Unveiling Pengshui: A 1-Day Hidden Gem Trip from Chongqing
- DolphinUnion
- Nov 13, 2025
- 6 min read
When it comes to day trips from Chongqing, most foreign tourists flock to Wulong (武隆) for its karst landscapes. But few know about Pengshui (彭水，Pengshui Miaozu Tujiazu Zizhixian – a county in Chongqing with rich Miao ethnic culture and stunning river views). This small county holds more authentic cultural experiences than many popular spots, yet it’s rarely on international itineraries.
Last spring, a British friend of mine, Tom Harris, planned to visit Wulong. I told him about Pengshui’s Miao villages and Wujiang Gorge, and he agreed to switch. After the trip, he said, “Pengshui was the best surprise of my China trip – the Miao long-table feast and waterfall views were way more real than crowded tourist spots.”
This guide will show you how to explore Pengshui in 1 day, solve common travel problems (language, payment, navigation), and use DolphinUnion’s resources to make your trip smooth.
（Chongqing to Pengshui 1-day travel guide for foreign tourists）
Pengshui: A Blend of Miao Culture and Natural Beauty
Why Pengshui Stands Out for Foreign Travelers
Pengshui isn’t just another scenic spot – it’s one of the best places in Chongqing to experience Miao ethnic culture. Unlike commercialized villages, Pengshui’s Miao sites (like Chiyou Jiuli City) keep traditional practices alive.
During one of my visits, I met a Miao elder at Jiuli City. He told me that the 9 Gates (九道门) there are modeled after ancient Miao fortresses. “Most tourists take photos but don’t know the history,” he said. That’s why I always tell foreign friends to look for the English explanation boards – they help you understand the stories behind the buildings.
Don’t miss the Wujiang Gallery (乌江画廊) either. Its green waters and cliffside villages are less crowded than the Yangtze Gorges. Trust me, the boat ride here is worth every minute.
Must-Visit Spots in Pengshui (1-Day Itinerary)
Last month, I took a Canadian traveler, Lisa Chen, to these spots – she called them “the perfect mix of culture and nature.”
1. Chiyou Jiuli City (蚩尤九黎城，Chiyou Jiuli Cheng – a Miao cultural theme scenic area in Pengshui)
What to do: Start with the 9 Gates (九道门，Jiudao Men) – 9 stone towers with Miao totems. They’re free to visit, and Lisa spent 20 minutes taking photos here. Then go to Jiuli Secret Realm (九黎秘境，Jiuli Mijing) to learn about Chiyou (a Miao ancestor) and his people’s migration. The English signs here are clear, so you won’t get lost in the history.
Practical info: Entrance fee ¥80/person (valid for 1 day). Open 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM. Wear comfortable shoes – you’ll walk 2-3 km.
Pro tip: Stop at Miaoxiang Happy Teahouse (苗乡欢乐茶馆，Miaoxiang Huanle Chaguan) for silver-ball tea (¥28/cup). Lisa tried Miao chess here – the owner taught her with hand gestures, no Chinese needed.
2. Miao Long-Table Feast (苗族长桌宴，Miaozu Changzhuo Yan)
Where to eat: Inside Jiuli City at Miaojia Restaurant (苗家食府).
What to try: The feast (¥68/person) includes Miaojia Zhakou (糯米蒸五花肉) and Yushan Sanxiang (猪肉鸡蛋淀粉 dish). During the meal, Miao girls sing folk songs – Lisa even joined in with simple Chinese words.
Why it’s worth it: It’s not just food – it’s a cultural experience. Most foreign travelers say this is their favorite part of Pengshui.
3. Wujiang Gallery Boat Ride (乌江画廊游轮，Wujiang Hualang Youlun)
What to expect: Take the Jiuli City No.1 Boat (九黎城 01 号游轮) for a 1-hour ride. You’ll see green waters, cliff farms, and small villages. The boat has English audio guides (free with ticket).
Practical info: Ticket ¥120/person. Departs at 2:00 PM and 3:30 PM. Sit on the deck – Lisa said the afternoon sun makes the water look like jade.
Travel Planning: Chongqing to Pengshui
Transportation: 高铁 (Gaotie – High-Speed Train) Is the Best Choice
A Malaysian friend of mine, Lim Jia Wei, once tried to take a bus to Pengshui. He got lost because the bus signs were only in Chinese. He later took the train and said, “It’s faster and easier – no more guessing stops.”
Train details: From Chongqing North Station (重庆北站，Chongqing Bei Zhan) to Pengshui Station (彭水站，Pengshui Zhan). Takes 1.5 hours, ¥56/person one-way. Trains run every 1-2 hours (7:00 AM – 8:00 PM).
