Fengjie

Fengjie is hot in summer, so be sure to protect yourself from the sun when hiking or sightseeing along the river.

Fengjie combines gorge-and-river scenery with a rich cultural heritage. You can take in the grand view known as “Kuimen, the Greatest Gate Under Heaven,” and also feel the rhythm of everyday life in the county’s streets and alleys. The itinerary below can serve as a reference for a first visit to Fengjie.

Recommended Core Attractions

• Three Gorges Summit: At 1,388 meters above sea level, this is a high vantage point in the Three Gorges area of the Yangtze River. From the top, you can look out over the full 8-kilometer stretch of Qutang Gorge, and also see the mountain-and-water composition used for the Kuimen scene on the back of the 10-yuan RMB note. The summit is cooler than the county town, but the sun is strong, so it is best explored along the viewing walkways.
• Baidi City · Qutang Gorge: This area is connected with historical and literary memories such as Liu Bei entrusting his heir and Li Bai’s line “My light boat has passed ten thousand mountains.” During your visit, you can take the free shuttle boat from Zhongyi Wharf to the opposite bank, see monkeys and view Qutang Gorge, then enter Baidi Temple for a visit. Going down from the back gate is relatively less tiring.
• Little Red Boat: Taking a boat into Qutang Gorge lets you enjoy the mountains on both banks in the river breeze. The gorge scenery is most concentrated in the first third of the route. The boat has air conditioning, making it suitable for visitors who do not want to spend a long time hiking.
• Dry Kuimen: There is no admission fee here, and the scenery is open and expansive. The area is known for its alpine meadow landforms. Along the way, you can also pass Tianjingtai Difeng and Longhe Bridge. There are relatively fewer visitors, making it suitable for self-driving or a chartered car. In summer, it is also a good option for playing in the water and cooling off.

Suggested Itinerary

Two-Day Trip (relaxed pace)

• Day 1: In the morning, take a high-speed train from Chongqing North to Fengjie Station. After exiting the station, take the direct scenic-area shuttle to Three Gorges Summit. Around noon, spend time at the summit viewing platform. In the afternoon, take the sightseeing bus down the mountain, then transfer to a bus to Baidi City. Return to the county town in the evening to try yanzi chicken, and later take a walk along Shicheng Road to enjoy the night view by the river.
• Day 2: In the morning, take a bus to Baidi City and allow enough time for a more complete visit. Have a simple lunch in the scenic area. In the afternoon, you can choose to take the Little Red Boat through Qutang Gorge, or go to Dry Kuimen to escape the heat. Take the high-speed train back in the evening.

One-Day Trip (compact schedule)

• Take an early high-speed train, around 6:40, to Fengjie, then take the direct shuttle to Three Gorges Summit. After going down the mountain at noon, transfer to Baidi City and connect with the 13:30 in-depth Qutang Gorge cruise. After the trip ends around 4 p.m., go directly to the high-speed railway station for the return journey. Note that a same-day round trip is physically demanding. In summer, you can consider arranging only the cableway and cruise to reduce walking time.

Must-Try Food Recommendations

Transport and Accommodation

• Getting there: Take a high-speed train from Chongqing North Station to Fengjie Station. The journey takes about 1 hour 40 minutes, and tickets cost around 130 yuan. After arrival, you can transfer to a direct scenic-area shuttle or a local bus, making it fairly convenient to reach the main sightseeing areas.
• Local transport: To get to Three Gorges Summit, you can take the direct shuttle bus, 30 yuan per person, or share a car. To Baidi City, you can take bus 402 or 403, 5 yuan. It is recommended to buy direct shuttle tickets in advance through the “Yukexing” mini program.
• Accommodation: Consider staying near the Binjiang International business district or Buyun Street. These areas are close to the Little Red Boat pier and also serve as bus starting points, with relatively convenient dining and transport. Prices are about 100–200 yuan per night.

Things to Note

• Heat and sun protection: Fengjie is quite hot in summer. Baidi City is at a low elevation, and the perceived temperature can reach 40°C. Prepare sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun umbrella, and Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid. Three Gorges Summit is higher in elevation and feels slightly cooler, but sun protection is still necessary.
• Hiking gear: If you plan to hike Three Gorges Summit, wear non-slip shoes and bring trekking poles and knee pads. Mountain roads are slippery on rainy days, so hiking is not recommended then.
• Transport choices: Be cautious when choosing vehicles soliciting passengers outside scenic areas. Shared rides usually cost 15–30 yuan; if the price is clearly above this range, pay extra attention. Before going down the mountain, you can contact a driver in advance to reduce uncertainty from last-minute bargaining.
• Ticket reservations: Tickets for Baidi City and Three Gorges Summit can be bought on site, but advance online booking is recommended during holidays. After August, the Little Red Boat costs about 50 yuan, and tickets can be bought on site.