Fengdu Ghost City is located on the north bank of the Yangtze River in Fengdu County, Chongqing City. It is a national 4A-level tourist scenic area. The scenic area is renowned for its unique "ghost culture", integrating Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, and combining folk legends, religious beliefs, and traditional culture. It is the most famous ghost culture-themed scenic area in China. The scenic area covers an area of about 1.5 square kilometers and has a series of ancient architectural complexes related to underworld legends, such as the Bridge of Helplessness, the Ghost Gate, the Road to the Underworld, the Wangxiang Terrace, and the Hall of the Heavenly Emperor. There are approximately more than 30 existing ancient buildings. Most of these buildings were initially built in the Han Dynasty and have formed a large-scale and well-organized pattern after renovations and expansions in successive dynasties.
History and Culture
The history of Fengdu Ghost City can be traced back to the Eastern Han Dynasty. According to historical records, in the second year of Yongyuan of Emperor He in the Eastern Han Dynasty (90 AD), Yin Changsheng and Wang Fangping, two Taoist priests, successively cultivated and became immortals on Pingdu Mountain in Fengdu. Later generations combined the characters "Yin" and "Wang" and associated them with the "King of the Underworld". Fengdu gradually became known as the location of the "Underworld".
As time passed, many literati, such as Li Bai, Du Fu, and Su Shi, once visited Fengdu and left behind poems and verses, making Fengdu Ghost City even more famous. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the folk belief in ghost culture reached its peak, and a large number of buildings related to the underworld were constructed here, further strengthening the image of Fengdu as the "Ghost City".
The ghost culture embodied in Fengdu Ghost City does not promote superstition. Instead, through gloomy and terrifying scenes and stories, it encourages people to do good deeds and warns them to accumulate virtue. The ideas of cause and effect, and the retribution for good and evil contained in it are a special manifestation of the ethical and moral concepts in traditional Chinese culture.
Main Attractions
Bridge of Helplessness
The Bridge of Helplessness consists of three stone arch bridges of the same size and shape arranged side by side. The bridge deck is narrow, and there are many fierce ghosts sculpted in the Blood Pond under the bridge. According to folk legends, good people can cross the bridge smoothly, while evil people will shake and even fall into the "Blood Pond". The bridge is about 6 meters long and about 1.5 meters wide. It is a symbolically significant attraction in Fengdu Ghost City and a must-visit place for tourists.
Ghost Gate
The Ghost Gate is an ancient-style pavilion with upturned eaves at the four corners. The dark mountain gate is spacious and empty, exuding an ancient and desolate atmosphere. On the rusty horizontal plaque, the terrifying three characters "Ghost Gate" are engraved. According to folk legends, when people die and enter the underworld, they must pass through the Ghost Gate. Its architectural style is gloomy and terrifying, making people feel intimidated.
Hall of the Heavenly Emperor
The Hall of the Heavenly Emperor is the core building of the Ghost City, covering an area of 2,431 square meters. It is composed of three parts: the memorial archway, the mountain gate, and the hall. Inside the hall, there are sculptures of the Six Departments of the Underworld, the Ten Kings of Hell, the Four Judges, and scenes of the Eighteen Layers of Hell, which are vivid, gloomy, and majestic. Here, tourists can deeply understand how ancient people imagined and constructed the judicial system of the underworld.
Road to the Underworld
The Road to the Underworld is a bluestone road about 100 meters long and about 2 meters wide, with an uneven surface. Ancient trees tower into the sky on both sides of the road. The path twists and turns, with the sound of pine waves and the cries of ghosts, creating a gloomy and terrifying atmosphere, simulating the necessary path for people to go to the underworld after death as in the legend.
Wangxiang Terrace
The Wangxiang Terrace is about 20 meters high, and its platform is semi-circular in shape. The platform is divided into two layers, with carved stone railings around it and the platform surface paved with blue bricks. According to legend, after death, the deceased must climb the Wangxiang Terrace to look back at their hometown and relatives. Standing on the terrace and looking into the distance, the scenery of the Yangtze River can be fully appreciated.
Delicacies
Spicy Chicken Cubes
Spicy Chicken Cubes are one of the characteristic delicacies of Fengdu. Locally free-range native chickens are selected, slaughtered, cooked, and then cut into small pieces. A large amount of dried chili peppers, Chinese prickly ash, sesame seeds, and other seasonings are added and mixed well. It has a bright red color, a spicy and fragrant taste, and the meat is firm and chewy. The deliciousness of the chicken and the rich flavor of the seasonings are perfectly combined, making it an excellent dish to go with wine and rice.
