How to Get from Chongqing to Dazu Rock Carvings by Public Transport (2026)

Quick Answer

Take a high-speed train from Chongqing North or West Station to Dazu South Station (大足南站) — 25–45 minutes, ¥32–43 in second class. From Dazu South, a DiDi or taxi to the Baodingshan (宝顶山) visitor center takes about 50–60 minutes and costs ¥80–100. Budget travelers can take local bus 206 to Dazu Bus Station, then bus 205 to Baodingshan (total ~1.5–2 hours, ~¥9). The total one-way travel time is roughly 1.5–2.5 hours depending on your transfer.

[!WARNING] Dazu South Station is NOT near the carvings. It is about 30–40 km from Baodingshan. A new station called "Dazu Shike Station" (大足石刻站) on the Chengdu–Chongqing Central Line high-speed railway is under construction just 1 km from the visitor center, but it is not expected to open until 2027. Do not navigate to "Dazu Shike Station" — it does not yet exist. Always search for "大足南" (Dazunan) on 12306.

The Dazu Rock Carvings (大足石刻) are a UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed 1999) consisting of over 50,000 statues carved into sandstone cliffs between the 7th and 13th centuries. The two main sites open to visitors are Baodingshan (宝顶山) — the headliner with the 31-meter reclining Buddha and gilded Thousand-Hand Guanyin — and Beishan (北山), a quieter, older site with finer, more intimate carvings. A combined ticket is available.

Compare Your Options

Option 1 — High-Speed Train + DiDi/Taxi (Recommended)

Step-by-step

1. Get to Chongqing North Station (重庆北站) or Chongqing West Station (重庆西站).

   • Chongqing North: Metro Lines 3, 4, 10, or Ring Railway
   • Chongqing West: Metro Line 5 or Ring Railway
   • Shapingba Station (沙坪坝站) also has some trains to Dazu South

2. Buy a ticket to Dazu South Station (大足南站). This is on the Chengdu–Chongqing high-speed line.

   • Travel time: 25–45 minutes (varies by departure station and train number)
   • Fare: ¥32–43 in second class
   • Frequency: Frequent departures throughout the day (roughly every 30–60 minutes from around 06:30 to 21:00)
   • Book on 12306.cn or the app up to 15 days ahead, or buy at the station with your passport. Weekend trains can fill up.

   [!TIP] Chongqing West Station generally offers the fastest and most frequent service to Dazu South (about 25–35 minutes). However, Chongqing North may be more convenient depending on where you are staying. Check both on 12306.

3. From Dazu South Station to Baodingshan.

   • By DiDi or metered taxi (recommended): The distance is about 30–40 km. A DiDi costs roughly ¥80–100 and takes 50–60 minutes depending on traffic. Use the official taxi rank outside the station or the DiDi app. This is the fastest and most stress-free transfer.
   • By tourist shuttle bus: A dedicated shuttle runs from Dazu South Station to the Baodingshan visitor center approximately every 50 minutes from around 06:30 to 18:00. The ride takes about 40 minutes. Confirm the current schedule and fare locally (reports vary; expect around ¥30–40).
   • By public bus (budget option): Take bus 206 from Dazu South Station to Dazu Bus Station (大足汽车站, ~25 min, ¥2–5), then transfer to bus 205 to Baodingshan (~30 min, ¥5). Total time is about 1.5–2 hours and total cost around ¥7–10.

   [!WARNING] Ignore private drivers approaching you inside Dazu South Station claiming taxis are unavailable, the bus has stopped running, or offering a "cheap direct ride." Some quote ¥200 or more for a trip that costs ¥80–100 by DiDi. Use the official taxi rank or the DiDi app.

4. Arrive at the Baodingshan Visitor Center (大足石刻游客中心). All visitors must enter through this modern complex. Buy or collect tickets, visit the free Dazu Rock Carvings Museum (closed Mondays), and then take the mandatory shuttle bus to the core carving area.

