Situated in Wulong District, Chongqing, the Wulong Karst Tourism Area is a world-class destination renowned for its rare and diverse karst landscapes, including caves, sinkholes, fissures, canyons, peak clusters, and alpine grasslands. Beyond its geological marvels, the area offers a wealth of recreational activities—from adventure sports to cultural immersion in the traditions of the Tujia, Miao, and Gelao ethnic minorities. Designated a National AAAAA Tourist Attraction in 2011, the tourism area encompasses three iconic sites: the Three Natural Bridges, Fairy Mountain, and Furong Cave.
Key Attractions
- 1.Furong River Scenic Area
Spanning 35 kilometers along the Furong River from Zhuzixi to its confluence with the Wu River in Jiangkou Town, this national-level scenic area covers 152.8 km², with a core zone of 23.92 km². Characterized by carbonate karst formations, it combines the grandeur of the Furong Cave system with the dramatic cliffs and pristine waters of the Furong River Gorge. A haven for sightseeing and water sports, it also integrates conservation efforts for the endangered Francois' langur.
- 2.Furong Cave
A UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, National AAAAA Tourist Attraction, and hailed as "China’s Most Beautiful Cave," Furong Cave stretches 2.7 kilometers and is celebrated for its vertical shafts—the largest cluster of its kind globally—and its pristine, diverse speleothems. Professor Zhu Xuewen, President of the China Caves Association, lauds it as "a resplendent underground art palace and a scientific treasure trove." Visitors dub it the "Number One Cave Under Heaven." In 2007, it joined the Three Natural Bridges and Houping Tiankeng in earning World Heritage status, marking Chongqing’s first and China’s only cave-focused natural heritage site.
- 3.Fairy Mountain National Forest Park
This AAAAA-rated alpine wonderland spans 8,910 hectares, with an average elevation of 1,900 meters and peaks reaching 2,033 meters. Dubbed the "Oriental Switzerland" for its lush grasslands, rare snow-capped forests, and serene landscapes, it complements the karst wonders of Furong Cave, Furong River, and the Three Natural Bridges to form Chongqing’s premier tourist destination. With temperatures 15°C cooler than downtown Chongqing, it’s also known as the "Summer Palace of the Mountain City."
- 4.Three Natural Bridges
A geological marvel and Asia’s largest natural bridge cluster, this AAAAA-rated site features three colossal limestone arches—Tianlong Bridge, Qinglong Bridge, and Heilong Bridge—carved by nature over millennia. Located 20 km southeast of Wulong, the bridges epitomize the raw power and beauty of karst terrain, with their majestic scale, perilous cliffs, and serene valleys.
New Highlight (2022): The Tianlong Spiral Elevator, a 360-degree rotating glass lift imported from Germany, now offers breathtaking views. Standing 135.85 meters tall, it ascends 115 meters at 3 m/s, allowing visitors to panoramically admire the World Heritage-listed bridges.
- 5.Longshuixia Fissure Gorge
Formed by tectonic shifts millions of years ago, this 5-kilometer-long, 200–500-meter-deep karst canyon near Fairy Mountain features narrow fissures, sheer cliffs, and lush vegetation. Divided into three sections—Entrance Fissure, Midway Cave Passage, and Exit Gorge—it immerses hikers in an otherworldly subterranean realm.
