A Feng's Sichuan-Chongqing Travel Diary
July 31 ~ August 8 (August 8 was just a morning flight, no sightseeing).
Since I went in summer, the things I mention in my diary can be a reference for those traveling in summer.
Flight + accommodation + entrance fees + miscellaneous expenses: about 3500-4000 RMB (I'm bad at math, so I won't calculate exactly. The main reason is that the outbound flight was expensive, over 1000 RMB, because it was a last-minute decision. Actually, the costs for other things were quite economical.)
D1: Kuanzhai Alley
D2: Wuhou Shrine – Jinli Ancient Street – (evening) Chunxi Road
D3: Qingcheng Back Mountain
D4: Three Natural Bridges (Tiansheng Sanqiao)
D5: Longshuixia Ground Fissure – Furong Cave
D6: Baigong Mansion – Zhazidong Prison – Ciqikou – Jiefangbei Monument – 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 it was delayed until 11:00 due to air traffic control. I arrived at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport at 13:10.
Then I took the airport shuttle (8 RMB) to Dongfu Square (right next to Line 2), transferred to the metro (2 RMB) to Dongmen Bridge Station, and walked for 10 minutes to the hotel.
Before the trip, others told me that Chengdu and Chongqing were extremely hot, but when we arrived it was drizzling, sometimes stopping, and the weather was unusually cool – very comfortable!
At around 15:30 we prepared to explore Kuanzhai Alley (I personally think it's better to go during the day; at night the lights are too dim). That day when we went to Kuanzhai, there were very few people, so it felt quite relaxing.
[Tip: There are three alleys, arranged as three vertical lines on the map, with a total of six entrances/exits. Be sure to remember which entrance you arrived at, because you'll need to return the same way after visiting.] We didn't note it down, and later we exited from a different entrance. It was too dark and we didn't feel like walking back, so we took a taxi to the hotel.
In the alleys we found a hotpot restaurant called Three Ears Hotpot (San Zhi Er) with good flavors. We enjoyed dinner accompanied by graceful zheng music – very pleasant.
Chengdu Jiaoliao Boutique Hotel
(The architectural style of the hotel is a combination of movement and stillness. "Movement" is reflected in the detailed decorations throughout the hotel: bird motifs appear from the entrance corridor and continue into the guest rooms in the shape of small birds, echoing the hotel's name – Jiaoliao (a kind of wren).
"Stillness" lies in the grey-tiled quadrangle courtyard, where every plant and tree is elegant, every bamboo and mat exudes taste. Each guest room has a poetic name, as if alive and vivid!
Breakfast is also very warm. When you check in, the butler asks about your dining time and preferences – very considerate. You can choose between Chinese and Western breakfasts, accompanied by fruits, nuts, and various pastries. And it's delivered to your room by the butler! Full of care.
Staying here is truly leisurely and comfortable, enjoying this beautiful scenery all to yourself – a perfect sense of freedom!
We slept in a little, left the hotel after 9, bought breakfast at the supermarket downstairs, and most importantly drank the long-coveted Chengdu yogurt – highly recommended.
We took the bus to Wuhou Shrine. The bus dropped us off right at Wuhou Shrine. (The ticket seller won't check your student ID! Just tell them you want a student ticket – you know what I mean! But of course, it's best to be honest. If you get caught, it would be awkward.)
Intoxicated by the Three Kingdoms – Wuhou Shrine
At noon, we got hungry, so we went to Jinli Street for lunch. After visiting Wuhou Shrine, you'll come to a large open square. There seem to be exits on both left and right. Take the right exit, and you'll see many people.
That's Jinli! As soon as we walked out, we turned left – it was that close.
I didn't even realize it at first. I just saw so many people and food stalls. It wasn't until halfway through that I understood it was Jinli – how silly of me. But there were so many people in Jinli!!!!!!!!!!!
