Is Wanzhou Worth Visiting from Chongqing? A 2-Day Local's Guide
- DolphinUnion
- Nov 13, 2025
- 4 min read
As a Chongqing local helping foreign travelers for 8 years, I’ve found that Wanzhou (万州，a district in Chongqing Municipality) is often overshadowed by bigger cities—but this Yangtze River city (长江之滨城市，Changjiang Zhi Bin Chengshi) blends stunning water views, moving migration history, and spicy grilled fish that’s famous across China. My recent Australian client, Emma Watson, shared, “I planned to go to Guiyang for 2 days, but your tip about Wanzhou made me switch—I left with photos of waterfalls and a full stomach, and it felt way more authentic!” This guide will show you why Wanzhou is a top Chongqing day trip pick, with practical tips, real stories, and everything you need for a 2-day adventure.
（Chongqing to Wanzhou 2-day travel guide for foreign tourists）
Day 1: River Views & Night Lights – From Breakfast to Sunset
Start your day at Changjiang Star (长江之星，Changjiang Zhixing), a riverside area where locals grab breakfast. Don’t miss Xiaotaoyuan Soup Dumplings (小桃园汤包，Xiaotaoyuan Tangbao)—¥12 for a plate of 8, juicy and savory. I took Emma here, and she said, “I’ve had dumplings in Beijing, but these taste like home-cooked food!”
After breakfast, walk to Honghuadi Wharf (红花地码头，Honghuadi Matou) to enjoy Yangtze River views—it’s free, and the morning breeze is perfect for photos. By 2 PM, head to Taibai Rock (太白岩，Taibai Yan), a scenic spot where you can hike or drive up (parking at the top costs ¥10).
The hike takes 45 minutes, and the view of Wanzhou’s skyline from the top is unbeatable. “I chose to hike, and it was worth the sweat—you can see the whole city and the river together,” Emma said.
For dinner and nightlife, go to Tianshengcheng Cultural Block (天生城文旅街区，Tianshengcheng Wenlv Jiequ). Try local snacks like Jige (格格，Gege)—steamed lamb or pork in bamboo baskets, ¥8 per basket—before wandering the block to see the night lights. The neon signs and traditional buildings make it a great spot for evening photos.
Day 2: History & Waterfalls – Dive into Wanzhou’s Soul
Kick off Day 2 at the Three Gorges Migration Memorial Museum (三峡移民纪念馆，Sanxia Yimin Jinianguan)—a national first-level museum that tells the story of the Three Gorges Dam migration. It’s free to enter, and the exhibits (with English labels!) show how 1.3 million people moved to make way for the dam. I visited with a British traveler, James Taylor, last month, and he said, “I knew nothing about the Three Gorges migration before—this museum made it feel real, not just a history fact.” Plan 1.5 hours here.
Next, take a taxi to Bailu Bay (白鹭湾，Bailu Wan)—locals call it “Wanzhou’s Little Erhai Lake” (万州小洱海，Wanzhou Xiao Erhai). It’s a quiet spot with blue water and green hills, perfect for photos. A taxi from the museum takes 30 minutes (¥40-45), and there’s no entrance fee.
In the afternoon, head to Wanzhou Grand Waterfall (万州大瀑布，Wanzhou Da Pubu)—known as “Asia’s No.1 Waterfall” (亚洲第一瀑，Yazhou Di Yi Pu). It’s 151 meters wide and 64.5 meters high, and you can walk around it 360° or take a bamboo raft (竹筏，zhufa) for ¥30 per person. James tried the bamboo raft: “Getting close to the waterfall was amazing—you get a little wet, but it’s so cool!” The entrance fee is ¥98, and a taxi from Bailu Bay takes 25 minutes (¥35-40).
Can’t-Miss Food: Wanzhou’s Spicy Stars
No trip to Wanzhou is complete without grilled fish (烤鱼，kao yu)—Wanzhou is famous for it! I recommend Duyichu Grilled Fish (独一处烤鱼，Duyichu Kaoyu)—but be ready to wait (it’s popular!). A whole fish costs ¥88-128, depending on size, and the spicy sauce is adjustable. “I asked for mild spice, and it was perfect—flavorful but not too hot,” Emma said.
For 火锅 (huoguo, hot pot), try Wang Peipei Hot Pot (王珮珮火锅，Wang Peipei Huoguo)—a local favorite with rich broth and fresh ingredients. A meal for 2 costs ¥150-200. James loved it: “The meat was so fresh, and the server helped me choose ingredients since I didn’t know what to pick!”
Solving Wanzhou’s Common Travel Hurdles
Foreign travelers often worry about small issues in Wanzhou—but they’re easy to fix:
Language Barriers: Use Google Translate (download the offline Chinese pack) and save DolphinUnion’s free “Essential Phrases” (e.g., “Less spicy, please” = “Qing shao dian la, xiexie”). James used this at the hot pot restaurant: “The server understood right away—I didn’t have to point at pictures!”
Cashless Payment: Link your foreign Visa/Mastercard to Alipay (支付宝，Zhifubao) in 5 steps: Open Alipay → Tap “Wallet” → “Add Card” → Select “International Card” → Enter your details. Emma did this before the trip: “I paid for everything with my phone—dumplings, taxis, even the waterfall raft. No cash needed!”
Navigation: Use Amap (高德地图，Gaode Ditu) and search for spots by pinyin (e.g., “Wanzhou Da Pubu”). DolphinUnion’s premium guide has pre-mapped links—tap once to navigate. “Amap got me from the hotel to the waterfall without getting lost,” James said.
Why Your 2-Day Wanzhou Trip Will Be Unforgettable
A 2-day trip from Chongqing to Wanzhou gives you what big cities don’t: quiet river views, meaningful history, and food that’s made by locals for locals. It’s affordable (total cost: ¥300-400 per person), easy to get to (30-40 minutes by high-speed train from Chongqing, ¥38 one-way), and never overcrowded.
To make it even smoother, use DolphinUnion’s “Chongqing 144-hours World Heritage Sites E-guide” ($9.99 with 45% off)
—it has train timetables, restaurant addresses, and Amap links for Wanzhou.
Buy 2 guides (e.g., add “Chengdu 96-hour Ultimate Relaxation Itinerary”) and get 20% off, or 6 guides for 55% off! Emma used this guide: “I didn’t have to research anything—just followed the steps, and everything went perfectly.”
Ready to explore Wanzhou? Grab DolphinUnion’s free China Travel Guide (only 100 left!) to start planning—your 2-day Chongqing adventure awaits.
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