5 Days Chongqing, Dazu Rock Carvings & Wulong Karst Tour
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR
- Wander through the artistic and brilliant grotto gallery of Baodingshan and Beishan areas in the breathtaking Dazu Rock Carvings and hear the interesting life stories in the past Tang and Song dynasties.
- Enjoy a scenic hike at Wulong Karst Geopark to unveil the mysteries of the world-class geological wonders from billions of years ago, including the giant sinkholes at Three Natural Bridges and tranquil deep gap at Longshuixia Gap.
- Experience a time travel at Ciqikou Old Town where to appreciate the traditional Chongqing-styled ancient town with featured wooden folk houses, stone paths, old shops, various handicrafts and authentic old life.
- Have a comprehensive discovery of downtown Chongqing by visiting its classic museum, renowned viewing spots, beautiful old streets, more unmissable essences, etc. to savor its striking appearance and inner charm.
Sampling Itinerary Day by Day
Day 1 Chongqing Arrival
Pick you up at the airport / railway station and escort you to your hotelWelcome to Chongqing - Magic 8D City! Clear the customs and retrieve your baggage by yourself upon arrival. Your local tour guide holding a sign with your name will meet you at the arrival hall of the airport / railway station, and then you will be transferred by our private vehicle to your hotel in Chongqing downtown. The rest of the day is free on your own to discover the city vibes.
Recommended: enjoy a leisure walk along Nanbin Road to see Chongqing skyline and two rivers meeting at Chaotianmen Dock.
Chongqing, the Magic 8D Mountain City in China
Day 2 Chongqing - Wulong (B, L)
Nanshan Tree Viewing Platform, Longmenhao Old StreetMorning! After breakfast, your local guide and driver will meet you at your hotel to begin your exploration of this cyberpunk metropolis! Let's start with Nanshan Tree Viewing Platform that is the best site to overlook the breathtaking skyline of metropolitan Chongqing embraced by the Yangtze River. Next, head to Longmenhao Old Street, nestled against the mountain and facing the Yangtze. It preserves over 200 architectures from different periods across six layers. Stroll through its artistic old lanes, capturing Chongqing's pulse on streets, bridges, and rivers.
After the visit, be transferred to Xiannvshan Town in Wulong County (3-3.5 hours' drive) for your hotel check-in. Have a nice sleep!
Optional Activity (with extra payment): 1. Enjoy Chongqing City panorama from WFC Huixianlou Observation Deck that is a 339-meter-high skyscraper with a 360° open-air platform at the city center. 2. Watch "Impression Wulong" that is a large-scale landscape night performance in the valley and is directed by Zhang Yimou who is directed the opening & closing ceremonies of Beijing Olympic Games 2008.
Chongqing Skyline from Nanshan Tree Viewing Platform
Longmenhao Old Street
Day 3 Wulong - Chongqing (B, L)
Wulong Karst Geopark: Three Natural Bridges, Longshuixia GapGood morning! Today is your exciting exploration of Wulong Karst Geopark, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site since 2007. After breakfast, be transferred to visit Three Natural Bridges, the most famous part of Wulong Karst and a filming location of “Transformers IV”. It is the world’s largest natural bridge group, and offers outstanding landscapes of grandeur, elegance, and tranquility. Take a sightseeing elevator and walk down to view the giant holes and the symbolic Tianfu Official Post courtyard. Stroll beneath Tianlong Bridge, Qinglong Bridge and Heilong Bridge to appreciate these soaring natural bridges over 200 meters high, amazing Tianlong and Eagle holes, and seek the traces of geological changes of various colors and shapes. You can catch unique photos of the bridge hole formations like jumping carp, broadsword and thumb-up from various viewpoints.
Next, take the tourist bus for a 1.5-hour hike at Longshuixia Gap karst fissure, known as “the world’s most beautiful scar”. Descend via elevator and start your unbelievable “journey into the earth’s corn” as the crack plunges 200 to 500 meters deep. Witness the geological wonders up close while enjoying cascading streams, waterfalls, one-string daylight, and lush original vegetation along the way.
