If you ask a Chongqing local which outlying destination is most worth visiting, Wulong is often the No. 1 answer.

Here you’ll find Fairy Mountain National Forest Park (often called the “Switzerland of the East”), Furong Cave (a UNESCO-listed natural site), and the Three Natural Bridges, a filming location for Transformers 4 and Curse of the Golden Flower. Wulong alone can easily fill several days.

1. Tiankeng and Difeng

Attraction Overview

1. Tiankeng (Natural Three Bridges)

The Wulong Natural Three Bridges consist of Tianlong Bridge, Qinglong Bridge, and Heilong Bridge, forming the largest natural bridge group in Asia. These three bridges span across the Yangshui River Gorge, with each bridge's span and the distance from the bottom of the gorge exceeding 100 meters.

Three stone bridges connect the mountains on both sides of the canyon, creating the unique landscape of "three bridges sandwiching two pits." The pits between the stone bridges are known as "tiankeng" (sky pits). This area belongs to a typical karst landform, a rare geological wonder and tourist destination, and it served as a filming location for the movies "Curse of the Golden Flower" and "Transformers: Age of Extinction."

2. Earth Crack (Longshui Gorge Earth Crack) 

The Longshui Gorge Earth Crack was formed by orogenic movements millions of years ago and is an important part of the Wulong Karst World Natural Heritage Site. The canyon stretches 5 kilometers, with a walking route of about 2 kilometers, and a depth ranging from 200 to 500 meters. It is grand in scale and awe-inspiring in its majesty.

The lofty mountains, steep ridges, deep valleys, and flowing streams within the scenic area together form a perfect landscape painting. The deep and winding fissure canyon, with its towering cliffs, offers the thrill of exploring underground. The fissure and the nearby sinkhole are in close proximity, making it possible to visit both in a single day.

Business Information

1. Tiankeng (Natural Three Bridges) Hours: 09:00-16:00 Ticket (includes transfer fee & elevator fee): 135 yuan/person (March-October); 125 yuan/person (November-February).

2. Difeng (Longshui Gorge Crevice) Hours: 08:30-16:00 Ticket (includes transfer fee): 105 yuan/person (March-October); 85 yuan/person (November-February).

Outfit and Color Coordination Suggestions

1. Outfit
Here, a more dashing ancient-style attire is suitable. You can refer to the outfits from Mulan or The East Palace. The overall look can lean towards a martial arts style.

2. Color Grading
For post-processing, it is recommended to adjust the colors to a Morandi gray palette or a dark tone.

Step 1: Reduce the exposure of the photo.
Step 2: Increase the contrast and lower the black levels to add texture to the photo.
Step 3: Increase the shadows to brighten the underexposed parts of the photo.
Step 4: Use the color tool to enhance the richness of the colors and increase the natural saturation.
Step 5: Increase the clarity and dehaze to remove the hazy light and shadow effects.

Tiankeng Difeng Scenic Area Tour Route⬇️

  1. Enter the Tiankeng Scenic Area and take the sightseeing elevator down to the bottom of the sinkhole.

  2. Stroll along the tranquil path at the bottom of the sinkhole.

  3. Walk to the scenic area exit, with a section of uphill road along the way (you can also take an electric cart to the exit).

  4. Take an eco-friendly bus to Longshui Gorge Difeng (you need to purchase a Difeng ticket first to take the bus).

  5. Take the scenic elevator down to the mountainside.

  6. Descend step by step from the mountain wall to the bottom of the Difeng valley, following the rushing underground river, with occasional waterfalls cascading along the way.

  7. Continue along the mountain wall's plank road, passing through the cave area, where stalactites are densely distributed.

  8. Keep moving forward, and as the path winds, you will arrive at the canyon exit.

  9. At the scenic area exit, you can take a transfer bus back to the tourist center in Fairy Mountain Town.

2. Xiannv Mountain National Forest Park

Attraction Overview

Fairy Mountain National Forest Park boasts rare alpine grassland scenery in the south. Its forests, peculiar peaks, pastures, and snowfields are hailed by visitors as the "Four Wonders" of Fairy Mountain. Within the scenic area, forests and hills intertwine, and numerous cattle, sheep, and horses roam freely. Its picturesque landscape has earned it the title of "Little Switzerland" in Chongqing.

1. Ice and Snow City
Whether you drive or take a bus to enter the Fairy Mountain Scenic Area, the first attraction you will reach is the Ice and Snow City. Fairy Mountain Ice and Snow World boasts the largest indoor ski resort in Southwest China, with various functional zones catering to the needs of visitors of different preferences and age groups. It can accommodate up to 800 skiers simultaneously.

