Shizhu Day Trip from Chongqing: A Hidden Gem of Tujia Stories & Ancient Charms (12-Hour Itinerary)
- DolphinUnion
- Nov 17
- 5 min read
As a Chongqing local helping foreign travelers for 8 years, I’ve always recommended Shizhu (石柱土家族自治县，Shizhu Tujiazu Zizhixian, a county in Chongqing municipality) to those tired of crowded 网红 (wanghong, internet-famous) spots. This quiet county blends 1,000-year-old salt trade history, Tujia ethnic culture, and touching legends—all just 1.5 hours from Chongqing. My recent New Zealand client, Mia Carter, shared, “I came for the ancient town, but the Tujia dances and stories stole my heart! It’s like stepping into a living Chinese fairy tale.” This guide will walk you through a perfect 1-day itinerary from Chongqing to Shizhu, with practical tips, personal stories, and how DolphinUnion can make your trip seamless.
（Chongqing to Shizhu 1-day travel guide for foreign tourists）
1. Morning: Step into History – Xituo Ancient Town & Yinxing Temple
Xituo Ancient Town Cloud Ladder Street (西沱古镇云梯街，Xituo Guzhen Yuntijie)
Start your day with the most iconic spot: Xituo Ancient Town. Take a high-speed train (高铁，gaotie) from Chongqing North Station (重庆北站，Chongqing Bei Zhan) to Shizhu North Station (石柱北站，Shizhu Bei Zhan)—1.5 hours, ¥58 one-way. From the station, a taxi to Xituo Ancient Town costs ¥35 (30 minutes); local buses are ¥5 but take 1 hour (skip them if you want to save time!).
The town’s highlight is Cloud Ladder Street—1,123 stone steps that follow the ancient “Ba Salt Road” (巴盐古道，Ba Yan Gudao). Touch the stone carved with “salt” (盐，yan) at the entrance: it tells the story of Li Laoshuan, a Qing Dynasty salt merchant who traded 10 baskets of salt for a ferry to brave the Yangtze River. “I counted the steps as I walked—each one felt like a piece of history,” Mia said.
Climb to the top for panoramic Yangtze River views—on foggy days, you’ll almost hear the echo of horse bells from ancient salt caravans. Plan 1 hour here, and wear sports shoes (the steps are uneven!).
Yinxing Temple (银杏堂，Yinxing Tang)
From Xituo Ancient Town, take a taxi to Yinxing Temple (20 minutes, ¥25)—a Ming Dynasty temple famous for two ginkgo trees. Legend says a couple planted them to keep their promise during a war; their leaves still fall in the same direction.
Don’t miss the Scripture Building (藏经楼，Cangjing Lou): inside, there’s a ginkgo leaf with bullet marks—during WWII, a bomb fell nearby but didn’t explode, caught by the scriptures. Mia made a wish under the trees: “A local told me a student got into her dream university after wishing here—I had to try!” Spend 1 hour soaking in the temple’s peace.
2. Midday: Tujia Culture & Local Delights
Liangyu Square (良玉广场，Liangyu Guangchang)
By 12 PM, head to Liangyu Square (taxi from Yinxing Temple: 15 minutes, ¥20). The square features a 1.86-meter-tall statue of Qin Liangyu—a legendary female general. Ask locals about her “rice soup trick”: she ordered soldiers to splash rice soup outside the city, making enemies think they had plenty of food and retreating. Now, Shizhu people serve rice soup to guests as a tradition.
Walk the pedestrian street to see “Xilankapu” (西兰卡普，Xilankapu)—Tujia brocade. Local grandmas weave stories of girls who fought monsters with their blood into the fabric. “The patterns are so detailed—I bought a small pouch as a souvenir,” Mia said.