After the visit, be escorted back to Chongqing downtown and check in at your hotel!
Three Natural Bridges - Tianfu Official Post
Wulong Three Natural Bridges - Filming Location of "Transformers IV"
Three Natural Bridges - Qinglong Bridge
Three Natural Bridges - Heilong Bridge
Three Natural Bridges - Geological Wonder
Wulong Longshuixia Gap
Wulong Longshuixia Gap
Wulong Longshuixia Gap Primitive Scenery
Day 4 Chongqing - Dazu - Chongqing (B, L)
Dazu Rock Carvings (Baodingshan, Beishan)Good morning! Today, your local guide and driver will meet you at your hotel for a transfer to Dazu Rock Carvings, located 80 kilometers west from Chongqing downtown. Designated as a World Cultural Heritage site since 1999, Dazu Rock Carvings date back to the early Tang Dynasty (6th AD) and feature over 50,000 statues. Renowned for their authenticity, aesthetic beauty, and rich thematic content, they represent the pinnacle of grotto art from the 9th to 13th centuries and are referred as the last monument of world grotto art.
First, visit Baodingshan originated from 1179 AD, which is the most famous part of Dazu Rock Cravings and the embodiment of secularization and life of the late period grotto arts. Visiting along the Dafowan, Xiaofowan, etc., you’ll find those impressive sculptures unfolding like a captivating comic strip against the cliffs. These large-scale statues vividly illustrate Buddhist classics, daily life and theories of Taoism and Confucianism during the old centuries. Of course, you won’t miss the typical examples including Buddhist Wheel of Life, 31-meter-long Sleeping Buddha, over-800-year-old Thousand-Hand Guanyin, Three Saints, etc., the antique Shengshou Temple and interesting Dazu Rock Carvings Museum.
Then, explore Beishan dating from 892 AD to 1162 AD, which boasts a grotto gallery stretching around 300 meters long with Buddhist and Taoist narratives across up to 51 themes. You'll be enchanted by its collection of elegant statues characterized by graceful postures, fancy ornaments, etc. Find the figures such as Oriental Venus, Oriental Handsome Man, Charming Guanyin, etc.
In the late afternoon, be escorted back to Chongqing downtown and visit the must-see Hongya Cave to appreciate its layers of featured Ba and Shu regional wooden tilted houses rising up to 11 storeys against the hill. As night falls, Hongya Cave becomes more enchanting with warm lights illuminating the structures. After the sightseeing, be escorted to your hotel!
Dazu Rock Carvings - Sleeping Buddha at Baodingshan
Hongya Cave Night View
Dazu Rock Carvings - Baodingshan
Dazu Rock Carvings - Baodingshan (Buddhist Wheel of Life)
Dazu Rock Carvings - Baodingshan (Sakyamuni's Filial Piety)
Dazu Rock Carvings - Baodingshan (Avalokitesvara with Thousand Hands)
Dazu Rock Carvings - Beishan (Peacock King)
Dazu Rock Carvings - Beishan (Avalokitesvara with Rosary)
Day 5 Chongqing Departure (B, L)
Three Gorges Museum, People’s Assembly Hall, Liziba Metro Riding Experience, Ciqikou Old Town; drop-offGood morning! After breakfast, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and take you to visit the Three Gorges Museum, showcasing more than 280,000 pieces of precious cultural relics to introduce the great Yangtze River, formation of the Three Gorges, and the thriving history of Chongqing from 3,000 years ago to its status as a municipality in China. Next, have an impressive look at the People’s Assembly Hall which is renowned for its elegant classical exterior and was listed into the History of Architecture compiled in London in 1987.
Then, take Line 2 of Chongqing Rail Transit from Huanghuayuan to Liziba Station for 15-minute with cityscapes. Get off and watch a train passing through a 19-storey apartment, unique to mountainous Chongqing!
