Chongqing to Wuxi: A 2-Day Canyon & Plateau Travel Guide for Foreign Tourists – Hidden Three Gorges Gem
- DolphinUnion
- Nov 20
- 8 min read
When it comes to wild natural scenery in China, most foreign tourists head to Enshi or the Three Gorges Dam. Few know about Wuxi (巫溪县，Wuxi County, a county in northeastern Chongqing), a "Three Gorges Ecological Pearl" praised by Geographic China. It boasts canyons wilder than Enshi, plateaus more romantic than Northern Europe, and a 4,000-year salt-making history – all just 4 hours from Chongqing.
As a Chongqing local helping foreign travelers for 8 years, I’ve explored Wuxi’s landscapes countless times. Last year, my American friend, Sarah Miller, planned to skip it for "more famous canyon spots." I convinced her to come, and she said, "Wuxi’s canyons, stars, and salt towns are breathtaking – it’s the most untouched adventure I’ve had in China!" This guide will show you how to make the most of your 2-day trip to Wuxi, cover must-see spots, and share DolphinUnion’s exclusive resources to solve language, payment, and navigation issues.
（Chongqing to Wuxi 2-day travel guide for foreign tourists）
Wuxi: Where Canyons, Salt History & Plateaus Converge
Natural Value: Wild Canyons & Alpine Plateaus
Wuxi’s natural beauty is unmatched – it’s home to Lanying Grand Canyon (兰英大峡谷) and Hongchi Dam National Forest Park (红池坝国家森林公园). Unlike crowded scenic areas, Wuxi’s landscapes feel raw and untouched, with steep cliffs, cloud seas, and flower-covered plateaus.
During a trip to Lanying Grand Canyon last November, a local driver told me the "Tiger’s Mouth" cliff (老虎嘴) glows like fire in autumn. Sarah and I hiked the hanging road (挂壁公路) and she said, "It’s like walking on the edge of the world – the views are terrifying and amazing!" At Hongchi Dam, the alpine plateau stretches for 25,000 mu, with azaleas in spring and pink muhly grass in autumn. This mix of dramatic canyons and gentle plateaus makes Wuxi unique.
Don’t miss the cloud sea at Yintiao Ridge (阴条岭) – wake up before 5 AM to catch the mist rolling over the mountains. Sarah called it "the most magical sunrise I’ve ever seen."
Historical Value: 4,000-Year Salt-Making Legacy
Wuxi isn’t just about nature – it’s one of China’s oldest salt-producing areas. Ningchang Ancient Town (宁厂古镇) has 4,000 years of salt-making history, with preserved salt springs and stilted buildings.
I took my German friend, Markus Schmidt, to Ningchang Ancient Town. He tried soaking his feet in the salt spring (¥10 experience) and said, "It’s surreal to think people made salt here for 4,000 years." A local elder showed us ancient salt pans and said, "Our ancestors lived on salt – this town was once richer than many cities." This living history adds depth to Wuxi’s wild charm.
Must-Visit Attractions in Wuxi
1. Lanying Grand Canyon (兰英大峡谷，Lanying Daxiagu)
Wuxi’s iconic canyon – free to enter (¥10 parking fee at viewing platforms). Open all day, 1.5 hours by car from downtown Wuxi (¥150 one-way taxi).
Highlights: Hanging road drive, "Tiger’s Mouth" cliff, and autumn red leaves (November). Sarah loved the "Sky Road into Clouds" viewing platform (天路入云观景台): "The photos don’t do it justice – the canyon depth is stunning."
Skip self-driving if you’re a beginner – some sections have no guardrails. Charter a local driver who knows the roads (included in daily charter fee).
2. Ningchang Ancient Town (宁厂古镇，Ningchang Guzhen)
China’s oldest salt town – free to enter (salt spring experience ¥10). Open all day, 30 minutes by car from downtown (¥50 taxi).
Top experiences: Walking on stone streets, visiting ancient salt springs, and spotting wild macaques at the town’s end. Markus brought peanuts to feed the monkeys: "They’re friendly – it’s like interacting with the forest’s locals."
Look for the preserved salt-making workshops – you can see how salt was extracted from springs 100 years ago.
3. Hongchi Dam National Forest Park (红池坝国家森林公园，Hongchi Ba Guojia Senlin Gongyuan)
Wuxi’s alpine plateau gem – ticket ¥90 (includes shuttle bus). Open from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, 1.5 hours by car from downtown (¥180 taxi).
Must-dos: Horse riding (¥60 per 30 minutes), archery (¥40 per set), and hiking through flower fields. Sarah visited in May: "The azaleas covered the hills – it looked like a pink carpet."
Bring a jacket – the altitude (1,800m) keeps temperatures around 17℃ even in summer. No restaurants inside – pack snacks and water.
4. Lingwu Cave (灵巫洞，Lingwu Dong)
A magical underground cave – ticket ¥60. Open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, 20 minutes by car from downtown (¥40 taxi).
Highlights: Small train ride into the cave, stalactites shaped like animals and castles. Markus said, "It feels like an alien world – the rock formations are incredible."
Wear non-slip shoes – the cave floor can be wet. The train ride is 10 minutes long, with guides explaining the formations (ask for English leaflets at the entrance).
Wuxi Travel Planning: Smooth Trip from Chongqing
Transportation from Chongqing to Wuxi
Two main options to reach Wuxi from Chongqing (no high-speed train yet):
Bus (大巴，daba): From Chongqing North Station South Square Bus Terminal to Wuxi Bus Station. 4 hours’ ride, ¥115 one-way. Buses run 3 times a day (7:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 1:30 PM).
