Yongchuan

Yongchuan is an underrated hidden-gem small city, just a 1-hour drive from downtown Chongqing. The pace is slow, many attractions are free, and it is perfect for a relaxing weekend. Here is a practical travel guide for you, so you can simply follow along!

Transportation Guide

• High-speed rail: From Chongqing’s main urban area, take the high-speed train to Yongchuan East Station. It takes about 20 minutes, with second-class seats around 24 yuan. The latest return high-speed train runs until 22:00, so there is plenty of time.
• Self-driving: Navigate directly to your destination. The drive takes about 1 hour, and parking is fairly convenient in both downtown Yongchuan and the scenic areas.
• Local transport: Taxis are the most convenient option, while buses usually require transfers. In Yongchuan, you can also try “Luobo Kuaipao” driverless ride-hailing for a futuristic experience.

Must-Visit Attractions

• Tea Mountain and Bamboo Sea: A filming location for *House of Flying Daggers*, with rolling tea hills and emerald bamboo rising into the sky. It is especially cool in summer. You can check in at the movie’s bamboo forest scenes or simply zone out at the Starry Sky Camping Base. Some hiking routes are currently closed due to weather, so it is best to confirm the latest opening status before you go.
• Shennü Lake: A lakeside park within the city, open for free. A loop around the lake is about 2.2 km, with flat, easy paths. You can visit the Shennü Stairway, and from the top you can overlook the whole lake and the cityscape. In summer, the lotus pond by the lake is also very photogenic.
• Songgai Ancient Town: A thousand-year-old ancient town by the Yangtze River, with little commercialization and preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architectural complexes. Recommended stops include Kuixing Pavilion, Yongchuan County Office, and the Qin Family Courtyard. When you get tired, have tea at a riverside teahouse and enjoy the river view; in the evening, you can also take a small boat and feel the river breeze.
• Lehe Ledu: Suitable for families with children or visitors who enjoy amusement facilities. You can watch animal feeding, the royal circus, and dolphin shows. There is also a water park in summer. It is recommended to spend two days here and stay at the themed hotel.

Must-Eat Food List

Yongchuan’s food is full of bold, streetwise Chongqing character. The following spots are popular with both locals and visitors:

• Tangxiang Haor Fish: A Yongchuan specialty. The fish is thick and meaty with no fine bones, and the spicy, numbing broth becomes more addictive the more you eat. It is recommended to add fatty intestines and shrimp, and pair it with rice.
• Jiha Douhua: “Jiha” refers to breaking the tofu pudding into pieces like chickens pecking at food. It is fragrant, spicy, and delicious, a perfect rice companion. The old shop often has queues.
• Wei Dang Xian: A long-running local old restaurant, known for shredded ginger rabbit and duck feet. The dishes are deeply flavorful and great with rice. The Wangchengpo branch is recommended, as it has a better reputation.
• Mung Bean Pastry and Zhu’er Ba: Chewy street snacks. Mung bean pastry has a crisp outer shell and a dense, soft filling; Zhu’er Ba comes in both savory and sweet versions. The savory one is like a large tangyuan, with a rich, oily mouthfeel.

Recommended Itineraries

• One-day trip (city area + food): Yongchuan East Station → walk around Shennü Lake → Yongchuan Museum (see dinosaur fossils) → have Jiha Douhua for lunch → explore Sanhe Huibi Cultural and Creative Block in the afternoon → have Haor fish for dinner → ride the Yuji’s Eye Ferris wheel in the evening before returning.
• Two-day trip (in-depth + ancient town): Day 1 as above; on Day 2, go to Tea Mountain and Bamboo Sea in the morning for fresh air and hiking, then slowly explore Songgai Ancient Town in the afternoon and eat Dingguo fish, before returning in the evening.

Pitfalls and Notes

• Songgai Ancient Town is relatively far: It is 40 km from the city center, and taking a bus takes more than 1 hour. It is recommended to reserve a full day and avoid packing the schedule too tightly.
• Museum closure: Yongchuan Museum is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00. Remember not to make a wasted trip.
• Hiking routes: Some hiking routes in Tea Mountain and Bamboo Sea, such as Baodaoling, may be closed recently due to weather. It is best to confirm the latest road conditions with the scenic area before going.
• Taste differences: Yongchuan cuisine tends to be spicy, numbing, and heavily flavored. If you do not eat much spice, remember to ask for mildly spicy when ordering.