Chongqing and Zhangjiajie are both mountain destinations. Just 2.5 hours by bullet train, your trip will be a full-contrast adventure, from futuristic city to nature's wonders.
In Chongqing, you're in a cyberpunk 8D world, with drone shows, motorbike, light rail through the building, and Yangtze River Cableway. Then in Zhangjiajie, you'll be amazed by UNESCO-listed sandstone pillars and get your heart racing on glass bridges across the canyon.
How Do I Get from Chongqing to Zhangjiajie?
The bullet train is the most convenient way, taking 2.5-4h.
There are around 30 trains a day, running from 7 am to 7 pm (last train around 9 pm from Zhangjiajie to Chongqing), so it's easy to find a departure that fits your schedule.
We recommend departing from Chongqing East Railway Station to Zhangjiajie West. It offers the most frequent trains and the shortest travel time at around 2.5 hours. (Others take 3-4h).
You can also take bullet train from Chongqing's airport to Zhangjiajie, but it runs only once a day in the afternoon. Or you can travel via Wulong. There are also frequent trains to Zhangjiajie.
Skip the transport hassle. We'll handle your Chongqing–Zhangjiajie itinerary, bullet train tickets, and private transfers throughout the trip. Customize your tour now!
Top Things to Do in Chongqing and Zhangjiajie
Chongqing has many small city attractions. You can usually visit for about an hour each.
Zhangjiajie is all about big natural scenery. You need at least half a day to fully enjoy.
What to See in Chongqing
In Chongqing, you cannot miss those iconic cyberpunk 8D attractions.
For example, during the day, visit Liziba light rail through the building, Yangtze River Cableway, Shancheng Alley (mountainside art lane), and Kuixinglou (you can't tell if you're on the 1st floor or the 22nd).
At night, it's best to see Hongya Cave (like the house in Spirited Away), Xiahaoi's layered buildings over waterfalls, and drone show "fireworks" (if you visit on Saturday).
For history, you can wander Ciqikou Ancient Town to feel the old Chongqing vibe and dockside culture, explore Bashu history at the Three Gorges Museum, or learn about the city's wartime past at the Stilwell Museum, Flying Tigers Museum, and War Sites Park.
Chongqing is also famous for hot pot. It's a must-try, as hot pot was born here. You can also taste spicy chicken, Chongqing noodles, sour-and-spicy noodles, fried twists, and more snacks here.
Around downtown Chongqing, there's a lot more to explore, such as Yangtze River Cruise, as well as the UNESCO sites of Dazu Rock Carvings and Wulong Karst.
Find more Top Things to Do in Chongqing.
What to See in Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is the biggest highlight, with unique sandstone pillar landscapes. You'll step into the movie Avatar, witnessing the Hallelujah Mountains thrusting in front of your eyes.
The Grand Canyon will bring you a thrilling outdoor adventure. Cross the world's longest glass bridge (430m) and, if you dare, try bungee jumping from 280 meters above the canyon.
Tianmen Mountain is also a must-visit. You'll ride the world's longest cable car from the city center to the mountain top, and walk through the famous Tianmen Cave.
If you want a slower pace, take a boat ride on Baofeng Lake. Surrounded by green mountains and clear waters, it's refreshing and easy for older visitors.
For explorers, Huanglong Cave is best for hiking in stalactite-filled caves and taking an underground river drift. Kids will love it too!
If you like the Xianxia drama vibes, don't miss Fenghuang and Furong Ancient Town. One with splendid stilted houses night views, the other perched on the waterfall. Truly dreamlike. It takes 4-5h to drive from Zhangjiajie, so if time allows, you can visit both together.
How Many Days to Spend in Chongqing and Zhangjiajie
Typically, planning 5-10 days is enough for you to cover the highlights at a relaxed pace.
In Chongqing, spend 1-3 days exploring the city highlights. For nearby trips, you'll need an extra 1 day in Dazu, 1 day in Wulong, and 3 days on Yangtze River Cruise.
In Zhangjiajie, it takes 2-3 days to visit the must-see National Forest Park, Grand Canyon and Tianmen Mountain. If you go further to Fenghuang and Furong, add another 2 days.
A Classic 7 Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Chongqing
- Day 2: Food tour in local neighborhoods, Liziba, Yangtze River Cableway, Kuixinglou, Hongya Cave (with a night view hot pot), drone show
- Day 3: Ciqikou Ancient Town, 1949 Grand Theater, bomb shelter bars, E'ling Tested Bed 2, Shancheng Alley, Two Rivers Night Cruise
- Day 4: Bullet train from Chongqing to Zhangjiajie, visit Tianmen Mountain in the afternoon
- Day 5: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
- Day 6: Grand Canyon, Baofeng Lake boat ride, and Tianmen Fox Fairy Show
- Day 7: Departure from Zhangjiajie
Entry & Transfers Tip
If you're flying from Singapore, both Chongqing and Zhangjiajie have direct international flights to and from, making arrivals and departures very convenient.
Bullet trains and flights in Chongqing and Zhangjiajie connect smoothly to most other cities in China. So even if you transfer from cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Guangzhou, Chengdu, it's also easy to fit into your trip.
