In-Depth Self-Guided Travel Guide for Sichuan and Chongqing, Super Detailed
July 31 ~ August 8 (August 8 no sightseeing, it was a morning flight)
Since I went in summer, things mentioned in my travel notes can serve as reference if you go in summer.
Flight tickets + accommodation + attraction tickets + various incidental expenses came to about 3500~4000 yuan (I'm bad at math and don't want to calculate. Mainly the flight ticket was too expensive, over 1000 yuan, because it was a last-minute decision; actually other expenses were very frugal).
Chengdu Jiaoliao Renwen Boutique Hotel
The hotel's architectural style combines movement and stillness. "Movement" is reflected in the meticulous details throughout the hotel's interior. Birds catch your eye from the entrance corridor, and the bird-shaped decorations in the guest rooms echo the hotel's name—Jiaoliao (Wren).
"Stillness" lies in the antique courtyard with black tiles and brick walls; every plant and tree is elegantly tranquil, every bamboo and mat evokes refined taste. Each guest room has its own poetic name, as if full of life and vividness!
The rooms are mostly decorated with natural wood, fresh and clean, and fully equipped: King Koil "Jingzhu Shiguang" co-branded mattress, Kohler sanitary ware, TOTO smart toilet... Various drinks, snacks, fruits, tea, etc. are all provided, creating a warm and cozy feeling. There's also a small open-air balcony where you can see the Kuanzhai Alley outside in the morning—being worldly while staying detached from the world, that's the life I desire. And if you want to relax your tired body, they offer professional spa services.
Breakfast is also very warm. When checking in, the butler asks about meal times and taste preferences, very thoughtful. You can choose between Chinese and Western meals, accompanied by fruits, dried nuts, various pastries, and delivered to your room! Full of love.
Staying here is truly leisurely and comfortable, owning this beautiful scenery, enjoying the pleasure of carefreeness!!
D1: Kuanzhai Alley
D2: Wuhou Shrine — Jinli — (evening) Chunxi Road
D3: Qingcheng Back Mountain
D4: Three Natural Bridges (Tiansheng Sanqiao)
D5: Longshuixia Ground Fissure — Furong Cave
D6: Baigong Mansion — Zhazidong — Ciqikou — Jiefangbei — Yangtze River Cableway — Hongyadong
D7: Heishan Valley
D8: Chaotianmen
D9: Pack up and leave
On the morning of July 31, I booked a 9:45 flight but due to air traffic control it was delayed to 11:00, arriving at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport at 13:10.
Then I took the airport bus (8 yuan) to Dongfu Plaza (right at Metro Line 2), then took the subway (2 yuan) to Dongmen Bridge Station, and walked 10 minutes to the hotel.
I had heard that Chengdu and Chongqing are extremely hot, but when we arrived, it was drizzling, sometimes not even raining, and the weather was unusually cool. Ha, very comfortable!!
Around 15:30 we set out to visit Kuanzhai Alley (personally, I think Kuanzhai Alley is better visited in the daytime; at night the lights are too dim). The day we went to Kuanzhai, there were very few people, very relaxed.
[TIPS: Three alleys, on the map they look like three vertical lines, with six entrances/exits in total. Everyone must remember which exit they used to come from transportation, because you'll need to walk back to that spot after sightseeing.] We didn't remember at the time, and later we went out through a different exit. It was too dark to walk back, so we took a taxi back to the hotel.
In the alley we found a restaurant named "Three-Ear Hotpot" with good taste. Accompanied by beautiful zither music, we enjoyed dinner very comfortably.
In the morning we slept in a little, left the hotel after 9 o'clock, bought breakfast at the supermarket downstairs, and importantly drank the long-awaited Chengdu yogurt. Highly recommended.
We took a bus to Wuhou Shrine. The bus stop was right at Wuhou Shrine. (The ticket seller won't check your student ID! Just tell them you want a student ticket, you know! But of course, having a clear conscience is best; in the unlikely event they do check, it would be awkward).
