This twelve-story wooden pagoda was built against a sheer rock outcrop on the Yangtze's north bank, allowing visitors to climb inside the tower to reach the top of the rock rather than scaling the cliff face directly. Since the Three Gorges Dam raised water levels, the site is now enclosed by a protective ring wall and connected to the mainland by a bridge, turning what was once a riverside crag into something closer to an island.
Shibaozhai is a 12-story wooden pagoda built against a freestanding rock outcrop on the north bank of the Yangtze River in Shibao Town, Zhong County, roughly 300km from downtown Chongqing. Constructed in stages beginning in the Qing dynasty, the pagoda was built directly onto the cliff face of the rock, allowing visitors to climb its internal wooden staircases up through the tower's interior levels rather than approaching the rock's summit from outside. Since the Three Gorges Dam raised local water levels, the entire rock formation has been encircled by a protective flood wall, effectively turning Shibaozhai into an island connected to the shore by a pedestrian bridge. Visitors cross the bridge, enter the pagoda's base, and climb the creaking wooden stairways past shrine rooms and viewing windows to a small temple complex and terrace at the summit, which overlooks the Yangtze and the surrounding countryside. A visit takes one to two hours on-site, not including the significant travel time to reach it. The best photo vantage points are from the pedestrian bridge looking back at the full stacked pagoda rising from the rock, and the summit terrace looking out over the river. Most visitors experience Shibaozhai as a scheduled shore excursion during a Yangtze River cruise between Chongqing and Yichang, when the site's opening hours and crowd levels are timed to match cruise ship arrivals rather than independent travel schedules.
| Admission | Adult ¥50 (approx $7); seniors 60+ half price · Child Free under 1.3m tall |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 8:00AM-5:00PM (last entry 30 minutes before close) |
| Typical visit | 1-2 hours, plus travel time |
| Best time | As a scheduled shore excursion on Yangtze River cruises between Chongqing and Yichang |
| Getting there | Approx 300km / 4-5 hours by road from downtown Chongqing, or as a scheduled Yangtze River cruise stop from Chaotianmen |
| Address | North bank of the Yangtze River, Shibao Town, Zhong County, Chongqing 404318, China |
Location
North bank of the Yangtze River, Shibao Town, Zhong County, Chongqing 404318, China
30.3739, 108.0264 View on map
Highlights
- 12-story wooden pagoda built directly onto a riverside rock outcrop
- Flood-protection wall encircling the site since the Three Gorges Dam
- Interior wooden staircases climbing through the pagoda's levels
- Summit temple complex and terrace overlooking the Yangtze
- Popular scheduled stop on Chongqing-Yichang Yangtze River cruises
Tips for visiting
- Most visitors see Shibaozhai as part of a scheduled Yangtze River cruise shore excursion rather than an independent day trip
- Wear sturdy shoes for the pagoda's steep, uneven interior wooden staircases
- Seniors 60 and over receive half-price admission
- The pedestrian bridge offers the best photo of the full pagoda rising from the rock
- Confirm shore excursion timing with the cruise operator in advance, as visiting time on land is limited
When to visit
Shibaozhai is best visited as a scheduled shore excursion timed to a Yangtze River cruise between Chongqing and Yichang.
Accessibility
The pagoda is climbed via narrow, steep interior wooden staircases with no elevator, making it inaccessible to wheelchair users and difficult for visitors with limited mobility.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Shibaozhai take?
Time on-site is typically one to two hours, not counting the substantial travel time by road or river cruise to reach it.
Is Shibaozhai worth visiting with children?
It can be, though the steep interior staircases and long travel distance make it more suited to families already traveling the Yangtze by cruise.
Is photography allowed at Shibaozhai?
Yes, photography is permitted throughout the pagoda and grounds, including from the summit terrace and the approach bridge.