Chongqing Wulong Three Natural Bridges + Jiulicheng + Gongtan Ancient Town 2-Day Tour

The great draw here is geological scale: at Wulong, three natural stone bridges span deep karst gorges, with cliffs and canyon scenery below. The route then trades rock for open highland grassland, Miao-style architecture and a quieter riverside town, all in two days from Chongqing.

I like two things about the plan: the mix of outdoor scenery and cultural stops makes it more varied than a simple day trip, and the included transport, tickets, meals and overnight stay keep the basics bundled. Small-group options cap the vehicle at eight, while the bus option costs less.

The main consideration is pace. You cover several far-flung stops and spend long stretches on the road, especially on day two. Also, the detailed schedule does not list Longshuixia Ground Crack, despite its mention in the tour overview, so confirm whether it is part of your chosen departure.

What makes this two-day route worth considering

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• Three Natural Bridges: Three huge natural stone arches cross a deep gorge. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage area and was a filming location for Transformers 4.
• Fairy Mountain’s high grassland: Forest and open pasture offer a striking change of scene after Wulong’s steep canyon terrain.
• A night in Fairy Mountain Town: Lodging breaks up the long journey, with local dishes such as lamb soup and tofu pudding suggested for dinner.
• Miao culture at Chi You Jiuli City: A large complex of traditional-style buildings provides a focused cultural stop on day two.
• Wujiang River by boat: A one-hour cruise is included, with views of the river and the meeting point with the Hongdu River.
• Gongtan’s old lanes: Stone-paved streets, courtyard homes and stilt houses give the final stop a quieter, historic feel.

👉 See our pick of the 3 Best 3 Day Tours In Chongqing

The trip begins with a long ride to Wulong

Expect an early start. Pick-up begins around 7:00 AM in Yuzhong, Nanping or Guanyinqiao, with the group setting off at about 7:30 after collecting everyone. If you need a door-to-door pick-up rather than the designated district service, the listed extra charge is 30 yuan per person.

The first drive takes about three hours. That is useful context for setting expectations: this is not a quick hop from central Chongqing to a nearby park. You are committing to a two-day regional trip, and the bus time is part of the experience.

Transport is provided throughout, with one seat per person. Vehicle size depends on the number of bookings. The small-group option is capped at eight people, which can make pick-ups and stops feel more flexible; the bus tour is the lower-cost choice. The tour’s Chinese guide service is included, but English is offered only in a separate private-tour package.

Three Natural Bridges: the trip’s geological centerpiece

The Three Natural Bridges are the strongest reason to make the journey. The limestone arches span deep karst gorges, creating a dramatic sequence of stone, cliff and canyon views. The site is a World Heritage area and a national 5A-rated attraction. It is also known as a filming location for Transformers 4, though the geology is the better reason to visit.

You have about two hours here for self-guided exploration. That gives you time to take in the scale and stop for photos, but the area is large. A tour can get you to the entrance and organize the day, yet you should not expect a guide to walk beside you through every part of the attraction. The group moves on at a set time, so keep an eye on the meeting instructions.

The included ticket covers the scenic area and its transfer. Optional extras include the glass observation deck for 40 yuan and Fly Over Wulong for 50 yuan. Those are not necessary to appreciate the main setting, but they add to the day’s costs if you choose them.

One point deserves a direct check before booking: Longshuixia Ground Crack appears in the tour’s general description and is mentioned alongside the bridges in a product overview, but it is absent from the timed, day-by-day schedule. Do not assume you will visit it. Ask the operator to confirm for your date if that narrow canyon is a must-see.

Fairy Mountain gives day one a change of pace

After lunch, the route continues to Fairy Mountain National Forest Park, at an average elevation of about 1,900 meters. Its forest and high grassland make a very different kind of stop from the enclosed canyon at the bridges. The park is known for its open pasture and forest views, and the tour allows around 90 minutes for self-guided time.

The short visit is enough for a taste, not a full park day. A small train is available for 25 yuan per person, but it is not included. If you want to cover more ground, check how the train fits the group’s allotted time rather than assuming you can explore every corner.

You then stay in Fairy Mountain Town. The accommodation is one night, with several possible properties named, including Seven-Color Garden Hotel, Yunhai Holiday Hotel, Ouyue Holiday Hotel, David Camp and Yuzhu Garden Hotel. The exact hotel can vary. A room review describes David Camp as old and plain, though breakfast was good, so treat the property as practical overnight lodging rather than a luxury stay.

Dinner is included in the package, and suggested local dishes include lamb soup and tofu pudding. This overnight stop is valuable because it avoids doing Wulong as a punishing day trip from Chongqing. It also means you can rest before a second day that has several stops and another lengthy return drive.

Chi You Jiuli City brings Miao culture into the itinerary

Day two begins with breakfast at the hotel, followed by a drive of roughly 80 minutes to Chi You Jiuli City in Pengshui. The attraction is built around Chi You and Miao culture, with a large complex of traditional-style architecture and spaces dedicated to Miao heritage. The scheduled visit is about an hour, on your own.

This is a very different kind of stop from a village street or a working community. Think of it as a purpose-built cultural attraction, where the architecture and performances help introduce traditions and stories. The complex is described as the world’s largest Miao cultural architectural group and is associated with several Guinness records. With only an hour, focus on the buildings and any performance you find underway rather than trying to see every detail.

Lunch follows, with a long-table banquet included. The meal format gives the day a shared, social pause before the river and town visits. The package covers meals, but drinks are at your own expense. Main meals are generally served family-style; if the group has fewer than ten people, the portions or number of dishes may be reduced proportionally.

