National Day Travel Guide to Chongqing: Ultra-Epic Must-Visit Spots

The National Day holiday is just around the corner—are you already itching to hit the road? As the top internet-famous magical 7D city, Chongqing hides breathtaking autumn scenery just waiting for you to explore. This ultra-epic National Day travel guide covers seven classic Chongqing spots—save it now and get ready to go right away！

Spot 1: Chongqing Nanchuan Jinfo Mountain

Does the name Jinfo Mountain make you think of Buddha right away? Usually, when we think of Buddha, we imagine golden radiance or giant stone statues. But in Nanchuan’s Jinfo Mountain, the mountain *is* the Buddha, and the Buddha *is* the mountain. Don’t find it strange—step into Jinfo Mountain, and you’ll see the Buddha nature in everything, along with world-class karst landscapes like table mountains and the highest-altitude cave clusters.

Earth’s movements shaped Jinfo Mountain’s terrain, so you could say its scenery is entirely nature’s gift. Visiting Jinfo Mountain during National Day means neither too hot nor too cold—just perfect weather. Walk along the mountain trails, take in the rolling peaks all around, and gaze at the towering, rugged cliffs in the distance. The unique geological features will definitely leave you in awe of nature’s craftsmanship.

Jinfo Mountain’s four stunning sights: Buddha’s halo, sea of clouds, sunrise, and sunset glow. There are also stalactites, but Jinfo Mountain is different—it’s also home to important historical evidence of ancient cave nitrate mining for gunpowder production.

The scenery is enchanting enough, and you can also see historical relics. Most importantly, National Day is peak season for harvesting square bamboo shoots—so you absolutely can’t miss Jinfo Mountain. If you’re traveling with kids, the rare plants and animals here will delight them—definitely add it to your itinerary.

Address: Jinfo Mountain Scenic Area, Nanchuan District, Chongqing

Ticket: 80 RMB per person

Opening Hours: All day, 08:00–18:30 (last entry at 16:00)

Recommended Visit Duration: 1–2 days

Spot 2: Chongqing Nanchuan Shenlong Gorge

Is Shenlong Gorge named after a dragon? Well, yes—but it’s just a legend. “Legend has it that Yinyin Dam suffered from constant drought due to a demon’s mischief. The Dragon King’s youngest son came to slay the demon, bring rain, and fell in love with a local girl. In the end, they retired to the deep mountains.” That deep mountain is today’s Shenlong Gorge.

Does Shenlong Gorge lose its charm without rafting? No way. This pristine ecological canyon offers surprises you won’t expect. You can hike in from the scenic area entrance or take a sightseeing bus, but once you reach the gorge entrance, it’s all on foot. The temperature inside the gorge is slightly cooler, so bring an extra layer. Don’t miss the Linyin Lake and Feilong Waterfall—Linyin Lake has an inner and outer section, each with its own beauty. Stroll along the lakeside path for pure tranquility, while Feilong Waterfall (as its grand name suggests) is the largest and most spectacular waterfall in the gorge, with water cascading down impressively.

When you visit Shenlong Gorge, don’t miss the Zesheng Corridor for a “walk on clouds” experience—a truly magical journey. As the essence of Chinese travel goes: “Since you’re already here...” Be sure to visit Liangyi Square to pray for blessings. The square features an enshrined Shenlong Tripod—toss a coin into it to pray for peace and happiness. When seeking good fortune, this is an experience you can’t skip in Shenlong Gorge.

Address: Yong’an Village, Nanping Town, Nanchuan District, Chongqing

Ticket: 90 RMB

Opening Hours: All day, 08:30–16:30 (last entry at 16:00)

Recommended Visit Duration: Half-day to 1 day

Spot 3: Chongqing Pengshui Ayi River

On National Day, head to Pengshui’s Ayi River and become a Jia’Ayi (or A’Lang). Here, there’s a Miao love ballad and the legendary romance of Ayi and A’Lang. Visit, and you’ll also feel the warmth of Miao hospitality. At Ayi River, enjoy seven thrilling activities—this National Day, you’re guaranteed non-stop fun.

First, take the Ayi River “Sky Ladder,” a 180-meter descent into the valley, and experience the thrill of reaching the bottom from the blue sky in just one minute. Then try the heart-pounding daredevil rock climbing—will the gorge’s cliffs make your legs shake?

Crossing the Qinglong Bridge is no small challenge—test your courage here. Explore the canyon’s depths too—the west-east gorge stretches five kilometers, perfect for a hiking adventure. Ayi River might make you think of Miao girls on bamboo rafts, and yes, you can ride one too, listening to laughter and songs. Don’t forget to meet a Jia’Ayi and even sing a duet with her—it’s super fun.

The canyon is full of caves, and Ayi River is no exception. Unique geological wonders await inside the caves. At night, experience a one-of-a-kind bonfire party by the river—the visual spectacle is unforgettable.

Address: Baixiang Village, Hanjia Town, Pengshui Miao-Tujia Autonomous County, Chongqing

Ticket: 70 RMB per person

Opening Hours: All day, 08:30–18:00 (last entry at 16:30)

Recommended Visit Duration: 1–2 days

Spot 4: Chongqing Pengshui Wu River Gallery

The name "Wujiang Gallery" sounds poetic right from the start, conjuring up images of a beautiful scroll painting in one’s mind. The Wujiang River is long, and the scenery along its banks is richly varied—but the stretch from Yanhe in Guizhou to Pengshui in Chongqing is the most unique!

This is the most stunning scenic wonder within Chongqing, and you simply must find a chance to see it for yourself. You may have seen many galleries, but you’ve probably never seen a real-life landscape gallery—let alone one that spans a whole hundred miles!

