Wuxi

Wuxi lies deep in the Daba Mountains in Chongqing. Life moves at a slower pace here, and visitor numbers are relatively low, making it a good choice for a weekend or short holiday. The area has Chongqing’s largest alpine grassland and a cliffside road built along sheer rock faces a thousand meters high. Its 5,000-year history as an ancient salt center and its culinary tradition as the birthplace of grilled fish offer another way to explore.

• Hongchiba National Forest Park: At over 2,000 meters above sea level, the park has Chongqing’s largest subalpine grassland. Summer is a good time to escape the heat, while autumn brings colorful forests and golden grasslands. Camping and stargazing are also options.

• Lanying Grand Canyon: Known as “Chongqing’s deepest canyon,” it reaches a maximum depth of over 2,400 meters. The Lanying Sky Road is a cliffside road carved by villagers using hand tools. Driving along it brings you close to the steep mountain slopes, with broad stretches of red foliage along the route in autumn.
• Ningchang Ancient Town: Known as an “ancient salt capital,” this town has a history stretching back 5,000 years. It has seen relatively little commercial development, and remnants of old walls and buildings remain. Visit the thousand-year-old salt spring site to learn about the history of the local salt industry.

• Daning Ancient Town: This thousand-year-old town was not submerged by the Three Gorges Reservoir. From late afternoon into the evening, its lanes and riverfront grow livelier. The open-air grilled fish stalls on the riverbank are a good place to eat and watch everyday local life.
• Yuntai Temple: Set at an elevation of 1,200 meters, the temple was originally Yuntai Taoist Temple, founded during the Sui dynasty. Walk up the “Ten Thousand Steps to the Clouds” to see its unusual architecture combining three religious traditions and take in sweeping views of the Daning River and the county town.

Suggested Itinerary

Some of Wuxi’s sights are far apart, with mountain roads between them. Allow 2–3 days to avoid rushing from place to place.

• Day 1: Arrive in the county town and explore the old town
  • Afternoon: After arriving in Wuxi’s county town, visit Daning Ancient Town, then stroll along the Daning River and take in the old streets.
  • Evening: Choose a grilled fish restaurant in Daning Ancient Town or the new town and have Wuxi grilled fish for dinner.
  • Accommodation: There are plenty of hotels near Xiaoyao Square and in the new town, with convenient dining options. These are good areas to consider first.
• Day 2: Choose between the grasslands and the canyon
  • Option A (a relaxed day on the grasslands): Drive to Hongchiba National Forest Park early in the morning. Walk through the alpine grasslands, see cattle and sheep, and photograph the colorful forests. In the afternoon, head to the Cloud Walkway to watch the sea of clouds and sunset. Stay overnight in a stargazing tent in the scenic area or return to the county town.

• Option B (a canyon drive): Drive to Lanying Grand Canyon along the 1.2-kilometer cliffside Sky Road, then continue to Zhoujiaping Viewing Platform for panoramic views of the canyon and its thousand-meter cliffs. Return to the county town in the afternoon to rest.
• Day 3: Discover the old salt town
  • Morning: Visit Ningchang Ancient Town, walk its flagstone lanes, and see the thousand-year-old salt spring, which still flows today. Learn about the history of this “ancient salt capital.”

• Afternoon: If time allows, climb up to Yuntai Temple for the views. Alternatively, stay in the county town’s old streets and try open-air baomian dumplings and piao’er cakes before heading home.

Local Food in Wuxi

Wuxi is known as the “international capital of grilled fish.” Beyond grilled fish, its streets and lanes offer a variety of local snacks.

• Wuxi Grilled Fish: Wuxi is the birthplace of grilled fish. The local method involves grilling the fish over charcoal and then simmering it, rather than frying it first. The result is crisp, charred skin and tender flesh. Consider restaurants popular with local residents, such as Chengwazi Grilled Fish King and Baojimu.
• Open-Air Baomian Dumplings: Similar to wontons, these dumplings have wrappers so thin that the meat filling shows through. They are smooth and springy, served in a rich broth made from large bones and mature chicken.

• Piao’er Cakes: Seasoned shredded radish is packed into a ladle, coated in rice batter, and deep-fried until golden. The outside is crisp and fragrant, while the radish inside retains a little crunch and a mild sweetness.

• Starch Noodles with Smoked Pork: This Wuxi snack features soft, smooth starch noodles topped with a savory mixture made from home-smoked cured pork, giving it a rich, smoky flavor.

• Cured Pork Trotters Stewed with Potatoes: A common main dish in local farm households, this stew combines mountain-grown potatoes with cured pork trotters. The potatoes absorb the meat’s flavor and fat, becoming soft and richly flavored.

Transport and Travel Tips

• Transport options: Wuxi does not currently have high-speed rail service. Driving is relatively convenient, taking about 4.5–5.5 hours from central Chongqing. If traveling by high-speed train, go to Wanzhou Station or Fengjie Station, then transfer to a bus station for a coach to Wuxi. The coach journey takes about 2–2.5 hours.
• Driving on mountain roads: Some roads to Lanying Grand Canyon and Hongchiba are narrow, winding mountain roads with many bends. Less experienced drivers should take particular care, and an SUV with higher ground clearance is preferable. Do not stop in the roadway to take photos on cliffside roads, and take care to give way when passing oncoming vehicles.
• Clothing and footwear: Hongchiba and Lanying Grand Canyon are at high elevations, with marked temperature differences between morning and evening. Bring a thick jacket or down jacket even when visiting in autumn. Wear non-slip trainers or hiking shoes for walking.
• Supplies on the road: Convenience stores are sparse in the mountains. Fill your fuel tank before setting off, and keep plenty of drinking water and nonperishable food in the car.
• Viewpoint safety: When visiting viewing platforms at undeveloped sites such as Ninghe Peak, stay away from cliff edges without guardrails and watch your footing. Cancel plans to head up the mountain in rain or thick fog.