Chongqing to Fengjie: Historical City & Natural Scenic Spot Day Trip Travel Guide for Foreign Tourists – Poetic Three Gorges Gem
- DolphinUnion
- Nov 21
- 6 min read
When it comes to historical cities and natural scenic spots in Chongqing, most foreign tourists head to Dazu Rock Carvings or Three Gorges Dam. Few know about Fengjie (奉节，Fengjie District, eastern Chongqing) – a timeless blend of ancient heritage and stunning landscapes, where Li Bai’s "Farewell to White Emperor City at Dawn" resonates, Three Kingdoms legends unfold, and the towering cliffs of Qutang Gorge take your breath away.
As a Chongqing local with 8 years of experience helping foreign travelers, I’ve explored Fengjie countless times. Last year, my New Zealand friend Sophia Carter planned to skip it for the more crowded Three Gorges Dam. I convinced her to come, and she said, "Fengjie is a hidden treasure – walking through Bai Di Cheng and gazing at Qutang Gorge felt like stepping into a Chinese painting I’d only seen in books!"
This Fengjie day trip guide will show you how to travel from Chongqing seamlessly, highlight unmissable spots, and share Dolphinunion’s exclusive resources to solve key travel hurdles. It’s your trusted companion to avoid pitfalls and explore like a local.
（Chongqing to Fengjie day trip travel guide for foreign tourists）
Fengjie: Where History Meets Natural Grandeur
Historical & Cultural Value: Poetry & Three Kingdoms Legacy
What makes Fengjie’s historical charm unique among Chinese ancient cities? How does it bring together Tang poetry and Three Kingdoms history in a tangible way?
Take my Swedish friend Anders Berg for example. During his visit to Bai Di Cheng (白帝城) last spring, he couldn’t decipher the "Liu Bei Entrusting His Son" (刘备托孤) story from the Chinese-only exhibits. Using the historical phrase card from Dolphinunion’s free toolkit, he asked a guide for clarification. Anders later said, "Standing in the very hall where that pivotal moment happened, with the story explained in simple terms, made history feel so real – not just a distant tale."
Pro tip: Arrive at Bai Di Temple (白帝庙) before 9:00 AM to avoid crowds. English leaflets are available at the ticket office, or pre-book via Dolphinunion for a smoother experience. For European travelers, download the offline translation pack from the China Travel Toolkit to understand Li Bai’s poem carvings and historical inscriptions.
Fengjie Must-Visit Attractions
Which spots are absolute musts for a Fengjie day trip, and how to balance history and nature without rushing?
My Canadian friend Liam Wilson made the mistake of skipping the Qutang Gorge boat tour to fit in more sites. He regretted it deeply: "Everyone raved about the boat tour, and they were right – seeing the cliffs from the river is incomparable. I’ll definitely come back for it!"
Here are the unmissable highlights:
Bai Di Cheng (白帝城，Bai Di Cheng): A historic complex in Fengjie District, Chongqing. Ticket: ¥95. Open 8:00 AM-5:30 PM. Climb 333 steps to Bai Di Temple, admire the Zhuge Liang statue at Zhongyi Square (忠义广场), and take the free ferry (every 30 minutes) to Chijia Fortress (赤甲炮台) – where you might spot wild macaques. Allocate 2 hours here.
Qutang Gorge Boat Tour (瞿塘峡游船，Qutang Xia Youchuan): A 1-hour cruise through the most dramatic section of the Three Gorges. Ticket: ¥47. Departs hourly 9:00 AM-3:00 PM from Bai Di Cheng Pier. Marvel at steep red cliffs and emerald waters; English information leaflets are provided on board.
Three Gorges Summit (三峡之巅，Sanxia Zhidian): The best viewpoint for panoramic Qutang Gorge views. Ticket: ¥47 (includes shuttle bus). Open 8:30 AM-5:00 PM. Walk the glass plank road for unobstructed vistas of the 8-kilometer gorge and Bai Di Cheng below. Allow 1.5 hours.
Fengjie Travel Planning
Transportation from Chongqing to Fengjie
What’s the most efficient way to travel from Chongqing to Fengjie for a day trip, and how to avoid common transport headaches?
My Malaysian friend Aisha Lee initially chose the bus but got lost at Fengjie Bus Station due to Chinese-only signage. She switched to the EMU train using Dolphinunion’s booking guide and said, "The train was fast (1.5 hours) and stress-free – I arrived energized, not frustrated. Worth every yuan!"
Two main options:
EMU Train (动车，Dongche): The top choice for speed and convenience. Departs Chongqing North Railway Station to Fengjie High-Speed Rail Station (27km from Bai Di Cheng). Journey: 1.5 hours, ¥124 one-way. Trains run every 1-2 hours 6:00 AM-8:00 PM. Book via Dolphinunion’s English-guided service to skip Chinese app struggles.
