Dazu

Dazu combines world-class grotto art, local cuisine, and lakeside scenery, making it well suited to a weekend getaway from central Chongqing or nearby cities.

• Dazu Rock Carvings: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the main areas at Baoding and Beishan. Baoding features large-scale, highly narrative sculptures; the Thousand-Hand Guanyin and Reclining Buddha are must-sees. Beishan is usually less crowded, and its finely detailed carvings are ideal for a quieter visit.

• Longshui Lake: Known as the “Little West Lake of Chongqing,” it has a 13-kilometer colorful lakeside trail for cycling or boat rides. Visit Xiangguo Park before dusk to watch the intangible cultural heritage iron-flower performance, where lakeside scenery and local cultural activities come together.

• Dazu Rock Carvings Museum: Located within the Baoding scenic area, the museum uses 4K and 8K dome films to introduce the development and historical background of the carvings. It is a good place to learn the basics before viewing the sculptures.

• Xiangguo Park: The park is free to enter and has children’s playground equipment without powered rides. In summer, children can play in the water and sand, while large lantern festivals are held at night, making it suitable for families.

• Changzhou Ancient Town: Centered on traditional-style architecture and historic-street scenery, it is a good place to explore and take photos in hanfu. Some shops may not yet be open during the day, but the area is clean and elegant, with relatively few visitors and a peaceful atmosphere.

Classic Two-Day, One-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Relax at Longshui Lake and watch a traditional performance
  • Morning: Drive from central Chongqing, or take a bus to Dazu. After arriving, start with a visit to Longshui Lake.

Cycle along the 13-kilometer colorful trail, or take a bamboo raft across the lake to enjoy the water, metasequoia trees, and surrounding scenery.

• Afternoon: Return to the urban area and head to Dingjiapo Food Street to try local snacks such as Dingjiapo potatoes and Li’s cold shrimp dessert.
• Evening: Visit Xiangguo Park. On weekends and public holidays, you may be able to watch the intangible cultural heritage iron-flower performance, in which 1,600°C molten iron is scattered through the air to create a display resembling sparks.

• Day 2: Baoding and Beishan Rock Carvings
  • Morning: Visit the Baoding scenic area of the Dazu Rock Carvings. It is recommended to enter after the site opens at 8:30. First watch the dome film at the Dazu Rock Carvings Museum, then take the sightseeing shuttle to Dazu Fo Wan, focusing on the Thousand-Hand Guanyin, the 31-meter Reclining Buddha, the Six Realms of Rebirth, and other sculptures.
  • Afternoon: If time allows and you are interested in rock-carving culture, take Bus 205 or a taxi to the Beishan Rock Carvings, about 15–20 minutes away. Beishan is usually less crowded, and the scenery is especially good when afternoon sunlight enters the grottoes. After the visit, try Youyi River crucian carp in the urban area before heading home.

Transportation and Ticket Guide

• Getting there:
  • By car: The drive from central Chongqing takes about 1.5 hours. Set your navigation to “Dazu Rock Carvings Baoding Visitor Center.” The parking lot at the entrance usually has plenty of spaces.
  • By high-speed rail: Take a high-speed train to Dazu South Railway Station, then take a taxi for about 30–40 minutes to the scenic area. Since Dazu South Station is relatively far from both the scenic area and the urban center, arrange your onward transport in advance.
  • By bus: Direct buses run from Chongqing Hongqihegou Bus Station or Jiefangbei. A one-way ticket costs about CNY 48, while a round trip costs CNY 88. No transfers are required.
• Tickets:
  • Baoding single-area ticket: CNY 115 per person, including the Dazu Rock Carvings Museum and Shengshou Temple.
  • Beishan single-area ticket: CNY 70 per person.
  • Combined ticket: CNY 140 per person for Baoding and Beishan, making it the better option if you plan to visit both.
  • Discounts: Official channels sometimes offer half-price or free tickets. Check the details of current promotions.
  • Opening hours: 8:30–18:00, with ticket checks ending at 16:30. Allow plenty of time for your visit.

Must-Try Foods in Dazu

Dazu’s local specialties center on fresh fish, potatoes, rabbit, and traditional desserts. Set aside time to eat while visiting the rock carvings.

• Youyi River crucian carp: This area has century-old heritage restaurants where fish is cooked to order. The flavor is spicy, savory, and aromatic, with tender meat that absorbs the seasoning well. The sauce is also good mixed with rice. Try Liu Sanjie Crucian Carp or Chen Crucian Carp.

• Dingjiapo potatoes: The potatoes are sliced by hand and coated in a special chili oil, creating a spicy flavor with a slightly sweet finish. They are a common local snack. Wang Shuhua’s is one of the better-known traditional shops, with bowls priced at CNY 5.

• Rabbit hot pot: Rabbit is one of Dazu’s signature local flavors. At local restaurants such as Ziwei Xiangtu Rabbit Hot Pot, you can try steamed rabbit, which has a crisp, fragrant exterior and tender meat with a moderate level of spice. Pair it with ice jelly or cold shrimp dessert to ease the heat.

• Li’s cold shrimp dessert: Located next to the Dingjiapo potato shops, this store makes its cold shrimp dessert and ice jelly by hand. They are served with traditional sandy brown sugar, making them cool and refreshing alongside the potatoes.
• Huang Er Chicken Soup Pugai Noodles: The noodles are pulled fresh into broad, thin pieces and served in a rich soup made from old hen and pork bones. The noodles are smooth and chewy, and the broth is full-bodied.

Where to Stay

• Dazu Rock Carvings Guantang: Located inside the Baoding Rock Carvings scenic area, this hotel features Song-style Zen-inspired architecture and is only a few minutes’ walk from the entrance. Its quiet, elegant setting suits travelers who value both accommodation quality and convenience.

• Hanting Chongqing Dazu Shuangqiao Hotel: Located in the Shuangqiao Economic Development Zone, the hotel has relatively new facilities and prices that match its amenities. It also offers free transfers to Dazu South Railway Station, with plenty of restaurants and parks nearby.

• Hotels in the urban area: If you plan to visit the night market and try local snacks in the evening, consider staying near Dingjiapo or Bao’en Road. Some hotels in central Dazu have older facilities, so check recent reviews and actual room photos before booking.

Practical Travel Tips

• Arrange a guide: The Dazu Rock Carvings contain extensive historical information that can be difficult to understand by simply looking at them. Consider booking a live guide or renting an electronic audio guide to learn the stories behind the sculptures.
• Wear suitable shoes: The scenic areas have many stone steps and paths, and the ground can sometimes be damp. Wear comfortable, slip-resistant flat shoes and avoid high heels.
• Choose your visiting times carefully: At Baoding, enter soon after the site opens at 8:30. Tour groups are less common at Dazu Fo Wan during the first 40 minutes. At Beishan, entering around 16:40 offers good light as the setting sun enters the grottoes, as well as fewer visitors.
• Follow conservation rules: Flash photography is prohibited in the rock-carving areas, and touching the rock walls is not allowed. Follow the rules and visit responsibly.
• Check entry times: The museum and Beishan Rock Carvings both stop admitting visitors at 16:30. Plan your route in advance to avoid arriving after entry has closed.