savoring sizzling grilled fish right by the Yangtze in Wanzhou. If you’re still planning from home, you can also fly directly into Wanzhou Airport. Spend two days exploring Wanzhou, then head into downtown Chongqing and fly out from Jiangbei Airport—a very convenient itinerary.

Once in Wanzhou, how to plan your days?

Wanzhou boasts three culinary musts: grilled fish, zhajiang noodles, and lamb gege—perfect for your three daily meals. Fuel up with a bowl of zhajiang noodles in the morning, enjoy lamb gege for lunch, then dine on grilled fish while the river breeze cools your evening. There are also three major attractions: Wanzhou Great Waterfall, Xishan Park, and the Three Gorges Migration Museum. So here’s a suggested plan:

DAY 1: Depart from downtown Chongqing in the morning, arrive in Wanzhou around noon. Start with lamb gege for lunch, then visit the Three Gorges Migration Museum and Xishan Park. After grilled fish for dinner, head to the riverbank for the night views.

DAY 2: Grab a bowl of zhajiang noodles for breakfast, then spend the morning immersing yourself in the magnificence of Wanzhou Great Waterfall. Return to downtown Chongqing in the afternoon.

Getting around Wanzhou

If you can drive, I highly recommend renting a car. Book through any car rental platform and pick up/drop off right at Wanzhou North Railway Station or Wuqiao Airport. It’s around 100 yuan per day—great value for the convenience and enhanced travel experience. If driving isn’t an option, taxis, buses, and ride-hailing services are all fine. In the city center, most trips are under 20 yuan.

Wanzhou Great Waterfall is a bit farther—about 30 km from the city center—so a rental car is ideal. If you’re on your own, head to Wanzhou Xishan Bus Station and take a bus toward Wulong / Longsha / Zhongxian, and tell the driver to drop you at Wanzhou Great Waterfall.

Now, let’s talk about the sights:

If Wanzhou were to choose a single symbol, Wanzhou Great Waterfall would be the undisputed choice. It’s the city’s crown jewel—15 meters wider than Huangguoshu Waterfall. As a Chongqing native, whenever I meet someone from Wanzhou, I always say, “Your waterfall is so huge and majestic!” And my Wanzhou friend will feign modesty but can’t hide a proud grin. The waterfall lies in Ganning Town, Wanzhou—reputedly the hometown of Gan Ning, a famous general of the Three Kingdoms period. It measures 151 meters wide and 64.5 meters high, covering an area of 9,739.5 square meters (about 15 mu), equivalent to 23 basketball courts. By comparison, the main fall of Huangguoshu is 101 meters wide and 67 meters high—2.5 meters taller but a full 50 meters narrower. So Wanzhou Great Waterfall truly deserves the title of Asia’s No. 1 waterfall!

“Look up to trace sacred steps, look down to behold a thousand-zhang wonder.” This couplet greets you at the entrance. I couldn’t wait to see this giant for myself.

Map of Wanzhou Great Waterfall

After ticket check, follow the bamboo-lined path to the first fun stop—the Forest Speedster, Chongqing’s first circular mountain slide. It stretches 768 meters, drops over 40 meters, and hits speeds up to 38 km/h. For lazy souls like me who hate uphill treks, this was a blessing—effortless and fun! Note: a combo ticket for the Forest Speedster and the Bamboo Raft Waterfall Ride is 50 yuan (except major holidays), well worth it. If you’re not up for the ride, there’s also a scenic boardwalk that takes a dozen or so minutes.

The Forest Speedster is wonderfully user-friendly. Zoom through bamboo groves on a little cart—thrilling but not scary, with controllable speed. Suitable for all ages! It’s just as fun as an amusement park ride, injecting a dose of childlike glee before you even see the waterfall. A definite winner for families.

Disembarking, you’ll pass a large bluestone engraved with eight odd characters: “竹”, “岩”, “有”, “亭”, “夜”, “事”, “开”, “来”. Concealed within is a poem: “A small bamboo leans outside the rock; an empty pavilion door half ajar. The night is long and uneventful, yet someone is bound to come.”

True to the verse, the area is thick with bamboo, lending a poetic romance to the stroll toward the falls.

Before the grand reveal, there’s a playful body-challenge gate—a gentle reminder to keep fit.