The camping base located opposite the Ice and Snow City is the most well-equipped camping site within the Fairy Mountain scenic area. It offers relatively complete facilities, including water and electricity supply, as well as restrooms and shower rooms.

2. Outdoor Sports Center
The Fairy Mountain Outdoor Sports Center is the hub of recreational activities in the Fairy Mountain Scenic Area. It is also the venue for past camping music festivals, where visitors set up tents. The center offers a variety of activities, including grass skiing, go-karting, bumper cars, live-action CS, and high-speed zip-lining.

3. Wooden Ladder Reception Center
The Wooden Ladder Reception Center is the essential stop for visitors heading to the prairie and the horse riding field. Here, visitors will board a small train to continue their journey. Ride the Thomas train to fly kites on the prairie, explore the magical squirrel park, stroll or gallop at the horse riding field, and hunt at the hunting grounds.

Business Information

1. Admission: Skiing 120 yuan/person/hour, Ice Sculpture 50 yuan/person.
2. Best Time to Visit: Summer, Winter
3. Park Train Hours: 08:00-17:00 (March 1st to October 31st), 09:00-16:00 (Other Times)

Fairy Mountain Travel Routes⬇️

【Summer 1-Day Tour】 Outdoor Sports Center  > Fairy Stone  > Sky Tower  > Fairy Pool  > Horse Racing Field  > Great Grassland  > Horse Walking Field and Hunting Ground

【Winter 1-Day Tour】 Ice and Snow City  > Great Grassland

Outfit and Color Matching Suggestions

1. Outfits

Winter: It's suitable to wear a white coat, white hat, and white gloves, which harmonize with the snowy scenery. Alternatively, you can take inspiration from the female lead in Love Letter and pair it with a black wool coat. In general, avoid overly bright colors.

Summer: You can go for a more fresh and light style.

2. Color Grading
If you are photographing a snowy scene, you can consider the direction of a Japanese-style snowscape, adjusting the light and colors accordingly.

Step 1: Appropriately increase exposure and contrast.
Step 2: Adjust the tone curve to create an S-shape.
Step 3: Fine-tune the white balance to make the photo warmer, and add some natural saturation and color grading.
Step 4: Fine-tune the blend of colors. If there are portraits, be sure to control the skin tone, reduce saturation, and increase brightness.

3. Classic 1-2 Day Itinerary for Wulong

Day 1 Chongqing - Fairy Mountain

Option 1: Depart from the City Center, Transfer at Wulong Railway Station/Bus Station

  1. Take a train from Chongqing to "Wulong Station"; then take a bus directly from Wulong Railway Station to the reception center in Xiannv Town, fare is 10 yuan, and the journey takes about 1 hour.

  2. Take a bus from Chongqing Sigongli Bus Station to Wulong Bus Station (recommended, buses depart frequently and leave quickly) (the railway station and bus station are about 1 km apart). At Wulong Bus Station, take a bus to Xiannvshan Town (Tourist Reception Center), fare is approximately 10 yuan/person, and the journey takes about 30-50 minutes.

  3. After arriving at the Xiannv Town Tourist Center via the above two options, you can take a scenic area transfer bus (8 yuan/person one way) to the entrance of the Xiannvshan Scenic Area.

Option 2: Depart from the City Center, Direct to Wulong District Tourist Reception Center From Longtousi Tourist Distribution Center to Xiannvshan Town Tourist Reception Center, the journey takes about 3.5 hours, and the price is approximately 75 yuan.

Option 3: Self-Driving From Chongqing, drive 140 kilometers along the Yu-Xiang Expressway to Wulong, then take the road to Xiannvshan for about 10 kilometers to arrive. For Chongqing-registered vehicles that have already paid the annual road and bridge fee, the toll is 85 yuan. From Fuling, drive about 90 kilometers along National Highway 319, following the Wujiang River upstream, with no tolls for the entire journey.

Day 2 Natural Three Bridges - Ground Fissure

After visiting Fairy Mountain on the first day, reserve the second day for the Natural Three Bridges and the Earth Crack.

Transportation within the Scenic Area: Take the elevator and the scenic area shuttle bus from the visitor center to the Natural Three Bridges (no additional fare required, included in the ticket); after exploring the Natural Three Bridges, there is a scenic sightseeing bus (15 yuan) near the exit, with a ride duration of about 5 minutes, or you can choose to walk; upon reaching the scenic area exit, take the scenic area shuttle bus to the Earth Crack (no additional fare required, included in the ticket), with a ride duration of about 15 minutes; after the visit, take the scenic area shuttle bus to the visitor center (free).