"Enamored of the Three Kingdoms: Wuhou Shrine"
By noon we were hungry, and it was the perfect time to go to Jinli Street for a meal. After visiting Wuhou Shrine, you'll reach a large, spacious flat area. It seems there are exits on both sides. Take the right exit and you'll see many people. Yes, here is Jinli. As soon as we walked out, we turned left. Close enough. I didn't realize at first; I just thought, why are there so many people and so much food? Only after walking halfway did I realize it was Jinli. Wow, I'm such a fool. But Jinli was extremely crowded!!!!!!!!!!!
Ha. After leaving Jinli, there was a bus stop right across the street. We were all a bit tired from walking, so we went back to the hotel for a nap. Strange, just that little walk made us tired—so unlike me. Lack of exercise. In the evening we went to Chunxi Road to grab some food and then strolled around. There's nothing to say about a commercial street. End of the day.
"Qingcheng Peak Most Praised in Immortal Scripture: One-Day Tour of Qingcheng Mountain"
We originally planned to go to Qingcheng Mountain the next day, but the weather forecast predicted rain, so we postponed it to the third day. Well, let me complain: the scenery is really nice, but half a day is really not enough, and I'm talking about the back mountain!!!
[TIPS: If some people want to visit both Dujiangyan and Qingcheng Mountain in one day, I suggest going to the front mountain of Qingcheng. For the back mountain, you absolutely need a whole day; otherwise it's extremely rushed and torturous.]
In these scenic areas, it's best to slow down, breathe the fresh air, and take your time.
Someone might ask why I keep going to those scenic spots. Well, it's because I love mountains, water, and natural scenery. I enjoy immersing myself in nature, so I'm not afraid of climbing. Haha, but it was a painful experience.
Let me tell you slowly. First, transportation: the round-trip train from Chengdu to Qingcheng Mountain costs 15 yuan each way. We booked the 6:53 train. At first we thought it was too early, but for our tight schedule, it was the best time. After arriving at Qingcheng Mountain Station (only one exit), turn left. Bus 101 goes to the front mountain, a minibus goes to the back mountain, and there is also transportation to Dujiangyan. All these vehicles are in one area with clear signs, so don't worry. You'll see some people going that way—just follow them. But there will be many private car drivers soliciting; just ignore them. It's quite convenient, and the traffic system is clear and not chaotic! Get on the minibus; it departs when full, 13 yuan per person. Also, those who want to return to Chengdu the same day should check the last minibus back to Qingcheng Mountain Station and make sure it connects with your train time. After arriving at the back mountain, buy tickets. If you want a discounted ticket, they will check your ID.
[TIPS: The key is to book your outbound train tickets a few days in advance (don't hesitate). Don't think you can buy them on the day; they're all sold out, especially the departures between 7 am and 10 am. You can often check the 12306 website and other sites showing remaining tickets to keep informed.]
During the hike, I entered via Feiquan Gully, not Wulong Gully! After entering the back mountain gate, the entire scenic area forms a loop, starting and ending at Tai'an Ancient Town. Feiquan Gully is on the right, and Wulong Gully is on the left, depending on which way you want to go. Personally, I don't think it's necessary to reach the summit unless you like being tortured, and there's not much to see. Note: be sure to look at the small map on the ticket, or do your homework beforehand. If you don't want to take the cable car, you must find the black line on the map, roughly to Cuiying Lake (by the way, there's a lake here – you have to take a boat, 2 yuan per person, quite nice), then follow that road to Youyi Village, and then go down (towards Wulong Gully). Don't miss that black line. I missed it, and ended up climbing higher and higher... and higher... eventually had to take the cable car (45 yuan per person). There was nothing to see at the top, and the climb was really tiring; it was very high. Entering via Feiquan Gully, the uphill path is very steep!! So those entering via Wulong Gully and exiting via Feiquan Gully need to be careful. It takes a very long time to walk through the scenic area... long... long... and we were pressed for time, exhausted. After exiting Wulong Gully, we happened to see a 5-yuan scenic shuttle to Tai'an Ancient Town. We took it without hesitation. It's quite a distance, so if you're tired, consider it.