Inside Baodingshan

• Shuttle bus: From the visitor center to the core cliff area is about 1.5 km. A shuttle bus costs ¥15–22 round trip and is included in some ticket packages.
• Visit time: 2–3 hours for Baodingshan alone; add 1.5–2 hours for Beishan
• Recommended route: Start from the official entrance (not the Shengshou Temple exit) and follow the 500-meter cliff path in one direction. Highlights include the Thousand-Hand Guanyin, the 31-meter Reclining Buddha, the Wheel of Life, and the hell scenes.

Option 2 — High-Speed Train + Public Bus (Cheapest)

Follow steps 1–2 above, then:

1. Take bus 206 from outside Dazu South Station to Dazu Bus Station (大足汽车站). Fare is approximately ¥2–5 and the ride takes about 25 minutes.
2. Transfer to bus 205 at Dazu Bus Station. This bus goes to Baodingshan (get off at "Baodingshan Police Station" / 宝顶山派出所 stop and walk to the visitor center). Fare is about ¥5 and the ride takes approximately 30 minutes. Buses run roughly every 20 minutes from 07:00 to 18:00.

Total one-way cost: as little as ¥39 (¥32 train + ¥2 bus + ¥5 bus).

[!NOTE] Bus 205 can also drop you near Beishan if you want to visit the quieter site first. However, Beishan is closer to Dazu city center (about 2 km north) and is best combined with Baodingshan in the afternoon.

Option 3 — Direct Tourist Coach from Central Chongqing

A direct scenic-area shuttle bus runs from downtown Chongqing to the Baodingshan parking lot:

• Departure points and times:
  • Jiefangbei (解放碑): 08:00
  • Hongqihegou (红旗河沟): 08:30
• Fare: ¥48 one way; ¥78–88 round trip
• Duration: Approximately 2–3 hours (including a scheduled 30-minute stop at Changzhou Ancient City / 昌州古城)
• Return: One departure back to Chongqing at 16:00 from the Baodingshan parking lot
• Booking: Must be reserved at least one day in advance through the official "大足石刻" WeChat account or related mini-programs. Same-day tickets are often unavailable, especially in peak season.

[!TIP] The coach is the easiest door-to-door option with no transfers, but the 16:00 return is fixed — you must plan your entire visit backward from that time, not from the site's closing time. If you want more flexibility, take the train.

Adding Beishan (北山)

Beishan is about 2 km north of Dazu city center and 15 km from Baodingshan. It features older, more delicate carvings from the late Tang to Southern Song dynasties (9th–12th centuries).

• Ticket: ¥70 standalone; combined Baodingshan + Beishan ticket ~¥140 (peak) / ¥120 (off-season Dec–Feb)
• From Baodingshan: Taxi/DiDi to Beishan costs about ¥40–60 and takes 20–30 minutes
• From Dazu city center: Short taxi ride (~¥8–12) or 20-minute walk
• Visit time: 1–1.5 hours
• Night tour: Beishan offers an evening light projection tour from 19:30–23:00 (separate ticket ~¥60–80). If you plan to do the night tour, you will need to stay overnight in Dazu or arrange private transport back to Chongqing, as the last high-speed train departs around 21:00.

[!TIP] Recommended one-day itinerary: Arrive at Baodingshan by 09:00 → visit Baodingshan (2–3 hrs) → lunch in Dazu city → visit Beishan (1–1.5 hrs) → train back to Chongqing by early evening.

How to Get Back

• By high-speed train: Trains from Dazu South back to Chongqing North/West run until approximately 20:45–21:00. The journey takes 25–45 minutes. Buy your return ticket in the morning or book online in advance.
• From Baodingshan to Dazu South: A DiDi takes 50–60 minutes (¥80–100); the tourist shuttle takes about 40 minutes; the bus 205 + 206 combination takes 1.5–2 hours. Allow at least 1.5–2 hours from Baodingshan exit to train platform if taking the bus.
• By tourist coach: The direct coach departs Baodingshan at 16:00 sharp. Arrive at the parking lot by 15:45.
• If you miss the last train, a DiDi back to central Chongqing costs several hundred yuan. Consider staying overnight in Dazu.

