top of page

Is Changshou Worth a Day Trip from Chongqing? A Local’s Honest Guide (With Hidden Gems & Pitfalls)

As a Chongqing local helping foreign travelers for 8 years, I’ve learned that Changshou (长寿,a district in Chongqing municipality) is a “quiet city walk spot” rather than a must-visit tourist hub. It has one standout gem—the historic cable car—and simple joys like local noodles, but most attractions are underwhelming. My recent Singaporean client, Lim Jia Hui, shared, “I planned to go for the food, but the cable car ended up being my favorite part! It’s perfect for a low-key day away from Chongqing’s crowds.” This guide will give you an honest 1-day itinerary from Chongqing to Changshou, with practical tips, pitfalls to avoid, and how DolphinUnion can make your trip smoother.

(Chongqing to Changshou 1-day travel guide for foreign tourists)

Boats creating trails on a vast blue lake with green islands scattered around. The scene conveys a serene and active atmosphere.
Changshou Lake

1. Getting There & Itinerary: What to Do (and Skip!)

The best way to reach Changshou from Chongqing is by high-speed train (高铁,gaotie). Trains run every 20 minutes from Chongqing North Station (重庆北站,Chongqing Bei Zhan) to Changshou North Station (长寿北站,Changshou Bei Zhan)—the ride takes 1 hour and costs ¥36 one-way. Buses take the same time but are less reliable (my Australian friend, Tom Smith, once missed his bus because of a Chinese-only delay notice—stick to trains!).

Changshou Cable Car

Must-Do: Changshou Cable Car (长寿缆车,Changshou Lanche)

This is Changshou’s hidden gem—free to ride (unlimited trips!) and full of history. Head straight to the upper station first: there’s a viewing platform with panoramic views of Changshou’s cityscape and the Yangtze River. “I took 20 photos here before even riding the cable car,” Lim laughed. The cable car itself is slow and nostalgic, like a moving museum. Ride down to the lower station (5 minutes), then walk 1km to Dinghui Temple (定慧寺,Dinghui Si)—a small temple with a pavilion offering river views.


Skip These: 3 Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Sandao Guai (三倒拐,Sandao Guai): A once-popular old street, now abandoned. Tom and I went there last month—we saw overgrown weeds and closed shops. “Total waste of 30 minutes,” he said.

Aerial view of a lush green mountain with a traditional Asian temple complex. Pagoda in the foreground, cloudy sky in the background.
Putuo Ancient Town
  • Putuo Ancient Town (菩提古镇,Puti Guzhen): A new “fake ancient town” (1.5km long) with tourist shops. Lim called it “boring—just like any other commercial street in China.”

  • Overplanning: Half a day is enough for Changshou. Don’t arrive before 9 AM—most attractions open late.


2. Changshou Museum: A Quick Dive into Local Culture

Start your morning at Changshou Museum (长寿博物馆,Changshou Bowuguan)—it’s free, no reservation needed, and takes 1 hour to explore. The museum showcases three things: “longevity” culture (Changshou means “long life” in Chinese), local industrial history, and ancient artifacts.

I visited with Lim, and she loved the “longevity” exhibits—there were traditional tools and stories about how locals used to live to old ages. “It’s small but informative—way better than the fake ancient town,” she said. The museum’s second-floor exit leads directly to Putuo Ancient Town, so you can walk there if you want (but I recommend skipping it!).


3. Local Food in Changshou: Simple Eats (Not a Foodie Hub)

Most foreign travelers ask if Changshou’s food is worth the trip—honestly, no. But if you’re hungry, head to Taoyuan Road (桃源路,Taoyuan Lu)—a street with cheap, tasty local eats:

Bowl of spicy red noodle soup with sliced meat, green onions, and red peppers. Wooden table background, vibrant colors evoke warmth.
Chicken Intestine Beef Noodles
  • Chicken Intestine Beef Noodles (鸡杂牛肉面,Jiza Niuroumian): ¥12 per bowl, spicy and flavorful. Lim said, “It’s good, but not better than Chongqing’s noodles.”

Golden dumplings cooking on a hot skillet, arranged in a circular pattern. Background shows a kitchen setting.
Tongzi Fried Dumplings
  • Tongzi Fried Dumplings (桐梓锅贴,Tongzi Guotie): Open 5 PM onwards, ¥8 for 10 dumplings. Crispy and savory—Tom ate two orders!

Bowl of stir-fried tripe and soybeans in rich, spicy red sauce. The dish has a glossy appearance with some green onions on top.
Ye’s Pig Intestines
  • Ye’s Pig Intestines (叶氏肥肠,Yeshi Feichang): A local favorite, ¥25 for a small plate. Rich and fatty, perfect for meat lovers.

Skip expensive “tourist restaurants”—Taoyuan Road’s small stalls are cheaper and more authentic.


3 Common Problems in Changshou (and How to Fix Them)

Language Barrier: Use DolphinUnion’s Free Phrases

Tom struggled with ordering noodles—he couldn’t read the Chinese menu. Then he used DolphinUnion’s free “Essential Food Phrases” (e.g., “Less spicy, please” = “Qing shao dian la, xiexie”). He also downloaded Google Translate with an offline Chinese pack to scan menus. “Suddenly, I could order exactly what I wanted!” he said.


Cashless Payment: Link Your Foreign Card to Alipay

Most small shops in Changshou accept Alipay. Follow DolphinUnion’s 5-step guide:

  1. Open Alipay → Tap “Wallet” → “Add Card”

  2. Select “International Card” → Enter your Visa/Mastercard details

    Lim did this before her trip: “I paid for my train ticket, noodles, and even a bottle of water with my phone—no cash needed!”


Navigation: Amap > Google Maps

Google Maps doesn’t work in China. Use Amap (高德地图,Gaode Ditu)—search for attractions by pinyin (e.g., “Changshou Lanche”). DolphinUnion’s premium guide has pre-mapped links—tap once to navigate. “Amap got me from the train station to the cable car without getting lost,” Tom said.


Is Changshou Worth It? Final Thoughts + DolphinUnion Perks

Changshou is perfect for a low-key day trip from Chongqing—if you want to escape crowds, ride a historic cable car, and eat simple local food. It’s not worth it for “must-see” attractions or foodie adventures.


To make your trip easier, use DolphinUnion’s “Chongqing 144-Hour City Walk E-Guide” ($9.99 with 45% off)—it has train timetables, Amap links for Changshou, and food stall addresses. Buy 2 guides (e.g., add “Guilin 72-Hour Guide”) and get 20% off; buy 6 guides for 55% off!

Chongqing 144-hours citywalk E-guide
$9.99
Buy Now

Lim used this guide: “DolphinUnion told me to skip Sandao Guai and arrive late—saved me so much time. The cable car was the highlight of my week!”

Ready for a chill day trip to Changshou? Grab DolphinUnion’s free China Travel Guide (only 100 left!) to start planning—your low-key Chongqing adventure awaits.

Comments


bottom of page