Soon we see the Lu’an Ancient Bridge, a single-arch stone bridge over 140 years old. It originally spanned the Zhuxi River in Wanzhou’s Lujia Street but was relocated here to save it from Three Gorges Dam submersion. Built in 1871 (Qing Dynasty Tongzhi era), its saddle-shaped arch was crafted with glutinous rice-lime mortar over wooden formwork, a masterpiece of craft. It’s mentioned in Joseph Needham’s “Science and Civilisation in China” and Mao Yisheng’s “History of China’s Bridge Technology.” From the bridge, you can take in the core spectacle: Wanzhou Great Waterfall.

On the bridge, the waterfall’s thunder fills your ears, and misty spray washes over you. Seeing that suspended cascade with your own eyes is an awe unlike anything words can capture—a scene of overwhelming natural power!

Here, the falls aren’t yet fully visible, but their presence is immense, rivaling Huangguoshu. I never thought Chongqing hid such a gem. With everyone seeking uncrowded beauty spots for National Day, isn’t Wanzhou the perfect pick? Great scenery, fewer crowds, and delicious food.

The entire waterfall area is typical karst terrain—precipitous cliffs, dense forests. What makes this waterfall unique isn’t just its size, but its bow-like shape, which creates a massive water-curtain cave behind it. We’ll go inside shortly.

Beneath Lu’an Bridge awaits the Bamboo Raft Waterfall Ride, included in the 50-yuan combo. On the bamboo raft, you glide closer to the thundering cascade, feeling the spray on your face. Three black swans live on the lake, utterly unfazed by people, adding a touch of elegance to the scene.

The boatmen are pros. On a clear, windless day, the raft can even approach the waterfall itself, where rainbows dance in the mist, shifting with light and angle—a dreamlike spectacle.

After the raft, we change perspectives, heading to the waterfall’s front and then behind into the water-curtain cave. Bring an umbrella; the spray is heavy.

On a sunny day, a rainbow is guaranteed at the base—perfect for couple photos.

Inside the cave, the spray actually lessens due to wind patterns, and you realize just how huge it is—the world’s largest cave behind a waterfall, about 7,000 square meters. Walking along the inner path, peering out through the cascading water, is an entirely different experience. Lush grass, drifting petals—like Tao Yuanming’s Peach Blossom Spring.

The world has many famous waterfalls, each magnificent. But few have a water-curtain cave you can walk into with such ease and comfort. That’s the magic of Wanzhou Great Waterfall: a 360-degree, up-close-and-personal waterfall encounter from every angle, inside and out.

Above us are two characters—“壮观” (spectacular)—said to be written by Li Bai. The character “壮” has an extra dot at the top right. Some say he was drunk; others believe it represents a drop of water, as three dots form the water radical, and a waterfall is born of water. A poetic touch. Historical traces and literary flair blend with the galaxy-like torrent, enriching the journey.

Standing inside the waterfall, water splashes on you, washing away worries and bad luck. I felt so light, so carefree, so happy.

Inside the cave, there’s also the Guanyin Ancient Cave, filled with mystery. Thirty-three statues of Guanyin’s incarnations sit serenely, lending a solemn, otherworldly aura. The craftsmanship is divine; vines cling to the cliffs, and Buddhist chants echo—a blessed grotto.

Exiting the cave, you’ll hear shouting and then a mighty column of water shooting up from the lake. It’s the Shouting Spring: yell into a small hole in the rock, and the longer and louder you cry, the higher the water jet soars.

As mentioned, Ganning Town is the hometown of Gan Ning, the top warrior of Eastern Wu in the Three Kingdoms. So the scenic area has a Gan Ning Square to honor the general.

After the square, we take the Tianfeng Cliffside Walkway out. Coming in, we were deep among the trees, seeing everything up close; now we ascend for panoramic views of the path we came.

The plank road is about 3 km long, suspended halfway up the mountain, twisting with the terrain—quite precipitous. Along the way, many famous inscriptions add interest.

The path is flat with few steps, making for a pleasant stroll, especially with sweeping views to soak in—a real treat.

