Shizhu

Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County in Chongqing offers both natural scenery and cultural attractions, from alpine meadows and clear streams to Tujia traditions and local food. This 3-day, 2-night itinerary combines natural landscapes, historic sites and dining in the county town.

• Huangshui National Forest Park: Set in the Qiyao Mountains, this is one of Shizhu’s main attractions. It offers a cool retreat in summer and colorful foliage in autumn. It is also the largest ethnic-minority scenic area among Chongqing’s national forest parks.

• Qianye Grassland: This national 4A-rated scenic area brings together mountains, water, forests, cliffs, caves, springs and gorges. Its alpine grassland scenery has earned it the nickname “Chongqing’s Little Switzerland.” You can camp, fly kites or take photos along the road.

• Xituo Ancient Town: This town grew around a salt trade that stretches back a thousand years and is known as the “First Street along the Yangtze.” Yunti Street has 1,314 steps, with historic buildings and traces of the ancient Ba salt route along the way. It is a good place for exploring local history and taking photos.

• Daobeiliang: The knife-edge ridge road runs between steep cliffs, with clusters of giant wind turbines along the route. Come for sunset or views of a sea of clouds, or camp overnight to enjoy the stars.

• Dingjia Yuanzi: Its exceptionally clear stream, with water that looks almost like translucent jelly, has earned it comparisons to a Chongqing version of “Semporna.” From summer to early autumn, it offers a cool escape for gorge stream trekking, paddleboarding, snorkeling or family water play.

Suggested 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Shizhu, explore the county town on foot and try local food
  • Morning: Take a high-speed train from central Chongqing to Shizhuxian Station, a journey of about 1.5 hours. Then take a taxi or drive to your hotel to check in.
  • Afternoon: Walk along the Yudai River, visiting Qishan Covered Bridge and Longzui Park for a glimpse of everyday life in the county town. Then head to Liangyu Square for local milk tea or sit down for some open-air courtyard tea, known as baba tea.
  • Evening: Try Tujia-style food in the county town, with options such as Ma'erba Wood-Fired Potato Rice and Dahuzi Potato Slices. After dinner, take a walk to enjoy the town’s night views.

• Day 2: Explore alpine meadows and a cliffside road
  • Morning: Drive about 1.5 hours to Qianye Grassland. Walk through the alpine meadows, visit the stone forest and cliff swing, and enjoy the scenery nicknamed “Little Switzerland.”

• Afternoon: Drive along the winding mountain road to Dafengmen Viewing Platform at Daobeiliang, taking in the knife-edge ridge road and giant wind turbines along the way.

• Early evening: Stay at the viewing platform for sunset, when the turbines and ridges glow gold and red. Then head to a nearby campsite for hot pot and stargazing.

• Day 3: Choose gorge activities or an ancient town visit, then head back
  • Option A (water activities and hiking): Visit Dingjia Yuanzi (Jianjia Yuanzi) to trek along the clear stream, try catching fish by hand and take photos in the cool gorge. The access road into the village is narrow, so less experienced drivers should proceed with caution.
  • Option B (ancient town and culture): Explore Xituo Ancient Town, walking up the stone steps of Yunti Street to learn about the local salt trade’s thousand-year history. You can also take a ferry along the Yangtze for distant views of Shibaozhai from the river.

• Afternoon: After sightseeing, drive or take a high-speed train back to central Chongqing.

Local Foods to Try in Shizhu

Local cooking combines Tujia traditions with the flavors of the mountainous Bayu region. Potatoes and cured pork are common ingredients, and many dishes are sour and spicy.

Transport and Accommodation

• Getting around:
  • High-speed train: Travel from Chongqing North or Chongqing West Station to Shizhuxian Station in about 1.5 hours. On arrival, take a taxi or rent a car to reach the attractions.
  • Driving: The drive from central Chongqing takes about 3 hours, with generally good expressway conditions. The winding mountain roads to places such as Daobeiliang and Dingjia Yuanzi are narrow, so less experienced drivers should slow down and proceed carefully.
• Where to stay:
  • County town: Dining options are concentrated here, and accommodation is relatively affordable. It suits visitors focused on strolling around town, trying local food and enjoying nightlife. Standard rooms cost about CNY 100–300 per night.
  • Huangshui Town: Close to the forest park, the town sees strong accommodation demand from summer visitors escaping the heat. Prices rise when rooms are scarce, so book ahead.
  • Camping: Both Daobeiliang and Qianye Grassland have campsites. Bring your own tent or choose a site that provides camping equipment, and enjoy the stars at night.

Travel Tips

• Clothing and temperature changes: High-altitude areas such as Huangshui and Daobeiliang have marked differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures. Bring a long-sleeved jacket and long trousers even in summer. Pack non-slip water shoes for stream trekking or camping trips.
• Mountain roads and vehicle limits: Some village access roads around Dingjia Yuanzi and Daobeiliang are narrow, steep and winding. Vehicle limits may apply, such as a cap of 100 vehicles per day. An SUV is preferable. New drivers may want to avoid driving in or ask a local who knows the roads to guide them.
• Water safety: Wild stream-trekking areas such as Dingjia Yuanzi lack commercial facilities. Do not enter the water if levels rise sharply after heavy rain. Warning signs mark deep pools; do not go beyond them into dangerous water.
• Food and drinking water: Some outdoor camping and stream-trekking locations have no shops. Before setting out, buy enough drinking water, snacks and self-heating meals in the county town or a nearby town.