Wulong is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Chongqing. You'll admire one of China's most dramatic karst landscapes, such as the sky holes, deep gorges, alpine grasslands, and stunning caves.
I visited Wulong in mid-November 2025, travelling together with Chongqing. Based on my own trip, I'm sharing what's worth your time, what to expect, and a few things I wish I'd known earlier to help you plan your first Wulong trip.
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Top Attractions You Can not Miss in Wulong
Wulong's must-sees are quite focused: Three Natural Bridges, Longshuixia Gorge, Fairy Mountain, Furong Cave, plus the night show Impression Wulong, each takes about 1-2h to visit.
1. Three Natural Bridges - Walk Through a Transformers Film
If you're a Transformers fan, you'll recognize this place instantly. Yes, the dramatic sky holes and the valley quadrangle courtyard in the movies are actually in Three Natural Bridges.
You'll walk through three massive natural bridges in sequence (technically, they're where giant sinkholes connect). Each bridge is unique and keeps the walking interesting all the way.
Three Natural Bridges- Tianlong Bridge looks like a giant "thumbs-up" gesture. This is also where Tianfu Post Station is located.
- Qinglong Bridge feels sharp and powerful, like a huge blade cutting through the canyon.
- Heilong Bridge is dark and moody. Walking through it really feels like stepping into the night.
For the best photos, the viewing platform above Tianfu Post is a must. You'll get that iconic shot everyone wants. There's a small side trail to climb up, which takes 5-10 minutes.
I viewed the Tianfu Post from the viewing platformAfter passing Heilong Bridge, you'll catch some autumn leaves. It's not a lot, but one of the few fall scenes in Wulong beyond ginkgo trees.
If you arrive on a foggy day, don't worry. We also got disappointed at first cause we could see nothing from the top at the entrance. But the real visiting began when you got down the valley, where visibility is usually clear, and the scenery is best.
Visit Three Natural Bridges and Longshuixia Gorge together
They're usually visited together due to their close distance. One is called the Sky Holes, and another is the Ground Crack. You can buy a package ticket.
After finishing the hike at Three Natural Bridges, you'll take a shuttle bus to the exit, then transfer to another bus to Longshuixia Gorge. The whole transfer takes about 30 minutes.
2. Longshuixia Gorge - A Waterfall-Filled Valley
Longshuixia Gorge feels dim. As you walk through the canyon, it's all shadowy cliffs, bright green moss on both sides, and some waterfalls pouring down. A bit eerie, but in a very cool way.
Longshuixia GorgeWhat I personally loved most were the calm, cyan-coloured streams. You don't see water like this very often in other gorges. And also surprisingly, we didn't see fog under the gorge.
However, the walk itself isn't completely easy. You'll be going up and down steep cliff steps, and in some sections, rocks hang low overhead, so you'll find yourself ducking as you walk.
It can be dim on rainy daysWet warning: Longshuixia Gorge is wet all year round. Between the dripping rocks and the waterfall mist, you'll likely get a bit damp. Trust me, a raincoat works better than an umbrella.
As for timing, you can do Longshuixia Gorge + Three Natural Bridges in half a day. We did both from 1 to 5 pm. It's doable, but honestly pretty tiring (especially if you're not used to hiking). If you want a more relaxed pace, I'd suggest doing Longshuixia Gorge the next day.
3. Fairy Mountain-Wander into the Oriental Switzerland
Perhaps you never expected to get wide-open grasslands in Chongqing, but Fairy Mountain proves otherwise.
Fairy Mountain Forest ParkThe main areas to explore are the grassland area and the Horse Ranch area, and a cute Thomas train (kids love it best) will drive you to each. In summer, it's great for camping, horse riding, and archery. In winter, you can ski and enjoy frosty, snow-covered trees.
Fog is common at Fairy Mountain, especially on rainy days, in autumn, and in winter. You won't get a crystal-clear alpine vista. But the fog also brings hazy beauty. The mist grassland and forests are perfect for moody, filter-friendly aesthetic photos.
