Longshuixia Fissure Gorge Scenic Area is located in Xiannüshan Town, Wulong District, Chongqing Municipality. As an important part of the national 5A-level tourist attraction Wulong Karst Tourist Area, it is adjacent to the Three Natural Bridges Scenic Area and jointly constitutes the core landscape of Wulong's karst landform. Featuring typical karst canyon and fissure landforms, the scenic area is a key component of the World Natural Heritage "South China Karst". The total length of the fissure is about 4 kilometers, with 2.8 kilometers developed for tourism. It is only 1 meter at its narrowest point, about 15 meters at its widest, and 200-500 meters deep. The valley floor is at an altitude of about 800 meters, with a maximum relative height difference of 290 meters between the top and the bottom. The scenic area boasts unique geological landscapes, including canyons, fissures, waterfalls, deep pools, and steep cliffs. With a primitive ecological environment, high forest coverage rate, and abundant negative oxygen ions, it is a natural landscape scenic area integrating geological research, sightseeing, and leisure vacation.
History and Culture
The formation of Longshuixia Fissure Gorge originated from geological movements hundreds of millions of years ago, making it a typical product of karst landform evolution. Over a long geological history, affected by plate movements, crustal uplift, water erosion, and dissolution, the surface rock layers gradually fractured and collapsed, forming this deep fissure. Its geological age can be traced back to the Permian period of the Paleozoic era, and the strata retain rich paleontological fossils and geological structure relics, providing important physical evidence for the study of the formation and evolution of karst landforms in South China.
In terms of humanistic history, the Wulong area where the fissure is located has a long history, with traces of human activities as early as the Neolithic Age. The local Tujia, Miao, and other ethnic minorities have interdependent with this unique natural environment in their long-term production and life, forming a rich folk culture. Although Longshuixia Fissure Gorge itself, as a natural landscape, has not left large-scale humanistic architectural relics in history, many legendary stories related to ethnic minorities have been preserved in the surrounding areas. The local residents' awe and protection of natural landscapes have also enabled this geological wonder to be completely preserved to this day.
Major Attractions
Cliff Plank Road
The Cliff Plank Road is the main passage to the bottom of the fissure. With a total length of about 1,500 meters, it is built along the steep rock wall, and some sections are suspended plank roads with a width of about 1.2-1.5 meters. Winding down the mountain, the plank road has about 800 steps with a maximum slope of 60 degrees. Walking on the plank road, visitors can closely appreciate the cliff landscapes on both sides of the fissure. The rock walls are covered with various karst micro-landforms such as solution grooves and stone buds, and spring water seeps out from the rock crevices in some areas, forming small water curtains.
Galaxy Waterfall
Galaxy Waterfall is one of the most spectacular water landscapes in the fissure. Located in the middle section of the fissure, the waterfall is about 80 meters high and 5-8 meters wide. Water pours down from the natural karst cave on the top cliff into the deep pool at the bottom. During the rainy season, the water volume is abundant, with a roaring sound and lingering mist. Rainbows often form under the sunlight.
Jiaolong Cold Cave
It is the exit of an underground river that was gradually widened by the continuous dissolution of rocks by early groundwater along rock cracks hundreds of millions of years ago, so its cross-section is in an irregular trumpet shape. Both its height and width are between 60 and 100 meters. Due to crustal uplift and water cutting, a dissolution platform of over 1,000 square meters and a deep ditch of more than 20 meters have been left.
Yunhan Heavenly Staircase
Curved and steep, it has more than 500 steps. Looking back after climbing the staircase, there is a feeling that the staircase leads directly to the sky. Hence, it is named "Yunhan Heavenly Staircase" (Yunhan refers to the Milky Way).
Thread of Sky
Thread of Sky is located at the narrowest part of the fissure. Here, the rock walls on both sides are almost vertically opposite, with a spacing of only about 1 meter. Looking up, the sky is compressed into a narrow strip of light, hence the name "Thread of Sky".
Tour Route
The recommended tour route is: Scenic Area Entrance → Cliff Plank Road → Jiaolong Cold Cave → Galaxy Waterfall → Thread of Sky → Exit. The total length of the route is about 2.8 kilometers, with 3 rest points and 2 public toilets along the way. Visitors can adjust their walking speed according to their physical condition. There are many steps on the downward plank road, and there is no need to climb repeatedly on the return trip. Visitors can take the sightseeing bus back to the starting point through the special channel of the scenic area.