Haha. After exiting Jinli, there was a bus stop right across the street. We were a bit tired from walking, so we went back to the hotel for a nap. Strangely, after just a short walk, I was tired – that's not like me. I need more exercise. In the evening, we went to Chunxi Road to eat something and then strolled around. There's not much to say about a commercial street. End of this day.
"The Immortal Scripture Most Praises Qingcheng Peak" – A Day at Qingcheng Mountain
Originally we planned to go to Qingcheng Mountain the next day, but the weather forecast said it would rain, so we postponed it to the third day. Let me complain first: the scenery is really beautiful, but half a day is definitely not enough – and I'm talking about the Back Mountain!
[Tip: For those who want to visit Dujiangyan and Qingcheng Mountain in one day, I suggest going to the Front Mountain. The Back Mountain definitely requires a whole day, otherwise you'll be extremely rushed – it's too exhausting.]
When visiting these scenic areas, it's best to slow down, breathe the fresh air, and take it easy.
Some may ask why I keep going to scenic areas – because I love mountains, water, and natural scenery. I enjoy being immersed in nature, so I don't mind climbing – haha, that's why I have a tragic story to tell.
Let me explain slowly. First, transportation: the train from Chengdu to Qingcheng Mountain costs 15 RMB each way. We booked the 6:53 train. At first, we thought it was too early, but for our tight schedule it was perfect. After arriving at Qingcheng Mountain Railway Station, exit (there's only one exit), turn left. For the Front Mountain, take bus 101; for the Back Mountain, take a minibus; there's also a bus to Dujiangyan. All these buses are in one area with clear signs – don't worry. You'll also see people heading in the same direction, so just follow them. But there will be many private drivers soliciting – just ignore them. It's very convenient because the transportation is clearly organized, not chaotic! Get on the minibus; leaves when full at 13 RMB per person. If you need to return to Chengdu the same day, check the last minibus back to Qingcheng Mountain Station, and make sure it connects with your train schedule. After arriving at the Back Mountain, buy tickets. If you want a discounted ticket, they will check your ID.
[Tip: The key point 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'll be fully booked, especially between 7 AM and 10 AM. You can check the 12306 website or other sites showing available tickets to keep yourself informed.]
During the hike, I entered via Feiquan Gully (not Wulong Gully)! After entering Qingcheng Back Mountain, the entire scenic area is a loop. The starting and ending point is Tai'an Ancient Town. On the right is Feiquan Gully, on the left is Wulong Gully – it's up to you which one to enter. Personally, I don't think it's necessary to reach the summit unless you enjoy being tortured, and there's nothing to see. Note: Carefully read the small map on the ticket, or do your homework in advance. If you don't want to take the cable car, look for a black line on the map that leads to Cuiying Lake (by the way, there's a lake here; you must take the boat at 2 RMB per person – it's nice), then find the path to Youyi Village, then go down (toward Wulong Gully). Don't miss that black line – I missed it, and ended up climbing higher and higher... until I had to take the cable car at 45 RMB per person. There was nothing to see there, and climbing up was really exhausting because it was so high. If you enter via Feiquan Gully, the uphill path is very steep! So those entering via Wulong and exiting via Feiquan should be careful. The hike takes a long, long time. We were pressed for time and exhausted. After exiting Wulong Gully, we spotted a 5 RMB scenic shuttle to Tai'an Ancient Town and hopped on without a second thought – it's actually a bit of a distance, so consider it if you're tired.
Complaint: After exiting Qingcheng Back Mountain, I have to grumble. Our itinerary later required us to catch the minibus back to Qingcheng Mountain Railway Station at exactly 12:30, so we could make the 13:53 train. Initially, it seemed more than enough time! But unexpectedly, the inbound trip took 30 minutes, while the outbound trip took 1.5 hours!!!!! The traffic was so congested – like a snail's pace – because on a very narrow winding mountain road, many tourist buses were coming in, and we had to yield. Also, there were many farmhouses along the road, and many private cars would stop to ask, some would enter, then back out if not satisfied – crazy! No wonder it was jammed! Plus, many people arrived in the morning and reached the scenic area by noon. And so, I beautifully missed the train.
