Rongchang’s Top 5 Gems: Time Travel, Crafts, and Tasty Bites
About Rongchang District
Rongchang, Chongqing’s culinary superstar, shines brighter for its food than its fame, making it a must-visit gem! Here, Sichuan’s ancient migration history, vibrant crafts, and drool-worthy dishes crash together for an epic adventure.
Just a stone’s throw from Chongqing, this district blends culture and flavour like nowhere else—think historic Wanling Ancient Town, world-class Rongchang pottery, handwoven Xiabu, and mouthwatering eats like crispy braised goose, spicy wanza pugai noodles, and golden roast suckling pig.
Ready for a trip that’s equal parts history, craft, and foodie heaven? Rongchang’s calling!
Why You Should Visit Rongchang
Nestled in Chongqing’s dazzling “Pearl of West Chongqing,” Rongchang District is a treasure trove of Ming-Qing migration tales, world-renowned pottery, and handwoven textiles that’ll spark your wanderlust!
Just a 40-minute high-speed train ride from Chongqing, this vibrant destination is perfect for a one- or two-day getaway.
Whether you’re a history buff diving into the roots of Chongqing’s past or a foodie chasing crispy braised goose, spicy wanza pugai noodles, and golden roast suckling pig, Rongchang delivers an unforgettable adventure for every traveller.
Top 5 Things to See and Do in Rongchang
See the history of Chongqing in Wanling town
Discover the rich history of Chongqing and Sichuan in Wanling Ancient Town, a hidden gem with over 1,000 years of heritage.
As a vital hub during the Ming and Qing dynasties, it played a pivotal role in the migration from Hunan, Hubei, and Guangdong provinces. This fascinating history remains largely unknown to foreign tourists, yet many of Sichuan’s current residents are descendants of these migrants, not native to the region.
In the early Ming Dynasty, wars and invasions by Mongols drastically reduced Sichuan’s population. To repopulate the area, the Ming government enacted policies to attract workers from other provinces. Over a century, approximately six million people migrated to Sichuan, shaping the region’s cultural and demographic landscape.
- Er Ya Acdemcy 尔雅书院
- Tuowan Dock 沱湾码头
- Huguang Guid Hall 湖广会馆
- Ming and Qing Dynasties Ancient Street 明清老街
Catholic Church: A Timeless Landmark
Add a dose of architectural wow to your Rongchang adventure with a visit to the iconic Catholic church, a beacon you can spot from just about anywhere in town!
Covering a massive 4,700 square meters, this east-facing beauty is like a historical puzzle with six cool pieces: the serene chapel, a towering bell tower, the priest’s pad, Rongtian Building, an office, and a church school.
The bell tower used to stretch a whopping 80 meters high until a wild windstorm in 1986 brought it down to a still-impressive 50 meters. Check out the front, where the fancy triangular top rocks the initials “M.E.,” shouting out its Paris Foreign Missions Society roots.
It is also the tallest and best preserved Catholic church in Southwest China and Chongqing’s largest French self-ringing clock, a massive 2-meter-wide marvel that keeps the whole town ticking with pinpoint accuracy.
It’s a perfect pitstop to soak in some faith-fueled history. Snap a pic, feel the vibes, and add this resilient landmark to your Rongchang travel list!
Visit Rongchang Pottery Museum
Rongchang Pottery is one of China’s four legendary pottery styles, with its origins dating back to the Han Dynasty.
Travel to the museum to see architectural ceramic artifacts from the Paleolithic era to modern times. You will also find sunning ceramic treasures from over 20 countries along the Belt and Silk Road, including Korea, Iran, and Poland.
Explore Xiabu Town: Weaving Wonders of Rongchang
Step into Xiabu Town, Rongchang’s vibrant gem, where ancient textile vibes come alive! Famous for its legendary handwoven Xiabu fabric, this town has been a weaving powerhouse since the Han Dynasty (202 BC–AD 220). Xiabu, a feather-light, super-strong cloth spun from ramie, is so iconic it’s earned a spot on China’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
This cultural hotspot in Rongchang District is all about celebrating Xiabu’s magic. Dive into the Xiabu Museum to uncover its epic history, watch jaw-dropping weaving demos, and snag unique Xiabu souvenirs like fans or fabrics. With its charming Ming-Qing-style streets and hands-on workshops, Xiabu Town isn’t just a place to visit—it’s a crafty adventure waiting to steal your heart!