Complaint: after exiting Qingcheng Back Mountain, I must vent. Our subsequent schedule required us to catch the minibus back to Qingcheng Mountain Station at exactly 12:30 to make the 13:53 train. It should have been more than enough time! But unexpectedly, the trip here took 30 minutes, while the return took 1.5 hours!!!! The traffic was bumper-to-bumper, crawling like a snail. The reason: a very narrow winding mountain road, with many tour buses driving in, and we had to give way. Secondly, there were many farmhouses along the road, causing many private cars to stop to inquire, and some even reversed after checking in—driving me crazy! Naturally, it was jammed! Plus, many people drove in the morning and arrived at the attraction around noon. So, I missed the train gracefully.
[TIPS: If you miss the train, it's okay because you can transfer. Take a train to Xipu, then take Metro Line 2 (starting station Xipu) to downtown Chengdu. Haha, the total fare is even cheaper than 15 yuan. Alternatively, take a 2-hour coach to downtown Chengdu for about 20+ yuan, or take a train to Dujiangyan and then a bus.]
Took the 18:58 bullet train to Chongqing, stayed at a relative's place. My classmate had something to do and returned to Shanghai.
At Chongqing Railway Station, we took the earliest K-train at 8:04, arriving at Wulong Station around 10:15 (the last return train to Chongqing seems to be before 5 pm—pay attention to time), then prepared to go to Wulong Bus Station.
[TIPS: Don't take a taxi, because they won't take you to the bus station. Don't believe what others write online about paying 4 yuan by taxi to the bus station—nonsense!! The drivers think it's too close and won't bother with you. Same on the return. So don't waste time. Unless you're going directly from Wulong Station to Fairy Town (Xiannvzhen), they will take you. Carpooling with more people can be cheaper, about 25 yuan per person. We walked from the station to the bus station. We thought it would be far, but it only took about 10 minutes.]
Then we bought an 8-yuan ticket to Fairy Town. There are minibuses to Fairy Town (Visitor Center) and directly to Fairy Mountain. So you need to clarify whether you're going to the town or the mountain. The ticket seller will ask. There were many people queuing, and the buses were infrequent, so while one person buys tickets, the other can queue. We didn't go to Fairy Mountain this time; I heard it was super crowded and hotels were fully booked. Arrived at Fairy Town in about half an hour.
Our hotel was right next to the Visitor Center—super super super close. It was a villa complex with very beautiful surroundings. The key was its proximity to the center, which is why I chose it.
Next to the villa complex there were many restaurants. After arriving at the hotel at noon, we grabbed a quick bite and went to the Visitor Center to buy tickets for Three Natural Bridges.
[This white pointed building is the Visitor Center]
[TIPS: For adults, it's recommended to book tickets on Ctrip at least 3 hours in advance, as you can save over 10 yuan. For students, buy on-site—it's convenient, and the ticket seller won't check your student ID. You know. Haha.]
After buying tickets (the attraction ticket includes the scenic transfer bus), we went downstairs, where the transfer bus was waiting.
[TIPS: One thing to mention: generally, tourists visit Three Natural Bridges in the morning and Longshuixia Ground Fissure in the afternoon, as these two attractions are very close. But that makes it extremely crowded. We went to Three Natural Bridges in the afternoon and Longshuixia Ground Fissure the next day. I must say, it was so comfortable! There was literally nobody in the ground fissure!! Really, hahaha, the feeling was amazing!]
I don't need to say much about the beauty of the scenic spots. In these few days of travel, the ones in Wulong were my favorite. We finished Three Natural Bridges around 4 pm, strolling leisurely. Then we took the free scenic shuttle back to the Visitor Center and returned to the hotel to rest.
The next day we checked out. We prepared to buy tickets for the Ground Fissure. The Visitor Center starts selling tickets at 8:00 sharp, and people begin queuing before that. The earliest bus to Three Natural Bridges is at 8:00, with a huge crowd waiting, but fortunately there are many buses. The transfer bus to the Ground Fissure leaves at 8:30. Nobody was queuing, so we got on directly, and the bus wasn't even full. Looking at the crowd waiting for the Three Natural Bridges bus, I felt a bit smug, haha.
We finished around 11 am and took the shuttle back to the Visitor Center. Then we prepared to go to Furong Cave. There is no bus from the Visitor Center to Furong Cave. We had to take an 8-yuan minibus from the Visitor Center back to the bus station first.