[Tip: If you miss the train, it's okay because you can transfer. For example, take the train to Xipu, then Metro Line 2 from Xipu starting station to downtown Chengdu – total cost is even cheaper than 15 RMB. If that doesn't work, take a 2-hour bus for about 20 RMB back to Chengdu city, or take the train to Dujiangyan and then a bus.]
Took the 18:58 high-speed train to Chongqing, staying at a relative's place. My classmate had something to do and went back to Shanghai.
At Chongqing Railway Station, we took the earliest K-train at 8:04, arriving at Wulong Railway Station around 10:15 (the last train back to Chongqing is around before 5 PM, so pay attention to the time). We then headed to Wulong Bus Station.
[Tip: Don't take a taxi, because the taxi driver won't take you to the bus station. Despite what others write online about 4 RMB taxis to the bus station – nonsense! The drivers think it's too close and will ignore you, same on the way back. So don't waste time, unless you go directly from Wulong Railway Station to Xiannü Town (Fairy Town) – then they might take you. If you share a ride with others, it's cheaper, about 25 RMB per person. We walked from the station to the bus station – we thought it would be far, but it was only about 10 minutes.]
Then we bought an 8 RMB ticket to Xiannü Town. There are minibuses to both Xiannü Town (Visitor Center) and Xiannü Mountain. So make sure which one you want. The ticket seller will ask. There were many people queuing for the bus, and the frequency was slow, so while one person buys the ticket, the other can queue. We didn't go to Xiannü Mountain this time – heard it was extremely crowded and all hotels were full. In about 30 minutes, we arrived at Xiannü Town.
Our hotel was right next to the Visitor Center – super super close. It was a villa complex, a very beautiful environment. The most important thing was its proximity to the center – that's why I chose it.
There were many restaurants next to the villa complex. After arriving at the hotel at noon, we had a quick bite and then went to the Visitor Center to buy tickets for the Three Natural Bridges (Tiansheng Sanqiao).
This white pointed building is the Visitor Center.
[Tip: For adults, I recommend booking tickets on Ctrip 3 hours in advance, as you can save over 10 RMB. For students, buy on-site – it's convenient, and the seller won't check your student ID, you know. Haha.]
After buying tickets (the ticket includes the scenic shuttle), go downstairs; the shuttle is parked there.
[Tip: Normally, tourists go to Three Natural Bridges in the morning and Longshuixia Ground Fissure in the afternoon, because they are very close. But then it's super crowded. We went to Three Natural Bridges in the afternoon and went to Longshuixia the next day – and I can say it was extremely comfortable! There was almost no one in the fissure!! Really, hahaha, it felt fantastic!]
The beauty of the scenic spots is beyond description – but among all places I visited during this trip, I liked Wulong's spots the most. We finished Three Natural Bridges around 4 PM, walking leisurely. Then we took the free 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 AM, with people queueing before that. The earliest shuttle to Three Natural Bridges is at 8 AM, with a huge queue, but fortunately there are many buses. The shuttle to the Ground Fissure is at 8:30 AM, and no one was in line – we just boarded, and the bus wasn't even full. Seeing the crowd waiting for Three Natural Bridges, I felt a bit smug, haha.
About 11 AM we finished, took the shuttle back to the Visitor Center. Then we prepared to go to Furong Cave. The Visitor Center doesn't have a bus to Furong Cave. We had to take an 8 RMB minibus back to the bus station first.
