Wulong Tiankeng Three Natural Bridges
About Wulong Karst Tiankeng Three Bridges
Nestled 20 kilometres southeast of Chongqing’s Wulong District, the Tiankeng Three Natural Karst Bridges, along with the Great Rift Valley, are among Asia’s most breathtaking natural wonders.
These awe-inspiring landforms, known as natural bridges or arches, feature a rock formation with an opening beneath, sculpted over millions of years by erosion from rivers, weathering, and geological processes.
In Wulong’s Tiankeng region, three magnificent natural bridges connect towering mountains, spanning the Yangshui River to create a dramatic landscape of bridges and sinkholes. The widest bridge stretches over 300 meters, forming a stunning vista that blends rugged cliffs, lush valleys, and cascading waters.
Your adventure begins on a scenic hiking trail along the cliff’s edge, offering panoramic views of the valley below and the striking Karst mountain landscape. From there, a unique rotating elevator descends into the heart of the valley. No matter where you stand in this two-level elevator, it rotates as it descends, ensuring everyone enjoys a front-row view of the mesmerizing scenery. At the valley floor, you’re greeted by a captivating blend of towering mountains, shimmering rivers, cascading waterfalls, and iconic bridges.
This extraordinary location has also captured the attention of filmmakers. Two world-renowned movies were filmed here: Curse of the Golden Flower, directed by acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou, and Transformers: Age of Extinction. The Tiankeng Three Natural Bridges are not just a geological marvel but a cinematic backdrop that showcases nature’s grandeur.
Wulong Three Natural Bridges Operating Hours
Open Today until 4:30 PM
Operating Hours
| Monday | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Sunday | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
Information is provided for reference only. Do not solely rely on this.
Getting to Wulong Three Natural Bridges from Chongqing
Here’s how to get to Wulong Karst Three Natural Bridges by car, by train or by bus. For this experience, driving would be the best way to explore Wulong and Fairy Mountain, as there are many places you can explore. Don’t worry about not having a car, you can also explore by train or by bus. When you arrive at the Fairy Mountain, there are shared electric scooters you can use to get around the town.
Driving
Destination Station: Wulong Three Natural Bridges Tourist Centre
Distance: 180 km
Travel time: 2.5 hours
Driving is recommended to visit this place and the surrounding areas of the Fairy Mountain.
Train
Destination Station: Wulong (武隆)
Two types of trains provide regular service from Chongqingbei (Chongqing North) Railway Station to Wulong District.
The regular train, designated with a “K” prefix, takes approximately 2 hours, while the city-to-city high-speed train, starting with a “C,” arrives in about 1 hour and 50 minutes. With only a slight difference in travel time, opt for whichever train is available.
As Wulong is a popular tourist destination, train tickets can sell out quickly. Book your tickets early to secure your travel plans.
Price: 24.5 CNY
Travel time: 2 hours
From Wulong Train Station to Tiankeng Three Natural Bridges Park
Bus services connect Wulong Train Station to the Fairy Mountain Tourist Centre, where you can purchase tickets and explore the park.
Upon arriving at Wulong Train Station, follow the exit signs. At the ground-level exit gate, you’ll find a pedestrian crossing with a staircase nearby. Descend one floor via the stairs to locate the blue buses operated by the official tourism service, which provide direct transport to the Fairy Mountain Tourist Centre. It should take around 30 minutes to arrive at the tourist centre.
Bus
Chongqing’s Silongli Long-distance Bus Station offers bus services to help you get directly to Fairy Mountain (仙女山), where the tourist center is. From the tourist center, you can purchase tickets to the park. Transportation from the tourist center to the park entrance is included in the ticket.
Silongli Long-distance Bus Station
Price: 35 – 45 CNY
Time: 2 hours
Things to Know Before Visiting
Hiking
Wear sturdy shoes for the stairs and hilly terrain. A small backpack is handy for snacks and water.
The entire hiking trail takes about 1 – 2 hours to complete, and is suitable for all levels of hikers.
Accessibility
The Three Natural Bridges hiking trail in Wulong Karst National Geology Park features numerous stairs and uneven terrain, making it challenging for individuals with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.
Human movers (using bamboo sedan chairs, or “竹竿”) are available to assist with stair navigation for a fee of approximately 100–200 yuan per service, though costs may vary.
The upper park area offers scenic views and is more accessible. An elevator provides access to the lower park, but a series of stairs follows the elevator exit. Beyond these stairs, the terrain is relatively flat and generally navigable for wheelchair users. Before exiting the park toward the shuttle bus area, another set of stairs requires additional assistance from human movers at a similar cost.
Note that the shuttle bus is not equipped with wheelchair carriers, and pathways may have uneven surfaces. Visitors with accessibility needs should contact the park in advance for detailed information and to confirm service availability.
Pets
Pets and service animals may be permitted in Wulong Three Natural Bridges Park at the discretion of park staff.
Visitors may be required to sign a waiver confirming that their animal does not exhibit harmful behaviours.
All animals, including service animals, must be leashed at all times unless otherwise specified for accessibility accommodations.
Owners are responsible for their animals’ behaviour and must promptly clean up and dispose of any waste.
