Wanzhou

The Yangtze River runs through central Wanzhou, where hillside streets and the scenery of the Three Gorges shape the cityscape. Compared with central Chongqing, Wanzhou has a slower pace of life and relatively affordable dining, making it a good choice for a relaxed weekend or short holiday.

• Tianshengcheng Cultural and Tourism District: Built around the remains of a Southern Song fortified settlement, this district is free to enter. Visit the historic stone carvings by day; after the lights come on at 19:30, stilt houses and lanterns create a nightscape reminiscent of scenes from *Spirited Away*.

• Wanzhou Grand Waterfall: Known as Asia’s widest waterfall, it produces heavy mist near its base. You can enter the Water Curtain Cave or take a bamboo raft for a closer view. A forest coaster ride is also available. Allow about half a day overall.

• Three Gorges Migration Memorial Hall: Admission is free with an ID card; closed on Mondays. Exhibits tell the story of the million people relocated for the Three Gorges project, and the building’s design is also worth a look. The outdoor plaza faces the Yangtze and offers a place to photograph the river.
• Xishan Clock Tower: This century-old Wanzhou landmark stands in Xishan Park and is free to visit. Its architecture blends Chinese and Western styles, with mature trees all around, making it a good subject for atmospheric architectural photos.

• Wangjiang Grand Stairway: Featured in television reports, this hillside stairway has 331 steps linking the upper and lower parts of the city. From the top, you can frame the city’s buildings and the Yangtze together, with different views by day and after dark.

• Taibai Rock: A popular local spot for a recreational climb, with no admission fee to reach the top. It overlooks central Wanzhou and the broad, calm waters of the Yangtze. Go in the late afternoon to catch the sunset and its reflections on the river.

• Qingyanggong Road: Known as Wanzhou’s “Little Hong Kong,” this area has densely packed older apartment buildings and streets that rise in layers along the hillside. It is a good place to observe daily life in the old town and take street scenes or portraits.
• Honghuadi Wharf: Facing the broad, calm waters of the Yangtze, this is another option for riverside views. Come in the evening to cool off by the river and watch passing boats, or take a break at one of the nearby riverside teahouses.

Suggested 2-Day, 1-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Old-Town Streets and Riverside Night Views
  • Morning: Arrive at Wanzhou North Station by high-speed train, then take a taxi to your hotel to leave your luggage.
  • Lunch: Eat around the Gaosuntang shopping district, choosing Wanzhou noodles with minced-meat sauce or gege steamed meat.
  • Afternoon: Walk along Qingyanggong Road, known as “Little Hong Kong,” then visit the century-old clock tower in Xishan Park before relaxing by the river at Honghuadi Wharf.
  • Early evening: Head to Wangjiang Grand Stairway to see the city’s buildings and streets spread across different elevations. Alternatively, go to the area around the Second Yangtze River Bridge, using the park opposite Ningbo Primary School as your navigation destination, to photograph the sunset skyline known as “Wanzhou’s Manhattan.”

• Evening: Take a taxi to Tianshengcheng Cultural and Tourism District. Explore and photograph the night views after the lights come on at 19:30, then head to Grilled Fish Street to try Wanzhou grilled fish.

• Day 2: Waterfall Scenery and Migration History
  • Morning: Drive or take a taxi to Wanzhou Grand Waterfall. Visit the waterfall and enjoy the cool air inside the Water Curtain Cave. Allow 2–3 hours.

• Afternoon: Return to the city and visit the Three Gorges Migration Memorial Hall to learn about the Three Gorges project and the history of the associated relocations.
  • Early evening: Buy local foods such as Cheng cold noodles and triangular rice cakes in the city, then begin your return journey.

What to Eat in Wanzhou

Beyond grilled fish, Wanzhou offers gege steamed meat, noodles and other local specialties to try during your trip.

• Wanzhou Grilled Fish: Fish is freshly killed and grilled, giving the skin a toasted aroma. Pickled chili is a signature flavor. Try Fantaichang Laogen Grilled Fish or Duyichu Grilled Fish; expect to spend about RMB 70–90 per person.

• Wanzhou Gege: Lamb, pork intestines or beef are slowly steamed over low heat in small bamboo baskets until tender. Geng Gege and Qin Erge Gege are both options. Each basket costs a little over RMB 10, with a typical meal costing about RMB 35–45 per person.

• Wanzhou Small-Pot Hot Pot: This local style uses aluminum pots on small stoves. The ingredients are cooked before the pot is served, unlike hot pot in which you cook the food at the table. Try Louwailou Small-Pot Hot Pot or Liuji Small-Pot Hot Pot; a pot with pork intestines and beef is one option.

• Wanzhou Noodles: Common local varieties include noodles with minced-meat sauce, yuanyang noodles and noodles with pickled chilies and sliced kidney. At Wanxian Noodle House, the minced-meat sauce is thickened so it coats the noodles well.
• Mustard Cold Noodles: Yellow mustard gives this Wanzhou snack its distinctive pungency and refreshing bite. Cheng Cold Noodles and Ran Cold Noodles both serve it, at about RMB 7–8 per bowl.

• Wanzhou Baomian: These thin-skinned wontons have generous, mainly meat fillings. Both the hot-and-sour and chili-oil versions are well flavored; choose according to your preference.

• Hongguang Rice Noodles: Known for its meat-free rice noodles, this spot serves bowls that look simple but are aromatic, with a soft, slightly chewy texture and a mild overall flavor.

• Wang’s Liangxia: A chilled dessert sweetened with brown sugar, it pairs well with grilled fish or hot pot and helps offset the heat and richness.

Where to Stay

• Wanda / Beibin Road Shopping District: With plenty of restaurants nearby and easy taxi access to city sights, this is a good first area for most visitors to consider.

• Around Tianshengcheng: Staying near the illuminated district makes it convenient to enjoy the lights, browse the night market and find late-night food. It suits travelers who want to focus on evening sightseeing.

• Gaosuntang Old Town: Accommodation here offers relatively good value, and the neighborhood retains a strong sense of everyday life in this hillside city. Wangjiang Grand Stairway and Xishan Clock Tower are also nearby.

Transport and Travel Tips

• High-speed rail: Arrive at Wanzhou North Station. The journey takes about 1 hour from central Chongqing or about 2.5 hours from Chengdu East.
• Driving: Sights in central Wanzhou are fairly close together and are also easy to reach by taxi. For Wanzhou Grand Waterfall, consider driving or hiring a car with a driver; the journey takes about 30–50 minutes.
• Before you go:
  • Restaurants on Grilled Fish Street can have long waits during holidays, so take a queue number first. Taxis are less plentiful after 23:00; use a ride-hailing service instead.
  • Tianshengcheng has many stone steps, so wear comfortable, slip-resistant flat shoes.
  • Many Wanzhou grilled fish restaurants do not open until the afternoon, so an early-evening meal is a better fit.
  • The mustard in mustard cold noodles has a strong bite. If your mouth is sensitive, ask for less.
  • The Three Gorges Migration Memorial Hall is closed every Monday, so plan accordingly.