Charter Car (包车，baoche): 5 hours from downtown Chongqing, ¥2,400-2,600 round-trip (fits 4-5 people). Ideal for visiting scattered attractions.
My Singaporean friend, Eliza Tan, tried taking the bus first. She got lost at Wuxi Bus Station because signs were only in Chinese. Later, she used DolphinUnion’s "Bus Station Phrase Card" and booked a local charter. "The charter driver knew all the hidden viewing spots – no more stress of missing stops!" she said.
Local Transportation in Wuxi
Attractions are spread out, so recommend:
Taxi: Starts at ¥5. Trips between downtown and major attractions cost ¥40-150.
Daily Charter Car: ¥600-800 per day (with driver) – best for Day 1’s canyon and Day 2’s plateau.
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 |
Lanying Grand Canyon | Free (parking ¥10) | All day | No guardrails in parts – avoid self-driving |
Ningchang Ancient Town | Free (salt spring ¥10) | All day | Bring peanuts for wild macaques |
Hongchi Dam National Forest Park | ¥90 (includes shuttle) | 8:00 AM-5:30 PM | Pack snacks – no on-site restaurants |
Lingwu Cave | ¥60 | 8:30 AM-5:00 PM | Wear non-slip shoes, English leaflets available |
Yintiao Ridge | Free | All day | Need local guide (arrange via charter driver) |
Eliza forgot to book Hongchi Dam accommodation in August and had to stay downtown. "Book hotels 1 week in advance for July-August – weekends are pricey!" she warned.
2-Day Recommended Itinerary (Chongqing to Wuxi 2-day travel guide for foreign tourists)
Day 1: Canyon Wonders & Salt Town History
Morning (7:30 AM-11:30 AM): Take the 7:30 AM bus from Chongqing to Wuxi (arrive at 11:30 AM).
Noon (12:00 PM-1:30 PM): Lunch at "Wang Erjie Lao Zihào" (王二姐老字号) on Mantan Road. Try Wuxi Grilled Fish (巫溪烤鱼，Wuxi Kaoyu, ¥50 per person) – charcoal-grilled mountain fish with konjac and potato cakes.
Afternoon (2:00 PM-5:30 PM): Visit Lanying Grand Canyon. Take photos at "Sky Road into Clouds" viewing platform and "Tiger’s Mouth" cliff. Then explore Ningchang Ancient Town – soak feet in salt springs and look for macaques.
Evening (6:00 PM-9:00 PM): Night rafting on Daning River (大宁河夜漂，¥120 per person) – see fireflies in summer (June-August). Dinner at "Yebashi BBQ" (夜巴食烧烤) – try grilled potato balls (洋芋果果，¥3 per skewer). Stay at "Yunye Mu Ju" (云野牧居) at Hongchi Dam (¥350 per night, wooden villas with fireplaces).
Day 2: Plateau Adventures & Cave Exploration
Morning (6:00 AM-10:30 AM): Wake up early for Yintiao Ridge cloud sea (arrange guide via driver). Then explore Hongchi Dam National Forest Park – ride horses and walk through flower fields.
Noon (11:00 AM-12:30 PM): Lunch at "Caoyuan Mu Ge" (草原牧歌) in Zhaluopan. Try Wood-Fired Chicken (柴火鸡，Chaihuoji, ¥120 for 2 people) – stir-fried free-range chicken with corn cakes.
Afternoon (1:00 PM-4:30 PM): Visit Lingwu Cave – take the small train and admire stalactites. Buy wild gastrodia (天麻，tianma) as souvenirs (look for "Hongchi Dam" origin label).
Evening (5:00 PM-9:00 PM): Take the 5:00 PM bus back to Chongqing (arrive at 9:00 PM) or extend for a third day.
Solving Common Travel Problems in Wuxi
Language Barrier: Easy Communication Tips
Eliza 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.
"Canyon & Food Phrase Card" – print phrases like "I need a driver" and "No spicy food."
Eliza said, "The translation app helped me order exactly what I wanted. The grilled fish restaurant owner even gave me extra konjac – so kind!"
Cashless Payment: Link Your Foreign Card to Alipay
Most downtown 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.
Markus set this up before his trip: "I paid for buses, meals, and cave tickets with my phone. Only rural stalls need cash – bring ¥200 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., "Jiefangbei"). DolphinUnion’s premium guide has one-click navigation links for remote spots like Liberation Monument.
Sarah used this for the "Laojun Cave" viewing platform: "I would have gotten lost without the link – it’s hidden in the mountains. Amap took me straight there."
Network Connection: Stay Connected with eSIM & VPN
My French friend, Chloe Dubois, worried about no signal in Lanying Grand Canyon. She bought the eSIM card recommended in DolphinUnion’s guide (¥120 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 "macaque feeding tips" and "Hongchi Dam booking 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 Wuxi tips and general China travel advice – like packing for canyon/plateau weather and wildlife 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 hidden trails and local food secrets.
Foreign Travelers’ Feedback
Sarah (USA): "DolphinUnion’s guide told me to visit Lanying Canyon in autumn – the red leaves are amazing. The grilled fish recommendation was spot-on!"
Markus (Germany): "The salt spring experience was unforgettable. The Amap links saved me from getting lost – Wuxi’s nature and history are perfect together!"
Eliza (Singapore): "The charter car guide and translation app made my trip stress-free. I even chatted with a local salt maker – his stories were fascinating!"
Call to Action
Ready for a memorable 2-day trip from Chongqing to Wuxi? 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 Hours in Suzhou - The Ultimate Travel Guide for First-Timers"). Your unforgettable China wild nature adventure starts with one click!
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