Finally, go to Ciqikou Old Town with over 1,000 years’ history and famed as the “Little Chongqing”. Enjoy a leisure stroll at the ancient town famous for porcelain manufacture and shipping, and admire the traditional Chongqing residential buildings, stone paved paths, old ship port, temple clusters and diverse types of local handicrafts and food.
After the tour, be transferred to the airport, train station or cruise port for your departure from Chongqing! Tour ends!
Liziba Metro Station
Three Gorges Museum
People's Assembly Hall
Ciqikou Old Town
1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in a comfortable-class hotel and traveling with our private tour package in low seasons. The price will be much lower if your group has 4 or more members.
2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, month, and date. There may be huge price increasing during the public Chinese holidays, school summer holidays (usually 2 months, July ~ August), peak tourist seasons or some special dates. (Chinese Public Holidays 2025)
3. Other factors that may change the final tour price include your group size, hotel class, tour activities, real-time exchange rate, and so on.
4. This price is based on the exchange rate USD 1= RMB 7.00. The final price will be based on the exchange rate in effect at the time of agreement with our quotation.
5. This price is only valid from now to March 31, 2026.
6. This price is not the final price until the Confirmation Letter is sent.
7. The items included and excluded in this price are for reference only. The final services included, please refer to the Confirmation Letter sent to you by the travel consultant.
Price Includes:
- English-speaking guide with the professional license as listed in the itinerary.
- Entrance fees and other fees of the scenic spots as listed in the itinerary.
- Accommodation (comfortable-class) based on two persons sharing one room with twin beds or a double bed.
- Meals as specified with “B” (for breakfast), “L” (for lunch) or “D” (for dinner) in the itinerary.
- Private Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in each city or area by private air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed driver as listed in the itinerary.
- Transportation: Domestic flights (economy class) or trains (second-class seat) as listed in the itinerary.
- Airport / train station pick-up and drop-off service as listed in the itinerary.
- Luggage Transfers between airports, train station and hotels.
- Travel Service Charge of our travel consultant, including the planning, handling, operational and communication charges, etc.
Price Excludes:
- China Visa (We do not offer any visa service or charge any visa-related fee.)
- Scenic spots not listed in the itinerary.
- Optional activities or other sightseeing.
- Accommodation not as listed in the itinerary.
- Meals not listed in the itinerary.
- Flights or trains not as listed in the itinerary.
- Excess Baggage Charges.
- Personal expenses of a purely personal nature such as room service, laundry, drink, Internet charge, WI-FI, fax, telephone call, etc.
- Gratuities or optional tips to guides, drivers, bellboys, etc.
- Travel insurance. Please kindly note that the full coverage travel insurance from your country of origin should be purchased in advance on your own.
Read what other travelers think about this China trip / Yangtze cruise trip. We only accept reviews from actual, confirmed travelers who purchased the tour / activity from us, so you can be sure the reviews are unbiased and authentic.
Wonder,
1. My travel consultant always answers all my queries patiently and promptly and provides advice when appropriate.
2. We are happy with the tour arrangement. We wanted a more relaxing tour and we are happy that the tour was well arranged. It was not rushed but we were able to visit all the places we wanted without feeling tired. We were happy with the tour guide and driver. The guide was very friendly and helpful and made us feel like her friends. The driver was a careful driver and was helpful.
3. I am happy to recommend your company.
Teh
- Teh - January 11, 2025‚ ,
Dear Jack,
We have safely arrived Guangzhou in preparation for our homeward journey back to Australia. The Canadian pair have reached their destination of HK , they, seasoned traveller to China are like us are more than happy with your travel arrangement and the execution of the schedule , never once did we have minor hiccup in our whole journey . For this. I have to thank you specially for the most professional organisation .
