Yunyang

A thrilling glass skywalk over the Longgang sinkhole, the Zhang Fei Temple with its "Clear Breeze over the River" inscription, Yunyang's riverside staircase city in the Three Gorges, and the Pu'an dinosaur fossil wall in a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Yunyang County lies in northeastern Chongqing, in the heart of the Three Gorges Reservoir area, between Fengjie to the east and Wanzhou to the west. Many residents were relocated for the Three Gorges Dam: the old county town was submerged when the reservoir filled, and the new town climbs the hillside on the north bank of the Yangtze. In 2025 Yunyang was designated a UNESCO Global Geopark, with the Longgang sinkhole and the Pu'an dinosaur fossil wall as its two highlights. Spring and autumn (Mar–May, Sep–Nov) are the best seasons; summers by the Yangtze are muggy, so head up to the highlands of Qingshui, where Longgang is located, to cool off.

Areas to explore: ① The county town — the Three Gorges Staircase City's grand stairway, Panshi Fortress, the Three Gorges Cultural Relics Park, Yunyang Museum and the riverside and lakeside greenway, with the Zhang Fei Temple across the river; all doable in a day; ② Pu'an Township — the dinosaur fossil wall site museum, about 30 km from town; ③ Qingshui Tujia Township in the south — the Longgang sinkhole, the Cloud Skywalk, the Shisun River loop and the Qishan meadows; plan to stay a night there.

Getting there: Yunyang Station on the Zhengzhou–Chongqing High-Speed Railway is about 1.5 hours from Chongqing North; Yangtze cruise ships also stop at the Zhang Fei Temple. From the county town to Longgang is about 90 km of mountain road, roughly 2 hours by car, with dedicated tourist buses in peak season. Allow 2–3 days. Local food to try includes Yunyang noodles, taopian walnut cakes and Yangtze river fish. Tips: the Longgang area has steep, winding roads and frequent fog, and the skywalk closes in strong winds or thunderstorms; check official announcements for ticket prices and opening hours.

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