Major city · China
Qianjiang黔江
Give Qianjiang one full day: Zhuoshui old town plus the city canyon. Two nights if you add Xiaonanhai. Skip it if you only have a Chongqing city week.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and heavy rain), Chinese New Year week
- Airport
- JIQ
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Qianjiang is a mountain district in southeast Chongqing, about 250 km from the city centre and roughly 3 hours by high-speed rail since the 2024 station rebuild. It is a Tujia and Miao area: an old river town at Zhuoshui, a karst gorge cut through the new town, and an earthquake-dammed lake at Xiaonanhai. Sights sit 20–40 km apart, so you need a car, a driver or patience with buses. Most travellers come for one night between Chongqing and the Wulong or Zhangjiajie direction.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Qianjiang, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyQianjiang is calm and low-crime; the real risks are mountain roads, summer downpours in the gorges and long unlit stretches between sights after dark.
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportJIQ Qianjiang Wulingshan Airport (Routes from Beijing, Guangzhou, Xi'an and Chongqing; the last city bus from the airport leaves around 19:30.).JIQ Qianjiang Wulingshan Airport (Routes from Beijing, Guangzhou, Xi'an and Chongqing; the last city bus from the airport leaves around 7:30 PM.).
- Getting aroundCity buses run about 06:00–22:00 and reach the rail station, the airport and the centre; the airport's last bus to town leaves around 19:30.City buses run about 6:00 AM–10:00 PM and reach the rail station, the airport and the centre; the airport's last bus to town leaves around 7:30 PM.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥20–35 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealNoodle bowl¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3)
- Beerbar / shop¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6)¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi across the city centre¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3)
- Metro or bus rideCity bus ride¥2 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedOld-town inn room, Zhuoshui, a night, per roomCN¥150 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, city hotel, a night, per roomCN¥350 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedDouble room, city hotel, a night, per roomCN¥750 (≈ US$110)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥250 (≈ US$35) · Mid CN¥450 (≈ US$65) · High CN¥800 (≈ US$120)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- JIQ Qianjiang Wulingshan Airport (Routes from Beijing, Guangzhou, Xi'an and Chongqing; the last city bus from the airport leaves around 19:30.)JIQ Qianjiang Wulingshan Airport (Routes from Beijing, Guangzhou, Xi'an and Chongqing; the last city bus from the airport leaves around 7:30 PM.)
Weather and climate
Qianjiang: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C46°F
3°C37°F
10 rd
Feb
11°C52°F
5°C41°F
11 rd
Mar
15°C59°F
8°C46°F
13 rd
Apr
21°C70°F
13°C55°F
15 rd
May
25°C77°F
17°C63°F
16 rd
Jun
28°C82°F
20°C68°F
15 rd
Jul
31°C88°F
23°C73°F
14 rd
Aug
31°C88°F
22°C72°F
13 rd
Sep
27°C81°F
19°C66°F
13 rd
Oct
21°C70°F
14°C57°F
14 rd
Nov
16°C61°F
9°C48°F
11 rd
Dec
10°C50°F
4°C39°F
9 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
City buses run about 06:00–22:00 and reach the rail station, the airport and the centre; the airport's last bus to town leaves around 19:30. Zhuoshui, Xiaonanhai and the Tujia villages are 20–40 km out with limited direct service, so a hired car or taxi by the day is the practical option. Taxis in town are metered; agree a day rate before leaving.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Zhuoshui ancient town
goDoor to door: About 40–50 min
Bus or car from Qianjiang city centre, about 30 kmBus or car from Qianjiang city centre, about 19 mi
Old riverside street with Tujia houses; entry ¥65. Stay overnight here if you want the evening quiet.
Xiaonanhai National Geopark
goDoor to door: About 45–60 min
Car or taxi from the city, about 30 km northCar or taxi from the city, about 19 mi north
Earthquake-dammed lake with boat trips; entry ¥45. Half a day.
Tujia Thirteen Village
cautionDoor to door: About 50 min
Car from the city, about 30 kmCar from the city, about 19 mi
Village museum and stockades, ¥60; thin public transport, go with a driver.
Abeng River Turtle Gorge
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Car south of the city, about 40 kmCar south of the city, about 25 mi
Entry free but the gorge is seen by boat, ¥166 a person; confirm sailings before you go.
Wulong
overnightDoor to door: 2–3 h
High-speed rail or road toward Chongqing, then onward
Karst scenery deserves its own night, not a return day trip.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Zhuoshui old town
Inn-style rooms inside the scenic area, ¥150–350; best if the old town is your main reason for coming.
Qianjiang city centre (Jiefang Road / Xinhua Avenue)
Business hotels, malls and most restaurants; 30–40 min by road to Zhuoshui.
Zhoubai / Zhengyang new town
Near the canyon and the rail station; convenient for a one-night rail stop, thin on evening food.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥200–350 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥350–600 (≈ US$50–85) excl. bed
- High
- ¥600 (≈ US$85)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, city hotel1 × 2 nights × CN¥350 | CN¥700 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CN¥450 | CN¥1,800 |
| Hired car with driver, one day1 × CN¥500 · check | CN¥500 |
| Scenic-area tickets, one day2 × CN¥150 | CN¥300 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥100 | CN¥200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥350 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥963 per person per day, bed included | CN¥3,850≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in yuan; long-distance rail and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Noodle bowl | ¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Chicken giblet hotpot, per person | ¥40–60 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Coffee | ¥20–35 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Beer, bar / shop | ¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6) / ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| City bus ride | ¥2 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi across the city centre | ¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Distances between sights are long and buses are infrequent: plan each leg or hire a car.
- Scenic-area tickets are separate from transport inside them; the Abeng River gorge is free to enter but the boat is a paid ticket.
- Summer brings heavy rain and flash-flood risk in the gorges.
- English is rare outside hotels; have place names written in Chinese.
- Card and mobile payment work in malls and chain hotels, but small inns and snack stalls may want cash.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Qianjiang黔江
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
No embassies here; your country's embassy or consulate-general is in Chongqing or Chengdu (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → city centre, taxi: about ¥30–50 (≈ US$5–7), 20–30 min
- City centre → Zhuoshui, taxi: about ¥80–120 (≈ US$12–17), 40–50 min
- High-speed rail Chongqing → Qianjiang: about 3 h
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xie)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duō shao qián)
- 我不吃辣椒 — I don't eat chilli (wǒ bù chī làjiāo)
- 厕所在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (cèsuǒ zài nǎli)
- 请带我去这个地址 — Please take me to this address (qǐng dài wǒ qù zhège dìzhǐ)
Show the Chinese place name to drivers; English addresses rarely work.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Qianjiang. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and heavy rain), Chinese New Year week · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport and rail-station arrival fixtures for JIQ and Qianjiang station, with last-bus cutoffs.
- Place pages for Zhuoshui, the city canyon, Xiaonanhai and the Tujia villages with ticket and boat-sailing checks.
- Eat pages for chicken giblet hotpot and the old-town snack street with opening hours.
- Driver-day rate card for the 20–40 km sight cluster.