Chongqing Ancient Towns Guide for Foreigners: Skip Ciqikou, Try These Hidden Gems
- DolphinUnion
- Sep 16
- 8 min read
Everyone’s talking about Chongqing’s 8D magic—trains through buildings, stairs that go to the 10th floor… but as a local who’s lived here 30 years (and helped over 200 foreign friends plan trips in 8 years), I can tell you: the real old Chongqing isn’t in the viral spots. When foreigners search for “Chongqing ancient towns,” Ciqikou (磁器口) pops up first. But trust me—I don’t recommend it.
Ciqikou used to be nice, but now it’s just a busy market. Every shop sells the same snacks and cheap souvenirs, and you can barely feel its history. I’ve seen friends walk around Ciqikou for an hour, then say, “Is this all?” That’s why I made this guide: to show you the hidden ancient towns with real Chongqing charm—quiet, full of local life, and nothing like the crowded tourist traps. （Chongqing ancient towns guide for foreigners）
1. Jingangbei Hot Spring Ancient Village (Beibei District) – Chongqing ancient towns guide for foreigners
This is my top pick for a day trip from downtown. It’s close, quiet, and has something Ciqikou doesn’t: natural hot springs by the Jialing River (嘉陵江).
1.1 Why It’s Better Than Ciqikou
Location: 40 minutes by car from downtown Chongqing. No crowded buses—just a smooth drive.
Vibe: Super peaceful. No loud vendors, just old wooden houses covered in vines, stone paths, and bamboo by the river. Most locals here don’t even speak English—you’ll feel like you’re in a “secret Chongqing.”
The Best Part: Wild hot springs. The water comes right out of the rocks by the river, and it’s warm all year. I brought my friend from New Zealand here last winter—we soaked our feet in the hot spring while watching boats go by. He said it was “the most relaxing thing he did in China.”
1.2 Practical Tips
Transport: Drive is best (parking is free!). If you don’t have a car, take a taxi from Beibei Bus Station (¥30, 15 minutes).
What to Bring: A towel (for the hot spring) and a camera (the river views at sunset are amazing).
Avoid This: Don’t go on national holidays—even quiet Jingangbei gets busy then. Go on a weekday morning instead.
2. Baisha Ancient Town (Jiangjin District) – Chongqing ancient towns guide for foreigners
If you love old movies and river culture, Baisha is for you. It’s like stepping into a 1930s Chongqing scene.
2.1 Core Highlights
Movie Location: Over 10 films (like Cairo Declaration) were shot here. The old streets still have signs for “salt shops” and “cloth stores” from the Republic of China era. My friend from France took so many photos—she said it felt like a “living movie set.”
Jukui Academy: A 300-year-old school hidden in bamboo. The buildings are made of blue bricks, and there are old calligraphy works on the walls. It’s quiet here—you can sit on a stone bench and listen to birds.
River Sunset: Walk to the Yangtze River (长江) dock at 6 PM. The sun turns the water gold, and local elders sit and talk about “the old days when ships filled the river.”
2.2 Practical Tips
Transport: Drive (2 hours from downtown) or take a bus from Caiyuanba Bus Station (¥40, 2.5 hours).
What to Eat: Try “Baisha rice cakes” (¥5) from the old lady at the street corner—they’re sweet and soft, just like locals ate 50 years ago.
Pro Tip: Wear comfortable shoes—the streets are stone and hilly. I made the mistake of wearing sneakers once, and my feet hurt!
3. Laitan Ancient Town (Hechuan District) – Chongqing ancient towns guide for foreigners
Laitan is a “military town” from the Song Dynasty. It’s on a cliff, so the views are crazy—and there’s a huge Buddha statue you can’t miss.
3.1 Core Highlights
Cliff City: The town is built on a cliff by the Qujiang River (渠江). Walk up the old city walls—you can see the whole town below, with its wooden houses and narrow streets. It feels like a “castle from old China.”
Erfo Temple Buddha: A 12.5-meter-tall Tang Dynasty Buddha carved into rock. It’s the third biggest Buddha in China (after Leshan and Dazu). I went here with my grandma last spring—she told me locals used to pray here for safe river trips.
Local Life: The “lower town” has small shops run by locals—try the “Laitan noodles” (¥8) with chili oil. The owner will chat with you if you can speak a little Chinese (or use Google Translate!).
3.2 Practical Tips
Transport: Drive (2.5 hours) or take a high-speed train to Hechuan Station (¥30, 1 hour), then a bus to Laitan (¥10, 1 hour).
Avoid This: Don’t skip the Buddha—some tourists only see the town and miss it. It’s a 10-minute walk from the main street, and it’s worth it.
Hidden Trick: Ask the temple guard to show you the “secret path” behind the Buddha—it leads to a small view point with no crowds.
4. Wanling Ancient Town (Rongchang District) – Chongqing ancient towns guide for foreigners
Wanling is all about water and pottery. It’s on the Laixi River (濑溪河), and you can make your own pottery here—super fun!
4.1 Core Highlights
Darong Bridge: A 400-year-old stone bridge over the river. The bridge holes look like moons in the water. Go early in the morning (8 AM) when there’s mist—It’s like a Chinese painting.
Pottery Workshops: There are small shops where you can make your own pottery (¥30 for 1 hour). I did this with my friend from Japan—we made ugly cups, but we laughed so hard. The teacher will fire it for you, so you can take it home.
Huguang Guild Hall: A 200-year-old building for immigrants. The carvings on the wood are amazing—dragons, phoenixes, and stories from old China.
