Liangping

Liangping is humid and hot in summer, so bring mosquito repellent even when visiting the bamboo sea.

Liangping in Chongqing is well suited to a relaxed short trip. It has cooling stretches of bamboo forest, historic temples, and distinctive local intangible-heritage foods. It is convenient to reach from Chengdu or central Chongqing, making it a good choice for a 2-day, 1-night weekend or short-holiday getaway.

Itinerary Planning

• Day 1: Zen-style Historic Architecture and Lakeside Sunset Views
  • Morning: After arriving in Liangping, visit Shuanggui Hall to experience the solemn atmosphere of this ancestral home of Zen Buddhism in southwest China, and take your time walking among the red walls, bamboo shadows, and old buildings.

• Afternoon: Go for a walk in Shuanggui Lake National Wetland Park, or rent a bike and ride around the lake. In the evening, head to the Guihu Sunset area and wait for the sun to go down.

• Evening: Eat at Liangwa Shishang Night Market or in the old town, trying local dishes such as Liangping stewed fatty intestine and zhuazhua chicken, and enjoy the everyday nighttime atmosphere of this small city.
• Day 2: Bamboo Sea Wandering and Intangible-Heritage Experiences
  • Morning: Drive to Baili Bamboo Sea. You can visit Shouhai or Guanyin Cave and try bamboo-raft drifting, or go to Lieshen Village to take part in bamboo-weaving handicrafts.

• Afternoon: Visit Huashi Ancient Fortress to try the cliff swing and glass sky bridge, and experience the dramatic setting where the old fortress meets the cliffs. You can also go to Wanshi Gengchun to see the giant rice-field paintings, then buy local specialties before returning.

Recommended Main Attractions

• Shuanggui Hall: First built in the Qing dynasty, this is the ancestral home of Zen Buddhism in southwest China and has a history of more than 350 years. The temple has tall ancient trees, well-preserved Ming- and Qing-style buildings, and red walls set against bamboo shadows. You can also experience the idea of “Zen and tea as one.” Tickets are about RMB 10–20.

• Baili Bamboo Sea: Ranked first among China’s five major bamboo seas, it covers 350,000 mu of bamboo forest. Guanyin Cave, Shouhai, and the Gate of the Bamboo Sea are the main visiting areas. It is ideal for escaping the summer heat, stream trekking, and camping. Tickets for some attractions range from RMB 25 to 50.

• Shuanggui Lake National Wetland Park: Known as Chongqing’s version of “Little Erhai,” it has a 9.9-kilometer lakeside path suitable for cycling and walking. The lake is broad, egrets are often seen, and the soft evening light makes it good for sightseeing and photos. Admission is free.

• Huashi Ancient Fortress: This military fortress built on sheer cliffs has a history of more than 200 years and is known as the “ancient fortress on the rocks.” In the scenic area, visitors can try the 888-meter high-altitude zipline, a 5D glass sky bridge, and a cliff swing. It suits travelers who enjoy thrilling activities and a martial-arts atmosphere. Tickets are about RMB 32–40.

• Wanshi Gengchun: This open rural landscape features giant rice-field paintings, a small rice-field train, and a haystack maze, making it suitable for family trips and photos.

Local Food Guide

• Liangping Zhang Duck: A century-old intangible-heritage brand, made by braising the duck first and then roasting it. The skin is crisp, the meat is dry-fragrant without being tough, and even the bones are flavorful. It also makes a good souvenir.

• Liangping Stewed Fatty Intestine: A common local specialty. Fresh pork intestine is stewed until soft, tender, and flavorful, with a clean taste. It is often served with a secret red chili oil and taro, and goes well with rice.

• Dongmen Li Duck Zhuazhua Chicken: The chicken is braised first, then fried, torn apart with a special tool, and mixed with more than ten seasonings plus raisins. The flavor is spicy with a hint of sweetness, and it becomes more fragrant as you chew. It works well as a side dish with a meal or with drinks.

• All-Bamboo Banquet: A specialty banquet available in Baili Bamboo Sea, centered on bamboo-related ingredients such as bamboo fungus, fresh bamboo shoots, and bamboo “bird’s nest.” Cooking methods include steaming, boiling, pan-frying, and deep-frying.

• Yuanyi Dried Tofu: An intangible-heritage food with a history of 150 years. The dried tofu has a firm, chewy texture and comes in common flavors such as spicy, five-spice, and barbecue. It is suitable as a snack on the road.

Accommodation and Transport Guide

• Transport:
  • High-speed rail: Take a train from Chongqing North Station to Liangping South Station. The journey takes about 1 hour, and tickets cost around RMB 49. After leaving the station, you can take a taxi or rent a car to reach the attractions.
  • Self-driving: From central Chongqing or Chengdu, take the G42 Shanghai–Chengdu Expressway. The drive takes about 2–2.5 hours. Liangping’s attractions are relatively spread out, so driving is more convenient.
• Accommodation:
  • Bamboo Sea guesthouses: You can choose the starry-sky camping RV base inside Baili Bamboo Sea, or the bamboo-tube-style guesthouses in Lieshen Village. These are suitable for visitors who want to experience the bamboo-sea environment up close.
  • City hotels: You can also stay near Shuanggui Lake or the high-speed rail station, such as Vienna International Hotel. Transport is convenient, there are many dining options nearby, and overall value for money is relatively good.

Practical Tips

• What to wear: There are many mosquitoes and insects in the bamboo sea and wetland park, so carry mosquito repellent. The steps at Huashi Ancient Fortress are quite steep, so non-slip athletic shoes are recommended. Pushing a stroller inside is not advised.
• Best time to visit: July and August are suitable for escaping the heat in the bamboo sea. October and November are the harvest season for Liangping pomelos, when you can experience the pomelo-picking festival.
• Signal note: Mobile signal is weak in some parts of Baili Bamboo Sea, so it is recommended to download offline maps before setting out.
• Buying local specialties: When buying Liangping pomelos, look for those from Hexing Town. Zhang Duck and zhuazhua chicken can be vacuum-packed by the shop for easy takeaway.