Fairy Mountain in the mist, with some ice.You can consider skipping the horse ranch. It gets thicker fog and a worse view. Few visitors get off here, and you'll need to wait for several more Thomas trains to get a seat to leave.
I found that in Check the "游在武隆" WeChat Account for live conditions before visiting, especially if you're timing your trip for snow or wanting to avoid the fog.
Fairy Mountain has the Most Seasonal Changes in Wulong
| Month | Seasonal View |
|---|---|
| Mar-Apr | Grasslands shift from yellow to green |
| May | Fully green; wildflowers & crabapple blossoms |
| Jun-Sep | Lush green; best for camping, horse riding & outdoor activities |
| Oct | Grass is still green; some trees wither; fog season begins |
| Nov | Possible first snow; foggy; grass still green; only evergreens remain |
| Dec-Feb | Ski season; grass turns brown; snow not daily; light ice and patches of snow on non-snowy days |
Book early for the best hotels and smooth transfers. Check our 6-Day Chongqing, Wulong and Wujiang Gallery Tour, to slow down and enjoy Fairy Mountain, Three Natural Bridges, and more.
4. Furong Cave: Explore a Splendid Underground Art Palace
Furong Cave is one of China's largest karst caves. If you've never explored a limestone cave before, it's worth a visit to the peculiar-looking stalactites and stalagmites under colorful lighting effects.
Furong CaveThe cave stays at a constant 16-18℃ (61-64℉) year-round. It feels refreshingly cool in summer. But don't bundle up in winter. It's surprisingly hot inside, and you might even sweat.
The route also involves lots of stairs, and every surface is damp and slippery. In a few sections, you'll even need to use your hands and feet to get through, so it can be a bit challenging for the elderly or anyone with mobility issues.
It surprised me that there are almost no tourists except ourselves. That gave a more mysterious feel. And the Furong River outside seems more beautiful than inside the cave, just like the jade.
5. Impression Wulong Show - Feel Local Customs
Impression Wulong is a large-scale outdoor show directed by Zhang Yimou, with a background of karst scenery. The showtime typically starts from 8 pm.
In this 70-minute show, you'll visually enjoy some unique local customs of Chongqing area, such as the working song on Chuanjiang, hot pots, bangbang (carriers), and crying marriage.
Wulong has less nightlife in the scenic area. So for most visitors, Impression Wulong is the only evening entertainment here.
How to Get to Wulong from Chongqing
Driving (2-3h) and Train (1-2h) are the most common ways to get to Wulong from Chongqing.
By driving
Booking a private vehicle is the most convenient and comfortable way, taking about 2.5h.
You don't need to get up early to catch the train. The driver will pick you up at your hotel, driving you directly to the attractions and back to the same way. Most importantly, no need to transfer.
The coach is available, but not really recommended. It runs irregularly, and the ride takes 2-3 hours.
By train
Trains are frequent. You can pick a regular train or a bullet train.
Either way, the total time to the scenic area is about 2-3 hours, counting station distance and shuttle bus transfer time. So, if you
- If you want comfort → bullet train√ (60-120 CNY)
- If you want cost-saving → regular train√ (20+CNY)
Wulong looks simple on the map, but transport can really affect your experience.
If you'd rather travel at a comfortable pace, especially when combining Chongqing and Wulong, a customised itinerary with private transfers can save you a lot of time and energy. Just contact us.
How Many Days to Spend in Wulong (with Itinerary)
Typically, it requires 1-2 days to visit the Wulong Karst Region, including travel to and from Chongqing.
Our itinerary is as follows:
- Day 1: Chongqing to Wulong, visit Three Natural Bridges and Longshuixia Gorge
- Day 2: visit Fairy Mountain and Furong Cave, back to Chongqing
Is a Day Trip Possible?
Yes! We actually met an Italian bro do it by train. He visited Three Natural Bridges and Longshuixia Gorge, finishing by 4:30 pm, and caught a 6:30 pm train back.
