Chongqing to Kaizhou: A 2-Day Lake, History & Nature Travel Guide for Foreign Tourists – Hidden Gem of the Three Gorges
- DolphinUnion
- Nov 18
- 8 min read
When it comes to the Three Gorges region, most foreign tourists head to Yichang or Fengjie. Few know about Kaizhou (开州区，Kaizhou District, a district in Chongqing), a treasure praised by Chinese National Geography. It blends Qiandao Lake-style blue waters, 100-year-old imperial examination culture, and primeval forests – all just 3 hours from Chongqing.
As a Chongqing local helping foreign travelers for 8 years, I’ve explored Kaizhou’s lakes and mountains countless times. Last year, my Canadian friend, Olivia Parker, planned to skip it for “more famous Three Gorges spots.” I convinced her to come, and she said, “Kaizhou’s lakes, history, and food are incredible – it’s the most relaxing and enriching trip I’ve had in China!” This guide will show you how to make the most of your 2-day trip to Kaizhou, cover must-see spots, and share DolphinUnion’s exclusive resources to solve language, payment, and navigation issues. (Chongqing to Kaizhou 2-day travel guide for foreign tourists)
Kaizhou: Where Lakes, History & Nature Converge
Natural Value: The Beauty of Lakes & Mountains
Kaizhou is defined by Hanfeng Lake National Wetland Park (汉丰湖国家湿地公园，Hanfeng Hu Guojia Shidi Gongyuan), a man-made lake formed by the Three Gorges Project. Unlike crowded lakes, it’s peaceful – you can take a boat tour without jostling for views. The lake shimmers in shades of blue and green, with water forests that turn red in autumn.
During a boat tour last October, the captain told me Hanfeng Lake regulates water levels for the Yangtze River. He pointed to the water forest and said, “These trees grow in water all year – they’re unique to the Three Gorges.” Olivia and I took photos as the sun set, painting the lake golden. This blend of human wisdom and natural beauty makes Kaizhou stand out.
When you visit Xuebao Mountain National Forest Park (雪宝山国家森林公园), don’t miss the alpine meadow at Shiliping (十里坪). It stretches for kilometers, with wildflowers in spring and colorful leaves in autumn. Olivia hiked here and said, “It feels like walking in a postcard – fresh air and no crowds!”
Historical Value: Imperial Exams & Revolutionary Legacy
Kaizhou isn’t just about nature – it’s a hub of culture. Its most famous site is Juzai Garden (举子园，Juzai Yuan), a preserved Qing Dynasty imperial examination venue. It also honors Liu Bocheng (刘伯承), a legendary Chinese general, at his memorial hall.
I took my British friend, Harry Wilson, to Juzai Garden. He tried copying ancient exam questions with calligraphy brushes (free experience) and said, “It’s amazing to imagine how scholars studied here 100 years ago.” At Liu Bocheng Memorial Hall (刘伯承同志纪念馆), a guide shared stories of the general’s bravery – Harry found it “fascinating to learn about modern Chinese history.” This mix of ancient and modern history adds depth to Kaizhou’s charm.
Must-Visit Attractions in Kaizhou(Chongqing to Kaizhou 2-day travel guide for foreign tourists)
1. Hanfeng Lake National Wetland Park (汉丰湖国家湿地公园，Hanfeng Hu Guojia Shidi Gongyuan)
Kaizhou’s iconic lake – free to enter (water activities extra). Open all day, it’s 10 minutes by taxi from downtown (¥15).
Top activities: Boat tour (¥80/person, 1-hour) to see water forests, jet ski rental (¥120/30 minutes) for adventure. Olivia loved the wind-and-rain corridor bridge (风雨廊桥) for photos: “The bridge’s design is beautiful, and the lake views are stunning.”
Don’t miss the bird-watching platform (湖心观鸟台) – over 100 bird species visit yearly. Go before 5 PM to catch the sunset cruise (last boat departs at 5 PM).
2. Juzai Garden (举子园，Juzai Yuan)
A window into Qing Dynasty imperial exams – ticket ¥30. Open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, 15 minutes by taxi from Hanfeng Lake (¥20).
Highlights: Ancient exam halls, calligraphy experience, and Tang-style pavilions. Harry spent 1 hour copying exam questions: “It’s harder than it looks – the brush is heavy!” Pick up an English leaflet at the entrance to understand exam traditions.