The entire experience is rich and varied: from the Forest Speedster, to the mysterious stone carvings, to the first close-up of the falls from Lu’an Ancient Bridge, then the Bamboo Raft Waterfall Ride for an up-close encounter, ashore to enter the Water-Curtain Cave for a new perspective, a yell at the Shouting Spring, a bow to the general at Gan Ning Square, and finally the Tianfeng Cliffside Walkway. Wanzhou Great Waterfall masterfully blends natural splendor with human-crafted fun, making the scenery come alive.

Wanzhou has many parks, but Xishan Park sits firmly in the C-spot. Mention it, and every Wanzhou local brims with childhood memories! The park has a long history, named after the “Xishan Temple” built here in the Ming Dynasty. In 1924, it was initially developed as the Wanxian Commercial Port Park; in 1925, Yang Sen expanded it to over 560 mu, shaping today’s layout.

Navigating to Xishan Park, you’ll drive under an archway, and 50 meters ahead is the parking entrance—very convenient.

Inside, ancient trees tower, thick shade blankets everything, and countless heritage trees thrive. It’s one of China’s best-preserved urban forest gardens, a natural hill-and-water sanctuary.

The standout structure is the Xishan Bell Tower, a Renaissance-style bell tower and the third largest along the Yangtze (after Shanghai and Wuhan’s), an iconic Wanzhou landmark.

Beyond nature, the park holds history. Take the Anti-Japanese War Martyr Monument, commemorating Soviet pilot Grigory Kurishenko. In 1939, he and Kozlov were dispatched by the USSR to aid China’s resistance, leading two “Dasha-style” bomber squadrons. On October 14, 1939, during a mission against Japanese bases, their planes were intercepted over Wuhan. Kurishenko’s plane was damaged; on the return, it became uncontrollable. To save the aircraft, he skillfully crash-landed on the Yangtze in Wanzhou. The bomber and gunner swam to shore, but exhausted after hours of combat, Kurishenko couldn’t escape the cockpit and was swallowed by the river.

Speaking of Xishan Park, we must mention Jingyuan (Quiet Garden), the secluded, exquisite heart of the park. It feels like a garden within a garden—rockeries, pavilions, winding paths, small bridges, and flowing water. I adore coming here in summer for its deep shade and tranquility. A massive natural stone wall oozes cool water that drips into a pond, as if dripping with emerald, offering a natural coolness without wind.

Wind-and-Rain Corridor, Rain-Rustled Banana Pavilion, Jingzhan Tower, Yishuang Pavilion, Jihe Pavilion, Wangjiao Pavilion … poetic names evoke film-like scenes. This little garden exudes Suzhou-style charm—ideal for relaxing play or vintage photo shoots.

Three Gorges Migration Museum

To know a city, understand its history. The most direct way is a museum, and the Three Gorges Migration Museum tells Wanzhou’s story from ancient times to the present.

The architecture is distinctive—a single-pour concrete form composed of angular blocks, like rocks standing along the Yangtze. With no surface decoration, it exudes an industrial minimalism. It was designed by Cui Kai, Vice President of China Architecture Design & Research Group and a Chinese Academy of Engineering academician.

The interior is a visual delight, incorporating the Three Gorges motif of steep cliffs and long gorges. The solid, continuous, zigzag “cliff walls” with voids of different sizes abstractly represent traditional riverside settlements.

Above the “cliffs,” a strip of skylight like a “thread of sky” completes the Three Gorges imagery—majestic and imposing. Honestly, the moment I entered, it stunned me. It’s several notches more beautiful than the Three Gorges Museum in downtown Chongqing; don’t miss it.

Walking through such spatial design prompts self-reflection. A white dress would be perfect for moody portrait photography here.

Backed by Cuiping Mountain and facing the Yangtze, it overlooks old Wanzhou across the river. From many spots inside, you can glimpse the river and old town—an intentional design that makes the window views part of the museum’s collection.

Now, the exhibitions: This is the only memorial museum in the country dedicated to the Three Gorges mass migration, and a vital center for preserving, researching, and exhibiting the area’s history and migration culture.

The main exhibition, “Great Feat, Glorious Journey - The Spirit of Three Gorges Migration,” follows a chronological timeline through seven sections: “A Century’s Dream, Building the Three Gorges,” “The Great Feat, A Million Migrants,” “United as One, Solving the Impossible,” “Ecological Environment, Sustainable Development,” “Cultural Relic Protection, Passing on History,” “High Gorge, Flat Lake, Profound Changes,” and “A Monument for the Ages, A Historical Milestone.” It uses multiple methods to show the origins of the Three Gorges Project and the monumental relocation.

