Stand on the deck of a sightseeing boat in the middle of Dongjintuo Riverside Park as the Jialing, Fu and Qu rivers slide past, and Hechuan's layout starts to make sense: a riverside city wrapped around three converging waterways, with a walled fortress town on a hill to the north and a rebuilt old street along the bank.
Hechuan suits travellers who are already in Chongqing and want a day or two of river scenery, Song-dynasty military history and unhurried riverside walking, rather than a packed itinerary of urban sights. Most of what is worth your time sits either along the rivers in the central area or in the countryside northeast of town.
This guide covers the sights and activities the sources describe, with the practical details you need to string them into a day.
Top things to do in Hechuan
1. Diaoyu Fortress
Diaoyu Fortress (钓鱼城, Diaoyucheng) is one of the best preserved of the mountain fortresses built during the Song Dynasty to resist the Mongol invaders. It repelled over 200 Mongol attacks before it was overrun in 1279, and Mongol leader Möngke Khan was killed here in 1259 during the Siege of Diaoyucheng.
It is the strongest single reason to come to Hechuan. Get there by taxi or bus no. 929A along Diaoyucheng Avenue; it is open 08:30-17:00 and entry is ¥60. You can call +86 23 42822763 for enquiries.
2. Diaoyu Fortress History and Culture Museum
This museum is devoted to the history of the Diaoyu Fortress and makes a natural companion to the site itself, filling in the background before or after you walk the fortress. It is free.
It sits at 8/278 Yiwu Avenue (义乌大道278号附8号), reachable by bus nos. 126, 632, 808A and 808B. Normal opening hours are Wed-Sun 09:00-17:00, but because the museum is run by a local college it often closes during major holiday periods, so check before making a special trip.
3. Laitan Ancient Town
Laitan Ancient Town (涞滩古镇) is a walled town with a number of historical sites. The most notable is the Erfo Temple, or Temple of the Second Buddha, founded during the Tang Dynasty and rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty.
Entry to the old town is free, with a fee of about ¥20 to enter the Erfo Temple. It lies about 30 km northeast of the main urban area at 47 Huilong Street (回龙街47号), and buses to Laitan depart from the Hechuan Bus Terminal. You can call +86 23 42561888.
4. Three Rivers Night Cruise
This sightseeing boat trip runs along the rivers of Hechuan in the evening, offering views of the city, riverside scenery and illuminated landmarks after dark. It is a relaxing way to take in Hechuan's river landscape at night.
Board at Dongjintuo Riverside Park. The fare is ¥68, and tickets may be purchased on the WeChat account of the Hechuan Sanjiang Cruise Boat Company (合川三江游船公司). Daytime sightseeing cruises are also available at ¥58, and a round trip to the old fishing town of Caojie (草街) costs ¥98; discounts are available for children and seniors.
5. Wenfeng Ancient Street
Wenfeng Ancient Street (文峰古街) is a tourist area made up largely of imitation or rebuilt historical buildings, plus a tiny number of genuine historical sites such as the Wenfeng Pagoda.
It sits between the Fu River No. 1 Bridge and the Jialing River Nanping Bridge, and you can reach it by bus no. 225 or 815. Treat it as an easy stroll to pair with the pagoda rather than a preserved old town.
6. Wenfeng Pagoda
The Wenfeng Pagoda (文峰塔) is a 13-storey pagoda dating from the early 19th century, standing within Wenfeng Ancient Street.
Climbing it costs ¥10. Opening hours are 09:00-12:00 and 13:00-17:00, and you can call +86 18996212278. Combine it with a walk along the rest of the street.
7. Chongqing Hot Pot Museum
This museum is inside a 1930s warehouse that was originally used to store salt. It is not to be confused with similarly named museums in central Chongqing, and entry is free.
Find it on Yongning Street in Nanjin Street Subdistrict (南津街街道永宁街), next door to the Chongqing Gongzhou Jinke Hotel. Opening hours are 09:00-11:30 and 14:00-17:30; call +86 23 42613613.
8. Hechuan Art Museum
The Hechuan Art Museum (合川美术馆) sits on the west side of Dongjintuo Riverside Park, at 619 Jiabin South Road (嘉滨南路619号东津沱滨江公园内). It is free.
Opening hours are 09:00-17:00, closed on Mondays. Take bus no. 225 or 815, and pair the visit with a walk through the surrounding park. You can call +86 23 42715366.
9. Hechuan Binjiang Park
Hechuan Binjiang Park is a riverside urban park extending along the Fujiang and Jialing Rivers in central Hechuan, and it forms part of the Sanjiang National Wetland Park. It provides riverside green spaces and recreational areas, and it is free and open around the clock.
It runs along Jiabin Road, which makes it the simplest place to fill spare time between other stops.
10. Riverside cycling
Cycling along the riverside is a relaxed way to explore Hechuan. The routes follow the riverside around the central area, passing through riverside parks and urban areas with views of the Jialing River and the surrounding scenery.
Bicycles can be rented for riverside rides; the routes themselves are free, while rental costs vary. This works best in daylight.
11. Blueberry picking and countryside walks
In season, you can pick blueberries in Yangliu Village in Tuchang Town, walk through the countryside and visit local rural markets. The area also hosts seasonal cultural and outdoor activities.
Costs vary by activity, and this is a seasonal option, so plan it around the blueberry season rather than as a year-round stop.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Diaoyu Fortress when it opens at 08:30, reached by taxi or bus no. 929A, and give the fortress the bulk of the morning. If time allows, follow it with the Diaoyu Fortress History and Culture Museum on Yiwu Avenue, keeping in mind it normally opens Wed-Sun and often closes over major holidays.
Afternoon: Return to the central riverside area. Walk Hechuan Binjiang Park along Jiabin Road, then visit the Hechuan Art Museum on the west side of Dongjintuo Riverside Park, which is free and closed on Mondays. If you still have energy, rent a bicycle and ride the riverside routes, or head to Wenfeng Ancient Street by bus no. 225 or 815 and climb the Wenfeng Pagoda for ¥10.
Evening: Board the Three Rivers Night Cruise at Dongjintuo Riverside Park for ¥68 and see the city and its illuminated landmarks from the water. Buy your ticket through the WeChat account of the Hechuan Sanjiang Cruise Boat Company.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Diaoyu Fortress?
Take a taxi or catch bus no. 929A along Diaoyucheng Avenue. The site is open 08:30-17:00 and entry costs ¥60.
Is the Diaoyu Fortress History and Culture Museum open on public holidays?
Not reliably. Normal opening hours are Wed-Sun 09:00-17:00, but since the museum is run by a local college it often closes during major holiday periods.
How much does a river cruise cost?
A daytime sightseeing cruise is ¥58 and a nighttime cruise is ¥68. A round trip to the old fishing town of Caojie costs ¥98, and discounts are available for children and seniors.
How do I reach Laitan Ancient Town?
Buses to Laitan depart from the Hechuan Bus Terminal; the town is about 30 km northeast of the main urban area at 47 Huilong Street. Entry to the old town is free, with a fee of about ¥20 for the Erfo Temple.
Pick your dates around the fortress, the museum's opening days and the blueberry season, and you have everything you need to start planning a trip to Hechuan.