2-Day Best of Chongqing Tour: City Highlights & Dazu Rock Carvings

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Chongqing City Exploration
   Immerse Yourself in Bayu Culture & Marvel at Surreal Modern Landscape

   Welcome to Chongqing, the famous “mountain city” in China. Meet your private guide at the hotel and embark on a tour of Ciqikou Ancient Town, a thousand-year-old cultural block showcasing old Chongqing. Wander along the stone-paved alleys lined with stilt houses from Ming and Qing dynasties. Visit traditional academies dating back to the Qing Dynasty and taste local snacks like crispy twisted dough sticks and spicy Sichuan skewers. Walk to the Jialing River for a glimpse of the old dock.

   Step into the Three Gorges Museum to learn more about Ba-Yu culture and the Three Gorges culture. The museum houses tens of thousands of cultural relics, including the Bashu bronzes and the Han Dynasty artifacts.

   Just a few steps away, you'll see the People’s Assembly Hall, which resembles the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.

   Head to Liziba to witness Chongqing’s most unique sights—a light rail train running right through a residential building. The guide will show you the best photography spots.

   Climb to the top of Eling Park, one of Chongqing’s best urban viewpoints for panoramic views of the city and the magnificent scenery of the Jialing River and Yangtze River. It’s also an ideal spot to catch the sunrise or sunset.

   Watch Hongya Cave light up after dark. The classic panoramic photo is typically taken from across the street. At Jiangtan Park, you can capture Hongya Cave, Qiansimen Bridge, and cruise ships in a single frame.

   Explore the unique stilted houses of Hongya Cave filled with restaurants, snack streets, bars, cafes, and local specialty shops. Enjoy a magnificent view of the confluence of two rivers from the viewing platform on the top floor.

   Photography Tips：

   Illumination time of Hongya Cave: May–September: 8:00 PM; October–April: 7:30 PM

   If it’s Saturday, you can enjoy a spectacular drone show:

   • Starting time: 8:30 PM
   • Duration: 20 minutes
   • Location: Core Area of Chongqing’s Two Rivers and Four Banks
   • Recommended Viewing Spots: L4/L6 Viewing Platform of Changjiahui Shopping Park & Chongqing Planning Exhibition Hall for a full view of the illuminated drone formations.

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   4-Star Hotel in Chongqing
2. Day 2: Chongqing Side Trip to Dazu Rock Carvings
   Admire the Splendid Buddhist Art in Dazu Rock Carvings

   Drive about 2 hours to the Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to the 9th-13th centuries, this masterpiece of Chinese grotto art is renowned for its grand scale, exquisite carvings, and excellent preservation.

   Your visit begins at Baodingshan. The sightseeing bus will take you to Dafowan, where nearly 10,000 statues are carved into the cliff of a U-shaped valley. It took over 70 years to complete. The highlights include:

   • Thousand-armed Guanyin: China’s largest cliff carving that combines carving, gilding, and colored painting. Its 830 hands spread out in a magnificent fan shape.
   • Reclining Buddha: A 31-meter-long statue, perfect for photos.
   • Six Realms of Reincarnation: A giant Dharma wheel enclosed by a demon.

   Move on to Xiaofowan and Shenshou Temple. Lastly, visit the Dazu Rock Carvings Museum to learn about the site and the history of grotto art around the world.

   After the tour, your guide will transfer you to the airport, train station, or pier for departure.

   Travel Tips:

   • If time and energy permit, you can also visit Beishan. Though smaller than Baodingshan, it offers more exquisite Song dynasty statues, especially the Guanyin Statue. With fewer tourists, it allows you to appreciate the grottoes at a leisurely pace.
   • Wear a light-colored long dress for photos. There are many paths and steps, so comfortable walking shoes are also needed.

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