Getting Around Zigong
Zigong is a compact, walkable city in the Sichuan Basin, and most visitors find that a mix of walking, buses and the occasional taxi covers everything they need. The city is split between an older salt-industry core and a newer, modernizing district, and the Fuxi River snakes through the centre, so many routes follow the riverside.
On Foot
Walking is arguably the best way to experience Zigong. The city is small enough that you can see much of it on foot, and the local advice is that you only really appreciate its character when you enjoy it from close up, alongside the people who live there. Riverside paths make for particularly pleasant strolling, and the humid, sometimes foggy conditions are worth keeping in mind when planning a longer walk.
Buses
Buses are the cheapest way to get around Zigong and a fun way to explore the city, with many routes running along the riverside. Two main transport hubs anchor the network:
- Zigong Railway Station (1 Huochezhan Road, Da'an District) is served by local bus routes 2, 7, 17, 32, 34, 37 and 304.
- Zigong General Bus Station (Dangui Street, Ziliujing District), the city's main bus station, sits close to the Huidong Public Bus Terminal, which is served by routes 1, 10, 16, 28, 61, 301, 306, 308, 309, 803 and 808.
These interchanges make it straightforward to connect between long-distance coaches and local city buses. Fares are inexpensive, and you can simply pay on board.
Rail
Zigong Railway Station is the city's rail gateway, located on Huochezhan Road in the Da'an District. High-speed trains connect Zigong with Chengdu, with most departures leaving from Chengdu East Railway Station; the trip takes just over an hour. This makes the train a fast and convenient option if you are arriving from the provincial capital. There is no metro or tram system in Zigong, so rail is used for intercity travel rather than for getting around within the city.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are readily available alongside buses and are a practical choice for shorter hops or when you are carrying luggage. For most everyday sightseeing, though, the combination of walking and buses will serve you well.
Arriving by Air
Zigong does not have its own commercial airport, so most visitors fly into Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and continue overland. Direct buses run from the airport to Zigong, with several departures each day in both standard and business classes; the journey takes roughly three hours. This is the simplest way to reach the city from the airport without changing transport in central Chengdu.
Arriving by Long-Distance Bus
Zigong General Bus Station is the main arrival point for coaches from elsewhere in Sichuan and beyond. Services run from a number of bus stations in Chengdu, and some of these — including Chadianzi Bus Station and Xinnanmen Bus Station — offer direct buses to the Zigong Dinosaur Museum and the Zigong Salt Museum, which is handy if those are your first stops. Buses also connect Zigong with Chongqing, departing throughout the day from the morning until late afternoon, with a journey time of two to three hours. Fares vary depending on the type of bus and route, and the trip from Chengdu takes roughly three hours.
Practical Tips
- Base yourself near a major bus interchange such as the General Bus Station or the railway station to make the most of the local network.
- Allow extra time on foggy days, as ground fog can reduce visibility in the area.
- If you are heading straight to the dinosaur or salt museums, check whether a direct coach from Chengdu suits your plans before committing to a train-plus-local-bus combination.