Discover the Wulong Karst Region with this 2-day itinerary; ideal for travellers on their way from Chongqing to Zhangjiajie. See dramatic stone bridges, deep sinkholes, and vast caves while keeping transport and timing simple.
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Why Visit Wulong Karst
Wulong Karst National Geology Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Chongqing municipality. The region is known for unique limestone formations which include the Three Natural Bridges, Longshuixia Gorge, Fairy Mountain and Furong Cave.
It’s quiet but accessible, making it a perfect nature stop before exploring Zhangjiajie’s sandstone peaks. See our full Wulong Karst Region guide here.
Day 0: Arrive from Chongqing + Furong Cave
We’ve decided to call this Day 0 as it’s an optional add-on to your visit to Wulong. Depending on when you arrive or depart, this is a great half day activity to include in your itinerary. This is exactly what we did on our own visit after arriving by train from Chongqing.
Morning: Chongqing to Wulong by high-speed train
Start your journey early from Chongqing. The most direct way is to take a high-speed train from Chongqing North Station to Wulong Railway Station, which takes about 2 hours. Upon arrival, take a taxi or bus to your hotel in Wulong Town or the Fairy Mountain tourist area (40 minutes). Check into your hotel to drop off your bags, and find somewhere local for an early lunch.
Afternoon: Visit Furong Cave and cable Car over Furong River
Head to Furong Cave, located about 20km from Wulong Town. This massive limestone cave is famous for its “Palm-shaped Stalagmite”, underground rivers, stalactites and colourful lit-chambers. You can reach it by a local bus or a short taxi ride from the Wulong bus station. Make sure to bring a light sweater and wear non-slip shoes.
| Activity | Duration | Cost |
| High speed train from Chongqing to Wulong Station* | 2-2.5 hours | 25 CNY (4 USD) |
| Local transport to accommodation | Wulong Station is located within Wulong Town | – |
| Lunch | – | 30 CNY ( USD) |
| Local transport to Furong Cave Ticket Office^ | 40 mins + 20 mins (from Wulong Town) | 24 CNY (4 USD) |
| Cable car over Furong River to Furong Cave entrance | 20 minutes | 70 CNY (10 USD) |
| Furong Cave (Opening hours 8:30 – 17:00) | 2 hours | 80 CNY (12 USD) |
| Local transport back to accommodation^ | 20 mins + 40 mins (to Wulong Town) | 4 CNY (0.6 USD) |
Where is Wulong South Station*
Our guide is based on arrival into Wulong Station which is located in Wulong Town. Since our own visit, there is now a high-speed train from Chongqing to Wulong South Station (武隆南站) which opened in July 2025. This journey can take as little as 40 minutes depending on your departure station and is located about a 20 minute drive outside of Wulong Town. High-speed train tickets from Chongqing to Wulong South cost about 70-120 CNY (10-18 USD).
Local transport to Furong Cave ^
Unfortunately there is no direct route from Wulong Town to Furong Cave. From Wulong Station, you can take the 201 Bus for 4 CNY (0.6 USD) towards the terminal stop. It will look like you’ve just been dropped off in the middle of nowhere which isn’t far from it. On a small building there is a sign in Chinese with a mobile number that you call to hail the local minivan that will take you up to the ticket office. The cost was about 20 CNY (4 USD) for a round trip.
Day 1: Three Natural Bridges + Longshuixia Gorge
If you only had one full day in Wulong, this would be it. We’ve grouped these two places together because they represent the best of the Wulong Karst Region and are closely located to each other, so they’re typically done in sequence.
Morning: Explore the Three Natural Bridges
Make your way to the Wulong Karst Tourist Centre in Fairy Mountain Town (Xiannvshan Town). Here you can purchase your tickets and take the tourist shuttle bus included in your ticket to the Three Natural Bridges Scenic Area.
Once you arrive, follow a path to a giant glass elevator that takes you down into the gorge to walk under the massive stone arches. The paths are clearly marked and paved all the way through the scenic area, leading you through stone arch bridges and misty valleys.
You’ll also see the beautiful, traditional Tianfu Official Post House nestled at the bottom, this is likely the place that you’ve seen in photos.