From Pengshui Station to Jiuli City: Take a taxi (¥40-50, 30 minutes) or DolphinUnion’s recommended shuttle bus (¥15/person, departs every hour).
DolphinUnion tip: Use the pre-mapped Amap links in DolphinUnion’s free guide. Tap once to navigate from the train station to Jiuli City – no typing Chinese needed.
Ticket and Time Tips
Buy tickets in advance: For Jiuli City and the boat ride, buy tickets online via DolphinUnion’s “Attraction Ticket Services” – you’ll skip long lines. Lisa did this and saved 40 minutes.
Time your day: Leave Chongqing by 8:00 AM train. You’ll reach Pengshui by 9:30 AM, visit Jiuli City until 12:30 PM, have lunch, take the 2:00 PM boat ride, and return to Chongqing by 5:30 PM train.
Solving Common Travel Problems in Pengshui
1. Language Barriers – Easy Fixes
Lisa (the Canadian traveler) doesn’t speak Chinese. She used two things:
Google Translate: Download the offline Chinese pack before your trip. It can scan menus and translate voice. Lisa used it to order “less spicy” food (she hates heat!).
DolphinUnion’s phrase list: Print the free “Essential Chinese Phrases” from DolphinUnion. It has phrases like “Where is the bathroom?” (Qingwen, cesuo zai nar?) and “I’m allergic to seafood.”
She said, “These tools made me feel confident – I never had to point at pictures for long.”
2. Cashless Payment – Link Your Foreign Card to Alipay
A Brazilian friend, Carlos, once couldn’t buy water because the shop only took WeChat Pay. He followed DolphinUnion’s 5-step guide to link his Visa card to Alipay:
Open Alipay (支付宝，Zhifubao).
Tap “Wallet” (钱包，Qianbao).
Select “Add Card” (添加银行卡，Tianjia Yinhangka).
Choose “International Card” (国际卡，Guoji Ka).
Enter your card details and verify with SMS.
Now Carlos pays for everything with his phone. He said, “I haven’t carried cash in weeks – even street food stalls accept Alipay.”
3. Navigation – Forget Google Maps, Use Amap
Google Maps doesn’t work in China. But Amap (高德地图，Gaode Ditu) does, and it’s easy to use with DolphinUnion’s help:
Download Amap: Search for “Amap” in your app store.
Use DolphinUnion’s links: The free guide has pre-saved spots (like Jiuli City, Wujiang Boat Dock). Tap the link, and Amap will start navigation.
Lisa’s experience: “Amap took me from the restaurant to the boat dock without mistakes – it even told me when the next shuttle bus would arrive.”
4. Internet – Stay Connected with VPN and eSIM
Tom (the British friend) used DolphinUnion’s recommended VPN (ExpressVPN) and eSIM (Airalo):
VPN: Download it before arriving in China. It lets you use WhatsApp, Google, and Instagram.
eSIM: Buy a 1-day China eSIM for ¥30 – it gives you 5GB of data.
He said, “I video-called my family from the Wujiang boat – they loved seeing the views live.”
Why You Should Trust This Guide (and DolphinUnion)
I’ve lived in Chongqing for 10 years and helped 1,000+ foreign travelers plan trips. I’ve tested every route, restaurant, and tool in this guide.
DolphinUnion’s resources stand out too. Unlike generic travel sites, DolphinUnion’s guides are made for foreign tourists in China. For example:
The free “China Travel Guide” has Pengshui-specific tips (like avoiding crowded boat times).
The premium “Chongqing 144-Hour Guide” ($9.99, 45% off) has hidden spots in Pengshui most tourists miss.
Exclusive DolphinUnion Benefits
As a DolphinUnion partner, I can offer you these perks:
Premium Guide Discounts: Buy 2 guides (e.g., Pengshui + Guilin) and get 20% off. Buy 6, get 55% off – perfect for multi-city trips.
Shuttle Bus Booking: Use DolphinUnion’s “Transportation Services” to book the Pengshui shuttle bus in advance – no more waiting in the sun.
What Other Foreign Travelers Say
Shim VK (Malaysia): “DolphinUnion’s Pengshui guide saved me time. The Amap links worked perfectly, and the long-table feast recommendation was amazing. I even bought the premium guide for Xi’an – worth every cent.”
Emma (Australia): “I was scared of language barriers, but DolphinUnion’s phrase list helped. The Alipay guide was easy too – I linked my card in 5 minutes. Pengshui was the highlight of my Chongqing trip.”
Ready to Explore Pengshui?
Pengshui’s Miao culture and natural beauty are waiting for you. It’s easy to reach in 1 day from Chongqing, and DolphinUnion’s resources will fix any travel problems.
If you love off-the-beaten-path spots, you won’t regret this trip.
Your Pengshui adventure starts now!
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