The followings are my brief comment on
Hotel, on the whole no complaint ,clean comfortable , reasonably centrally located, the one in Xian is good , the one in Shanghai is too too small.
Meals were good and plentiful
Guides were satisfactory and good , one in Xian and Zhangjiajie were excellent.
Transport driver and car , good , punctual and certainly no complaint.
General impression of the whole journey: well designed , seamlessly executed . My highest recommendation for your organisation , assured a returned engagement.
Sincere thank for the memorable journey
David
- David - December 14, 2024‚ ,
Hi Elk
We had a great trip. While the boat is old and certainly needs some work, the excursions were good and the service was fantastic. The food was mostly Chinese but enough variety that we didn't go hungry at all. We would recommend it.
Thank you for organizing
- Elizabeth - December 30, 2024‚ ,
Dear Mrs. Zhu,
As you presumed, we are now back again at our home in Germany. We enjoyed the Yangtze Cruise and appreciated travelling with Yangtze River Cruises very much.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Peter and Karen
- Peter - December 23, 2024‚ ,
Here are recent candid photos of this China trip / Yangtze cruise trip. If you want to share your own tour photos, simply email your photos to info@yangtze-river-cruises.com with your Booking ID Number. Thanks in advance for sharing!
- Chongqing, the Magic 8D Mountain City in China
- Chongqing Skyline from Nanshan Tree Viewing Platform
- Longmenhao Old Street
- Wulong Longshuixia Gap Primitive Scenery
- Wulong Longshuixia Gap
- Wulong Longshuixia Gap
- Three Natural Bridges - Geological Wonder
- Three Natural Bridges - Heilong Bridge
- Three Natural Bridges - Qinglong Bridge
- Wulong Three Natural Bridges - Filming Location of "Transformers IV"
- Three Natural Bridges - Tianfu Official Post
- Dazu Rock Carvings - Beishan (Avalokitesvara with Rosary)
- Dazu Rock Carvings - Beishan (Peacock King)
- Dazu Rock Carvings - Baodingshan (Avalokitesvara with Thousand Hands)
- Dazu Rock Carvings - Baodingshan (Sakyamuni's Filial Piety)
- Dazu Rock Carvings - Baodingshan
- Dazu Rock Carvings - Baodingshan (Buddhist Wheel of Life)
- Dazu Rock Carvings - Sleeping Buddha at Baodingshan
- Hongya Cave Night View
- People's Assembly Hall
- Ciqikou Old Town
- Three Gorges Museum
- Liziba Metro Station
Essential China Travel Information & Service
To help you have a further understanding of your tour, we provide some essential travel information like yourtour guides, drivers, private cars/vans, accommodations and meals that you could know more about how is your China Yangtze cruise tour going. All the experience will be vivid and memorable in any time in any destination.
Your Private Tour Guide
The tour guides in all destinations are qualified, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and responsible!
All of our guides in every destination are locals. They will be greeted you punctually upon arrival at airport, train stations or cruise ports. And escort you to your hotel and tourist attractions and make you have full understanding about the local life, scenic spots as well as show you the fun places for more featured activities and things to do according to your time and interests.
“All our guides, especially those who we had a chance to spend more time with (Guilin, Chengdu, Lijiang, Zhangjiajie) were great. Always very accommodating, punctual and attentive.” - Review from Zane, Canada
Your Private Driver & Car
Taking our private transportation will make you comfortable, relaxed and worry free!
All our drivers are licensed with many years' driving experience. They are always polite, friendly and helpful, glad to offer more service you may need during the transfer. Our vehicles are air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean and expertly maintained. We use different types of cars/vans to guarantee your comfort. Besides, there is need to worry about your luggage for we use vehicles with extra space for your luggage.
"With respect to the drivers, we can state that they are excellent drivers and very friendly. They are pleasant with smiling face and helpful too." - Review from Pedro Corro, USA
Comfortable & Homelike Hotel
In each destination, we guarantee you a comfortable stay!
