Chongqing Self-Driving Tour: 2-Day Best Routes

The Dragon Boat Festival is just around the corner, a great time to go out and enjoy the scenery. This year, many scenic spots in Chongqing are hosting events for the Dragon Boat Festival. So, what are some fun places to visit in Chongqing? Below, we’ve put together some of the best 2-day self-driving tour routes for you.

Route 1, Tongliang

Self-driving route: City Center – Anju Ancient Town – Xijiao Flower Language Leisure Valley

Time required: 1-2 days

Route features: Explore ancient towns, experience local customs, enjoy beautiful flowers, and savor the slow pace of life

In the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival, the Fuling River in Anju Ancient Town will be a stage for a spectacular “Dragon Boat Racing” event, filled with laughter and joy.

In addition, you can enjoy performances such as the county magistrate’s tour, Sichuan Opera sitting and singing, and Water Dragon, or you can savor local delicacies like Hanlin crispy biscuits, lovesickness glutinous rice cake, and pickled chicken feet.

Now is a great time to go on an outing! You can also take a stroll through the Xijiao Flower Language Leisure Valley. Follow the greenway, surrounded by a profusion of blossoms, and enjoy the stunning scenery.

Find a small courtyard guesthouse, where the scenery unfolds as soon as you open the door. Brew a pot of tea, listen to the sound of the rain pattering, and leave all your worries behind.

Route 2, Wansheng

Self-driving route: City Center – Banliao Lake – Wansheng Stone Forest – Heishan Valley

Time required: 2-3 days

Route features: Take the whole family and immerse yourselves in nature

The Banliao Lake Golden Sands Beach is a paradise for kids. It offers swings, speedboats, banana boats, and other recreational facilities.

If you’re simply looking to enjoy the scenery, you can stay at the water houses and guesthouses outside the scenic area. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, it feels like a vacation in Sanya.

From June 1st to June 30th, Chongqing residents can enjoy free admission to Heishan Valley and Wansheng Stone Forest from Monday to Friday, and a 50% discount on weekends!

Heishan Valley is densely forested with towering mountains and rarely visited by people, making it a beautiful place to visit year-round. The shallow mist bridge and the towering cliffs are perfect for exploring and swimming.

The geological landform of the Dragon Scale Stone Sea is rare in Chongqing and even the western region. The stones have bizarre shapes that are truly remarkable, resembling dragon scales in appearance.

There are not only naturally formed stone forests but also man-made gardens, giving you the feeling of stepping into the Jiangnan region.

Route 3, Wulong

Self-driving route: City Center – Furong Cave – Fairy Mountain – Tian Sheng Three Bridges – Rhinoceros Fort

Time required: 2-3 days

Route features: Appreciate the world heritage, admire the beautiful scenery like a poem and a painting

It’s often said that Chengdu’s summer is called Qingcheng, and Chongqing’s summer is called Wulong. This year marks the 15th anniversary of Wulong’s successful application for World Heritage status. This month, Wulong is launching five special offers to give back to tourists, including a 15 yuan ticket for five major attractions and a “send blessings, get a Furong Cave ticket” promotion.

Furong Cave is pleasantly cool in winter and summer. The most impressive sight is the giant curtain waterfall, which seems to cascade down from the sky, leaving you in awe.

The world-famous Fairy Mountain is a renowned alpine grassland in Chongqing and even the whole country. Even in the sweltering summer, you can still enjoy the cool breeze and pleasant weather.

You can camp, have a picnic, go horseback riding, or hike along the trail, fully immersing yourself in the charm of this natural oxygen bar.

Tian Sheng Three Bridges is the highlight of the Wulong Karst Scenic Area, and it was the location for the movie “Curse of the Golden Flower”.

Here, you can find the world’s largest natural bridge group, with bridges towering majestically across river valleys.

Rhinoceros Fort is known as “China’s Most Beautiful Ancient Village”. Here, you can enjoy the cool breeze and bright moonlight, walk along the bridges and streams, and stay in the quaint farmhouses. The pastoral scenery is truly captivating.

A wisp of blue smoke curls up into the sky, a moment of tranquility descends upon your soul. Escape the hustle and bustle of the city, leave the world behind, and come to this secluded corner of the world, where you can feel the gentle caress of the breeze and the wispy smoke.

Route 4, Youyang

Self-driving route: City Center – Gongtan Ancient Town – Peach Blossom Source – Wujiang Gallery – Huatian Terraces

Time required: 2-3 days

Route features: Experience the rural scenery, immerse yourself in the local customs, and travel through time on the river

Come to Youyang this Dragon Boat Festival and explore the hidden gems of southeastern Chongqing. Before June 30th, Chongqing residents can enjoy a 50% discount on tickets to Gongtan Ancient Town, Peach Blossom Source, and Dieshi Flower Sea.

Gongtan is located on the east bank of the Wujiang River at the confluence of the Wujiang and Apong rivers. It is a peaceful place suitable for leisurely exploration.

Peach Blossom Source is a romantic destination in the hearts of travelers. A clear blue pool meanders gently, as beautiful and ethereal as a dream.

You don’t have to go to Jiangnan to enjoy the poetic beauty of misty rain. The Wujiang Gallery has its own unique misty charm.

Sit on a painted boat, watch the turbulent river flow by on either side, and gaze at the bustling world on shore. You will find yourself lost in thought, filled with a sense of nostalgia.

The Huatian Terraces, filled with water in early summer, are beautifully arranged, with rippling water reflecting the beauty of the surrounding scenery.

As the sun rises in the east, the terraces filled with water are full and moist, with shimmering waves reflecting the sky. They are like countless strands of silver ribbon layered on top of each other, glittering in the golden light.

Route 5, Shizhu

Self-driving route: City Center – Lengshui · Fenggu Campsite – Let’s go Amusement Park – Yunzhong Flower City

Time required: 2-3 days

Route features: Camping and picnics, thrilling amusement parks, admiring flowers and watching performances

Lengshui · Fenggu Campsite, officially awarded the title of “China’s First Self-Driving Campsite on Expressway” by the China Highway Society.

Here, you can choose from charming log cabins, romantic and dreamy stargazing houses, minimalist Nordic-style houses, and stylish container houses. You can even bring your RV for a camping experience.

Let’s Go Amusement Park, this place has new things to enjoy year-round.

In the summer, there are authentic grass slides, go-kart racing, water rides, and other recreational activities, perfect for taking your little ones on a joyful family trip.

Yunzhong Flower City, a world of colorful flowers, also features a 5D cloud glass corridor bridge, aerial drifting, forest flying, high-speed traversing, flower city dancing, children’s amusement park, and other recreational facilities.

In short, you can find almost any summer activity you want in Yunzhong Flower City, and at night, you can watch performances like “iron flower” shows.