Rongchang
A small city on the Sichuan–Chongqing border that went viral in 2025 for its braised goose, with Wanling Ancient Town, Antao Pottery Town and ramie cloth; visitor numbers surge on holidays.
Rongchang District lies in western Chongqing, bordering Neijiang and Luzhou in Sichuan, and serves as a gateway between Sichuan and Chongqing on the Chengdu–Chongqing corridor. Known in ancient times as Changzhou, it is also nicknamed the "Land of Fragrant Begonias" because its begonias are scented. It has three national intangible cultural heritage items: Rongchang pottery, Rongchang ramie cloth weaving and the Rongchang pig. Rongchang braised goose has a history of more than 300 years; after going viral online in 2025, the city drew over 350,000 visitors in a single day during the May Day holiday. Sights fall into three areas: the city center spreads along the Laixi River, where Xiabu (Ramie Cloth) Town is a district built in Ming–Qing style, with a history and culture exhibition hall and an evening Piglet Market, and it's the go-to spot for braised goose, yellow jelly noodles and Rongchang pugai noodles; Antao Pottery Town in Anfu Subdistrict, about 15 km west of the city, where you can watch pottery being made and browse Taobao Old Street; and Wanling Ancient Town (Lukong Ancient Town), about 12 km north of the city on the Laixi River, with Darong Fortress, the Huguang Guild Hall and Erya Academy. Gufo Mountain to the south is Rongchang's highest peak, and Longchang in Sichuan, about 30 km west, has a group of stone memorial archways that are a major national heritage site. The best seasons are March–May and September–November; summers are muggy. Holidays are very crowded, with queues at braised goose shops, so try to avoid peak times. Getting there: Rongchang North high-speed rail station is about 40 minutes from Chongqing West and about 1 hour from Chengdu East, and free tourist shuttles link the main sights on holidays. Allow 1–2 days: one day for Xiabu Town and Wanling Ancient Town, and a second for Antao Pottery Town.
Top sights
- Wanling Ancient Town – A Ming and Qing-era ancient town on the Laixi River, recognized as one of China's Famous Historical and Cultural Towns, with well-preserved…
- Antao Pottery Town – The home of Rongchang pottery, one of China's Four Famous Pottery Styles, with a pottery museum, century-old kilns, handicraft workshops an…
- Xiabu Linen Town – A Ming- and Qing-style historic district on the Laixi River in the city centre, with the Rongchang History and Culture Exhibition Hall and…
- Laixi River (Rongchang Urban Section) – Riverside promenades and parks line the Laixi River as it runs through Rongchang's urban area, perfect for an evening stroll and night view…
- Gufo Mountain – The highest peak in Rongchang, at about 711 metres, with a temple and hiking trails. Tung trees bloom in April, and the views reach over th…
- Longchang Stone Archways – A group of Qing-dynasty stone archways in Longchang, Sichuan, concentrated at the South and North Gates and listed as a national key cultur…
Where to eat
- Sanhui Goose Palace (Rongchang Branch) – Chongqing heritage restaurant famous for Rongchang braised goose, opposite the Rongchang Sports Center, offering braise…
- Huang'er Chicken Soup Pugai Noodles (Main Branch) – Beloved Rongchang breakfast spot for pugai noodles, with rich chicken broth, zhajiang topping and wide, chewy noodle sh…