On October 7, blooming azaleas adorn the mountains in Qianjiang, Chongqing. (Photo/Chongqing Daily)

Chongqing - At the Sichuan–Chongqing border, micro-vacations are on the rise. Favoring short trips and light luggage, more travelers from Chengdu, Chongqing, and beyond are driving to nearby counties for quick weekend escapes into nature and local culture.

Seizing this opportunity, numerous small towns in Sichuan and Chongqing are transforming into “second living spaces” for metropolitan tourists by developing distinctive cultural tourism brands, enhancing infrastructure, and optimizing services.

Since autumn began, cars with Sichuan plates have become a common sight at Chongqing’s Dianjiang Kaizhifeng Tourist Area, with most visitors coming from nearby Sichuan counties like Linshui and Dazu. “When autumn sunlight hits the flowers, they resemble patches of pink floral mist, absolutely stunning,” said the manager of Kaizhifeng. “This beauty draws not only local Chongqing tourists but also visitors from surrounding Sichuan areas seeking photo ops.”

Chen Linran from Linshui and his girlfriend have driven to Dianjiang several times. He first learned about the Sichuan–Chongqing travel route online. Initially planning to visit Wuhua Mountain in Guang’an, he decided to stop by Dianjiang after discovering its nearby attractions.

“It takes just over an hour to drive here from Linshui. Leaving the city behind feels incredibly relaxing,” Chen said. After his first visit to see the peonies, he couldn't stop thinking about Dianjiang and its tofu pudding, the wetland park, and flower pastries.

Dianjiang leverages its floral resources to cultivate a “flower economy,” integrating floral tourism, homestay leisure, and cultural and creative experiences. “The accommodation and atmosphere now align with young people's aesthetic preferences,” Chen remarked.

Suining in Sichuan has launched self-driving routes linking Dujiangyan, Wenchuan, and other destinations to attract tourists from Chongqing. Meanwhile, Rongchang has partnered with Longchang and Neijiang in Sichuan to create themed itineraries that combine local resources for richer travel experiences. Industry experts say growing cultural and tourism exchanges between Sichuan and Chongqing are turning cross-provincial short trips into a new driver of regional cooperation.

Li Mingyu, an elderly resident of Xuanhan, Dazhou, has spent her summer in Chengkou for nine consecutive years. She recalls the area's once-rugged roads and basic accommodations, but now it boasts the “Forest Homestay” brand with convenient transportation and improved facilities. “We stayed for half a month last time and even attended a music concert. This year, I came again with my sisters,” she shared. According to Chengkou County, approximately 70% of summer visitors now come from Sichuan.

Chongqing destinations are stepping up services to welcome more Sichuan tourists. Summer retreats like Fairy Mountain and Fuling’s Damu Flower Valley have seen a sharp rise in visitors from Sichuan, with some areas even enabling cross-regional medical insurance settlements. With complementary climates and shared cultural roots, Sichuan and Chongqing are becoming ideal partners for short-distance getaways.

Improved transportation links are uncovering more “niche destinations.” Wafang village in Hejiang County, Sichuan, welcomed its first interprovincial bus route late last year, offering a 30-minute journey from Jiangjin, Chongqing. 

“We're seeing more and more visitors from Chongqing, a new customer base for our development,” said Ni Hongbing, a village official. Renowned for its pomelos, Wafang hosts an annual “Pomelo Blossom Tourism Season” in spring, featuring pollination experiences and a rural food street that boosts agritourism and handicraft projects. “Visitors often stay all day, and villagers' incomes have increased significantly compared to before,” Ni added.

To date, Sichuan and Chongqing have launched 26 cross-provincial bus routes over the last five years, transporting more than 4 million passengers annually. As transportation and information connectivity improve, more small towns are being integrated into the leisure radius of the Chengdu-Chongqing metropolitan area, with “micro-vacations” emerging as a new driver for regional integration.