Also, you can choose a more relaxed pace, taking a private car. Our suggested itinerary is like this:
- 9 am: depart from Chongqing
- 12 am: arrive Wulong & lunch
- 1–5 pm: visit Three Natural (2.5h) and Longshuixia Gorge (40min), and 30min for transfer
- Then your private car will escort you back directly to your hotel around 7:30 pm
If you travel with the elderly or kids and look for a day trip, you can visit Three Natural Bridges and Fairy Mountain (instead of Longshuixia Gorge). Both are relatively flat and easy to walk.
A Chongqing and Wulong itinerary
- Day 1: Chongqing arrival
- Day 2: Chongqing city highlights
- Days 3-4: Wulong
- Day 5: Chongqing departure
Want to link Wulong with more nearby highlights in one trip? The 6-Day Chongqing & Chengdu Tour with Wulong and Dazu works well. Or check more on our Chongqing Tours.
When's the Best Time to Visit Wulong?
The best time to visit is May–September for a green, cool escape, or January–February if you're here for snow and skiing.
These are also when all attractions look their best, so naturally, crowds are bigger. Many locals come here to escape the heat or chase snow.
Avoid public holidays, especially early May and early October. Three Natural Bridges and Fairy Mountain get overcrowded. Expect 30–60 minutes of queueing for shuttle buses, elevators, and sightseeing trains. And yes, traffic jams do happen.
What to Expect in Each Season
Aside from Fairy Mountain, most attractions in Wulong look similar year-round.
So your decision mainly comes down to weather and crowd levels.
Spring (Mar–May)
- Avg temp: 10–27℃ (50-81℉), warming up month by month
- Budget-friendly: fewer tourists, cheaper hotels
- Outside holidays, almost no queues
Summer (Jun–Aug)
- Cool around 25℃ (77℉) in scenic areas (vs 35–40℃/95-104℉ in Chongqing main city zone)
- July–August is crowded (school holidays); June is quieter
- Rainy days feel even cooler at Fairy Mountain (15℃/59℉), so bring a light jacket
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
- Mild weather: 11–28℃ (52-82℉)
- Also, a cost-effective, low-season period
- More fog, especially Oct–Nov (but this is when ginkgo looks best)
- You might catch the first snow in November
Three Natural Bridges in NovemberWhen we visited in late November, most ginkgo leaves had already fallen.
It wasn't cold at all, around 16℃ (61℉), and autumn clothes were fine for most spots.
That said, Fairy Mountain is much higher. We hit a sleet, and temperatures dropped close to 0℃ (32℉), so a down jacket was necessary.
We also had fog almost every day. Luckily, it only really affected Fairy Mountain. Other attractions were mostly fine. If you want less fog, September is a safer bet.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Cold but manageable: 5–13℃ (41-55℉)
- Higher chance of snow, but not every day
- Snow days attract crowds, as this is one of the few snow spots near Chongqing
Fairy Mountain gets the most snow and is also the coldest. On snowy days, it can drop to -5 to 0℃ (23-32℉), so dress warmly when you go.
Three Natural Bridges may get occasional snow, while other attractions usually don't have snow.
Where to Stay and What to Eat in Wulong
We stayed at Fairy Town. It is the most convenient spot for first-timers. Tourist center, shuttle bus, hotels, and restaurants are all here.
The town has a European-style look, very pretty. Most hotels follow this style. From late Oct to early-Nov, you can also catch beautiful golden ginkgo trees lining the main street.
If you're chasing snow on Fairy Mountain, there are hotels on the mountain. Step outside your door and you're in the snow. Some even offer snow-view rooms, e.g., The JOYA Boutique Hotel (5-star, ~1500 RMB). Just note that the mountain dining options are limited.
For food choice, we ordered some Wulong specialties like fish, bowl lamb, potato rice, and even pork intestines (if you can accept). Compared to Chongqing city, the spice level is milder.
The dining in Fairy town is mostly local restaurants or local cafes, and there are no chain brands such as McDonald's, KFC, etc.
Start Your Chongqing & Wulong Journey
If you'd like help with route planning, hotel selection, private transfers, or combining Chongqing with nearby destinations, we're happy to design a personalised itinerary that matches your travel style and pace.
Ready to plan your trip? Just feel free to contact us for a tailored Chongqing & Wulong itinerary and travel advice based on your dates and interests.
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