Ultimate Guide to Wulong Karst: How to Get There from Chongqing City + Essential Travel Tips

Wulong (武隆) is a beutiful district in the Chongqing city, known for its stunning natural landscapes and delicious food. It is located about 150 kilometers east of Chongqing city. This mountainous area is the perfect place for nature lovers and some places in Wulong even family friendly

How to Get Here

Step 1: Take the Train from Chongqing Station to Wulong Station
- Duration: 2-hour ride
- Type: Local train
- Cost: Prices start from 24.5 yuan per person (2nd class, hard seat)
- You can book your train ticket from Trip.com, its faster and easier.

Step 2: Getting to Wulong Scenic Area Tourist Center

Once you’ve arrived in Wulong City, you still need to travel to the Wulong Scenic Area Tourist Center, which is also a great place to find accommodations.

Option 1: Public Bus

- Cost: 10 yuan per person
- Pickup Location: Basement area of Wulong Train Station

Option 2: Ride-Hailing Services (e.g., Didi)

- Cost: Around 60 yuan.
  - Note: Our Didi app showed a fare of 35 yuan, but the driver requested an additional 30 yuan for the uphill drive, which we agreed to.
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours
- Best for: Travelers with elderly companions or those carrying heavy luggage.

How Long Should I Stay in Wulong?

A stay of 2-3 days in Wulong is usually sufficient to explore the region’s must-visit attractions, such as the Three Natural Bridges, Fenghuang Cave, and other scenic spots. This duration allows for a relaxed pace, with enough time to appreciate the area’s stunning landscapes and unique geological formations.

Pro Tip: For convenience, it’s recommended to choose accommodation near the tourist service center, as this will make it easier to access transportation, information, and dining options, ensuring a hassle-free visit to the area’s top sights.

Where to Stay in Wulong?

1. Daweiying Holiday Hotel (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) : The location of this hotel is great! It’s right in front of the tourist center, with plenty of restaurants, convenience stores, and shops nearby. We stayed here last time and found the room to be spacious and cozy. Cleanliness was also excellent.

Other hotels that also have high ratings and great locations:

2. Seven-color Garden Resort (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

3. Shoyiri-La Hotel (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) :

Tickets and Transportation

Before learning about the must-visit places in Wulong, it’s helpful to know where can you buy attraction and bus ticket. For transportation around the national park, there are park dedicated public buses available to make your trip super convenient. You can catch these buses from the pyramid-shaped tourist service center.

You can buy attraction ticket and bus ticket in the tourist service center or if you are worried about the language barrier and you want to skip the line, you can buy your tickets in advance in KLOOK.

Pro tip: to save money, you can use our code KLOOKXNESSA and NESSAHUANGGKLOOK for up to 8% off

Places to Visit in Wulong

1. Three Natural Bridges (天生三桥)

🌟 Wow Factor: 5/5
🧗‍♀️ Hiking Level: 3/5

This breathtaking site features three massive natural karst rock formations that create bridge-like structures, making it one of the most majestic landscapes I’ve ever seen. At the end of the stairs, you’ll find a traditional house, which adds to the area’s charm and cultural significance.

The site is named Three Natural Bridges because of the three stunning limestone bridges: Tianlong Bridge (天龙桥), Qinglong Bridge (青龙桥), and Heilong Bridge (黑龙桥).

🎥 Fun Fact: This location was also used as a filming site for a scene in Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)!

The sheer scale and natural beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site will leave you in absolute awe. It’s a must-visit for nature lovers, movie buffs, and adventure seekers!

While there is quite a bit of walking involved, most paths are well-maintained with stairs.
For convenience, elevators are available in some areas to help you save energy, so it’s accessible even for moderate hikers.

2. Long Shui Xia Gorge (龙水峡)

🌟 Wow Factor: 5/5
🧗‍♀️ Hiking Level: 4/5

This stunning gorge is another must-visit spot in the Wulong Karst area. Unlike the Three Natural Bridges, Longshuixia Gorge features a spectacular waterfall cascading down the cliffs, adding a dynamic and serene element to the landscape.

The towering cliffs and the breathtaking waterfall create a magical atmosphere that will leave you speechless. Perfect for nature lovers and photographers.

The trail involves more stairs and steep sections compared to other attractions in the area.
Some stairs may be wet and slippery due to the mist from the waterfall, so good footwear is essential.
The hike is moderately challenging but worth the effort for the incredible views.

3. Fairy Mountain (仙女山)

🌟 Wow Factor: 1/5
🧗‍♀️ Hiking Level: 2/5

Our expectations were high before visiting this place because we had been hearing about Fairy Mountain ever since we arrived in the Wulong Scenic Area. However, when we decided to check it out, we were quite disappointed, as it resembled more of a grassland than what we had imagined. While there are some activities available, like horseback riding, we weren’t overly impressed by the place. There are a few short hikes, but most spots are accessible by shuttle.

Must eat in Wulong

Because Wulong is located in Chongqing city, Wulong food greatly influenced by the Sichuan cuisine but there is some food that we find it very delicious and we cannot find it in other places in China. The food called Potato Fried Rice (洋芋饭). Here is some food that we eat in Wulong

Going Back to the City

Best Value: Public Bus
- The public bus is available for 10 yuan per person, making it the most budget-friendly option. You can catch the bus in front of the Wulong Tourist Center (the Pyramid Building).
Best Convenience: Ride-Hailing Services
- You can use Didi or other ride-hailing apps. The estimated fare is around 35 yuan, but be prepared for additional charges.
- For instance, our Didi app showed 35 yuan, but the driver requested an extra 20yuan due to the steep mountain route. We agreed to the extra cost, which brought the total to 55 yuan.

Important Tips for Entering the Heritage Site

Weather: It’s not very hot here, even in summer. Temperatures will be below 30 degrees Celsius but won’t be too cold either, as Wulong Heritage Site is located at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level.
Facilities: There are toilets along the hiking trails, so don’t worry if you need to use the restroom frequently. However, remember to bring your own tissue, as it is not provided.
Food Options: Food can be hard to find, so it’s best to pack your own lunch. There’s limited food variety available, and some snacks can be quite oily.