From Chengdu to Zigong: The Ultimate 6-Spot Dinosaur & Salt Heritage Trip (Local-Tested Route)
- cometodolphinunion
- Oct 31
- 6 min read
Most tourists go to Chengdu’s pandas.Few know about Zigong (Zìgòng, 自贡) — a 2-hour train ride away with real ancient salt wells and the world’s best dinosaur fossils.
Here’s the truth:
I’ve helped over 300 foreign travelers plan Sichuan trips.
And every time someone skips Zigong, they regret it.
Why?
Because Zigong Dinosaur Museum (Zìgòng Kǒnglóng Bówùguǎn, 自贡恐龙博物馆) has more complete dinosaur skeletons than almost any museum on Earth.And Shenhai Well (Shēnhǎi Jǐng, 燊海井) is the only working ancient salt well from 1835—still boiling brine by hand.
This guide gives you:
✅ Exact train times from Chengdu
✅ Step-by-step route for all 6 must-see spots
✅ How to avoid tourist traps
✅ Real food tips (no fake “local” snacks)
Plan your Chengdu-to-Zigong day trip or overnight stay in minutes—not days.
Why Zigong? A Hidden Gem Near Chengdu
Zigong isn’t famous like Chengdu or Leshan.But it’s where China’s salt history and dinosaur discoveries collide.
Foreign friend Mark from Canada said:“I came for the dinosaurs. I stayed for the salt wells. It felt like stepping into an old textbook—but real.”
The city was built on salt.
For 2,000 years, people drilled deep wells, boiled brine, and shipped salt across China.Today, you can see it all—live.
And the dinosaurs?
In 1972, workers found bones at Dashanpu Dinosaur Fossil Site (Dàshānpù Kǒnglóng Huàyí Yízhǐ, 大山铺恐龙化石遗址).Now, the museum sits right on top of the dig.
So if you love history, science, or offbeat travel—Zigong is worth the trip.
Trust me:
Skip another crowded panda base.
Go to Zigong instead.
（Best Chengdu to Zigong travel guide for foreign tourists）
How to Get from Chengdu to Zigong – Fast & Easy
Option 1: High-Speed Train (Best Choice)
Depart from Chengdu East Railway Station (Chéngdū Dōng Zhàn, 成都东站)
Arrive at Zigong Railway Station (Zìgòng Zhàn, 自贡站)
Ride time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Trains run every 30–60 mins (6:30 AM – 8:00 PM)
Cost: ¥115 one-way
Pro tip: Book tickets via Trip.com (English app).Avoid 12306—it needs a Chinese ID.
Option 2: Private Car (Worth It for Groups)
Drive time: 2 hours (180 km)
Cost: ¥600–800 round-trip (split 4 ways = cheap!)
Stops: You can visit Yantan District or Fuxi Ancient Town on the way.
Don’t take buses—they’re slow, no English signs, and drop you far from sites.
Once in Zigong, use DiDi (China’s Uber) or taxis.All key spots are within 30 mins drive.
The 6 Must-Visit Spots in Zigong – Full Guide
1. Zigong Salt Industry Museum (Zìgòng Yányè Bówùguǎn, 自贡盐业博物馆)
🎫 Entry: ¥35 | ⏰ Open: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
This museum shows 2,000 years of salt-making.Real tools, old photos, and a full-size model of a drilling rig.
The building itself is historic—built in 1736 during the Qianlong Dynasty (Qiánlóng Yuánnián, 乾隆元年).
Skip the audio guide (only in Chinese).Instead, ask staff for the English brochure—it’s short but helpful.
One UK traveler said:“I didn’t think salt could be interesting. But seeing how they drilled 1,000m deep by hand? Mind-blowing.”
Go early—fewer crowds, better light for photos.
2. Shenhai Well (Shēnhǎi Jǐng, 燊海井)
🎫 Entry: ¥25 | ⏰ Open: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (summer), 5:00 PM (winter)
This is the star.Drilled in 1835, it’s the deepest ancient well ever—1,001 meters.
Even better? It still works.Workers boil brine over firewood to make salt—same method as 200 years ago.
Watch them lift buckets with bamboo poles.Smell the smoke. Touch the wooden machinery.
No glass barriers. No ropes.You can stand right next to the boiling pots.
Canadian friend Lena said:“I tasted the salt they made that morning. So clean. So fresh. I bought a jar—it lasted me a year.”
Don’t miss the salt tasting station near the exit.
3. Zigong Dinosaur Museum (Zìgòng Kǒnglóng Bówùguǎn, 自贡恐龙博物馆)
🎫 Entry: ¥40 | ⏰ Open: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (weekdays), 6:00 PM (holidays)
Built on the Dashanpu fossil site, this museum has over 100 complete dinosaur skeletons.
