Tongnan

Tongnan lies in western Chongqing, between Chongqing and Chengdu. It has relatively few tourists, plenty of scenic attractions and low everyday travel costs. Most major sights charge no admission, making it suitable for a weekend road trip or a short break by high-speed train.

• Tongnan Great Buddha Temple: The temple houses an 18.43-meter-tall gilded Buddha, the largest indoor statue of its kind in the world. Its “Musical Stone Steps” are counted among China’s four great ancient echo structures. Climb to Jian Pavilion for a view of the S-shaped bend in the Fu River.

• Shuangjiang Ancient Town: Named among China’s first ten famous historic and cultural towns, Shuangjiang retains clusters of Ming- and Qing-dynasty buildings along its flagstone streets. Among them is the Yang Family Residence, which Liang Sicheng praised as a “national treasure.” With limited commercial development, the town still has the feel of an everyday residential community.

• Chen Tuan’s Hometown · Chongkan Flower Fields: In spring, rapeseed flowers cover thousands of acres of rolling farmland, with a huge yin-yang design set among the fields. You can explore by sightseeing train or boat. On some evenings, there are also traditional molten-iron fireworks performances, a form of intangible cultural heritage.

• Tongnan Museum: Housed in a converted granary, the museum has enormous pieces of ancient buried wood displayed outside. Inside is a 28-meter-long sauropod dinosaur fossil named “Tongnanlong zhimingi,” the largest fossil of its kind in Asia.

• Longduo Mountain: The mountain has cliff carvings and hiking trails lined with dense woodland. From the summit, you can look out over the Fu River and surrounding farmland. It is a good choice for visitors mainly interested in hiking and spending time in nature.

Suggested Itineraries

• One-day trip (a short weekend outing): Leave central Chongqing in the morning by car or high-speed train. Start at Shuangjiang Ancient Town and sample snacks along its old streets. After lunch, visit Tongnan Museum to learn about local history and culture. Spend the afternoon at Tongnan Great Buddha Temple, offering prayers and enjoying the river views. At dusk, walk along Binjiang Road to watch the sunset before heading back.
• Two-day trip (relaxed sightseeing and local food):
  • Day 1: After arriving in Tongnan, have Tai’an fish for lunch. Visit the Great Buddha Temple in the afternoon, then take an early-evening walk in Fu River Wetland Park. At night, head to the urban night markets for liangfen jelly noodles and guokui flatbread, and stay overnight in town.
  • Day 2: Choose your morning destination according to the season: visit the Chongkan Flower Fields in spring, or a lemon-themed park for photos in autumn or winter. Have a farmhouse-style lunch near the attraction. In the afternoon, you can stop at the Yang Angong Hometown Scenic Area before ending your trip.

Local Dining Suggestions

Transport and Accommodation

• Getting around:
  • High-speed rail: Trains to Tongnan Station depart from both Chongqing North and Chongqing West stations. The journey takes about 40 minutes to 1 hour, with fares around 32.5 yuan. From Chengdu East Station, the journey takes about 1–1.5 hours.
  • Driving: From central Chongqing, take the Chongqing–Suining Expressway or the Hechuan–Tongnan–Anyue Expressway. The journey is about 110–120 kilometers and takes roughly 1.5 hours. Driving from Chengdu takes about 2 hours. Once in Tongnan, you can reach the attractions by taxi or bus; a taxi ride to the Chongkan Flower Fields takes about 30 minutes.
• Where to stay:
  • Hotels in town: Qipan Hotel is near the river and within walking distance of the Great Buddha Temple. Tongcheng Zhiguang Hotel is centrally located, with plenty of dining options nearby. Hotels in this category cost around 100–200 yuan and suit budget-conscious travelers.
  • River-view hotels: Fujiang Grand Hotel has a convenient location and river views, making it a good choice for travelers seeking a more comfortable stay.
  • Guesthouses and farm stays: More than 200 farm stays are scattered near the attractions, offering families a taste of rural life. In town, there are also boutique guesthouses with mahjong rooms, renting for a little over 200 yuan per day.

Travel Tips

• Admission: Major attractions including the Great Buddha Temple, Shuangjiang Ancient Town, Tongnan Museum and Longduo Mountain are currently free to enter. The flower fields at Chen Tuan’s Hometown may charge admission or activity fees during the spring flower festival.
• Transport connections: Taxis can be hard to find at more remote attractions such as Dubai Temple, so driving or renting a car is advisable. Bus stop signs for services to and from Shuangjiang Ancient Town may be easy to miss. Check the last return bus time and plan ahead if you may need a taxi.
• What to wear: It can be windy at the Great Buddha Temple and along the Fu River, so bring a light jacket. Wear comfortable athletic shoes for the flower fields or mountain hikes. Light-colored clothing is a good option for spring flower photos.
• Where to eat: In Shuangjiang Ancient Town, focus on local snacks such as liangfen jelly noodles, mahua fried dough twists and triangular rice cakes. For stir-fried dishes, long-established restaurants in town may offer better flavor and value than those in the ancient town.