Striding forward, supporting each other—a sculpture in the main hall made me pause, even moved me. “Tomorrow’s Three Gorges Will Be Better,” a large bronze piece by sculptor Guo Xuanchang, depicts a grandfather holding his grandson’s hand, a mother nursing her baby, a boy riding on his father’s shoulders, a paper airplane pointing ahead. It’s a sculpture about the migrants, a true-to-life image of those who left home, speaking silently of their resilience and sacrifice. Because of their willing dedication, the Yangtze was tamed from floods, and the entire western region gained ample electricity.

The Three Gorges Project remains the world’s largest hydroelectric project. The submerged area and the number of displaced people are both the largest on record. The resettlement was the “priority among priorities.” In 1985, the state began trial relocations; in 1993, with the project’s construction, the migration officially commenced.

In ancient times, Yu the Great tamed the flood; today, the Three Gorges Project stands. After nearly a century of dreaming, surveying, debate, planning, and building, the project rose in the East. Seventeen years of construction, 120 towns reborn, 1.31 million people relocated—a scale, duration, and complexity unprecedented in water conservancy and resettlement history worldwide.

We commemorate the Three Gorges migration to remember those stirring, glorious years and pay tribute to a heroic group that moved China.

Besides the main migration exhibition, the museum has other noteworthy displays.

The “Yanjing Ancient Elephants” hall is an important part of Wanzhou’s history exhibition. Using restored statues, illustrations, and fossils, it tells the story of the Yanjinggou fauna’s rise and extinction. If you’re with children, focus on the area’s landform features and the discovery of fossil animals—it’s fascinating.

The most dazzling pieces: three Stegodon fossils, consisting of two juvenile and one adult individual, excavated from the same spot. These Eastern Stegodon fossils are the most complete and best-preserved of their period (Quaternary) found worldwide.

The “Wanzhou Through the Ages” hall uses images and artifacts to explain Wanzhou’s history from the Stone Age through the Warring States, Qin-Han, Tang-Song, Ming-Qing to modern times. It has seven sub-sections: Introduction, Marching Toward Civilization, Ba-Chu Storms, Yangqu Splendor, Nanpu Prosperity, Gateway to Sichuan, and City of Commerce. History buffs can take their time. I was most struck by “Gateway to Sichuan,” which recreates dock stilt houses, street life reliefs, and an old city gate (South Gate). These scenes highlight Wanzhou’s unique culture and history; as a Chongqing native, I felt a strong connection.

A bronze pot inscribed “Wang’s family, a thousand catties a day” is exquisitely preserved, the raised characters clear. It’s one of the rare Han-dynasty bronzes from the reservoir area with an inscription.

A Shang-dynasty string-pattern red pottery jar is large and rustic, embodying the early-middle Shang style of the gorges region.

A Xiangyin kiln celadon figure playing the flute is uniquely shaped; the horse and rider’s expressions are vivid, the glaze thick and lustrous—a superb Tang-dynasty ceramic piece.

I had heard about Wanzhou’s nightscape lighting project, and I had expectations. But when night fell, it still amazed me. Lights on both banks rival the starry moon; the river mirrors the flowing radiance. If you have a car, drive along Binjiang Road to watch the light dance. If not, taxi to Wanzhou Port—stand there or take a boat tour.

My favorite vista is the Pailou Bridge, with its novel design and trendy lighting, especially dramatic when you approach by car.

The Second Yangtze Bridge’s lights are modeled after San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge but with warmer yellow tones, more cozy and inviting.

After the sights, let’s talk about Wanzhou’s cuisine

When food is no longer just to fill the belly, we seek the uniqueness of every flavor. Wanzhou, sustained by its mountains and rivers, has developed its own distinctive cuisine. Grilled fish has gone nationwide, but for the most authentic taste, you have to come to Wanzhou.