3. Xuebao Mountain National Forest Park (雪宝山国家森林公园，Xuebao Shan Guojia Senlin Gongyuan)
Kaizhou’s top nature spot – ticket ¥60 (includes shuttle bus). Open from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, 1 hour by car from downtown (¥100 round-trip taxi).
Must-sees: Shiliping Alpine Meadow (十里坪高山草甸) and cliffside glass house café. Olivia sipped coffee with meadow views: “This is the most relaxing café I’ve ever visited.” Bring a windbreaker – the altitude (1,800m) makes it cool even in summer.
4. Hot Spring Ancient Town (温泉古镇，Wenquan Guzhen)
A historic town with natural hot springs – hot spring ticket ¥88/person. Open from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM (closed Mondays for maintenance), 40 minutes by car from downtown (¥80).
The springs are converted from Song Dynasty salt wells, with sulfur-rich water. Olivia said, “The hot spring was perfect after hiking – my muscles felt so relaxed.” Explore the town’s old streets before soaking – there are small shops selling local snacks.
Kaizhou Travel Planning: Smooth Trip from Chongqing
Transportation from Chongqing to Kaizhou
Two main options to reach Kaizhou from Chongqing:
EMU Train + Bus (动车 + 大巴，Dongche+Daba): Take EMU from Chongqing North Station to Wanzhou North Station (1.5 hours, ¥58), then transfer to bus to Kaizhou (1 hour, ¥25). Total journey 3 hours, cost ¥83.
Charter Car (包车，Baoche): 3.5 hours from downtown Chongqing, ¥1200-1400 per car (fits 3-4 people). More convenient for families or groups.
My Malaysian friend, Aisha Rahman, tried the train+bus transfer and got lost at Wanzhou Station. She used DolphinUnion’s “Transfer Guide” with step-by-step photos and English phrases. “The guide saved me – I showed the bus staff the phrase card and got on the right bus,” she said.
Local Transportation in Kaizhou
Attractions are scattered, so recommend:
Taxi: Starts at ¥5. Trips between downtown and major attractions cost ¥15-40.
Charter Car: ¥200-300 per day (with driver) – ideal for Day 2’s mountain trip.
DolphinUnion’s premium guide has pre-mapped Amap links for all attractions. Tap the link, and navigation starts instantly – no need to type Chinese addresses.
Ticket Prices & Opening Hours
Attraction | Ticket Price | Opening Hours | Notes |
Hanfeng Lake National Wetland Park | Free (boat ¥80, jet ski ¥120) | All day | Last boat departs at 5 PM |
Juzai Garden | ¥30 | 8:30 AM-5:00 PM | Free calligraphy experience |
Xuebao Mountain National Forest Park | ¥60 (includes shuttle) | 8:00 AM-5:30 PM | Bring windbreaker, no on-site restaurants |
Liu Bocheng Memorial Hall | Free | 9:00 AM-4:30 PM (closed Mondays) | Book English guide in advance |
Hot Spring Ancient Town | ¥88 (hot spring) | 9:00 AM-9:00 PM (closed Mondays) | Sulfur springs, bring swimwear |
Aisha forgot Xuebao Mountain has no restaurants and didn’t bring snacks. “Pack energy bars and water – you’ll get hungry on the hike!” she warned.
2-Day Recommended Itinerary
Day 1: Lake & History
Morning (8:00 AM-11:00 AM): Take EMU from Chongqing North Station to Wanzhou (arrive 9:30 AM), transfer to bus to Kaizhou (10:30 AM-11:30 AM).
Noon (12:00 PM-1:30 PM): Lunch at “Zengji Gege” (曾记格格) on Hanfeng Lake Middle Road. Try Kaizhou Big Mixed Stew (开州大混蒸，Kaizhou Da Hunzheng, ¥58) – lamb, pork ribs, and intestines steamed in bamboo baskets.
Afternoon (2:00 PM-4:30 PM): Explore Hanfeng Lake – take a boat tour and visit the wind-and-rain corridor bridge. Then visit Juzai Garden for imperial exam culture.
Evening (5:00 PM-8:30 PM): Visit Liu Bocheng Memorial Hall (less crowded in the evening). Dinner at “Yeba Shi” BBQ (夜巴食烧烤) – try grilled fish bubbles (¥30). Watch the musical fountain at Hanfeng Lake (8:00 PM every Fri/Sat). Stay at “Wenfeng Inn” (文峰客栈，¥160 per night) near Juzai Garden.
