Wulong

Wulong's main natural attractions feature karst landscapes, with vast sinkholes and deep, narrow gorges. It is a destination near Chongqing for exploring mountain and canyon scenery. Below is a guide to the main sights, suggested itineraries, transport and accommodation.

• Three Natural Bridges: This is the world's largest chain of natural bridges, and a filming location for *Curse of the Golden Flower* and *Transformers: Age of Extinction*. Take the 80-meter rotating sightseeing elevator down to the valley floor, then follow the trail past Tianlong Bridge, Qinglong Bridge, Heilong Bridge and Tianfu Official Posthouse to explore karst scenery formed over hundreds of millions of years.

• Longshuixia Gorge: Formed by mountain-building movements over tens of millions of years, this gorge is known as the “most beautiful crack in the Earth.” The route mainly follows walkways, passing Jiaolong Cold Cavern, Yinhe Waterfall and an underground river. Mist fills the gorge, creating a quieter, more secluded setting than the open sinkholes.

• Fairy Mountain National Forest Park: The park has around 6,667 hectares of alpine meadows and is known as “Southern China's Finest Pasture” and the “Switzerland of the East.” A sightseeing train takes visitors to the grasslands, while the undulating road and woodland cabins are other sights to explore. Horse riding and feeding cattle and sheep are also available, and the evening is a good time to watch the sun set over the mountains.

• Furong Cave: Regarded as one of the world's three great caves, Furong Cave has an underground landscape shaped by hundreds of millions of years of geological change, with stalactites in a wide variety of forms. The temperature stays at 16°C year-round, making it a cool option for a cave visit with older adults or children.

Suggested Itineraries

• One day (a tightly scheduled round trip): Suitable for travelers with limited time who plan to return to central Chongqing the same day. Take the earliest high-speed train in the morning, departing at around 7:12 and arriving at Wulong South Station at 8:02, then transfer to a blue coach to the Fairy Mountain Visitor Center. Visit the Three Natural Bridges in the morning, allowing about 2.5 hours, and Longshuixia Gorge in the afternoon, allowing about 1.5–2 hours. In the early evening, take a coach back to Wulong South Station and catch a high-speed train to Chongqing at around 18:30. Allow at least 6.5 hours for the full outing. Connections are tight, so wear comfortable athletic shoes.
• Two days (a more relaxed visit): Day 1: Travel from Chongqing to Wulong and check in at Fairy Mountain Town. Visit the Three Natural Bridges and Longshuixia Gorge in the afternoon, then try wanwan lamb in town for dinner. Day 2: Spend the morning exploring the grasslands and undulating road in Fairy Mountain National Forest Park. Return to town for lunch before heading back.
• Three days (covering the main sights): Day 1: Arrive in Wulong and visit the Three Natural Bridges in the afternoon. Day 2: Visit Fairy Mountain in the morning and Longshuixia Gorge in the afternoon, then watch the *Impression Wulong* show in the evening. Day 3: Enjoy a leisurely start before heading to Furong Cave to explore its underground karst scenery, then begin the return journey in the afternoon.

Transport

• High-speed rail: Depart from Chongqing East or Chongqing North Station, with Wulong South or Wulong Station as your destination. Journey times range from about 40 minutes to 2 hours. After leaving the station, take an official blue tourist coach to the Fairy Mountain Visitor Center. Fares are 10–16 yuan per person, and the ride takes about 40–50 minutes. Avoid unlicensed vehicles soliciting passengers by the roadside.
• Driving: Follow the G65 Baotou–Maoming Expressway from central Chongqing; the drive takes about 2.5 hours. Park private vehicles at the Fairy Mountain Visitor Center, where parking costs 20 yuan per day, then transfer to a scenic-area shuttle bus.

Accommodation and Food

• Where to stay: The area around the visitor center in Fairy Mountain Town is a convenient base for reaching the attractions and offers plenty of dining options. If the surroundings matter more to you, consider a guesthouse or hotel inside the Fairy Mountain scenic area, though prices are higher. Temperatures vary considerably between morning and evening, so bring warm clothing.

• Local food: Wanwan lamb is a signature Wulong dish, made with skin-on lamb stewed until tender in a rich, savory broth. Other local options include fish with pork intestines, vegetable tofu pudding with assorted seasonings, Wulong sweet potato noodles and Yangjiao dried tofu.

Tickets and Visiting Tips

• Buying tickets: Book ahead through official or reputable channels. Be cautious of cheap tickets and private guide services offered by people soliciting visitors at attraction entrances. A combined ticket for the Three Natural Bridges and Longshuixia Gorge offers better value.
• Clothing and equipment: There are many steps along the routes, so wear athletic shoes with good grip rather than high heels or slippers. The valley floor and gorge stay cool and damp, with temperatures usually 5–8°C lower than in town, so carry a light jacket. The gorge is misty, and a raincoat or waterproof outdoor jacket is more practical than an umbrella, which can be awkward to open there.
• Entry times: Aim to enter between 9:00 and 11:00 to avoid the main tour-group rush and make use of light that is good for photography. Attractions usually stop admitting visitors at around 16:30, so arriving too late may mean you cannot enter.
• Insect and sun protection: Mosquitoes and other insects are common in the mountains, so bring insect repellent. UV levels are high on the Fairy Mountain grasslands, so use sun protection on clear days.