万盛经开区 — The Outdoor Adventure Capital of Chongqing
Wansheng Economic Development Zone (万盛经济技术开发区), about 100 kilometers south of Chongqing's city center, is the region's premier destination for outdoor adventure and natural beauty. Nestled in the rugged foothills of the Dalou Mountain Range, Wansheng boasts two of Chongqing's most spectacular natural attractions: the Heishan Valley (黑山谷) — a deep, forested gorge with crystal-clear streams and towering cliffs — and the Dragon Scale Stone Forest (龙鳞石海), a surreal landscape of karst rock formations that resemble dragon scales. The area's cool mountain climate (summer temperatures rarely exceed 28°C) makes it a favorite summer escape for Chongqing residents escaping the city's notorious heat.
Wansheng has also emerged as Chongqing's adventure sports hub, with world-class facilities for mountain biking — including the "China Mountain Bike Summit" track, a 10-kilometer professional course that has hosted national competitions — as well as ziplining, rock climbing, and high-altitude rope courses. The "Wansheng Sports Park" (万盛体育公园) offers activities ranging from go-kart racing to a 200-meter-long bungee swing. After a day of adventure, visitors can soak in the natural hot springs of "Yongcheng Hot Springs" (永城温泉), a series of geothermal pools set among bamboo groves. With its combination of stunning natural scenery, adrenaline-pumping activities, and relaxing thermal waters, Wansheng offers a complete escape from urban Chongqing.
Heishan Valley (literally "Black Mountain Valley") is Wansheng's crown jewel — a spectacular 11-kilometer-long gorge that cuts through the limestone mountains like a knife wound. The valley floor follows the clear, rushing waters of the Heishan River, with towering cliffs rising 300–500 meters on either side. A network of walkways and suspension bridges allows visitors to explore the valley's depths: the "Ten-Mile Canyon Walkway" (十里峡谷栈道) hugs the cliff face, suspended over the rushing water below, while the "Cloudy Bridge" (云雾桥) is a 200-meter-long suspension bridge that sways gently 80 meters above the riverbed. The valley is at its most dramatic on misty days, when clouds roll through the cliffs and the lush subtropical vegetation — ferns, bamboo, and ancient trees — emerges from the fog like a scene from a fantasy novel.
The valley is divided into two main sections: the "Upper Valley" (上谷) features the most dramatic cliffs and waterfalls, including the 60-meter "Flying Waterfall" (飞瀑) that cascades directly onto the walkway; the "Lower Valley" (下谷) is wider and more open, with crystal-clear pools perfect for a summer dip (in designated areas). The entire valley is teeming with wildlife — keep an eye out for the "Chinese Giant Salamander" (中国大鲵) in the clearer pools, and listen for the distinctive calls of golden pheasants echoing through the forest. There is a cable car that runs from the valley entrance to the upper section (¥50 one-way), saving you 2 hours of uphill walking. A full exploration of the valley takes 4–6 hours. Wear waterproof shoes — the walkways can be slippery, and you'll cross several small waterfalls along the way. Admission is ¥110 per person.
The Dragon Scale Stone Forest is a surreal geological wonderland covering 3 square kilometers — a vast field of karst rock formations that resemble the overlapping scales of a mythical dragon. Formed over 500 million years ago when this area was submerged under a prehistoric ocean, the limestone has been eroded by wind and rain into fantastical shapes: towering stone pillars that resemble giant mushrooms, flat-topped "tables" that seem too perfectly balanced, and deep crevices that create a labyrinth of stone corridors. The most famous formation is the "Dragon King's Throne" (龙王宝座), a 20-meter-high stone chair that locals believe was used by the Dragon King to survey his domain. The formations take on an otherworldly quality in the late afternoon when long shadows stretch across the stone field, and at sunset when the rocks glow golden.
A well-marked 3-kilometer walking trail winds through the stone forest, with informational plaques (in Chinese and English) explaining the geological history. The trail passes through several remarkable features: the "Sky-Splitting Crack" (一线天) is a narrow fissure between two massive stone walls, just 1 meter wide at its narrowest point; the "Stone Labyrinth" (石阵迷宫) is a section where the formations are so densely packed that it's easy to lose your sense of direction; and the "Fossil Field" (化石区) displays ancient marine fossils embedded in the rock, a reminder of the area's underwater past. The park also includes a small museum (¥10 extra) with exhibits on karst geology and local paleontology. The site is less crowded than the famous stone forests of Yunnan, making it a more peaceful experience. Admission is ¥80 per person, and 2–3 hours is enough to explore the entire area.