That’s more than Beijing or Shanghai.
Best part?The main hall is a real dig site.Bones are still embedded in rock—no replicas.
Look for:
Omeisaurus – 15-meter-long neck
Tuojiangosaurus – China’s version of Stegosaurus
Baby dinosaur nests – tiny skulls, heartbreakingly small
There’s an English audio guide (rent for ¥20).Use it—it explains how these dinosaurs lived 160 million years ago.
Brazilian visitor Diego said:“I brought my kids. They stood silent for 10 minutes staring at a T-Rex skull. Never seen them so quiet!”
Arrive at opening—crowds build by noon.
4. China Lantern Museum (Zhōnghuá Cǎidēng Dàshìjiè, 中华彩灯大世界)
🎫 Entry: ¥118+ | ⏰ Open: Check online (varies by season)
This place lights up at night.Giant dragons, glowing pagodas, LED pandas—all handmade.
It’s not just pretty.
It’s cultural.
Lanterns tell stories from Journey to the West and Chinese zodiac.
Go after 6:30 PM for full effect.
Stay until 9:00 PM—shows change hourly.
Bring a jacket.
It gets cold near the lake.
Note: Not open year-round.Check dates before going.
Search “Zhonghua Caideng Dashijie opening dates” on WeChat or Baidu.
5. Xianshi Ancient Town (Xiānshì Gǔzhèn, 仙市古镇)
🎫 Free | ⏰ Open: 24/7
A real old town—no fake shops, no plastic lanterns.
Walk the stone paths.
See Tian Shang Palace (Tiānshàng Gōng, 天上宫), a temple built by Fujian traders.
Cross the bridge to the riverbank.Fishermen still work here.
Eat at a local home restaurant:
Try spicy fish stew (yú tāng, 鱼汤)—made with river fish, chili, and herbs.
Only downside?
Few English signs.But locals smile and point the right way.
UK traveler Tom said:“I got lost for 20 minutes. Found a grandma making dumplings. She invited me in. Best meal of my trip.”
Perfect for a quiet afternoon.
6. Wangye Temple (Wángyé Miào, 王爷庙)
🎫 Entry: ¥46.8 | ⏰ Open: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
On the banks of Fuxi River (Fúsī Hé, 釜溪河), this Qing Dynasty temple shines at night.
Red pillars.
Golden roofs.
Reflections on water.
Inside: statues of river gods, old incense burners, carved dragons.
Climb the back balcony for city views.
Best time:
After dark.
The whole temple glows—red lanterns, soft lights.
Sit by the river.
Listen to folk music from nearby teahouses.
Not spiritual?
Still go.
It’s beautiful.
Final Tips – What Locals Know
Food to Try:
Zigong-style spicy hot pot (Zìgòng mányú huǒguō, 自贡麻辣鱼火锅) – Extra numbing, extra hot
Salt-boiled duck (yánshuǐ yā, 盐水鸭) – From Shenhai Well area
Rice noodles with pickled veggies (suāncài mǐfěn, 酸菜米粉) – Cheap, tasty, everywhere
Transport Tip:
Use DiDi app.
Set language to English.
Drivers don’t speak much English—but show them the Chinese name + address.
Avoid This Mistake:
Don’t try to do all 6 spots in one day.Too rushed.
Better plan:
Day 1: Salt Museum + Shenhai Well + Wangye Temple (night)
Day 2: Dinosaur Museum + Xianshi Town + Lantern Museum (night)
Or do a fast day trip from Chengdu:Focus on Dinosaur Museum + Shenhai Well—both are must-sees.
Why This Route Works – My 8-Year Test
As someone who’s planned hundreds of Sichuan trips, I’ve tested every combo.
And here’s what works:
✅ Less walking, more seeing
✅ Real local food, not tourist traps
✅ Smart timing to skip crowds
✅ Clear transport steps—even if you don’t speak Chinese
Australian traveler Jess said:“I used your route. Got to see baby dinosaurs, taste fresh salt, and eat spicy fish in an old town. Felt like real China.”
That’s the goal.
Not just sightseeing.
But experience.
Ready for More? Get the 96-Hour Chengdu Travel Guide
You’ve seen Zigong.
Now explore Chengdu like a local—not a tourist.
Our 137-page e-guide includes:
✅ 3 Panda Bases Compared – Best cub times, photo routes, crowd hacks
✅ Dujiangyan Hydraulic System Explained – How a 2,000-year-old dam still works
✅ 30+ Local Food Spots – From opera dinners to hidden clay pot stews
✅ Qingcheng Mountain: Front vs Back – Temples or hiking? We break it down
✅ Where to Stay? – Hotels near metro, quiet but central
✅ Survival Guide – How to pay without Alipay, get data, use maps offline
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