To enjoy the Wujiang Gallery, you can only go by boat. On this journey, there’s no need to trek on foot, and you can snap some “tourist photos” on the classic-style cruise ship to post on social media and make others envious. As the boat glides along, you’ll see the bizarre mountains and rocks along the shore, the perilous shoals and ancient towns, covered bridges and towpaths, as well as mysterious hanging coffins. Every spot is a view, and the onboard guide will reveal the secrets of each place. With this boat ride, your destination is nothing short of a paradise on earth.

Address: 150m along Provincial Highway 304, Pengshui Miao-Tujia Autonomous County, Chongqing

Ticket prices: One-way 150 RMB/person, round-trip 225 RMB/person, premium tour 120 RMB/person

Opening hours: All day, 09:00–17:00

Recommended visiting duration: 0.5–1 day

Check-in Spot 5: Chongqing Yubei Tongjing Scenic Area

Located at the Tongjing Hot Springs in central Chongqing, you don’t need to avoid peak travel times during National Day and won’t have to worry about being stuck in traffic for hours—you can get here in just a few dozen kilometers. The Tongjing Hot Springs are located within a national 4A-level scenic area, so you can soak in the springs while enjoying beautiful natural scenery. How relaxing is that!

Most importantly, the hot springs are outdoor ones, surrounded by flowers and fruit trees, offering a truly natural hot spring experience right in the mountains. There are both hot and cold springs here—I actually heard about cold springs for the first time. If the temperature isn’t too low during National Day, it’s worth giving them a try. Change out of your autumn clothes, put on your swimsuit, walk past the indoor spa area, and step into the hot spring pools. The water is crystal clear, the temperature is comfortable, and with a bit of sunlight shining down, it’s actually kind of adorable. After soaking, you can head to the kayak park to paddle around for some exercise—recreation and leisure all in one.

But the most exciting part has to be the monkeys. Who would’ve thought there’d be wild macaques in the city? Is this Chongqing’s version of Hell Valley Hot Springs, a paradise for monkey bathing? Actually, no—the monkeys here don’t bathe. What’s really rare is seeing them cross the river in groups.

Not far from the hot springs, you can also try bungee jumping. If you have a lot on your mind, experiencing that rush of adrenaline might just help clear things up—even if the questions don’t get answered. Is it really that magical? You’ll have to try it to find out.

Address: No. 66, Jingquan Road, Yubei District, Chongqing

Ticket price: 148 RMB/person

Opening hours: 08:30–24:00 (last entry at 22:30)

Recommended visiting duration: 0.5 day

Check-in Spot 6: Chongqing Beibei Jindaoxia (Golden Knife Gorge)

If Tongjing Hot Springs is within the main urban area, then Jindaoxia is the closest of these seven recommended spots to the city center—just 70 kilometers away. You’ve probably heard of the Tiankeng Difeng (Heavenly Pit and Earth Crack), but Jindaoxia is also a crack in the earth—an original karst canyon nature reserve.

Within the scenic area, you can take a cable car for part of the journey, but you’ll still need to walk along the plank roads. There are 7 kilometers of plank paths in the area, and because it’s a canyon, walking them feels super adventurous. Although you can also go rock climbing and try the famous stream descending in summer, in winter there are still over forty attractions to explore—including the thrilling Horror Platform and Hidden Blade Cave—and a V-shaped canyon waiting for you to conquer. During your adventure, there’s a section where you can take a small boat across, and the riverside views are deep and captivating. It’s not a long ride, but it’s hard to say goodbye.

The Golden Knife Gorge is also home to some wild monkeys—the first ones you’ll encounter in the canyon. But remember, they’re wild, so don’t bring food if you want to see them, to avoid any risk of them snatching it and causing harm. This National Day, bring your family and friends, get back to nature, and go exploring in Jindaoxia.

Address: No. 1, Xiaotang Village, Jindaoxia Town, Beibei District, Chongqing

Ticket price: 80 RMB/person

Opening hours: All day, 08:00–18:00 (last entry at 16:00)

Recommended visiting duration: 3–6 hours

Check-in Spot 7: Happy Valley Chongqing

Make the most of your Golden Week with the kids and take them on a fun family trip. Dolphin shows, royal circus performances, the Happy Little People’s Land, and getting up close to lions, giraffes, and even feeding tigers in the wildlife park—safe interactions with wild animals that are perfect for children. It’s educational, great for bonding, full of fun, and totally reliable. Your child has been asking to go to the zoo for ages—this National Day, make it happen.

It’s recommended to visit the wildlife park first to see the animal friends, then head to the amusement park for rides—that way, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the rides. In the wildlife park, you can take a feeding vehicle inside and let your child experience feeding chickens to tigers—it’s super thrilling. Animals will gather around the vehicle, combining excitement with wonder. It’s best to go in the morning when the animals are hungrier and more likely to take the food. Once you get out of the vehicle, you’ll see the adorable African elephants, and nearby there’s a little square full of sika deer and gazelles—why go all the way to Nara when you can get close to deer with just a carrot? Keep walking and you’ll see all kinds of animals, and you might even spot the internet superstar—the pelican.

In the amusement park, you have to try the 10-loop roller coaster, King Kong, the rapids ride... They’re all must-dos and will absolutely give you an incredible thrill.

Address: No. 999, Fenglongchang, Yongchuan District, Chongqing

Ticket price: 230 RMB/adult, 180 RMB/child (includes wildlife world viewing & commentary, one bus ride, amusement rides, and select performances)

Opening hours: 09:30–17:30

Recommended visiting duration: 2 days

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