The hotels we choose are based with star rating, great location, well-pointed facilities and high quality service and guests' feedbacks. Choices are a lot and you could decide where to stay on your own. When taking a Yangtze River cruise, you are guaranteed a comfortable cabin or suite with private balconies to enjoy breathtaking scenery.
“All the hotels were comfortable and in good locations. The food was generally good with a wide choice of both western and Chinese choices for breakfast. The room sizes even with the extra bed for Jessica were also fine.” - Review from McHale, USA
Dining, Meal & Local Food
On Yangtze River cruise, you are offered three meals (usually buffet with western and Chinese dishes) each day. In other cities of China, breakfast and lunch usually are included in your tour packages. You'll dine in local restaurants, follow local customs and enjoy local dishes. The food quality and dining environment will suit for your taste. If you have any suggestions or special requirements (vegetarian or food allergies), just let your travel consultants and guides know. They will arrange the suitable food and restaurants for you. Recommended evening dining options are: Peking Roast Duck in Beijing, Dumpling Dinner in Xian, and Hot Pot in Chengdu etc.
“We had very good breakfasts in all the hotels and were given a substantial lunch every day.” - Review from John, United Kingdom
Recommended Add-on Options
+ 3~4 more days to visit the city with best scenery under heaven - Guilin
Surrounded by karst peaks, Yangshuo is situated on the bank of Li River in Guilin. Yangshuo has long been renowned as a popular place for foreign tourists. It is said “guilin landscape tops those elsewhere, and yangshuo landscape tops that of Guilin”. Outdoor options are plenty here and West Street is a good place to explore.
+ 2 more days Chengdu Leisure Life Experience & Giant Panda Visit
Immerse yourself in the Land of Abundance and Hometown of Giant Pandas!
You’ll totally enjoy the ancient culture and slow pace of living when having close contact with the cute pandas in Chengdu Panda Base, sipping tea in the hundred-year-old teahouse in Renmin Park, seeking for Three Kingdom culture in Jinli Old Street, exploring Ancient Shu Civilization in Jinsha Site Museum...
+ 3~4 more days to step into the World Geological Park - Zhangjiajie
Reputed as “a miniature fairyland” and “a maze of nature”, Zhangjiajie is a surreal world with hundreds of grotesque peaks, beautiful waters, towering trees, deep valley, marvelous caves and exuberant forest. In Zhangjiajie, you’ll fully explore Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to catch the outstanding landscape and experience the world’s longest and highest glass bridge in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon.
+ 2 more days to enjoy the fairyland on earth - Jiuzhaigou
Both Huanglong National Park and Jiuzhaigou National Park were listed as Natural World Heritage Sites for the superb landscape. Take two days that you can fully immerse yourself in the Fairyland on Earth to appreciate travertine lakes, green and purplish pools, waterfalls, forests and mountain scenery.
+ 4~5 more days to cruise on the magnificent Yangtze River
Taking a relaxing cruise sailing on the Yangtze River is a popular way to get a short break during your China tour. You’ll not only enjoy many colorful cultural activities and entertainment programs onboard, but also enjoy three to four shore excursions to deeply know the authentic life along Three Gorges and witness the world-famous Three Gorges Dam.
You can take: 1) 4 Days & 3 Night Downstream Cruise from Chongqing to Yichang; 2) 5 Days & 4 Nights Upstream Cruise from Yichang to Chongqing.
You might also like
-
-
6 Days Chongqing, Yangtze River & Zhangjiajie Exciting Tour
Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Zhangjiajie
-
Not easy to find the right cruise ship/itinerary for you? Please contact one of our Yangtze cruise specialists to save your time and money. Click the right button to send an online inquiry and we will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hours.
Karen
Wonder
Jack
Rita
Johnson
Vivien
Wing
Ariel
Tracy
Leo
Evelyn
April
Phoebe
Kelly
Shirley
Reya
Juliet
Elk
Felix
Sean
