Qianjiang

A Tujia hub in the Wuling Mountains: the covered wind-and-rain bridge of Zhuoshui Ancient Town, boat rides through the Puhua underground river, the City Grand Canyon, Xiaonanhai Lake and Qianjiang's spicy chicken giblets.

Qianjiang District lies in the Wuling Mountains of southeastern Chongqing, bordering Enshi in Hubei and Xiangxi in Hunan. It is the transport hub of southeastern Chongqing and home to many Tujia and Miao people. Sights fall into three areas: in the south, the Zhuoshui scenic area (rated 5A), which includes Zhuoshui Ancient Town on the Apeng River, its covered wind-and-rain bridge and the Puhua underground river, with boat trips through the Shengui Gorge on the Apeng River further south; in the city, the Balahu City Grand Canyon, a rare karst gorge running right through town; and in the north, Xiaonanhai in Xiaonanhai Town, a lake formed by an earthquake-dammed river, and the Thirteen Tujia Villages. Shuicheping in the southwest, at about 1,200 m, is a summer retreat. The best time to visit is April–October; the gorges and underground river are pleasantly cool in summer, but watch for mountain rainstorms in the rainy season. Getting there: since the Chongqing–Xiamen High-Speed Railway opened, the fastest trains from central Chongqing reach Qianjiang Station in about 1 hour, and Qianjiang Zhoubai Airport also has flights. Sights are fairly spread out, so stay in the city or Zhuoshui and get around by car or with a hired driver. Allow 2–3 days: one day for Zhuoshui Ancient Town and the Puhua underground river, with the bridge lit up at night; one day for Xiaonanhai and the Thirteen Tujia Villages; and half a day for the City Grand Canyon. Must-try dishes include Qianjiang chicken giblets, beef with greens, steamed mutton bowls and potato rice cooked over a wood fire. Ticket prices and opening hours change often, so check official announcements.

Top sights

• Zhuoshui Ancient Town – A thousand-year-old Tujia trading town on the Apeng River. Its covered bridge over 300 meters long and bluestone old street form the heart…
• Qianjiang City Canyon – A rare karst canyon running through the city, with a valley-floor walkway, a 123-meter-tall cliff carving, and a glass bridge all within th…
• Puhua Underground River – A boat ride through a karst underground river, linked with the Tiansheng Three Bridges, the Great Funnel and Puhua Gorge. Part of the Zhuos…
• Shengui Gorge – A gorge boat route on the upper Apeng River, with cliffs, caves and more than twenty landscape formations. It is the signature canyon scene…
• Xiaonanhai Lake – A barrier lake formed when an 1856 earthquake triggered a landslide. It has islands and intact earthquake remains, and it is a national geo…
• Tujia Thirteen Villages – A cluster of Tujia villages in Xiaonanhai Town, with stilt houses and displays of Tujia intangible heritage, including Xilankapu brocade, H…
• Shuicheping – A summer resort at about 1,200 m elevation, with an old street, thousand-terrace fields, a thousand-year-old rattan king and Red Army sites…

Itineraries

• Southeast Chongqing, Wujiang River & Tujia Ancient Towns – A self-drive route connecting Wulong, Pengsu, Gongtan, Youyang, and Qianjiang to experience karst landscapes, the Wujia…