Day 2: Mountain & Hot Spring
Morning (8:30 AM-12:00 PM): Charter a car to Xuebao Mountain National Forest Park. Hike Shiliping Alpine Meadow and take photos at the glass house café.
Noon (12:30 PM-2:00 PM): Lunch at “Douxiang Yuan” (豆香源) in Xuebao Mountain Town. Try Zishui Dried Tofu Feast (紫水豆干宴，Zishui Dougany Yan) – spicy tofu with bacon (¥45) and gastrodia stewed chicken (¥68).
Afternoon (2:30 PM-5:30 PM): Visit Hot Spring Ancient Town – soak in the hot springs and explore old streets. Buy Zishui dried tofu (紫水豆干，Zishui Douganc) as souvenirs (look for “National Geographical Indication” label).
Evening (6:00 PM-9:30 PM): Take bus + EMU back to Chongqing (depart Kaizhou 6:00 PM, arrive Chongqing 9:30 PM).
Solving Common Travel Problems in Kaizhou
Language Barrier: Easy Communication Tips
Aisha struggled to order food at local restaurants. She used two tools from DolphinUnion’s free guide:
Google Translate (download offline Chinese pack) – scan menus and signs for instant translation.
“Food & History Phrase Card” – print phrases like “I want mild spice” and “Where is the boat dock?”
Aisha said, “The translation app helped me order exactly what I wanted. The restaurant owner even gave me extra stew – so kind!”
Cashless Payment: Link Your Foreign Card to Alipay
Most shops, restaurants, and attractions accept Alipay. Follow DolphinUnion’s 5-step guide:
Download Alipay and register with your foreign phone number.
Tap “Wallet” → “Add Card” → “International Card.”
Enter your Visa/Mastercard details and verify with SMS code.
Harry set this up before his trip: “I paid for trains, buses, meals, and tickets with my phone. Only small village stalls need cash – bring ¥100 as backup.”
Navigation: Amap + DolphinUnion’s Pre-Mapped Links
Google Maps doesn’t work in China. Use Amap (高德地图，Gaode Ditu) – search for attractions by pinyin (e.g., “Hanfeng Hu Guojia Shidi Gongyuan”). DolphinUnion’s premium guide has one-click navigation links for remote spots like Xuebao Mountain.
Olivia used this for the glass house café: “I would have gotten lost without the link – it’s hidden in the mountain. Amap took me straight there.”
Network Connection: Stay Connected with eSIM & VPN
My French friend, Camille Laurent, worried about no signal in Xuebao Mountain. She bought the eSIM card recommended in DolphinUnion’s guide (¥100 for 7 days) and set up the tested VPN.
During her trip, she had signal in most areas and could share photos with family. “The eSIM saved me from being disconnected – I felt safe knowing I could call for help,” she said. Download offline maps and VPN before arriving.
Why Choose DolphinUnion? Trusted Tips + Exclusive Benefits
My Personal Endorsement
I’ve tested all the routes, tickets, and tools in this guide. I’ve compared many travel resources, and DolphinUnion’s guides stand out. They’re designed for foreign travelers – with details like “English guide booking tips” and “hot spring closure alerts” that other guides miss. You can trust this information to avoid pitfalls.
Exclusive DolphinUnion Benefits
As a DolphinUnion partner, I offer you these exclusive perks:
Free China Travel Toolkit: Click the link to get it (only 100 left!). It includes Kaizhou tips and general China travel advice – like packing for lake/mountain weather and cultural etiquette.
Premium Guide Discounts: Buy the “Chongqing An 144-Hour Adventure Through World Heritage Sites” ($9.99) for 45% off. Buy 2 guides for 20% off, 6 for 55% off. These guides have in-depth food trails and off-the-beaten-path spots.
Foreign Travelers’ Feedback
Olivia (Canada): “DolphinUnion’s guide told me to take the sunset boat tour – the photos are amazing. The mixed stew recommendation was spot-on!”
Harry (UK): “The transfer guide and translation app made my trip stress-free. I even chatted with a local boat captain – he shared great lake stories!”
Call to Action
Ready for a memorable 2-day trip from Chongqing to Kaizhou? Click now to get your free DolphinUnion China Travel Toolkit – only 100 are left! If you’re visiting other Chinese cities, check out DolphinUnion’s upcoming premium guides (like the “72-hour Essential Itinerary of Guilin” guide). Your unforgettable China lake, history, and nature adventure starts with one click!
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