Chongqing - Standing at the bottom of the sinkhole at the Three Natural Bridges, Liu Suhua, Vice President of the Sichuan-Chongqing Chamber of Commerce in Malaysia, looked up at the Tianlong Bridge and gave a thumbs-up, posing for a photo with the massive stone arch behind her. This is a popular photo spot at the scenic area — the arch of the Tianlong Bridge naturally forms a "thumbs-up" gesture. "The uncanny work of nature is absolutely breathtaking," she said. "The landscape here is so pristine, the mountains majestic and steep, and the streams crystal clear."
On April 16, 2026, a delegation of overseas Chinese media representatives and community leaders visited Wulong, Chongqing, as part of a broader tour of southeastern Chongqing, experiencing the ecological beauty and cultural charm of this World Natural Heritage site.
The Three Natural Bridges scenic area. (Photo: He Penglei, China News)
The Three Natural Bridges scenic area is Asia's largest cluster of natural stone arch bridges. Having served as a filming location for movies like Curse of the Golden Flower and Transformers: Age of Extinction, it has become a window through which the world can appreciate China’s magnificent landscapes.
"Every step reveals a new vista, and every angle makes for a beautiful photo," said Huang Mei, Deputy Editor of LA VOZ CHINA (Spain). She noted that despite it not being peak tourist season, the area still attracts many visitors — a testament to its enduring appeal and local efforts in tourism development.
Hu Zaiming, President of the Milano Zhejiang China Friendship Association, and his wife Wu Weihua, a council member of the association, praised Wulong's fresh air, local cuisine, and convenient transportation. "The Fairy Mountain has its own airport, and the Chongqing–Xiamen high-speed railway has brought Wulong much closer to downtown Chongqing," they said. "Wulong is no longer hidden away."
Good wine needs no bush. So how can this world-class karst wonder gain greater recognition overseas? The visiting media representatives and community leaders offered several suggestions.
"Guide services in less commonly spoken languages need to be improved, and signage as well as visitor routes could be made clearer," said Liu Suhua, emphasizing the importance of service details.
Wang Yansong, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of AUS-CHINA TV MEDIA, suggested more targeted promotion. She noted that while Chongqing is a world-class tourist destination, Wulong — despite being a key component — has not always received focused, standalone promotion. Moving forward, its unique cultural and tourism assets should be developed and marketed as a distinct brand.
Jia Jianjun, head of CCINFO MEDIA, highlighted the importance of social media. He suggested that Wulong strengthen its online presence and collaborate with more influencers. For content, he recommended producing videos showcasing local folk crafts such as Gelao batik, alongside developing outdoor activities like hiking and adventure tourism. "I've noticed tourists from Europe and North America. They are particularly drawn to these kinds of authentic and adventurous experiences, and they have the spending power," he said.
As night fell, the Impression of Wulong live performance began. "Hei zuo! Hei zuo!" With the sky and earth as the stage and sheer cliffs as the backdrop, the chants of Chuanjiang boat trackers echoed through the canyon, vividly evoking the image of bare-backed, sweat-drenched trackers pulling boats upstream along the Wujiang River.
"Without flashy effects, this performance presents Bayu culture in its most raw and powerful form. It etches the spirit of resilience and optimism into the rocky gorge, and echoes it straight into people's hearts," said Wang Yansong. She added that overseas Chinese with roots in Chongqing can hear nostalgia in the trackers' chants and see reflections of their ancestors in the porters' struggles.
In 2025, Wulong received nearly 780,000 inbound tourists, a year-on-year increase of 216.2%. According to scenic area statistics, Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore remain major source markets.
"This is such a wonderful place — more people should know about it," said Hu Zaiming and his wife. They promised to share posts on social media to "take out" the beautiful scenery and cuisine. Acting as cultural bridges, overseas Chinese are helping Wulong’s stories resonate with a global audience.
(Zhang Xuege, as an intern, also contributed to this report)