Xianjia Fermented Bean Curd
Xianjia Fermented Bean Curd has a history of nearly a hundred years. High-quality soybeans are used as raw materials, and traditional craftsmanship is adopted. It goes through multiple processes such as grinding soybeans into pulp, filtering, boiling the pulp, curdling, shaping, and fermenting. The finished fermented bean curd has a delicate texture, a moderate saltiness, and melts in the mouth, with a unique aroma. It can be eaten directly or used for cooking and seasoning.
Chaoshou with Spicy Chili Shells
The characteristic of Chaoshou with Spicy Chili Shells lies in its unique chili oil. Dried chili peppers are stir-fried until they are fragrant and then crushed, and other seasonings are added to make the spicy chili shells. The Chaoshou has thin skins and large fillings. Paired with the spicy chili shells, mashed garlic, aged vinegar, and other seasonings, it has a spicy and mellow taste, rich soup, and a rich texture.
Admission Ticket
The admission ticket price of Fengdu Ghost City Scenic Area is 90 yuan per person. Special groups such as students and the elderly can enjoy half-price or other discounts according to relevant policies. Specific discount information can be inquired through the official channels of the scenic area.
You can search for the official WeChat public account of the scenic area, "鬼城名山", to obtain the latest news or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
Fengdu Ghost City is open throughout the year. During the summer (April 1 - October 31), the opening hours are from 08:00 to 18:00; during the winter (November 1 - March 31 of the following year), the opening hours are from 08:30 to 17:30.
Itinerary
After entering the scenic area, tourists can first visit the Bridge of Helplessness to feel its unique cultural connotation; then walk along the Road to the Underworld to experience the gloomy atmosphere; next, arrive at the Ghost Gate to appreciate the mystery of ancient architecture; then go to the Hall of the Heavenly Emperor to have an in-depth understanding of the underworld culture; and finally, climb the Wangxiang Terrace to overlook the scenery of the Yangtze River. During the tour, tourists can stop and take photos at each attraction according to their personal interests. The whole tour takes about 2 - 3 hours.
Transportation
- By Air: Tourists can first arrive at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. Take a long-distance bus to Fengdu at the long-distance transfer center of the airport, and the journey takes about 3 hours. Or take Rail Transit Line 3 at the airport to Chongqing North Railway Station, transfer to the high-speed rail to Fengdu Station, and then take a taxi or a bus to the scenic area. The high-speed rail journey takes about 1.5 hours.
- By Train: After arriving at Fengdu Station by high-speed rail or bullet train, tourists can take buses such as No. 109 and No. 112 directly to the scenic area, or choose to take a taxi, and the journey takes about 15 minutes.
- By Self-driving: Enter "Fengdu Ghost City" in the navigation software and travel along routes such as the Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway. The scenic area has a parking lot, and parking is relatively convenient.
Must-visit Attractions
- Bridge of Helplessness: A landmark building of the Ghost City, full of mysterious legend elements. The unique design and meaning of the bridge make it an important window for tourists to understand the ghost culture.
- Hall of the Heavenly Emperor: The core building of the Ghost City, with a large scale. The sculptures of ghosts and the scenes of hell inside are vivid, making it an excellent place to understand the ancient imagination and judicial system of the underworld.
- Road to the Underworld and Ghost Gate: Through the construction of architecture and the creation of atmosphere, they vividly show the necessary path for people after death as in the legend, bringing a strong sensory impact and cultural experience to tourists.
Travel Suggestions
- It is recommended to learn about the historical and cultural background of Fengdu Ghost City in advance. You can consult materials or watch relevant documentaries to better understand the connotation of the attractions during the tour.
- Some scenes in the scenic area are rather gloomy and terrifying. Tourists who are timid or accompanied by children can prepare mentally in advance, and it is also advisable to choose an earlier time of the day for the tour.
- Pay attention to sun protection and heatstroke prevention during the summer tour, and keep warm during the winter tour. There are many steps in the scenic area, so it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes.
- When tasting the delicacies, you can go to regular restaurants or characteristic snack streets in Fengdu County to ensure food safety and taste the authentic flavors.
Precautions
- Respect the religious and cultural customs in the scenic area, and do not act inappropriately or make inappropriate comments on the statues and buildings.
- Take good care of the environment of the scenic area. Do not spit or litter, and do not carve or graffiti on the ancient buildings.
- Pay attention to safety during the tour, especially in areas with many steps and dim light. Walk carefully to avoid falling.
- There may be staff dressed as ghosts interacting with tourists in the scenic area. If you don't like such interactions, you can politely refuse to avoid conflicts.
- When buying souvenirs, choose regular stores and ask about the price in advance to avoid unnecessary disputes.