Yongchuan

Yongchuan lies in western Chongqing, with bamboo forests, tea plantations and a thousand-year-old town among its main attractions. High-speed trains from central Chongqing take as little as 16 minutes, making it a convenient choice for a weekend trip or a short break.

• Chashan Bamboo Sea: A filming location for Zhang Yimou's *House of Flying Daggers*, this scenic area combines 2,000 hectares of tea plantations with around 3,333 hectares of bamboo forest, with forest coverage reaching 97%. Explore the House of Flying Daggers Bamboo Grove and Emerald Corridor, or climb Bodaoling Ridge for views across western Chongqing.

• Songji Ancient Town: This thousand-year-old town on the Yangtze River has free admission and relatively limited commercial development. Walk along its five-kilometer stretch of old stone-paved streets, visit the Luo Family Ancestral Hall and old county government office, then stop at a riverside teahouse for tea served in a lidded bowl and a glimpse of residents' daily lives.

• Lehe Ledu: This large theme park in southwestern China combines wildlife viewing with amusement rides. Ride in a caged vehicle for close-up views of predators, try the ten-inversion roller coaster, or watch the Royal Circus and dolphin show. It is a suitable option for families with children and couples.

• Shennü Lake: This urban park covers more than 67 hectares and is free to enter. Walk along the lakeside paths or climb the Shennü Stairway for views over the city. Its palace-style pavilions make suitable backdrops for photos in traditional hanfu clothing.

• Yongchuan Museum: Admission is free, and the museum is closed on Mondays. Exhibits include Yongchuanosaurus fossils and paintings by Chen Zizhuang, known as the "Van Gogh of the East." Interactive features offer a way to learn about local history and make the museum suitable for visits with children.

• Huanggua Mountain: This is a good choice for a countryside outing centered on blossoms and fruit picking. Pear trees bloom in spring, and fruit is available to pick throughout the year. Head up to the Xiangbizui Viewing Platform for views of the Yangtze River or to watch the sunset.

Local Flavors of Yongchuan

Beyond sightseeing, explore Yongchuan's food through its bold, rustic dishes and local snacks.

• Yongchuan Filefish: The fish is fried before being simmered in a pot, giving it a savory, numbing-spicy flavor. With tender flesh and relatively few bones, it is a local hotpot specialty. Expect to spend around 70–90 yuan per person.

• Songji Nine-Bowl Feast: This traditional banquet from Songji Ancient Town consists of nine dishes, including steamed pork shank, free-range chicken soup with salted dried cowpeas, and sweet-and-sour crucian carp. Many dishes are cooked until tender and full of flavor. Portions are generous, and the meal costs around 50 yuan per person.

• Yongchuan Tofu Pudding: One local preparation involves breaking up soft tofu pudding and stir-frying it into a savory, numbing-spicy dish that goes well with rice. Chili oil and rabbit with shredded ginger can also accompany the meal.

• Tuantang Pork Soup: This traditional Yongchuan home-style dish combines pork slices with pickled mustard green broth. The pork is tender, and the soup is sour and spicy—a common local comfort food.

• Zhu'erba: Common in the ancient town, these steamed glutinous rice cakes have a filling of preserved vegetables and pork, with a soft, slightly chewy outer layer. They are best eaten freshly steamed and cost around 5 yuan each.

• Banqiao Baozi: Founded in 1985, this long-established shop serves steamed buns with soft dough. Its signature yuanyang buns combine sweet and savory flavors, while the sauce-braised pork buns have generous fillings. Enjoy them with crisp pickled vegetables.

Suggested Itineraries

Choose between the following two routes according to the length of your stay.

• 2-Day Weekend Trip: Bamboo Forests, Theme Park and Ancient Town
  • Day 1: Spend the morning exploring Chashan Bamboo Sea, walking and taking photos among the bamboo. In the afternoon, have tea at a guesthouse in the bamboo forest or arrange a paragliding session. Return to the urban area in the evening, browse the night market on Huachuang Pedestrian Street and try filefish hotpot.
  • Day 2: Spend the morning watching animals and riding roller coasters at Lehe Ledu. Head to Songji Ancient Town in the afternoon, walk along the stone-paved streets and watch the sunset over the Yangtze from the riverside. Try the Nine-Bowl Feast before heading home.
• Relaxed 1-Day Trip: Exploring the Urban Area
  • Morning: Take a high-speed train from Chongqing West Station to Yongchuan East Station, then a taxi to Shennü Lake for a walk. Continue on foot to nearby Yongchuan Museum to see the dinosaur fossils.
  • Afternoon: Cycle along the lake at Xinglong Lake Park and explore the park's scenery.
  • Evening: Head to Yongchuanli Outlets, ride the 88-meter-high Ferris wheel for nighttime city views and have dinner there.

Accommodation and Transport

• Getting There and Back:
  • High-speed train: Trains run from both Chongqing West Station and Shapingba Station to Yongchuan East Station. The fastest services take around 16–20 minutes, with fares of about 24 yuan.
  • Driving: The drive from central Chongqing to Yongchuan via the G85 Yinchuan–Kunming Expressway takes about an hour. Driving is convenient if your itinerary includes Songji Ancient Town or areas deeper within Chashan Bamboo Sea.
• Local Transport: Taxi fares in Yongchuan's urban area start at 6 yuan, and most attractions are within a 30-minute drive of one another. Taxis and shared bikes are options for getting around. Driving or hiring a car with a driver offers more flexibility for trips to Chashan Bamboo Sea and Songji Ancient Town.
• Where to Stay:
  • Urban Hotels: The areas around Yuxi Square and Renmin Square are within walking distance of night markets and shopping malls. Chain hotels cost around 200–300 yuan per night.
  • Family Accommodation: Lehe Ledu Liangjiang Hotel is right next to the park and costs around 500 yuan per night. Staying here makes it easier to enter early and avoid the crowds.
  • Scenic-Area Accommodation: Guesthouses among the bamboo at Chashan Bamboo Sea cost around 300–500 yuan per night, while riverside inns in Songji Ancient Town cost around 150–300 yuan. These suit travelers who want bamboo forest or river views from their accommodation.

Travel Tips

• Place-Name Pronunciation: The character “溉” in Songji Ancient Town is pronounced jì here, not gài.
• Clothing and Footwear: Visiting Chashan Bamboo Sea and Songji Ancient Town involves walking on mountain paths and stone-paved streets. Wear comfortable flat shoes or trainers. Temperatures in the mountains vary considerably between day and night, and mosquitoes and other insects are common, so bring a light jacket and insect repellent.
• Opening Hours and Reservations: Yongchuan Museum is closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly. Paragliding at Chashan Bamboo Sea requires advance booking; check that the day's weather is suitable for flying.
• Parking: Parking spaces are limited in Yongchuan's old urban area and popular shopping districts such as Huamao Center, and parking fees apply. Consider leaving your car at your hotel or in a car park and taking a taxi to save time searching for a space.