Laitan Ancient Town, Hechuan

Laitan Ancient Town sits about 168 km north of downtown Chongqing in Hechuan District, reached by a long-distance bus from Caiyuanba Coach Station to Hechuan (about an hour, departing every 30 minutes between 06:30 and 21:45), followed by a local bus onward to Laitan (about 100 minutes, though connections can involve waiting); a high-speed train toward Chengdu with a stop at Hechuan followed by a local bus is a faster alternative when schedules align. Laitan is a well-preserved Ming and Qing-dynasty riverside town on the banks of the Qujiang River, known for its wooden stilt houses, cobblestone lanes, ancestral halls, and a historic wharf that once served river trade; the old town itself has no separate entrance fee for most areas, making it an easy, low-cost stop once travelers arrive. A day trip typically allows about two hours to walk the old town's lanes, browse small shops selling local snacks and handicrafts, and view the riverside architecture and ancestral hall courtyards, with the compact layout meaning little strenuous walking is required. Food in Laitan centers on simple riverside teahouses and noodle stalls serving Chongqing-style spicy noodles and river fish, best enjoyed at a table overlooking the Qujiang River. Given the roughly 2.5-hour one-way travel time with a bus transfer in Hechuan, an early morning departure from Chongqing leaves enough daylight for the return trip; spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) bring the most comfortable walking weather, while the town's covered lanes offer some shelter from light rain.