Wanzhou grilled fish has earned fame far and wide. I’ve spotted it in Melbourne, New York, Paris. It’s a local specialty with roots in the late Qing Dynasty. Perched on the upper Yangtze, Wanzhou naturally excels at fish dishes. For foodies, grilled fish needs no introduction—it’s an essential part of lively night markets. Wanzhou grilled fish combines marinating, charcoal grilling, and simmering in one, renowned for its numbing-spicy-fragrant intensity. Vibrant, tingly chili oil coats tender fish, complemented by crunchy pickled vegetables—absolute heaven!

There’s a dedicated Grilled Fish Square called “Xinlianxin Square,” where several famous old brands have set up shop. The diners are mostly locals, so you’re guaranteed authentic flavor. Prices are standardized: carp at 28 yuan per jin, usually 3-5 jin per fish, enough for two. After finishing, you can add vegetables for extra satisfaction.

Fish are freshly killed and grilled on the spot. The fish is butterflied, marinated with a secret blend, then roasted over charcoal until the skin is crispy and the flesh tender. It’s then placed in a special tray with a secret broth, kept warm over charcoal so the flavors slowly seep into the fish.

The most traditional flavors are pickled pepper, green pepper, and fermented black bean. Locals favor pickled pepper—the numbest and most satisfying.

If you’re not big on spicy, try green pepper for more aromatic freshness.

One of the best things about fish: it won’t make you gain weight, and chili pepper is rich in vitamins—a beauty dish, for sure. Dear ladies, the grilled fish alone is worth a trip to Wanzhou.

Wanzhou Steamed Gege

Wanzhou gege isn’t a “princess” (as in Huanzhu Gege), but a traditional local snack. It puzzles many first-time visitors: isn’t “gege” an imperial daughter? Actually, “gege” is Wanzhou dialect for a small steamer. Simply put, it’s meat and potatoes steamed together, mainly in three varieties: pork intestine gege, spare rib gege, and lamb gege. It might look like generic steamed meat, but Wanzhou gege has its own character—a little pot of numbing, spicy, umami richness that lingers long after you’ve left.

To taste the real deal, head to the old quarter. “Geng Gege” near Gaosuntang is the oldest and most authentic.

I love Wanzhou’s old districts, full of historical traces, a perfect prelude to lunch.

Think of gege as steamed meat, but the steamer is only the size of a woman’s palm and must be made of resilient bamboo like nanzhu, shuizhu, or banzhu.

A few strips of well-marinated meat (lamb, ribs, or intestine), a couple of garlic cloves, steamed for about 10 minutes. Lid off, sprinkle scallions and cilantro, lean in for a deep whiff of steam, then pick up your chopsticks and savor slowly—never gobble.

I love gege for its flavors—numbing, spicy, umami, fragrant—and for its casual, unpretentious vibe. It’s brimming with city life, not as formal as Chinese banquet fare, nor as intense as hotpot. It’s slightly untamed, bold, and breezy. You can shout your order from the door: “Boss, one lamb, one intestine, soft and tender!” Sit down, and a girl will ask what soup you want, and whether you’ll drink or eat rice. If you’re still hungry, just yell “Two more lamb!” and you’ll eat your fill. Gege is quick and clean, no fuss.

A gege costs 12 yuan—so affordable, eat as many as you like without guilt.

Like grilled fish, Wanzhou zhajiang noodles are listed as intangible cultural heritage. They follow Sichuan-style traditions, with an elaborate, meticulous preparation process. Wanzhou’s version features local fermented broad beans, Wanzhou soy sauce (bayou), and special chili oil, plus careful ingredient selection, making it a unique local specialty.

Right next to our hotel was a time-honored brand—Cheng Liangmian. Known for cold noodles, they actually do zhajiang noodles excellently too.

The soul of zhajiang noodles is the meat topping. Pork belly is finely chopped and fried in hot rapeseed oil. At just the right moment, Wanzhou’s unique fermented broad beans are added and fried further. The technique is simple, but mastering the heat and the beans is an art. That’s probably why people from all over China come to Wanzhou to learn but can’t replicate the allure of Wanzhou zhajiang noodles. Boil the noodles, spoon on that zhajiang, it’s served—enjoy. Spend two days in Wanzhou, see the waterfall, feast on the food, leisurely and self-contained, your eyes and taste buds both thoroughly indulged. This National Day, if you’re still looking for an uncrowded, scenic, and honest travel destination, hesitate no more—this time, come to Wanzhou!