Chongqing to Yongchuan: Historical Town & Natural Scenery 1 Day Trip Travel Guide for Foreign Tourists – Your Hidden Escape Just 24 Minutes Away
- DolphinUnion
- Nov 22
- 5 min read
When it comes to historical towns and natural landscapes near Chongqing, most foreign tourists head straight to Dazu Rock Carvings or Wulong Karst. Few know about Yongchuan (永川, in Chongqing’s western district) – a quiet gem where tea plantations climb misty hills, Ming-dynasty alleys whisper stories, and bamboo forests look like scenes from House of Flying Daggers.
As a Chongqing local who’s helped foreign travelers plan trips for 8 years, I’ve explored Yongchuan countless times. Last year, my Canadian friend Emily planned to skip it for another hotpot crawl in downtown Chongqing. I convinced her to come—and after wandering cobblestone lanes in Songji Ancient Town and hiking through emerald-green bamboo, she said, “This feels like the real China I came to find.”
This Yongchuan 1 day trip guide will show you how to get from Chongqing easily, cover top spots without rushing, and share Dolphinunion’s exclusive resources to solve language, payment, and navigation headaches. It’s your shortcut to exploring like a local—not a tourist. （Chongqing to Yongchuan 1 day trip travel guide for foreign tourists）
Why Yongchuan Stands Out
A Living Blend of History and Nature
What makes Yongchuan special isn’t just one thing—it’s how history and nature coexist. Where else can you sip locally grown green tea under ancient trees, then walk into a 1,000-year-old riverside town with intact city walls?
Take my friend Hiroshi from Japan, who visited last spring. He’d read about Songji Ancient Town online but worried it’d be overrun. Instead, he found quiet courtyards, elderly locals playing mahjong under eaves, and zero crowds before noon. “It reminded me of Kyoto 30 years ago,” he told me.
To make the most of your visit, go early—most day-trippers from Chongqing arrive after 11 AM. And download Amap links from our free toolkit (more below) to navigate narrow alleyways Google Maps can’t map.
Yongchuan Must-Visit Attractions
Start at Songji Ancient Town (Sōngjì Gǔzhèn, 松溉古镇)—free to enter, with Ming-Qing architecture lining the Yangtze tributary. Don’t miss Kuixing Pavilion for panoramic river views and golden-hour photos.
Then head to Tea Mountain Bamboo Sea (Cháshān Zhúhǎi, 茶山竹海), the 50-square-kilometer forest used in House of Flying Daggers. The “Ten-Faced Ambush” trail is flat and well-marked—perfect for casual hikers.
Finally, pop into Yongchuan Museum (9 AM–5 PM, closed Mondays) to see Han-dynasty pottery and learn why this area was once a key salt-trade hub.
Pro tip: Wear grippy shoes—cobblestones get slippery after rain, especially in Songji. And bring a light jacket; the bamboo forest stays cool even in summer.
Yongchuan Travel Planning
Transportation from Chongqing to Yongchuan
How do you get there fast and cheap? Take the high-speed train.
From Chongqing West Station, catch G1836 (departs 08:02, arrives Yongchuan East at 08:24). Tickets cost just ¥27 (~$4) and take 22 minutes. No transfers, no traffic jams.
Last month, Lisa from Australia tried a ride-hailing app instead—and got stuck in highway construction for over an hour. “The train was smarter,” she admitted later.
Book tickets via Trip.com (it supports English and international cards). Once in Yongchuan, use local buses or short Didi rides—all covered in our China Travel Toolkit with pre-loaded Amap links.
Ticket Prices & Opening Hours
Attraction | Ticket Price | Opening Hours | Notes |
Songji Ancient Town | Free | All day | Best light for photos: 8–10 AM |
Tea Mountain Bamboo Sea | Free (shuttle ¥25) | 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM | Last shuttle back at 6:40 PM sharp |
Yongchuan Museum | Free | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Closed Mondays; ID required at entry |
Avoid paying extra for “guided tours” outside the bamboo park—staff often upsell unnecessary add-ons. Stick to the marked trails; they’re well-signed in Chinese + basic English.
1 Day Trip Recommended Itinerary （Chongqing to Yongchuan 1 day trip travel guide for foreign tourists）
Morning
① 08:24 – Arrive at Yongchuan East Station (Yǒngchuān Dōng Zhàn)
② Take Bus 117 to Zhongjiao Shitong Station, walk 5 mins to Zhu Gan Mian (Pork Liver Noodles) – a local breakfast staple
③ Taxi or bus to Songji Ancient Town (¥12 by minibus; ~40 mins) – explore Kuixing Pavilion & riverside alleys
Afternoon
④ Lunch at Wei Dang Xian (Wèi Dāng Xiān, 味当先) – try zi jiang tu (ginger rabbit)
⑤ Visit Shennü Lake (Shénnǚ Hú, 神女湖) – peaceful lakeside stroll
⑥ Walk 5 mins to Yongchuan Museum (opens until 5 PM)
⑦ Bus 306 to Huamao Center – snap pics at the famous Rainbow Wall (5F, Building C)
Evening
⑧ Taxi to Tea Mountain Bamboo Sea Visitor Center → take shuttle to “Ten-Faced Ambush” stop
⑨ Hike 2–3 hours through towering bamboo (flat, shaded path)
⑩ Dinner at Tang Xiang Hao Er Yu Guan (Tāng Xiāng Hào’ér Yú Guǎn) – mild-spicy fish stew
⑪ Catch G8635 from Yongchuan East back to Chongqing West (20:42–21:04, ¥29)
All transit times and stops are pre-mapped in our free toolkit—just tap and go.
Solving Common Travel Problems in Yongchuan
Language Barrier
Struggling to ask for directions or read menus? Use Google Translate’s offline Chinese pack (included in the China Travel Toolkit) to scan signs instantly. The PDF also includes 50+ essential phrases like “Is this spicy?” and “Where’s the shuttle stop?”—so you won’t get lost in translation.
Cashless Payment
Most restaurants and shops accept Alipay. Link your foreign Visa/Mastercard in 3 steps: 1) Open Alipay → 2) Tap “Wallet” → “Add Card” → “International Card” → 3) Verify via SMS. Keep ¥50 cash handy for small noodle stalls or temple donations—just in case.
Navigation
Google Maps doesn’t work reliably here. Use Amap (Gaode Map) with Dolphinunion’s pre-saved links (in the China Travel Toolkit) to navigate directly to hidden spots like Songji Ancient Town’s back alleys or the best photo angle at Huamao Center. Download offline maps before leaving Chongqing.
Network Connection
Stay online with a China-compatible eSIM (we recommend one that works with WhatsApp and Instagram) and a tested VPN—both linked in the China Travel Toolkit. Download them before arrival so you can share photos and call Didi without stress.
Why Choose Dolphinunion?
Get the China Travel Toolkit (Free PDF) – it includes Amap links, eSIM/VPN guides, Alipay setup steps, and key Chinese phrases tailored for Yongchuan.
For deeper exploration, our premium guide “Chongqing: A 144-Hour Adventure Through Local Life Tour” is now 45% off, covering Chongqing downtown, Wulong Karst, and Three Gorges Dam. Buy 2 guides for 20% off, or 6 for 55% off—perfect if you’re extending your Sichuan-Chongqing journey.
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