Qishan Covered Bridge (旗山廊桥，Qishan Langqiao)
Next, walk 10 minutes to Qishan Covered Bridge. Legend says a dragon girl used magic to build it; if you’re lucky, you’ll meet Grandma Zhang, who sells “liangxia” (凉虾，liangxia)—a sweet, icy drink. Her grandma once served it to Red Army soldiers! “It was the perfect refreshment on a hot day,” Mia laughed. It costs ¥5 per bowl, and Grandma uses hand gestures to communicate—no language needed.
3. Afternoon: Tujia Feast & Folk Fun at Wanshou Ancient Village
Wanshou Ancient Village (万寿古寨，Wanshou Guzhai)
Take a taxi to Wanshou Ancient Village (15 minutes, ¥20) for lunch and Tujia culture. The village greets you with “Luo’er Diao” (啰儿调，Luo’er Diao)—a traditional Tujia folk song. Try the “preserved pork knuckle hot pot” (腊蹄髈火锅，La Tibianguo Huoguo)—a dish Qin Liangyu once served her soldiers. The “sour preserved pork” (酸渣肉，Suan Zharou) is a Tujia bride’s “dowry skill”—tender and tangy.
After lunch, watch the “Bai Shou Wu” (摆手舞，Baishou Wu)—Tujia dance where “single swings” mimic rice planting. You can join in, and locals will happily teach you. Don’t miss the “dongdongkui” (咚咚喹，dongdongkui)—a small bamboo flute that fills the village with cheerful music.
The village’s 2 PM dance performance is not to be missed—Mia joined the locals and said, “I didn’t know the steps, but everyone was so friendly. It was the highlight of my day!” Spend 1.5 hours here before heading back.
3 Common Problems in Shizhu (and How to Fix Them)
Language Barrier: Tools for Smooth Communication
My German client, Thomas Müller, worried about talking to locals. He used two tools from DolphinUnion’s free guide:
Google Translate (offline Chinese pack) – scan menus and signs, or use voice translation.
“Tujia Culture Phrase Card” – print phrases like “Where is the bathroom?” and “I want vegetarian food.”
Thomas said, “The translation app helped me order food, and the phrase card let me chat with the brocade weavers. They loved teaching me Tujia words!”
Cashless Payment: Link Your Foreign Card to Alipay
Most small shops and taxis in Shizhu accept Alipay. Follow DolphinUnion’s 5-step guide:
Open Alipay → Tap “Wallet” → “Add Card”
Select “International Card” → Enter your Visa/Mastercard details
Verify with the SMS code (works for foreign phones!)
My Malaysian client, Aaron Lee, did this before his trip: “I paid for everything with my phone—even the ¥5 liangxia. No cash, no stress!”
Navigation: Amap + DolphinUnion’s Pre-Mapped Links
Google Maps doesn’t work in China. Use Amap (高德地图，Gaode Ditu) and search for attractions by pinyin (e.g., “Xituo Guzhen”). DolphinUnion’s premium guide has one-click navigation links for Shizhu’s spots—tap and go, no typing needed.
Aaron used this for Yinxing Temple: “I got lost once without it, but the link took me straight to the temple gate. It saved me so much time!”
Why Shizhu Is Your Perfect Chongqing Day Trip
Shizhu offers something you won’t find in busy cities: quiet history, warm Tujia hospitality, and stories that come alive. It’s affordable (total cost: ¥250-350 per person) and not overrun by tourists—perfect for a relaxing, authentic experience.
To make your trip even better, use DolphinUnion’s “Chongqing An 144-Hour Adventure Through World Heritage Sites” ($9.99 with 45% off). Buy 2 guides (e.g., add “Chengdu 96 hours Ultimate Relaxation Itinerary”) for 20% off, or 6 guides for 55% off!
Mia used this guide: “DolphinUnion told me to arrive at Xituo at 8 AM for foggy views and avoid noon crowds. It made my trip so smooth—I’ll definitely recommend it to friends!”
Ready to explore Shizhu’s stories and charm? Grab DolphinUnion’s free China Travel Guide (only 100 left!) to start planning—your authentic Tujia adventure awaits!
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