Introduction
After exploring the waterfall-lit alleys of Furongzhen? Continue your China adventure to Chongqing—a city where skyscrapers pierce misty mountains. With the newly opened Chongqing East Railway Station (June 27, 2025), this journey is faster and smarter than ever. Here’s your step-by-step guide!
1. Route: Furongzhen → Chongqing (via Zhangjiajie)
No direct trains? No stress! Zhangjiajie West Station is your efficient transfer hub:
| Route Segment | Frequency | Duration | Fare (2nd Class) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furongzhen → Zhangjiajie West | 14 / day | 25 min | ¥40+ |
| Zhangjiajie West → Chongqing East | 24 / day | 2–4.5 hrs | ¥215+ |
| Check live schedul with www.trip.com/trains/china/ | |||
Check Live Train Schedule
| Chongqing to Zhangjiajie Train | Zhangjiajie to Furongzhen Train |
| Furongzhen to Zhangjiajie Train | Zhangjiajie to Chongqing Train |
| Fenghuanggucheng to Chongqing Train | Chongqing to Fenghuanggucheng Train |
- Furongzhen → Zhangjiajie West: 14 daily trains, 25 min, ¥40+ (2nd class)
- Pro Tip: Trains depart from Furongzhen Station—only 8 min by taxi from the waterfall town.
- Zhangjiajie West → Chongqing: 24 daily trains, 2–4.5 hrs, ¥215+ (2nd class)
- Key destinations: Chongqing East, Chongqing North, or Chongqing West.
Booking: Use https://www.trip.com/trains/china/ or the 12306 app; allow 40+ minutes for transfers at Zhangjiajie West.
2. Spotlight: Chongqing East Railway Station (重庆东站)
Opened 27 June 2025, this futuristic hub in Nan’an District is connected to metro line 6.
- Design: Mountain-river theme with 9 skylights symbolizing Yangtze-Jialing confluence.
- Key routes:
- Chengdu: 1 hr
- Xi’an: 3 hrs
- Zhangjiajie: 2 hrs
- Wulong South: 34 min—gateway to Karst landscapes (Transformers 4 filming site)
- Metro: Line 6 to Jiefangbei (40 min).
- Downtown access: Taxi 45 min (¥50-70); Airport Bus D620 to Jiangbei Airport 1.5 hrs (¥15-20).
Chongqing Rail Transit:
- Chonqging Metro official website (English version): https://www.cqmetro.cn/indexEng.html
3. Why Chongqing? Unmissable Experiences
City Highlights
- Hongya Cave (洪崖洞): Stilted night markets above the Jialing River—best at dusk for Spirited-Away vibes.
- Liziba Light Rail: Watch Line 2 trains glide through a residential skyscraper.
- Ciqikou Ancient Town (磁器口): Ming-era tea houses & spicy street food (30 min by metro).
Beyond the City
- Wulong Karst UNESCO (1.5 hrs from Chongqing East):
- Three Natural Bridges: colossal limestone arches
- Fairy Mountain: alpine meadows & summer sledding (via Wulong South, 34 min)
Accommodation in Furong Ancient Town
During my 2017 trip to Furong Town, Jack chose to stay at Huaqianshu Theme Inn to enjoy the beautiful scenery of this waterfall town. Trip.com offers lots of hotels in Furongzhen to choose from for foreigners.
Jack’s rail journey to Furongzhen in 2017
Trusted Online Ticket Agents:
Option 1: Trip.com is an internatioal brand owned by Ctrip Group, China's largest online travel booking platform. Trip.com offers booking service for flight, train, hotel, activities, etc
Option 2: China Highlights is a reliable online agency for China train ticketing. They get positive reviews on TripAdvisor & Trustpilot. Sharon and her team help you buy tickets & plan rail routes even deliver tickets to your hotels with a service fee.