Travel Tips
- The best visiting seasons are April-May and September-October, when the temperature is pleasant (15-25℃) and there is less precipitation, which is convenient for viewing waterfalls and hiking. It rains a lot in summer, so please bring rain gear, and some sections may be slippery. The temperature is low in winter (0-10℃), and the plank road may be icy, so please pay attention to anti-slip.
- Most of the trails in the scenic area are steps and plank roads. It is recommended to wear non-slip sports shoes and avoid high heels or sandals. The entire hike is about 20,000 steps, and you can carry a walking stick to assist in walking.
- The humidity in the fissure is high, with an average humidity of over 80%, and there is insufficient light. Even in summer, it is necessary to carry a thin coat to avoid catching cold. There are many mosquitoes at the bottom of the valley, so it is recommended to apply mosquito repellent.
- There are no catering facilities in the scenic area. It is recommended to dine in advance at the entrance or Xiannüshan Town, and carry a small amount of drinking water and energy food with you. However, please pay attention to maintaining environmental hygiene and take away garbage.
- Photography enthusiasts are advised to carry a wide-angle lens and a tripod to capture the panoramic view of the fissure and waterfall landscapes. The best light effect for Thread of Sky can be obtained by shooting around noon.
- Visitors with weak physical strength or the elderly can rent portable folding chairs at the entrance of the scenic area. Some steep sections are equipped with handrails and rest platforms, where you can stop to rest at any time.
Notes
- Smoking and littering are strictly prohibited in the scenic area. Violators will be fined 50-200 yuan. There are multiple garbage classification bins in the scenic area, and garbage must be disposed of in accordance with regulations.
- Some sections of the Cliff Plank Road are narrow and only allow single-person passage. Please abide by the principle of "upward priority", do not crowd or run, and take good care of the elderly and children to avoid accidents.
- When near waterfalls and deep pools, please pay attention to safety, do not climb over railings, and swimming is strictly prohibited in deep water areas. Violators shall be responsible for their own consequences.
- Mobile phone signals in the scenic area are weak, and there is no signal in some areas. It is recommended to travel with companions and keep in touch. You can get a paper map of the scenic area at the entrance for backup.
- In thunderstorm weather, please stay away from rock walls, waterfalls, and tall trees, avoid staying in open areas, follow the instructions of the scenic area staff, and take shelter at designated places if necessary.
- The scenic area implements a single-day single-entry system. Re-entry after exiting requires repurchasing tickets. It is recommended to arrange the visiting time reasonably to avoid leaving the scenic area halfway.
- Visitors with diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, and acrophobia should carefully choose to visit according to their physical conditions, as some steep sections may cause discomfort.
Transportation
- Public Transportation: Take a long-distance bus from Chongqing Main Urban Area's Sishangli Transportation Hub to Wulong District. After arriving at Wulong Bus Station, transfer to a bus to Xiannüshan Town, then transfer to the scenic area's tourist special line to reach the entrance of Longshuixia Fissure Gorge directly.
- Tourist Special Line: Major travel agencies in Chongqing Main Urban Area offer one-day or two-day tour packages to Wulong Karst Tourist Area, including tickets to Longshuixia Fissure Gorge and round-trip transportation. Buses depart daily from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM. For details, please consult local travel agencies.
- Self-Driving: Depart from Chongqing Main Urban Area, take Yuxiang Expressway (G65) to Wulong Interchange, exit the highway, drive along Xiannüshan Avenue to Xiannüshan Town, and follow the scenic area's signs to Longshuixia Fissure Gorge Parking Lot. There is no self-driving access inside the scenic area; visitors need to walk or take a sightseeing bus to enter.
- Internal Transportation: There is a sightseeing bus connection between the entrance and exit of the fissure. Visitors can choose to take it according to their needs. The round-trip walk takes about 1 hour.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open year-round, with opening hours adjusted slightly according to the season: from April 1st to October 31st (peak season), the opening hours are 8:00-17:30 (last entry at 16:30); from November 1st to March 31st of the following year (off-season), the opening hours are 8:30-17:00 (last entry at 16:00). The scenic area may be temporarily closed in case of special weather such as heavy rain, thunderstorms, or geological disasters. From December to February every year, some sections of the plank road may be temporarily closed in case of rain and snow. Visitors are required to follow the guidance of the scenic area staff.
Tickets
The off-season ticket price is 85 yuan per person, and the peak season ticket price is 115 yuan per person. You can search for the official WeChat service account "武隆景区" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.
