Wanzhou, Yunyang, Fengjie & Wushan High-Speed Rail Three Gorges
Travel east along the Zhengzhou-Chongqing High-Speed Railway to explore the peaceful lakes, Longgang Sinkhole, Kuimen, and the Lesser Three Gorges by land.
Skip the large cruise ships and explore the Three Gorges reservoir area using high-speed rail combined with scenic area shuttles or local chartered cars. This route offers flexible stays and allows you to visit places cruises cannot reach, such as Longgang and the Peak of Three Gorges. The pace is moderate, with four hotel changes. Fengdu and Xiling Gorge are bypassed to focus your time on the highlights within Chongqing. In autumn, this trip can be timed with the Wushan red leaves, making it perfect for second-time visitors to Chongqing or travelers who prefer land routes.
The best time for Wushan red leaves is from late November to December. The riverside can be very hot in summer.
Day by day
Day 1 · High-Speed Rail to Wanzhou to See the Lake
Wanzhou（Chongqing Three Gorges Migration Memorial、Xishan Park & Clock Tower、Wanzhou Riverside Night View）
Take a high-speed train from Chongqing North to Wanzhou North (about 1.5 hours), then take a taxi to the riverside area (about half an hour). Attractions can be reached on foot or by short taxi rides.
Try Wanzhou grilled fish for dinner. The riverside night view is best enjoyed after dark.
Stay: Binjiang Road · Wanda
Day 2 · Wanzhou Grand Waterfall to Yunyang
Wanzhou（Wanzhou Grand Falls (Qinglong Waterfall)） → Yunyang（Zhang Fei Temple (Yunyang)、Three Gorges Stair City）
In the morning, take a chartered car to the Grand Waterfall (about 1 hour). In the afternoon, take a high-speed train to Yunyang (about half an hour), then take a taxi into the city to visit Zhang Fei Temple and the Ladder City.
Allow at least 2 hours for the waterfall and about 40 minutes for Zhang Fei Temple.
Stay: Yunyang New County Seat
Day 3 · Longgang Sinkhole & Cloud Lounge Bridge
Yunyang（Longgang Tiankeng & Cloud Corridor、Qingshui Tujia Township）
Take a scenic area shuttle or chartered car from Yunyang Station to Longgang (about 2 hours). Explore the scenic area via sightseeing buses and walking. Stay overnight in Qingshui Township.
Allow at least 4 hours for the scenic area. Last entry is around 16:00.
Stay: Longgang Qingshui Tujia Ethnic Township
Day 4 · Transfer to Fengjie & Visit White Emperor City
Wushan & Fengjie（Baidicheng & Kuimen (Qutang Gorge)、Qutang Gorge、Return to the Three Gorges (Live Show)）
Take a chartered car from Qingshui Township to White Emperor City in Fengjie (about 2 hours). Visit White Emperor City in the afternoon, and take a round-trip boat tour into Qutang Gorge (about 1.5 hours).
Boat trips into Qutang Gorge are infrequent, with the last trip usually in the afternoon. Confirm the schedule beforehand.
Stay: White Emperor City and Kuimen
Day 5 · Peak of Three Gorges to Wushan
Wushan & Fengjie（Peak of the Three Gorges）
Take a chartered car up to the Peak of Three Gorges (about 1 hour) and explore for about 4 hours. After descending, take a bus or high-speed train to Wushan (about 1 hour).
The cableway may close on rainy days. The mountain roads are not recommended for novice self-drivers.
Stay: Wushan County Town
Day 6 · Lesser Three Gorges & Mini Three Gorges
Wushan & Fengjie（Lesser Three Gorges (Daning River)、Wushan Museum）
Board a boat from the Wushan Visitor Center to pass through Longmen Gorge, Bawu Gorge, and Dicui Gorge, then transfer to a smaller boat to enter the Mini Three Gorges (about 5–6 hours in total).
Scheduled boat times can vary across sources; call the scenic area in advance to confirm.
Stay: Wushan County Town
Day 7 · Goddess Sky Road for Wu Gorge Views
Wushan & Fengjie（Shennü Sky Road、Wu Gorge & Goddess Peak）
In the morning, take a sightseeing bus up to the Goddess Scenic Area (about 2–3 hours). In the afternoon, head to Wushan Station and take a high-speed train back to Chongqing (within 3 hours).
The scenic area stops admitting visitors relatively early in the afternoon, so it is best to go in the morning.