The Wujiang cruise offers a calmer hour

The Wujiang Gallery cruise is listed as a complimentary inclusion valued at 120 yuan per person. For about an hour, the boat follows the Wujiang, where the river bends between steep slopes. The route then enters the Hongdu River, a major tributary, and passes the broad confluence where the rivers meet.

After the busy schedule and road mileage, this is the itinerary’s easiest chance to sit down and watch the scenery pass. The cruise is included, but the package says there is no refund if you do not take it. If boat travel is not for you, ask about the day’s arrangements before booking rather than counting on a cash adjustment.

The Wujiang stop also helps connect the day’s cultural visits with the region’s geography. You are not just ticking off buildings and photo spots; the river has long shaped how people and goods move through this mountainous part of Chongqing.

Gongtan Ancient Town is the slowest-feeling stop

After the cruise, the group drives about an hour to Gongtan Ancient Town. The scheduled visit is also about an hour, which is short for a place with a stone-paved street roughly three kilometers long, more than 150 distinctive firewalls, over 200 courtyards and more than 50 stilt houses.

You will not cover the whole town at a leisurely pace in that window. Use the time to walk a section of the old street, notice the wooden and stone details, and pause for a local snack if timing allows. The town’s quieter pace contrasts nicely with the grand scale of the bridges and the formal cultural complex at Jiuli City.

Food can be a small highlight here. Savory fried potatoes and sour plum juice are among the local treats worth looking for. The stop is best approached as a brief introduction, not a deep historical visit. The tour describes Gongtan as a town with around 1,800 years of history and a substantial surviving Ming and Qing architectural collection.

The drive back to Chongqing takes about three and a half hours, with arrival near Jiefangbei Jiaochangkou around 8:00 PM. Traffic and weather can shift that schedule. Plan your evening accordingly, especially if you have a train or flight to catch.

What the price includes, and what may cost extra

The advertised starting price is $137.35, but the available packages differ. The light-luxury bus option is listed from $119.45, the small group of up to eight from $149.39, and an English-speaking private tour from $821.85. Confirm the exact price and package name before paying, since the starting figure does not describe every version.

For the standard bus package, the main value is in bundling transport, one night’s lodging, scenic tickets, a guide, breakfast and three main meals. The Three Natural Bridges ticket includes the scenic transfer, and Fairy Mountain and Jiuli City entrance tickets are included. A Wujiang cruise is also provided.

Budget separately for optional attractions and personal spending. The Fairy Mountain small train costs 25 yuan, the glass viewing deck 40 yuan, Fly Over Wulong 50 yuan and the Impression Wulong show 238 yuan. Beverages are not included. A single traveler occupying a room alone may also owe a single-room supplement.

If you are weighing the bus against the small group, decide how much you value fewer people and a more flexible vehicle. Several small-group departures use a driver-guide, and reported names include Bo Zai, Xiao Wang, Zhang and Yu Xin. Names and guide arrangements are not guaranteed, but the personal attention described by those who travelled with them is a real advantage for families or anyone who wants help keeping the day organized.

Who should book this route

This tour suits you if you want Wulong’s major natural sights without arranging intercity transport, hotel rooms and attraction tickets on your own. It is especially useful if you have only two days, want the bridges and Fairy Mountain together, and like the idea of adding Miao architecture and a historic riverside town.

It is less suited to anyone who wants long, unhurried visits. There is a lot of ground to cover, and the timed stops at Jiuli City and Gongtan are brief. Families with older relatives can benefit from a driver who keeps an eye on the group, but the attraction areas are large and different people move at different speeds. Make sure your group is comfortable with early starts, walking at its own pace and long road transfers.

Bring the original passport or ID document used for booking. Scenic areas require it for entry. Children aged 2 to 12 who are under 1.2 meters are listed as paying for car seat and guide service only, without a bed; extra charges may apply if they exceed height limits.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the Three Natural Bridges are high on your Chongqing list and you want a practical way to combine them with Fairy Mountain, the Wujiang cruise and two cultural stops. The included tickets, meals and overnight stay make the price easier to judge, and the small-group option is worth considering if you prefer a more personal ride.

Before you commit, ask two questions: is Longshuixia Ground Crack actually included on your departure, and which hotel and tour format will you receive? If you want more time in Gongtan or a slower visit to the parks, plan an independent trip instead. For a compact, well-connected two-day sampler of Wulong and Pengshui, this route makes good use of a short stay.

FAQ

Is Longshuixia Ground Crack included?

It appears in the general tour description, but it is not listed in the detailed timed itinerary. Confirm directly with the operator whether your departure includes it.

Where does pick-up take place?

Free designated pick-up is offered in Yuzhong District, Nanping business district and Guanyinqiao business district. Door-to-door morning pick-up is available for an extra 30 yuan per person.

Where does the tour return in Chongqing?

The group is expected to return near Jiefangbei Jiaochangkou at about 8:00 PM, subject to traffic and weather.

Which meals are included?

The package includes one hotel breakfast and three main meals. Drinks are at your own expense, and the meal portions may be adjusted for smaller groups.

Is the Wujiang cruise included?

Yes. The cruise is listed as a complimentary inclusion valued at 120 yuan per person. The package states that there is no refund if you do not take it.

Are the glass viewing deck and Fairy Mountain train included?

No. The Three Natural Bridges glass observation deck costs 40 yuan per person, and the Fairy Mountain small train costs 25 yuan per person.

What document do I need for admission?

Bring the original ID card, passport or Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan travel permit used when booking. The scenic areas require it for entry.