An Tao Town: A Town of Pottery Paradise
Nestled in Anfu Street, An Tao Town is one of China’s 3 Great Pottery Capitals. With over 800 years of pottery-making history, their vibrant town is a cultural jackpot, bursting with stories and crafts that’ll make your travel experience pop.
Must-Try Food in Rongchang
Rongchang Braised Goose 荣昌卤鹅
Hold onto your taste buds, because Rongchang’s braised goose is the culinary rockstar you didn’t know you needed! This local delicacy went viral when a passionate “Chinese uncle,” Jiang Ge, chased down YouTube sensation IShowSpeed during his 2025 Chongqing tour, waving a whole braised goose to share its glory with the world.
Pop into spots like Rongchang Sanhui Goose Restaurant to savour this goose feast, where chefs debone the bird with ninja-like precision. It’s no wonder locals call it a “goose that makes a city famous,” with its intangible cultural heritage status.
Roast Suckling Pig 荣昌烤乳猪
Rongchang roast sucking pig is made from the world-famous Rongchang pig – one of the top eight global and top three Chinese pig breeds. This dish was once the crown jewel of imperial banquets.
Spicy Yellow Jelly 黄凉粉
The “Spicy Yellow Jelly” is the ultimate street food you can try in Rongchang, known as the king of local eats. You will find it on almost every corner of Rongchang’s streets. It is served with salty seasonings and chilly oil, and it is a perfect cool-down after wandering Wanling’s ancient alleys.
Blanket Noodles 铺盖面
Dive into a bowl of Rongchang Blanket Noodles, known for its wide and flat shape that covers the bowl like a quilt. This street food is well-known not just in Rongchang but across Chongqing. It’s also my favourite noodle since I was very young.
The best blanket noodle has to be with pea-pork (豌杂) soup with yellow peas and minced pork. You can get it spicy or non-spicy, but either tastes very good.
Mutton Soup 羊肉汤
Another local gem is Rongchang Mutton Soup, a winter must-have in Chongqing. This local legend, dating back to pre-Liberation days, is a creamy, milky-white broth that’s all about tender, melt-in-your-mouth mutton. With a little bit of green onion and cilantro, it warms you up in cold winter.
Ye Er Ba 叶儿粑
Ye Er Ba is like a steamed dumpling with sticky rice and wrapped in banana or bamboo leaves. They are infused with a fresh, earthy aroma that’s like a hug from nature. It’s a great grab-and-go snack.
Rongchang Pho with Beef Soup 牛肉米线
Featuring rich noodles with rich beef broth, spiked with chilli oil, Szechuan peppercorns, and a medley of ginger, garlic and scallions. Topped with tender, thinly sliced beef, crunchy peanuts and fresh cilantro, it is both spicy and numbing, a very unique local taste you can have in Rongchang.
Getting to Rongchang
Driving
Distance: 110km
Highway: Yes
Travel Time: 1.5h
Driving is recommended to visit these places, while high-speed trains and public transportation in Rongchang are well-established.
Train
Destination Station: Rongchangbei (荣昌北站)
High-speed train departs regularly to Rongchangbei (荣昌北站) from Chongqingxi (重庆西站), Chongqingbei (重庆北站), Shapingba (沙坪坝站) and Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport.
Price: Around 45 CNY
Travel Time: Around 30 Minutes
Parking
Parking is available at most of the tourist attraction sites. Limited, first-come first first-served free parking is available along the streets in a designated area. Paid parking is widely available.
Where to Stay in Rongchang
Book your accommodation near the following locations to enjoy the best of Rongchang:
Get Around in Rongchang
Didi is recommended as a primary way to travel between different attractions in Rongchang.
Recommended Travel Routes
- Chongqingbei Railway Station (重庆北站北广场)
- Rongchangbei Railway Station (荣昌北站)
- Catholic Church (天主教福音堂)
- Antao Town (安陶小镇)
- Rongchang Pottery Museum (荣昌陶博物馆)
- Xiabu Town (夏布小镇)
- Wanning Town (万灵古镇)