Wansheng has earned its reputation as Chongqing's mountain biking capital with this world-class track, which hosted the China Mountain Bike Championships in 2019 and 2023. The main track is a 10-kilometer technical course that winds through pine forest and over rocky terrain, with 300 meters of elevation change, sharp switchbacks, and banked corners designed for competitive-level racing. The course is divided into difficulty levels: the "Blue Trail" (3 km, beginner-friendly) follows a gentle forest path with wide turns; the "Red Trail" (5 km, intermediate) adds technical sections with roots and rocks; and the "Black Trail" (2 km, advanced) is a steep, rocky descent that demands serious skill. Bike rentals are available at the park entrance (¥30–80 per hour depending on bike quality), and protective gear (helmet, knee pads) is included.
Beyond mountain biking, the sports park offers an impressive range of adventure activities. The "Sky Zipline" (云端滑索) is a 600-meter-long zipline that descends from a hilltop platform across the valley floor, reaching speeds of up to 60 km/h (¥60). The "High Ropes Course" (高空探险) features 20 different obstacles at heights of 3–12 meters, including rope bridges, wobbly platforms, and a 100-meter-long "Flying Fox" roller (¥50). For those who prefer ground-based activities, there's go-kart racing on a 1.2 km track (¥30 per 5-minute session) and a large archery range (¥20 for 20 arrows). The park also has a camping area with tent rentals (¥80 per tent) for those who want to spend the night under the stars. A full day of activities costs ¥150–200 per person. The park is open 9:00–18:00 and is located 3 km from Wansheng town center (free shuttle from the central bus station).
After a day of hiking and biking, there is no better place to recover than the Yongcheng Hot Springs, a collection of natural geothermal pools nestled in a bamboo forest valley 12 kilometers from Wansheng town. The spring water emerges from the earth at 52°C and is rich in minerals — including sulfur, calcium, and magnesium — that are believed to have therapeutic properties for muscle pain, skin conditions, and circulation. The resort has 25 pools of varying temperatures (38–45°C), set among winding stone paths, traditional pavilions, and flowering gardens. The "Bamboo Grove Pool" (竹影池) is the most atmospheric: a large, circular pool surrounded by groves of moso bamboo that sway gently in the mountain breeze, creating a dappled pattern of light and shadow on the water's surface.
The hot spring resort also features several wellness amenities. The "Herbal Pool Zone" (药浴区) has pools infused with traditional Chinese herbs — ginseng, ginger, mugwort, and chrysanthemum — each with specific health benefits. The "Aqua Fitness Pool" features submerged treadmills and resistance jets for gentle water exercise. A full-service spa offers massage (¥180 for 60 minutes), foot reflexology (¥80), and traditional Chinese cupping therapy (¥120). Between soaks, you can relax in the steam room, dry sauna, or the "Tea Lounge" (茶室) overlooking the bamboo groves. The resort also has a restaurant serving "hot spring cuisine" — dishes cooked using the geothermal water, including hot spring eggs (boiled in the mineral water, ¥5 each) and "Spring Water Hotpot" (温泉火锅) using the mineral-rich water as the broth base (¥88 per person for a set meal). Day pass: ¥98 (weekday), ¥128 (weekend). Open 10:00–22:00.
The Wansheng Olympic Sports Park is a massive 120-hectare complex that serves as the outdoor sports hub of the region. The park was built to commemorate Wansheng's designation as a "National Sports Town" (全国体育城镇) and features an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a 15,000-seat athletics stadium, and numerous outdoor sports fields. The most impressive feature is the "Sky Walk Glass Bridge" (天空玻璃桥) — a 2-meter-wide glass-bottomed walkway that extends 100 meters from the hillside, suspended 150 meters above the valley floor. Stepping onto the transparent glass with the forest canopy far below is a vertigo-inducing experience that has become one of Wansheng's most popular photo spots. The bridge is free with park entry (¥30 total).
The park offers a wide range of sports and recreational activities beyond the glass bridge. The "Climbing Wall Center" (攀岩中心) has a 15-meter-high indoor wall with routes for all skill levels (¥40 for a session with equipment). The "Outdoor Fitness Zone" (户外健身区) is a free, open-air gym with pull-up bars, parallel bars, and balance equipment scattered through the forest. The park also has a "Roller Sports Track" (轮滑场) for inline skating and a "BMX Pump Track" for beginners learning to ride BMX bikes. The park's "Sports Museum" (体育博物馆) showcases the history of sports in Wansheng, including displays on local Olympic athletes and the evolution of mountain biking equipment. The park is open 8:00–21:00 and is located 5 km from the town center (free shuttle bus or taxi ¥10).