Bus (大巴，Daba): Budget-friendly alternative. Departs Chongqing North Station South Square Bus Terminal to Fengjie Bus Station. Journey: 4 hours, ¥90 one-way. Buses run 5 times daily (7:00 AM-3:00 PM). Bring snacks and download offline maps – signal is spotty along the route.
Ticket Prices & Opening Hours
Attraction | Ticket Price | Opening Hours | Notes |
Bai Di Cheng (白帝城) | ¥95 | 8:00 AM-5:30 PM | Free ferry to Chijia Fortress (every 30 mins); English leaflets available |
Qutang Gorge Boat Tour (瞿塘峡游船) | ¥47 | 9:00 AM-3:00 PM | Last departure at 2:00 PM; macaque feeding allowed (bring peanuts) |
Three Gorges Summit (三峡之巅) | ¥47 (shuttle included) | 8:30 AM-5:00 PM | Glass plank road open 9:00 AM-4:30 PM; wear non-slip shoes |
Jiangxia Museum (江峡博物馆) | Free | 9:00 AM-4:30 PM | Features ancient fossils and Three Gorges cultural relics |
My Australian friend Mia Thompson arrived at Three Gorges Summit at 3:45 PM and missed the last shuttle bus. Aim to reach the summit by 2:00 PM to enjoy the views without rushing. Check real-time opening hours via the China Travel Toolkit (Free PDF) from Dolphinunion.
Day Trip Recommended Itinerary（Chongqing to Fengjie day trip travel guide for foreign tourists）
Morning (6:40 AM-11:00 AM): Take the 6:40 AM EMU from Chongqing North Station to Fengjie (arrives 8:37 AM). Taxi to Bai Di Cheng (27km, 40 minutes, ¥60). Start with photos at Fengyu Corridor Bridge (风雨廊桥，a historic bridge linking Bai Di Cheng to downtown), then explore Zhongyi Square and climb 333 steps to Bai Di Temple.
Noon (11:00 AM-12:30 PM): Take the free ferry from Zhongyi Ferry (忠义渡口) to Jiangxia Ferry (江峡渡口，30 minutes). Visit Jiangxia Museum (江峡博物馆，Jiangxia Bowuguan) to learn about Three Gorges’ ancient history and fossils. Lunch at a nearby local eatery – try Liangmian (凉面，cold noodles, ¥7) and stir-fried river shrimp (¥38) for authentic flavors.
Afternoon (12:30 PM-4:00 PM): Taxi from Jiangxia Ferry to Three Gorges Summit (23km, 30 minutes, ¥50). Ride the shuttle bus to Yinglong Platform (迎龙台) for a quick rest, then walk the glass plank road (山峡之巅玻璃栈道，Sanxia Zhidian Bolizhandao) to soak in panoramic Qutang Gorge views.
Evening (4:00 PM-6:40 PM): Take the shuttle bus down from the summit, then taxi back to Fengjie High-Speed Rail Station (50km, 40 minutes, ¥80). Board the 4:53 PM EMU back to Chongqing (arrives 6:40 PM).
Solving Common Travel Problems in Fengjie
Language Barrier
Struggling to communicate or read menus? Use Google Translate or Microsoft Translator (both recommended in the China Travel Toolkit) with offline Chinese packs for instant text scanning. The free PDF also includes 50+ essential phrases to avoid misunderstandings.
Cashless Payment
Most shops, restaurants, and attractions accept Alipay or WeChat Pay. Link your foreign card in 3 steps (guide in our toolkit): 1. Download Alipay/WeChat Pay → 2. Add international card → 3. Verify via SMS. Bring ¥50 cash for small stalls – that’s all you’ll need.
Navigation
Google Maps doesn’t work in China – Amap (Gaode Ditu) is the best alternative. Use Dolphinunion’s pre-mapped links (in the free toolkit) to navigate directly to hidden spots like Chijia Fortress. Save offline maps for Qutang Gorge’s signal-weak areas.
Network Connection
Stay connected with Dolphinunion’s recommended VPN (for Google/WhatsApp) and eSIM (¥80/3 days). Both are linked in the toolkit – download them before arriving to share photos and stay reachable.
Why Choose Dolphinunion?
Get the China Travel Toolkit (Free PDF) – it includes Amap links (Google Maps doesn’t work in China, so Amap is the best choice), network connection solutions (VPN or eSIM), cashless payment guides (Alipay or WeChat Pay), and language barrier tools (Google Translator or Microsoft Translator) tailored for Fengjie. For extended trips, our premium guide "Chongqing An 144-Hour Adventure Through World Heritage Sites" covering Chongqing downtown, Wulong Karst, and Three Gorges Dam. Buy 2 guides for 20% off, or 6 for 55% off – perfect for extending your China journey. Click the link to claim your free toolkit and explore trusted, traveler-approved resources for a stress-free trip!
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