Stand on Nanbin Avenue in the late afternoon and the Yangtze runs wide and brown below you, with the memorial halls and apartment towers of the relocated city stacked up the slope behind. Wanzhou is a river town that was largely rebuilt in living memory, and the water in front of you is the reason why.
This guide suits travellers passing through the Three Gorges region who want a day or two of solid sightseeing rather than a resort stay. The city rewards an interest in modern Chinese history, river engineering and Buddhist and fortress sites, and it is easy to reach by high-speed rail at Wanzhou North or by air at Wanzhou Wuqiao Airport.
What follows covers the sights worth your time, ordered from the strongest, followed by a one-day plan and answers to the questions visitors ask most.
Top things to do in Wanzhou
1. Chongqing Three Gorges Immigration Memorial and Wanzhou Museum
This is one of the largest museums in Chongqing Municipality outside the central urban area, and the reason to come is the upper floors, where exhibition halls tell the story of the Three Gorges Dam and the relocation of over a million people to make way for it. The basement level covers Wanzhou's history from prehistoric times up to the 20th century.
The museum presents the resettlement story in an overwhelmingly positive light, though there is at least some acknowledgement of the difficulties and challenges involved. Entry is free, it is closed on Mondays, and you cannot enter after 16:30, so plan an afternoon rather than a late dash.
2. Tianshengcheng Ruins Park
Tianshengcheng, or Tiansheng Fortress, was one of several fortresses built in this region during the 13th century to defend the country against the Mongol Empire. The ruins are now a national heritage site, with signage throughout the park in Chinese and English and a museum covering the history of the site, including the battles with the Mongols.
The park sits on a hill, so take a taxi or walk up from Tianshengcheng Cultural Tourism Block. It is open 09:00 to 17:00, with no tickets sold after 16:00 and no entry after 16:10. As of November 2025 the entry fee is ¥10, likely to rise to ¥30 in 2026.
3. Wanzhou Grand Falls
Formerly known as Qinglong Falls, this waterfall is 115 m wide and 64.5 m high and flows year-round. Behind it are two natural grottos, one of them occupied by a small Buddhist temple.
It lies in Ganning Town, about 50 km from downtown Wanzhou by taxi or local bus, with buses departing from Wanzhou's Xishan Bus Station. It is open 08:30 to 17:00 and admission is ¥98, so give it a half day rather than squeezing it into a city morning.
4. Ciyun Temple
Ciyun Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in Wanzhou. Do not confuse it with the temple of the same name in central Chongqing; this one is on Shalong Road and is free to enter.
It is open 07:00 to 17:00, which makes it a straightforward early stop before the museum opens, and it is served by a long list of bus routes including nos. 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 36, 36B, 37A, 37B, 62 and 63B.
5. Xishan Park
This is the oldest public park in Wanzhou, with old plants and historical monuments, and on its east side stands the Xishan Clocktower, which dates from 1931 and is considered one of Wanzhou's most recognizable landmarks. The clocktower chimes every hour and is lit up at night.
Entry is free and the park is open 06:00 to 22:00. Bus nos. 21A, 21B, 63A and 63B stop outside the main entrance, and the park is also the departure point for buses to Wanzhou Grand Falls, so the two can be paired.
6. Wanxian Incident Memorial
This memorial is dedicated to the Wanxian Incident of 1926, known officially in Chinese as the 'Wanxian September 5th Massacre', a brief military conflict between the British and Yang Sen, the warlord who controlled Wanzhou at the time, during which British naval vessels fired on the city.
It is open 08:30 to 17:00, and fees vary depending on how much of the complex you want to see, with ¥80 covering everything. Note that taking photos of the exhibits is not permitted.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at Ciyun Temple when it opens at 07:00, then move on to Xishan Park to walk among the old plants and monuments and see the Xishan Clocktower, which chimes on the hour.
Afternoon. Spend the middle of the day at the Chongqing Three Gorges Immigration Memorial and Wanzhou Museum, arriving well before the 16:30 cut-off for entry. If you have time afterwards, take a taxi up to Tianshengcheng Ruins Park, keeping in mind that no tickets are sold after 16:00 and no entry is allowed after 16:10.
Evening. Return to Xishan Park to see the clocktower lit up at night, or walk Nanbin Avenue along the river. If you would rather end at the water, note that Wanzhou Grand Falls closes at 17:00 and needs a half day of its own, so save it for a second day.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Wanzhou?
Wanzhou North railway station offers high-speed service, while Wanzhou station handles infrequent conventional services. The city also has Wanzhou Wuqiao Airport, and China National Highway 318 runs through the area.
Which day should I avoid for the museum?
The Chongqing Three Gorges Immigration Memorial and Wanzhou Museum is closed on Mondays. On other days it is open 09:00 to 17:00, with no entry after 16:30.
Is Wanzhou Grand Falls worth the trip out of the city?
It depends on your schedule. The falls are about 50 km from downtown by taxi or local bus, open 08:30 to 17:00, and cost ¥98, so they are best treated as a half-day excursion rather than a quick stop.
Can I take photographs at the Wanxian Incident Memorial?
No. Taking photos of the exhibits is not permitted. The memorial is open 08:30 to 17:00, and seeing the whole complex costs ¥80.
Check the opening days and entry cut-offs for the museum and the fortress park against your travel dates, then build your Wanzhou itinerary around them.