How to Avoid Crowds
Even at popular attractions, we have ways to help you enjoy them without the hassle:
- Hongya Cave Night View Hotpot: you'll enjoy a hotpot dinner, while enjoying Hongya Cave across the river.
- Hidden Photography Spots: At Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, go to hidden corners like Old House Area Sky Garden. You can snap photos without jostling with crowds.
- VIP Cableway Access: Skip the long queues at the National Park and Tianmen Mountain cableways, making your visit smooth and stress-free.
Stay Tips:
With this itinerary, you don't need to change hotels in either Chongqing or Zhangjiajie.
In Chongqing, stay in Jiefangbei, the city center. There are many international high-end hotels. Most attractions, restaurants, metro stations, and shopping malls are within walking distance.
In Zhangjiajie, choose hotels in Wulingyuan Scenic Area. It's close to the main attractions, with beautiful scenery, more boutique hotels, and convenient food and shuttle buses.
The itinerary can be tailored to your interests, and you can also adjust your plans flexibly with your guide during the trip. Feel free to contact us.
10-Day Chongqing and Zhangjiajie with Yangtze River Cruise
Option 1: Chongqing + Zhangjiajie + Yangtze River Cruise
- Day 1: Arrive in Zhangjiajie
- Day 2-3: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Grand Canyon and Baofeng Lake
- Day 4: Tianmen Mountain, then take the high-speed train to Chongqing in the afternoon
- Day 5-6: Explore Chongqing city highlights, including Three Gorges Museum
- 7-9: Trip on Yangtze River Cruise
- Day 10: Departure
There's no direct train between Zhangjiajie and Yichang. You can start your trip in Zhangjiajie, then transfer to Chongqing and embark on your cruise.
On Day 6, you board the cruise in the evening, so you still have the daytime free to explore Chongqing.
On Day 9, you'll disembark at the Three Gorges Dam in the morning, and in the afternoon, you can fly or take a high-speed train from Yichang to another city, like Shanghai, to catch your international departure the following day.
Join our 10-day Chongqing–Yangtze Cruise–Zhangjiajie–Shanghai Trip. With a private car, you can transfer from Yichang to Zhangjiajie for a smoother journey.
Option 2: Chongqing + Dazu + Wulong + Zhangjiajie + Fenghuang & Furong
- Day 1-3: Explore Chongqing city highlights
- Day 4: Day trip to Dazu Rock Carvings
- Day 5: Wulong (Three Natural Bridges and Fairy Mountain), bullet train to Zhangjiajie
- Day 6: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
- Day 7: Grand Canyon, Baofeng Lake boat ride
- Day 8: Tianmen Mountain, drive to Fenghuang Ancient Town
- Day 9: Fenghuang Ancient Town and Furong Town
- Day 10. Return to Zhangjiajie for departure
Is Wulong worth visiting when I'm also going to Zhangjiajie?
Absolutely. Three Natural Bridges are the stunning sky holes in Transformers 4, and Fairy Mountain is a beautiful karst grassland. Zhangjiajie doesn't have this type of scenery. So if you enjoy diverse natural landscapes, it's worth spending a day in Wulong.
When's the Best Time for Chongqing and Zhangjiajie?
April to early June, or late September to November, is best for both cities. It's not crowded, the weather is comfortable, and the scenery is beautiful too.
But avoid May Day (May 1-5) and National Day Holidays (Oct 1-7). Both Chongqing and Zhangjiajie are crowded during these periods, with expensive hotel prices.
Best Time to Visit Chongqing
April to May is the best. It's the most comfortable time in Chongqing, warm around 20-30℃(68-86℉), with some pleasant flowers.
Without summer heat or winter fog, your visit can be more pleasant with clear views.
These periods are also ideal to visit Chongqing:
June: Rain becomes more frequent, and it starts getting hot, but temperatures are usually still below 35℃ (95℉), so it's still manageable for travel.
September to early October: There's still some leftover summer heat, but crowds are generally smaller than peak summer vacation season.
Late October to November: Cooler weather, fewer tourists, and lower budget hotel prices. You can catch some autumn scenery, like chrysanthemum exhibitions.
Less Recommended
July to August: The hottest months, with many 40℃(104℉) days. The skies are usually clear and sunny, great for photos, but too scorching for sightseeing as it's the furnace city.
December to March: Foggy, damp, and chilly, with very limited sunshine. You photos can look quite grey, and your visibility can be limited at some attractions.
Best Time to Visit Zhangjiajie
Recommended Time:
April: It sees more light rainy and misty days, but fewer tourists and lush green scenery.
May–June: Green landscapes with less rain. After rainfall, thin mist often appears, and you can witness the floating mountains from Avatar.
September–November: Fewer tourists, scenery still good. In November, you can also catch some autumn colors.
Less recommended:
July–August: Crowded and hot, although rain and mist after showers can be beautiful.
December–March: Cold, with occasional snow. When it doesn't snow, trees look bare; when it snows, some areas may be closed, and roads and cableways can be limited. The scenery may look grayish.
Travel Chongqing and Zhangjiajie with Us
Customized service makes your trip more comfortable. For example, we can arrange fun activities for kids or less-walking routes and attractions for seniors.
Just share your interests, dates, and group size. We'll handle the planning, transport, and guide service for you.