The forests around Wansheng are rich in wild mushrooms, and the local specialty is a hotpot made entirely from freshly foraged fungi. The broth is prepared by simmering chicken bones with dried porcini, morels, and bamboo fungus for 4–6 hours, creating a deep, earthy stock that is utterly different from the chili-oil hotpots of Chongqing city. At the table, you cook a platter of fresh seasonal mushrooms: "pine mushrooms" (松茸) from the high-altitude forests, "oyster mushrooms" (平菇) cultivated in local caves, and "shaggy ink caps" (鸡腿菇) that grow wild along the valley paths. The dipping sauce is a simple mix of soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, and fresh chili — designed to complement, not overpower, the mushroom flavors. The best restaurant is "Wansheng Yexiang Restaurant" (万盛野香园) near the bus station, where a hotpot set for 2–3 people costs ¥108. The restaurant also offers "Mushroom Picking Experience" (采菌体验) in the nearby forest (April–October, ¥50 per person with guide).
Wansheng's high-altitude farmers have a tradition of smoking pork using local techniques that date back centuries. Fresh pork belly is first marinated in a mixture of salt, Sichuan peppercorns, and local rice wine for 5 days, then hung above a smoldering fire of pine branches and camphor wood for 2 weeks. The result is a dark, intensely flavorful bacon with a distinctive woody aroma. The smoked pork is typically sliced thin and steamed with pickled mustard greens (an excellent combination), or stir-fried with garlic shoots and dried chili peppers. The most famous purveyor is "Lawei Wang" (腊味王) on the main street — a small shop that has been smoking pork for 40 years. A 500g piece costs ¥48 and makes an excellent cooking souvenir. Many local restaurants also offer "Mountain Smoked Pork Claypot Rice" (高山腊肉煲仔饭) for ¥22 — the rendered fat from the pork soaks into the rice, creating an intensely savory dish.
Cold mountain streams provide some of the cleanest freshwater fish in the region, and restaurants near Heishan Valley specialize in serving them simply and freshly. The most prized catch is "Mountain Trout" (山鳟鱼) — a small, pink-fleshed fish that lives only in the cleanest rivers. The fish is typically steamed with ginger and scallions (清蒸) to preserve its delicate flavor, or deep-fried whole until crispy (酥炸) for a satisfying crunch. Another local favorite is "Stone Patted Fish" (石头鱼) — small stone-dwelling fish that are battered and fried, then stir-fried in a spicy sauce with dried chilies and peanuts. The fish is served on a bed of crisp lettuce leaves, and you eat it like a wrap: a piece of fish, some rice, and a dash of chili sauce, all folded into the lettuce. The best place is "Heishan Yu Zhuang" (黑山鱼庄) right at the valley entrance — a meal for two with three dishes costs ¥80–100.
The bamboo forests of Wansheng produce some of the finest bamboo shoots in Chongqing, and local chefs have developed an entire cuisine around them. Spring shoots (March–May) are tender and sweet; winter shoots (December–February) are denser and more flavorful. The feast includes: "Cold Bamboo Shoot Salad" (凉拌竹笋) — thin strips of blanched bamboo shoot tossed in sesame oil, chili, and coriander; "Bamboo Shoot Braised Pork" (笋干烧肉) — dried bamboo shoots slowly braised with pork belly until the shoots absorb the meat juices; and "Bamboo Shoot Soup" (竹笋汤) — a clear broth with bamboo shoots, winter melon, and dried scallops. The best place to experience this is "Zhu Yuan" (竹园餐厅), a restaurant near the Dragon Scale Stone Forest built entirely of bamboo. A 6-dish bamboo shoot feast for 4 people costs ¥168. The restaurant also sells dried bamboo shoots (¥30–50 per bag) for cooking at home.
Wansheng's signature noodle dish is unique in Chongqing's noodle landscape. Instead of the heavy chili-oil broth of standard Chongqing noodles, Wansheng noodles are served with a rich, savory sauce made with locally produced tofu skin (豆腐皮) — thin sheets of dried tofu that are sliced into ribbons and simmered in a soy-based broth until they're almost translucent. The tofu absorbs the sauce's flavor while retaining a firm, silky texture. The noodles themselves are thicker and chewier than typical Chongqing noodles, made from locally grown mountain wheat. The dish is topped with crushed peanuts, chopped scallions, and a spoonful of "You Lazi" (chili oil) — added to your personal spice preference. The legendary "Wansheng Mian Zhuang" (万盛面庄) on Minzu Street has been serving this dish for 25 years, with a queue that snakes down the block every morning until noon. A bowl costs ¥10–14 depending on toppings. Add a marinated egg (卤蛋, ¥2) for the complete experience.