Chengdu, Chongqing, Wulong & Zhangjiajie 7-Day Connection

Connect panda-filled Chengdu, the mountain city of Chongqing, Wulong's sinkholes, and Zhangjiajie's sandstone pillars by high-speed rail to experience the best of Southwest China in one go.

This is a popular Southwest China connection route for inbound tourists and long holidays. It starts in Chengdu and ends in Zhangjiajie, avoiding backtracking. Stays at each destination are brief and the pace is fast, using high-speed rail and chartered cars to minimize travel time. The advantage is seeing four distinct types of landscapes in a week, while the downside is that each stop is just a brief taste. It is suitable for first-time visitors who want to see as much as possible in limited time; those wanting an in-depth experience should visit the regions separately. Note that the Tianmenshan Cableway undergoes occasional maintenance, so confirm schedules in advance.

Queues can be very long in Wulingyuan during summer and autumn holidays, and visibility is low on rainy or foggy days.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in Chengdu & Night Tour of Jiuyan Bridge

Chengdu（Chunxi Road / Taikoo Li、Anshun Bridge & Jiuyanqiao）

After arrival, check into a hotel around Chunxi Road. Walk or take a taxi to Anshun Bridge in the evening (about 15 minutes).

Stay: Chunxi Road · Taikoo Li

Day 2 · Panda Base & Wuhou Shrine

Chengdu（Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding、Wuhou Shrine & Jinli Street、People's Park & Heming Teahouse）

Take a taxi to the Panda Base in the morning (about 40 minutes). In the afternoon, take the metro or a taxi to Wuhou Shrine and People's Park.

Pandas are more active in the morning; book tickets in advance.

Stay: Chunxi Road · Taikoo Li

Day 3 · High-Speed Rail to the Mountain City & Half-Day Tour

Central Chongqing（Three Gorges Museum、Liziba Monorail Station、Eling Park & Eling Erchang、Hongyadong）

Take a high-speed train to Chongqing in the morning (about 1.5 hours). Take Rail Transit Line 2 to Liziba and Eling, and visit Hongyadong in the evening.

Stay: Jiefangbei · Hongya Cave

Day 4 · Wulong Sinkholes & Fissure Gorge

Wulong（Wulong Three Natural Bridges、Longshuixia Canyon）

Take a chartered car or high-speed train to Wulong (within 3 hours). Use the sightseeing buses and elevators inside the scenic area; expect a lot of walking.

Staying in the county town is convenient for visiting Furong Cave and catching the high-speed train the next day.

Stay: Xiangkou Town (Wulong County Seat)

Day 5 · Furong Cave & High-Speed Rail to Zhangjiajie

Wulong（Furong Cave） → Zhangjiajie

In the morning, take a chartered car to visit Furong Cave. In the afternoon, head to Wulong South and take a high-speed train to Zhangjiajie (about 2–3 hours), then transfer to Wulingyuan.

Train services from Wulong to Zhangjiajie are limited; check 12306 before finalizing your plans.

Stay: Wulingyuan Town (Wujiayu)

Day 6 · Yuanjiajie & Tianzi Mountain

Zhangjiajie（Ten-Mile Gallery、Bailong Elevator、Wulingyuan / Yuanjiajie、Tianzi Mountain）

Use the mini-train, Bailong Elevator, and sightseeing buses inside the Forest Park. After taking the cableway down the mountain, take a taxi to the downtown area (about 1 hour).

Staying in the downtown area makes it easier to head up Tianmen Mountain the next day. Plan your luggage transfers in advance.

Stay: Zhangjiajie City Center (Yongding)

Day 7 · Tianmen Mountain & Departure

Zhangjiajie（Tianmen Mountain、Tianmen Cave & Heaven-Linking Avenue）

Take a taxi to the Tianmen Mountain Cableway Station. The visit takes about 5–7 hours. After descending, it takes about 20 minutes to the airport or railway station.

The cableway route may change during maintenance; allow plenty of time before your flight.