[Tip: Whether you can quickly catch that 8 RMB bus back to the county depends on luck. When we finished Three Natural Bridges the previous day at 4:30 PM and returned to the Visitor Center, we went to investigate. First, the minibus stop is on the opposite side of the road from the villa complex. We saw a long line of people; they said they had been waiting for 1.5 hours! I was stunned. They added that this was not the departure point – the minibus comes down from Xiannü Mountain. If there are still passengers on board, only as many as the seats allow can board, because at that time it's unlikely to have an empty bus! Then we saw private cars nearby. We asked: for up to 7 people, 200 RMB to the bus station; if going to Furong Cave and back, 400 RMB. Then we asked the hotel staff; they found a private car for 150 RMB for 4 people to the bus station, and 500 RMB for a round trip to Furong Cave. So if you're in a hurry to get back to the bus station, consider ride-sharing.]
However, we were lucky when we returned around 11 AM – a bus arrived right at the stop, and it was empty! We had it all to ourselves, hahaha. Arriving at the bus station, we took a public bus from Wulong to Jiangkou, paid 9 RMB (which included the later minivan fare), got a small ticket, and at the terminal, someone was waiting. He stamped our ticket and took us to a minivan (a bit shabby, and the road was under construction, so we walked partway then took the van). We spent about an hour visiting the scenic spot. Next to it is Furong River – if you have time and interest, you can visit.
Return: minivan + public bus. There are private cars soliciting outside the scenic spot – ignore them. Hurry back to the train station to return to Chongqing.
Let me give you a straightforward picture [applause]!
In a word: The overall organization and environment of Wulong, Chongqing, are first-class – not messy at all. The scenic spots are beautiful, and walking isn't too tiring. At most, it takes 2 hours to visit one spot.
One-day tour of downtown Chongqing: My brother-in-law knows Chongqing like the back of his hand, so I didn't have to worry about bus and metro transfers – haha, so I don't remember many details. He told me to go to Caiyuanba, take Bus 210 to the terminal (Baigong Mansion stop).
After visiting, he told me to walk to Zhazidong, so I could experience the mountain city's slopes – haha, the walk isn't very far. Seeing Zhazidong, I felt how great the people back then were.
Then I shared a ride with others for 10 RMB per person to Ciqikou.
I visited the ancient town, ate Chongqing noodles, Chongqing yogurt, bought Chen's fried dough twists (ma hua) – so delicious! Then took Bus 808 to Liziba Station of the rail transit, and took Light Rail Line 2 to see the moment it passes through a building.
I was so eager for the cableway.
[Tip: Get a transportation card – the cableway costs only 1.8 RMB!!! Yes, you heard right!!!! But as a tourist buying a ticket, it's 10 RMB per person.]
At Jiefangbei, we also went to Haochi Street (Good Eats 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 setting – very tasty.
Evening: Hongyadong. I didn't go inside, just watched the night view of the river.
Oh, by the way, Chongqing's old-fashioned popsicles are super delicious – I still crave them. I ate at least 5, and they're cheap.
One-day group tour to Heishan Valley, booked on Ctrip, because self-guided and group tour cost about the same – why not save the hassle? Originally we were to enter from the North Gate, but due to some reason the tour group changed to South Gate – a lucky turn!
[Tip: 1. If you enter from the South Gate, you definitely don't need to buy the cableway ticket at 30 RMB (I was the only one on the bus who didn't buy it), because you walk downhill – super easy. If you enter from the North Gate, it's up to you – buy it if you're tired, because it's mostly uphill, though the road is fairly flat. But the electric cart!!!! Definitely buy it – the road from the scenic exit to the North Gate is unimaginably long!!!! 30 RMB.]
Dinner: Sichuan cuisine.
Chaotianmen Square is under construction and closed. You have to go down along Chaotianmen Pier for a quite long distance. At the end, you'll see the clear Jialing River and the muddy Yangtze River merge – it's amazing.
I hope my tips are very helpful to everyone!
Conclusion: This isn't my first self-guided trip. Previous ones I was too lazy to write about, and now I'm starting to forget a bit. I'll add them later when I remember.