4.2 Practical Tips
Transport: Drive (2 hours) or take a bus from Caiyuanba Bus Station (¥35, 2.5 hours), then a local bus to Wanling (¥5, 30 minutes).
What to Buy: Small pottery keychains (¥10) from the workshop—they’re handmade, not like the fake ones in Ciqikou.
Pro Tip: Go on a rainy day—the river mist makes the town even more beautiful. I went once when it rained, and it was my favorite visit!
5. Zhuoshui Ancient Town (Qianjiang District) – Chongqing ancient towns guide for foreigners
Zhuoshui is a 5A-level spot, but it’s not crowded. It has the “world’s longest covered bridge” and Tujia ethnic culture—perfect if you love big views and local traditions.
5.1 Core Highlights
Zhuoshui Covered Bridge: 658 meters long—walk across it at night. The lights turn on, and the bridge reflects in the Apeng River (阿蓬江). It looks like “a bridge from the sky.” My friend from Canada said it was “the most beautiful bridge he’d ever seen.”
Tujia Stilt Houses: Wooden houses on stilts by the river. Some have corn and chili hanging from the balconies—local families still live here. You can go into a house and try “Tujia sour fish soup” (¥30)—spicy but delicious.
Puhua Dark River: A 10-minute drive from the town. Take a boat through the cave—you’ll see “natural bridges” made of rock. It’s dark, but the guide uses a flashlight to show you strange rock shapes.
5.2 Practical Tips
Transport: Drive (4 hours) or take a high-speed train to Qianjiang Station (¥80, 2 hours), then a bus to Zhuoshui (¥15, 1 hour).
What to Do: Join the Tujia “hand dance” at 7 PM in the square. Locals will hold your hand and teach you—no experience needed!
Avoid This: Don’t buy “Tujia silver jewelry” from street vendors—most are fake. Buy from the official shop in the guild hall instead.
6. Gongtan Ancient Town (Youyang County) – Chongqing ancient towns guide for foreigners
Gongtan is the “most poetic town” in Chongqing. It’s on a cliff by the Wujiang River (乌江), and the mist in the morning is like a dream.
6.1 Core Highlights
Cliff Stilt Houses: Hundreds of wooden houses built on the cliff. Wake up at 7 AM—mist covers the river, and the houses look like they’re floating. I took my friend from Italy here—he said it was “like a fairy tale.”
Stone Streets: Walk the “old street” with its blue stone paths. Stop at the “Gongtan mung bean noodles” shop (¥7)—the noodles are made fresh every morning, and the soup is spicy and savory.
Tujia Folk Songs: At night, locals sing “leaf songs” (they use leaves to make music). It’s soft and beautiful—my friend recorded it and said he’d listen to it when he missed Chongqing.
6.2 Practical Tips
Transport: Drive (5 hours) or take a bus from Sishui Bus Station to Youyang (¥60, 4 hours), then a tourist bus to Gongtan (¥20, 2 hours).
Where to Stay: Stay in a stilt house hotel (¥150/night). The windows face the river—you can wake up to the sound of the water.
Pro Tip: Bring a jacket—even in summer, the morning mist makes it cool. I forgot once and had to borrow a jacket from the hotel!
7. Shuangjiang Ancient Town (Tongnan District) – Chongqing ancient towns guide for foreigners
Shuangjiang is a “museum of Qing Dynasty houses.” It’s the hometown of a famous Chinese revolutionary, so there’s history here—and it’s super quiet.
7.1 Core Highlights
Yang Angong Former Residence: The home of Yang Angong (a 1920s revolutionary). The house is made of wood, with old photos and furniture. My friend from the US (a history teacher) loved this—he said it “helped him understand Chinese history better.”
Yang Family Mansion: A 12,000-square-meter Qing Dynasty house. The carvings on the wood and stone are amazing—there are dragons, flowers, and even scenes from old stories. It’s like a “palace for regular people.”
Old Teahouse: Sit at the “Shuangjiang Teahouse” (¥3 for a cup of tea). Locals play chess and talk—no tourists, just real life. I sat here for an hour once, listening to an old man talk about his childhood in the town.
7.2 Practical Tips
Transport: Drive (2.5 hours) or take a high-speed train to Tongnan Station (¥25, 1 hour), then a bus to Shuangjiang (¥5, 20 minutes).
What to Eat: Try “Shuangjiang sesame cakes” (¥3) from the shop next to the teahouse—they’re crispy and not too sweet.
Avoid This: Don’t rush—spend 3 hours here. It’s small, but there’s so much to see. I saw a tourist stay for 30 minutes once, and he missed most of the houses!
Final Recommendation: My Go-To Guide for Chongqing Ancient Towns
I spent 2 months helping put together DolphinUnion’s Chongqing guide—even I use it when my foreign friends visit, because it has all the little details I can’t fit in this blog. The guide has hidden parking spots (like the free lot near Jingangbei’s hot springs that no tourist knows about) and a Tujia phrase list (simple words like “thank you” and “delicious” to talk to locals)—plus two exclusive tips you won’t find here: how to get a discount on Laitan Buddha tickets, and the best time to take photos at Zhuoshui’s covered bridge.
Last week, a reader from Australia messaged me. He was going to only visit Ciqikou, but our guide told him to try Gongtan. He went, and he said, “The cliff houses at sunrise changed my view of Chongqing.” He even sent me a photo—it was so beautiful, I had to share it with my friends.
If you don’t want to miss these hidden spots, or worry about getting lost on buses, grab our DolphinUnion guide. It’s like having a local friend with you—no more tourist traps, just real Chongqing charm. You’ll save time, skip the crowds, and make memories that last way longer than a trip to Ciqikou.
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