[TIPS: Regarding this 8-yuan bus, whether you can catch one quickly back to the county depends on luck. When we finished Three Natural Bridges at 4:30 pm the previous day and returned to the Visitor Center, we checked it out. The minibus stop is on the roadside opposite the villa complex. We saw a long line of people. Upon asking, they had been waiting for 1.5 hours! I was stunned. They also added, this is not the starting station; the minibus comes down from Fairy Mountain. If there are still passengers on board, only a few can get on, because there are rarely empty buses at that hour. Then we saw private cars nearby. We asked: for 7 people or less, one car costs 200 yuan to the bus station, or 400 yuan to Furong Cave and back to the bus station. Then we asked the hotel staff, and they found a private car for 150 yuan per car (4 people) to the bus station, or 500 yuan to Furong Cave round trip. So if you're pressed for time to return to the bus station, carpool.]
We came back at around 11 am and were lucky—a bus arrived just as we reached the stop, and it was empty. We had it all to ourselves, hahaha. Arriving at the bus station, we caught a Wulong to Jiangkou bus, paid 9 yuan (which included the later minibus fare), exchanged for a small ticket, and at the terminal, someone guided us, stamped our ticket, and we continued on a small minibus (a bit shabby, and there was road construction, so we walked part of the way). We spent over an hour visiting the scenic spot. Adjacent to it is Furong River; if you have time and interest, you can visit.
Return: minibus + bus. There were private cars soliciting outside the scenic area—ignore them. Hurry back to the train station to return to Chongqing.
Let me give you a straightforward diagram [applause]!!!
In summary, the whole Wulong area in Chongqing—management, environment, etc.—is first-class, not chaotic at all, and the scenic spots are beautiful, not too tiring to walk. At most, you can finish one scenic spot in about 2 hours.
One-day tour of Chongqing city: My brother-in-law knows all the bus and metro routes in Chongqing, so I didn't worry about transfers, haha. As a result, I can't remember many details. He told me to go to Caiyuanba and take Bus 210 to the terminal (Baigong Mansion stop).
After visiting, he told me to walk to Zhazidong to experience the mountain city's uphill climbs, haha. Actually, the walk wasn't very far. Seeing Zhazidong made me truly realize how great the people back then were.
Then I shared a taxi with others, 10 yuan per person, to Ciqikou.
After touring the ancient town, I ate Chongqing noodles, Chongqing yogurt, bought Chongqing Chen Mahua (twisted fried dough)—so delicious! Then took Bus 808 to Liziba Station of the monorail, and took Line 2 to see the moment it passes through a building.
The cableway I had been longing for.
[TIPS: Get a transit card; the cableway costs only 1.8 yuan!!! Yes, you heard right!!!! But if you buy a ticket as a tourist, it's 10 yuan per person.]
At Jiefangbei, we also visited Haochi Street. The braised meat skewers were delicious, and so were the hot and sour noodles. Too bad I was busy eating and didn't take photos.
Dinner: He Wangshi Skewers, haha. It was my first time eating in such a setup—quite tasty.
In the evening, we went to Hongyadong. I didn't go inside; I just enjoyed the night view of the rivers.
By the way, Chongqing's old-fashioned popsicles are super tasty. I've been craving them. I ate no fewer than five, and they're not expensive.
One-day tour of Heishan Valley as part of a group, booked on Ctrip. The price for self-guided and group tour was about the same, so why not save trouble? Originally we were to enter through the North Gate, but for some reason the tour group changed to the South Gate—a lucky accident!
[TIPS: 1. If you enter from the South Gate, you absolutely don't need the 30-yuan cable car ticket (on that trip, I was the only one who didn't buy it), because you walk downhill—very effortless. If you enter from the North Gate, decide for yourself; if it's too tiring, buy it because it's uphill, though the path is relatively flat. But the electric cart!!!! You must buy it—the distance from the scenic exit to the North Gate is unimaginably long!!!! 30 yuan.]
Dinner: Sichuan food.
Chaotianmen Square was under construction and closed. We had to walk down the Chaotianmen Pier for quite a while. At the end, you'll see the clear Jialing River and the muddy Yangtze River meeting—amazing.
I hope my tips help you a lot!
Epilogue: This isn't my first self-guided trip. I was too lazy to write about the previous ones. Now I'm starting to forget. I'll add them later when I remember.