Afternoon: Wander through Longshuixia Gorge
After lunch, catch the shuttle bus from the exit of the Three Natural Bridges directly to Longshuixia Difeng. This is a deep, narrow “fissure” in the earth. You’ll walk along boardwalks pinned to the canyon walls, passing powerful waterfalls and lush greenery. It’s a bit of a steep walk, but incredibly atmospheric.
| Activity | Duration | Cost |
| Local transport to Wulong Karst Tourist Centre | 40 minutes (from Wulong Town) | 10 CNY (2 USD) |
| Shuttle bus to the Wulong Karst Scenic Area | 20 minutes | Included in ticket |
| Three Natural Bridges (Opening hours 9:00 – 17:00) | 2-3 hours | 125 CNY (18 USD) |
| Shuttle bus onwards to Longshuixia Gorge | 15 minutes | Included in ticket |
| Lunch | – | Options are limited so we recommend to BYO lunch |
| Longshuixia Gorge (Opening hours 9:00 – 17:00) | 2-3 hours | 105 CNY (15 USD) |
| Shuttle bus back to Wulong Karst Tourist Centre | 20 minutes | Included in ticket |
| Local transport back to accommodation | 40 minutes (to Wulong Town) | 10 CNY (2 USD) |
Day 2: FAiry Mountain + Depart for Zhangjiajie
Unfortunately the weather wasn’t great on the final day of our visit so we decided to skip to Fairy Mountain. While we personally didn’t do this attraction, here’s how you can arrange a visit to the alpine grasslands of Fairy Mountain (Xiannvshan).
Alternatively, if you’re short on time you could skip the visit to Fairy Mountain and head directly to Zhangjiajie in the morning to visit the National Forest Park in the afternoon.
Morning: Go to Fairy Mountain (Optional)
Head up to Fairy Mountain National Forest Park. It’s a total contrast to the gorges – think high-altitude alpine meadows, grazing horses, and pine forests. It’s often much cooler here, making it a great escape. You can take a tourist bus from the same Xiannvshan Tourist Center. Once inside, there’s a little sightseeing train that can take you between the main meadow areas.
Afternoon: Depart for Zhangjiajie
Enjoy a final local lunch (the “Lamb Bowl” is a local specialty!) before heading back down to the Wulong Railway Station for your onwards train to Zhangjiajie. Tip: Arrive at station 30 minutes early, Book soft sleeper for more comfort. Check out train options here.
| Activity | Duration | Cost |
| Local transport to Wulong Karst Tourist Centre | 40 minutes (from Wulong Town) | 10 CNY (2 USD) |
| Shuttle bus to Fairy Mountain | 30 minutes | Included in ticket |
| Fairy Mountain (Opening hours 8:30 – 17:00) | 2-4 hours | 50 CNY (7 USD) |
| Fairy Mountain Small Sightseeing Train | – | 25 CNY (4 USD) |
| Shuttle bus back to Wulong Karst Tourist Centre | 30 minutes | Included in ticket |
| Local transport back to accommodation | 40 minutes (to Wulong Town) | 10 CNY (2 USD) |
| High speed train from Wulong Station to Zhangjiajie | 4 hours | 45-173 CNY (6-24 USD) |
Why Continue to Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie is home to what is arguably the most famous natural landscapes in China: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Avatar Mountains). It is also home to Tianmen Mountain and the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge.
Wulong and Zhangjiajie pair well for a nature-filled China itinerary. if you’re interested in seeing more nature in China, check out our blog on hiking Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan.
how to book a hotel in wulong Town
Most people stay in the town of Wulong (like us!). This is the most central location if you want to see all the attractions and is also where the train takes you. Otherwise, you can also stay out near Fairy Mountain Town, but you’ll need to get an additional transfer from the station.
For accommodation, we used Trip.com. You can expect to pay around 100-200 CNY (14-28 USD) per night for a private room, budget accommodation. Typical of the area, most hotel/hostels will only have squat toilets. Call it part of the cultural experience if you will.
Short on time: Chongqing Wulong Day Trip Itinerary
For an efficient day trip from Chongqing to Wulong, the high-speed train is your best friend. Aim for an early departure (around 7:30 AM) from Chongqing North Railway Station to Wulong Station. The journey takes about 2 hours and costs roughly 40-60 CNY.
Once you arrive, ignore the aggressive private drivers and take a 30 minute taxi or Didi to the Wulong Karst Tourist Centre (仙女山游客中心) in Fairy Mountain Town. The bus will be cheaper (approx. 10 CNY, 2 USD) but this will take about 40 minutes.
From this central hub, you can hop on the internal shuttle buses that run directly to the Three Natural Bridges and Longshuixia Gorge. Most independent travellers can comfortably fit these two iconic sites into a single day before catching a return train around 7:00pm.
Just remember to book your train tickets a few days in advance via Trip.com, as they frequently sell out during the peak season!
Practical Travel Tips
- Best time to visit: Spring (Mar–May) or Autumn (Sep–Nov)
- Weather: Cool mornings, warm afternoons. Dress in layers.
- Language: Few English signs—download a translation app
- What to bring:
- Sturdy shoes
- Jacket for caves/gorges
- Snacks for remote areas
- Budget: 800–1,200 CNY (110–170 USD) per person for 2 days
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