Southeast Chongqing, Wujiang River & Tujia Ancient Towns

A self-drive route connecting Wulong, Pengsu, Gongtan, Youyang, and Qianjiang to experience karst landscapes, the Wujiang River, and Tujia and Miao ethnic towns.

This is a well-established self-drive route for locals. Leave the downtown area via the Chongqing-Hunan Expressway, loop through the heart of the Wujiang River and Wuling Mountains, and return. The first part features the World Heritage karst landscapes, the middle section offers stays in Gongtan's stilt houses and Zhuoshui's Wind and Rain Bridge, and the final leg returns via the expressway from Qianjiang. The mountain roads have many curves but the daily driving distances are manageable, making it suitable for couples or friends with driving experience. Hong'an in Xiushan is bypassed to avoid a rushed drive on the final day.

Drifting on the Ayi River is mostly open in summer. Watch out for falling rocks on mountain roads during the rainy season.

Day by day

Day 1 · Downtown to Wulong to See the Three Bridges

Wulong（Wulong Three Natural Bridges、Longshuixia Canyon）

Drive from the downtown area along the G65 for about 2.5 hours to Fairy Mountain. After parking, take the scenic area shuttle to the Three Natural Bridges and the Longshuixia Fissure Gorge.

Leaving early helps avoid the peak morning queues at the scenic area entrance.

Stay: Xiannüshan Town

Day 2 · Fairy Mountain & Furong Cave

Wulong（Xiannüshan National Forest Park、Furong Cave、Furong River）

Explore the grassland in the morning, then drive down the mountain to Furong Cave in Jiangkou (about 1 hour). Stay overnight in Jiangkou Town.

Stay: Jiangkou Town

Day 3 · Jiuli City & Ayi River

Pengshui（Chiyou Jiuli City、Ayi River）

Drive from Jiangkou via the expressway to Pengshui (about 1.5 hours). Visit Jiuli City, then drive to the Ayi River (about half an hour). Stay overnight inside the scenic area.

Reservations are required for drifting on summer weekends. Bring a change of clothes.

Stay: Ayi River Scenic Area (Niujiaozhai)

Day 4 · Along the Wujiang River to Gongtan Ancient Town

Youyang（Gongtan Ancient Town、Apeng River (Youyang)）

Drive from the Ayi River along the G211 toward the Wujiang River to Gongtan (about 2.5 hours). Some sections have narrow bends. Explore the ancient town in the afternoon.

Stilt-house inns have limited rooms; book in advance during peak seasons. Enjoy the night views of the Wujiang River.

Stay: Gongtan Ancient Town Old Street

Day 5 · Taohuayuan & Youzhou Ancient City

Youyang（Youyang Peach Blossom Land、Youzhou Ancient Town）

Drive from Gongtan to Youyang County (about 70 km, 1.5 hours). Taohuayuan (Peach Blossom Spring) and the ancient city are adjacent and can be explored on foot.

Stay: Youyang County Seat (Taoyuan Subdistrict)

Day 6 · Zhuoshui Ancient Town & Puhua Underground River

Qianjiang（Puhua Underground River、Zhuoshui Ancient Town）

Drive from Youyang along the G65 to the Zhuoshui Interchange (about 1 hour). Take a boat through the underground river, return to the ancient town, and view the Wind and Rain Bridge at night.

Stay: Zhuoshui Ancient Town

Day 7 · City Grand Canyon & Return

Qianjiang（Qianjiang City Canyon） → Central Chongqing

Drive from Zhuoshui to Qianjiang urban area (about half an hour). After visiting the Grand Canyon, take the G65 back to the downtown area (about 3 hours).

The G65 heading back to the city can get congested on holiday evenings; it is best to depart in the early afternoon.