Chinese Names You May Need

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Navigating to "Dazu Shike Station" instead of "Dazu South." The new Dazu Shike Station (大足石刻站) on the Chengdu–Chongqing Central Line is only 1 km from Baodingshan but is not expected to open until 2027. If you search for it on 12306 now, you will find no trains. The current station is Dazu South (大足南), which is 30–40 km away.

2. Underestimating the transfer from Dazu South to the carvings. The high-speed train ride is only 30 minutes, but the taxi to Baodingshan takes another 50–60 minutes. Total door-to-door time is closer to 1.5–2 hours, not 30 minutes.

3. Trusting touts at Dazu South Station. Private drivers may claim buses have stopped running or that Baodingshan is "too far" for a normal taxi. A DiDi costs ¥80–100; touts may quote ¥200+. Use the DiDi app or the official taxi rank.

4. Not booking the direct coach in advance. The tourist coach from Jiefangbei requires advance reservation through WeChat. Showing up at the departure point without a booking will likely result in no seat, especially on weekends and holidays.

5. Arriving too late to see both sites. Baodingshan alone requires 2–3 hours, and Beishan adds another 1–1.5 hours plus transfer time. If you take the 08:00 coach and must leave on the 16:00 return, you have about 5 hours on-site — manageable for Baodingshan only, but tight for both sites.

6. Skipping the audio guide. The carvings are dense with Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucian narratives — karma tales, filial piety scenes, and punishments in hell — that are easy to miss without interpretation. Audio guides (¥20) and human guides are available at the ticket desk.

7. Forgetting your passport. Both the high-speed train and the scenic area require real-name ID. Foreign visitors must present their physical passport.

Before You Go

• Admission: Combined Baodingshan + Beishan ticket ~¥140 (peak season) / ¥120 (off-season Dec–Feb); Baodingshan standalone ~¥115–125; Beishan standalone ~¥70
• Shuttle bus at Baodingshan: ¥15–22 round trip for the 1.5 km from visitor center to core area (included in some ticket packages)
• Opening hours: Generally 08:30–17:30 (last entry varies by season); the Dazu Rock Carvings Museum is closed Mondays
• Beishan night tour: 19:30–23:00 (separate ticket)
• Recommended visit duration: 4–6 hours for both Baodingshan and Beishan
• Tickets: Real-name timed entry; book in advance via the official "大足石刻" WeChat account, Trip.com, or on-site. Bring your passport.
• What to bring: Comfortable non-slip shoes (lots of stairs and uneven paths), water, snacks (limited food options inside), mosquito repellent, and an umbrella or rain jacket
• There is currently no Crowd Forecast for Dazu Rock Carvings on China Local Help.

Still Not Sure How to Get There?

Our Chongqing-based team can help with train tickets, scenic area reservations, private car transfers from Dazu South Station, and guided tours including an English-speaking guide. Contact us or message us on WhatsApp.

Related Guides

• Chongqing Travel Guide — full city guide
• Chongqing to Wulong Karst by Public Transport — UNESCO nature day trip
• Chongqing to Fengdu Ghost City by Public Transport — cultural day trip by train
• 12306 High-Speed Rail Guide — booking Chinese train tickets as a foreigner

---

Train schedules and fares are based on 12306.cn, Ctrip/Trip.com listings, tripchina.me (2026 guide), chinafortravelers.com (updated August 2026), chinatravelflow.com, smzdm.com, and dolphinunion.com. Station and construction information for Dazu Shike Station is based on official railway announcements (2026). Times and fares may change — always check 12306 for your travel date.

Last verified: August 2026