Best Places to Visit in Chongqing: Chongqing Central Area, Wulong, Wushan

If you think Chongqing is all about Chongqing hotpot, Chongqing noodles, and those surreal mountain pathways, you're greatly mistaken. This historic and culturally rich city holds countless secrets you might not know—every district and county has its own unique tourist attractions waiting to be discovered. Following are the best places to visit in Chongqing.

Top 1: Chongqing Central Area

Chongqing is located in the southwestern inland region of China, a place of picturesque mountains and rivers. It is not only renowned as a "Fog City", and "Bridges City", but also is most famously known as the "Rivers City" and "Mountain City". You could use every beautiful word you can think of to describe it—charming, vibrant, and ever forward-moving—these are the impressions people often have of this city.

The central urban area of Chongqing enjoys a uniquely advantageous geographical location, surrounded by mountains on all sides and situated at the confluence of Yangtze River and Jialing River. The Jialing River runs from the northwest to the southeast through the city, dividing it into two parts. Here, mountains and rivers intertwine, and the harmony between city and nature adds an endless allure to Chongqing. Ancient Bayu-style residences and modern skyscrapers, together form a stunning urban landscape.

The central urban area consists of nine districts, with Yuzhong District being the most popular. Located at the geographical center of Chongqing's urban core, Yuzhong serves as the city's hub of economy, fashion, and trends. The Liberation Monument commercial district in Yuzhong is one of the "Top Ten Commercial Streets in China", showcasing the city's bustling energy. Attractions like Hongya Cave, People's Auditorium, and Liziba Station also add charm and vibrance to the district. Beyond Yuzhong, you'll find Ciqikou Ancient Town in Shapingba District, Chongqing Zoo in Jiulongpo District, and Danzishi Old Street in Nan'an District—each brimming with the distinctive character of Chongqing.

Top 2: Wulong

Wulong District is located on the southeastern edge of Chongqing, in the lower reaches of the Wu River, where the Wuling and Dalou mountain ranges converge. It borders Pengshui to the east and Guizhou Province to the south, and lies 128 kilometers from Chongqing's central urban area. Wulong has long been known as the "Screen Door of Chongqing and Guizhou", and is hailed as a dazzling gem along the thousand-mile-long Wu River. Situated in a folded zone where the Wuling and Dalou mountains meet, the region features deep hills and river valleys, with the landform described as "seven parts mountains, one part water, and two parts farmland", and boasts striking karst landscapes.

Nature's masterful craftsmanship has earned Wulong the title of a World Natural Heritage site. Fairy Mountain National Forest Park is lush with dense forests and filled with the essence of the wild. The Three Natural Bridges area features crisscrossing valleys and awe-inspiring stone arch formations, with a number of natural bridges ranking among the most in Asia. Furong Cave is grand and geologically pristine, known as the cave with the most types of sedimentary formations in the world—truly a natural treasure. The Houping Tiankeng cluster features unique geological characteristics, combining forests, bamboo groves, caves, and sinkholes, with numerous cave temples scattered throughout the area.

Top 3: Wushan

At the easternmost point of Chongqing, the Yangtze River flows eastward from here toward the East China Sea. Along its path lie three major gorges, collectively known as the Three Gorges. Among them, Qutang Gorge is entirely within Chongqing, while Wu Gorge starts in Chongqing and extends into Hubei before reaching Xiling Gorge. The towering mountains of the Three Gorges face each other across the river, narrowing to less than a hundred meters at their tightest point.

In a broader sense, "Wushan" refers to the Wushan Mountain Range—a chain of peaks stretching north to south along the eastern edge of the Sichuan Basin, where Hubei, Chongqing, and Hunan converge. However, nowadays, when people mention Wushan, they are typically referring to Wushan County in Chongqing.

Wushan County, under the jurisdiction of Chongqing, sits in the heart of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area. It spans both banks of the Yangtze River at Wu Gorge, borders Baidicheng in Fengjie to the west, and faces Hubei's Shennongjia to the north. Wushan is home to the Yangtze Three Gorges, with gorges and river views of as the representative; the Small Three Gorges, known for adventure, leisure, and rafting; and the renowned Wushan Twelve Peaks, featuring the famed Goddess Peak that invite exploration.

Top 4: Dazu

In the southwestern corner of the Bayu region lies a magical and enchanting land—Dazu. Like a radiant pearl, it exudes a unique charm where history and modernity intertwine. With its prosperous landscapes and cultural richness, Dazu quietly awaits visitors from all over the world to step into its picturesque scene.

Dazu District is located in the western part of Chongqing, bordering Yongchuan to the southeast and Sichuan Province to the northwest. It lies in the hilly area of the Sichuan Basin and features a terrain characterized as "six hills, three mountains, and one plain". Dazu was established in the Tang Dynasty, whose name carrying the auspicious meaning of "great abundance and prosperity". From the late Tang through the Song Dynasty—a span of nearly 400 years—Dazu served as the administrative center of Changzhou Prefecture. Known for the saying "Crabapple blossoms are scentless across the world, except for those in Dazu's prefecture", it earned the reputation as the "Fragrant Land of Crabapples". It is also home to Chongqing's only UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site—the Dazu Rock Carvings.