Date of Visit: 31 Oct – 12 Nov 2019
Central and Western China
Chongqing 重庆 is well-known for its economic success as part of the fourth municipality to be under the direct administration of the Chinese central government and is the only inland municipality in central China. The famous Three Gorges of the Yangtze River have gone through dramatic changes as a result of the construction of the Three Gorges Dam. Zhangjiajie is the magical place that inspires the floating mountains scenes in the film “Avatar”. Sichuan 四川 is known to be the home of the lovely giant pandas.
Is it feasible to visit Chongqing, Three Gorges, Zhangjiajie, and Chengdu 成都 in Sichuan, all in a short single trip?
That was my motivation for planning independent travel in China to include these 4 destinations in Central and Western China.
Independent Travel in China
What is exciting about independent travel is that you get to decide the itinerary that is very specific and very personal to suit your travel needs and objectives.
Independent travel requires you to spend a lot of time doing your research about the journey and the destinations. Because you put in some much time before your travel, you will probably know a lot more about your journey and your destinations even before you start your journey.
Planning a travel itinerary involves making choices about what to include and exclude from a long list of destinations, sights, and experiences. It is about making the best of your travel time and travel budget, and maximising your travel experience and enjoyment.
Spend the least to see and experience the most.
If you have zero knowledge of the Chinese language, independent travel in China can be quite challenging, especially when you are in rural or remote areas. However, travelling in major Chinese cities may not be a huge problem because these days a lot of young Chinese in major cities speak some English. As well, and thankfully, bilingual signage for roads, metro train stations, and tourist spots are commonly seen in major Chinese cities.
You can always approach travel agents operating in China to help you plan your itinerary and give you advice on independent travel in China.
If you have a simple knowledge of the Chinese language and Chinese culture, then you will find it very easy to get around in China and you will enjoy an independent travel experience in China.
A 2-week Central and Western China Itinerary
If you have only 2 weeks and would like to visit Central and Western China, you may follow an itinerary that includes Chongqing as the arrival and departure point either by flight or by train.
As a transportation centre, Chongqing is well-connected with many international cities and with other Chinese cities by domestic flights and trains.
Start Point of the itinerary: Chongqing 重庆 > 4-day-3-night-650km downstream Yangtze River Cruises 长江游轮 > End Point of Yangtze River Cruises: Three Gorges Dam 三峡大坝 near Yichang 宜昌 > 5-hour train from Yichang 宜昌 to Zhangjiajie 张家界 > 3-day in Zhangjiajie Scenic Area 张家界风景名胜区 > 10-hour train from Zhangjiajie 张家界 to Yichang 宜昌 then to Chongqing 重庆 > 3-day in and around Chongqing 重庆 > 1-day in Chengdu 成都 > End Point of the itinerary: Chongqing 重庆.
Central and Western China travel blogs
On arrival in Chongqing, I had 1 overnight stay in Chongqing and boarded the 4-day-3-night-650km downstream Yangtze River Cruises the next day at Chaotianmen harbour 朝天门码头.
Read more about the 4-day-3-night-650km downstream Yangtze River Cruise.
Yangtze River Cruise ended at Three Gorges Dam near Yichang. I then boarded a 5-hour train from Yichang 宜昌 to Zhangjiajie 张家界.
Read more about the 3-day visit to Zhangjiajie: Tianmen Mountain 天门山 and Zhangjiajie Scenic Area 张家界风景名胜区.
I then boarded trains from Zhangjiajie to Yichang, then from Yichang back to Chongqing. Total train rider time was 10 hours.
I had 4 overnight stays in Chongqing and visited sights and destinations around Chongqing, as well as visited Chengdu by China High-Speed Rail (HSR) Network 中国高铁网 on a day trip without an overnight stay.
Read more about the 4-day trip in and around Chongqing and a day trip in Chengdu.
In concluding remarks, this 2-Week Central and Western China itinerary was a very compact one but it is one with good value for money and for time well spent.
It fits well the objective: Spend the least to see and experience the most.
Check out “Travel and Destinations Blogs” for more travel blogs on a wide range of destinations from popular, exotic, and unique to obscure.
Chongqing 重庆 is the start point of Yangtze River Cruises 长江游轮 that sail through the Three Gorges 三峡 of the Yangtze River 长江 and the cruise ends at Three Gorges Dam 三峡大坝.