Drone
Flying a drone is not permitted at this park.
Wulong Tiankeng Karst Bridges Ticket
You can purchase a Wulong Tiankeng Karst Three Natural Bridges ticket at the tourist center (the building that looks like a pyramid). When you enter the tourist centre building, go through the security scanning, and come down 1 floor. Go to one of the windows on your right to purchase your ticket.
Depending on the season you visit, the price ranges from 120 CNY to 155 CNY. The price includes admission to the park, the shuttle bus and the elevator. College student discount is available with proof of a student ID.
There is no need for a reservation or to purchase a ticket online. It would cost the same if you bought it online. You can purchase a ticket when you arrive. This gives you the most flexibility.
Top Attractions at Wulong Tiankeng Three Bridges
Cliff Elevator
The cliff elevator at Wulong Tiankeng Three Bridges Park is the first major highlight along the hiking trail, offering a thrilling descent into the heart of the Tianlong Sinkhole.
This state-of-the-art elevator, which replaced an older structure, is a marvel of modern engineering. Construction began in 2013 and was completed in 2022, taking nearly a decade and costing approximately 100 million CNY.
From the outside, the elevator resembles a futuristic time capsule clinging to the rugged cliff face. Spanning 135 meters, it whisks visitors to the valley floor in just 60 seconds. As it descends, the elevator gently rotates, ensuring every passenger enjoys panoramic views of the dramatic Karst landscape, with its jagged peaks and lush greenery.
Upon reaching the bottom, pause to gaze upward and marvel at this extraordinary feat of engineering, perfectly blending innovation with the natural splendour of the Tiankeng Three Bridges.
Tianlong Natural Bridge
Tianlong Bridge, the first and largest of the three natural bridges spanning the Yangshui River Gorge, is a breathtaking centrepiece of Wulong Tiankeng Three Bridges Park.
Towering 235 meters above the valley floor, this colossal structure boasts a thickness of 150 meters and an arch that stretches up to 75 meters wide. Its immense scale and graceful form evoke the image of a mythical dragon soaring through the sky, earning it the name “Tianlong” (Heavenly Dragon).
As the park’s most striking bridge, Tianlong stands out as the only double-arch bridge, featuring a single sturdy pier supporting two distinct archways. This unique design adds to its vivid, almost lifelike presence, making it a must-see marvel for visitors exploring the dramatic Karst landscape.
Tianfu Official Station
Nestled at the base of the Tianlong Bridge, the Tianfu Official Station is a captivating historical gem within Wulong Tiankeng Three Bridges Park.
Originally established during the Tang Dynasty, this ancient post station played a vital role in relaying official communications between Fuzhou and Qianzhou in what is now Chongqing. Though it was destroyed during wartime, the station was meticulously reconstructed in 2006 as a filming set for Zhang Yimou’s acclaimed movie Curse of the Golden Flower. Today, it stands as a beautifully preserved testament to China’s rich history, blending seamlessly with the park’s dramatic Karst landscape.
Qinglong Bridge
Qinglong Bridge (Green Dragon Bridge), the second of three natural bridges in the Yangshui River Gorge, stands as a remarkable feature in Wulong.
It holds the distinction of being the tallest among Wulong’s trio and the highest karst bridge globally, soaring 103 meters above the gorge.
The bridge’s deck spans an impressive thickness of 168 meters, with a width varying from 13 to 58 meters. Named Qinglong, or “Green Dragon,” the bridge earns its evocative title from the dramatic scenery it creates: after rainfall, waterfalls cascade from the deck like mist, and when sunlight breaks through, vibrant rainbows form, resembling a dragon ascending into the sky.
Heilong Bridge
Heilong Bridge, or Black Dragon Bridge, marks the final natural bridge along the Tiankeng Park trail. Its name derives from the dark, ebony-hued rocks that evoke the image of a coiled black dragon.
The bridge’s deep, shadowy cave enhances its enigmatic aura, perfectly aligning with the mystique of its namesake. Rising 222 meters above the gorge floor, the bridge boasts a deck 107 meters thick, with an arch spanning 16 to 49 meters.
Recommended Travel Routes for Tiankeng Three Natural Bridges
A previous hiking trail, which led to a temple atop a mountain across the valley and included an elevator to the valley floor, is no longer open to tourists. In 2024, a new Three Natural Bridges trail opened, featuring a redesigned pathway with enhanced scenic views and a rotating elevator for access to the lower valley.
- Fairy Mountain Tourist Centre
- 15-minute bus ride
- Park Entrance
- Viewpoint of the valley
- Cave
- Cliff Elevator
- Tianlong Bridge
- Tianfu Official Station
- Qinglong Bridge
- Heilong Bridge
- Longquan Cave
- Sightseeing Car
- Shuttle Bus Station
- 40 40-minute bus ride
- Fairy Mountain Tourist Centre
Map of Wulong Three Natural Bridges Park
The following is a guide map of Wulong Tiankeng Three Natural Bridges. You can also download a PDF version of the map and take it on the go. While visiting the park, please stay on trails and avoid going off-trail to ensure your safety and the protection of the scenic area.
Download the PDF version of the Wulong Tiankeng Three Natural Bridges Guide Map.
