Youyang

Youyang is a hidden mountain-and-river retreat in southeastern Chongqing. It has both the utopian Peach Blossom Spring described by Tao Yuanming and the stunning scenery of the Wujiang Gallery. With an average summer temperature of around 25°C, it is an excellent place to escape the heat.

• Youyang Peach Blossom Spring: A 5A-rated scenic area that perfectly recreates the mood of *The Peach Blossom Spring*. The core highlight is the 3.5-kilometer-long Taigu Cave, where the temperature stays at 14-17°C year-round and the stalactite formations are spectacular.
• Gongtan Ancient Town: A thousand-year-old town built against the mountains and beside the water, with stilted houses clinging dramatically to the cliffs. In the early morning, mist drifts over the river like an ink painting; in the evening, you can take a boat tour of the Wujiang Gallery.
• Changpu Grassland: An alpine meadow at an altitude of 1,400 meters. In summer it is lush and green, with white wind turbines and a rainbow road. It is ideal for watching the sunset, camping, and taking wide-open wilderness photos in the evening.
• Dieshi Flower Valley: A flower valley landscape with an exotic atmosphere. It is especially photogenic in autumn when the pink muhly grass is in bloom. The scenic area also has fighter jet model displays and NPC parades.

Classic 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Youyang and Get a First Taste of the Peach Blossom Spring
  • Morning: Depart from Chongqing’s main urban area. It takes about 4 hours by car or around 2.5 hours by high-speed train to reach Youyang.
  • Afternoon: Visit the Youyang Peach Blossom Spring scenic area. It is recommended to enter through the cave at the entrance to experience the feeling of “walking a few dozen more steps, and suddenly everything opens up.” Then continue deep into Taigu Cave to explore its underground wonders. The cave is quite cold, so bring a jacket.
  • Evening: Stay in Youyang County town, stroll around Youzhou Ancient Town, and try local specialties such as camellia oil hotpot and street snacks.
• Day 2: Alpine Grassland and a Thousand-Year-Old Town
  • Morning: Drive to Changpu Grassland (about 45 minutes by car). Walk around the wind turbine viewing platform and the rainbow road, and enjoy the cool mountain air.
  • Afternoon: Head to Gongtan Ancient Town (about 1.5 hours on mountain roads) and check into a riverside stilted-house guesthouse.
  • Evening: Wander along the old bluestone streets of the ancient town, visit Xiqin Guild Hall, and wait by the river for sunset while enjoying the night view of the Wujiang River.
• Day 3: Morning Mist over the Wujiang Gallery and Return Trip
  • Early Morning: Get up early and wander around the ancient town. In the morning, Gongtan has few visitors, and a light mist covers the river, creating a rich ink-painting atmosphere. Fuxing Wharf or the riverside walkway are recommended photo spots.
  • Morning: Have a bowl of intangible-cultural-heritage Gongtan mung bean noodles for breakfast, then take a Wujiang Gallery cruise to admire the most scenic stretch, with sheer cliffs on both banks and emerald-green river water.
  • Noon: Enjoy a meal of tender Wujiang tofu fish in the ancient town, then drive back to Chongqing to end the pleasant trip.

Must-Try Youyang Specialties

Youyang’s food blends Tujia and Miao flavors, and its river fish, cured meats, and snacks are all well worth trying.

• Wujiang Tofu Fish: A signature dish of Gongtan Ancient Town, made with live Wujiang river fish and tender tofu. The broth is rich, and the fish is fresh and delicate.
• Gongtan Mung Bean Noodles: A local intangible-cultural-heritage snack with a soft, glutinous, and mellow texture. Whether boiled or stir-fried, it is very appetizing and is a favorite breakfast among locals.
• Youyang Oil Tea Soup: A traditional Tujia breakfast made by slowly frying and simmering tea leaves with oil, then topping it with fried rice, peanuts, and other ingredients. The aroma of tea and rice mingle together.
• Camellia Oil Hotpot: A Youyang specialty hotpot with camellia oil as the soup base. It is fragrant and cuts through richness, pairing well with freshly sliced beef chuck flap and thick-cut pork kidney for a fresh, non-greasy taste.
• Tujia Cured Pork: Farmhouse smoked cured meat from the mountains, with a strong aroma and firm texture. Stir-fried with garlic sprouts or wild vegetables, it goes especially well with rice.

Transportation and Accommodation Guide

• Transportation:
  • Self-driving: The most recommended option. From Chongqing’s main urban area, the whole journey via the Baotou-Maoming Expressway takes about 4-4.5 hours. Mountain roads have many bends and can be slippery, so daytime driving is recommended, and night driving should be avoided where possible.
  • High-speed train + transfer: Take a high-speed train from Chongqing North Railway Station to Youyang Station, which takes about 2.5 hours. After leaving the station, you can charter a car or take an intercity bus to the scenic areas.
  • Coach: There are direct buses from Chongqing Sigongli Transport Hub to Gongtan Ancient Town, taking about 4-5 hours.
• Accommodation Suggestions:
  • Gongtan Ancient Town: If you want to experience the night views and morning mist, be sure to stay inside the ancient town. Prioritize riverside stilted-house guesthouses on the second floor or above. In the off-season, river-view rooms are about 150-300 yuan per night. First-floor rooms tend to be damp and noisy.
  • Youyang County Town: Suitable for a transfer stop on the first or last night of the trip. There are many accommodation options, good value for money, and plenty of nearby food choices.

Practical Tips to Avoid Pitfalls

• What to Wear: Changpu Grassland is at a relatively high altitude, and the temperature is 6-8°C lower than in the county town, so be sure to bring a light jacket. The cave stays at 14-17°C year-round, so long sleeves are also needed for warmth. You will walk on many stone paths and steps throughout the trip, so comfortable flat shoes are essential.
• Sun and Mosquito Protection: UV rays are strong on the plateau and by the river, so bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. There are many mosquitoes in the mountains in summer, so mosquito repellent is a must.
• Sightseeing Tip: Taigu Cave is 3.5 kilometers long throughout. It is a one-way route where you can only move forward and cannot turn back, so a certain level of stamina is required. Families traveling with elderly people or children should judge according to their physical condition.
• Signal Issues: Mobile signal can be weak on some mountain road sections around Changpu Grassland and other areas, so it is recommended to download offline maps in advance.