The Chongqing-Xiamen High-Speed Railway has ushered Wulong into the “High-Speed Rail Era.” Recently, five international visitors – Cymye and Diego, a Brazilian couple; Jess, a Brazilian urban planning student; Saahil, an Indian traveler; and Wang Weina, a Thai enthusiast-explored Wulong’s wonders, captivated by the convenience of the new railway and the region’s rich blend of nature, culture, and innovation.
Group picture of five international visitors.
At Baima Mountain, the group marveled at the world’s only twin interactive flying islands, known as the “Flying Kiss.” This unique ride, perched on the edge of Wangxian Cliff, 1,314 meters above the Wujiang River, lifts passengers on rotating platforms that create the illusion of a mid-air “kiss.” From this breathtaking height, visitors enjoy panoramic views of the stunning landscape.
Cymye stood on the one of the platforms.
Cymye and Diego stood on separate platforms, sharing the iconic “Flying Kiss” experience as they soared to the peak. Jess, a second-year graduate student, admired the engineering behind the project. Built on a steep cliff, the structure required careful planning to address local climate, geological challenges, and transportation hurdles, taking nearly a year to complete. “It’s a remarkable blend of nature and engineering,” Jess noted.
Safety is a priority at the “Flying Kiss”. The group arrived to find operations paused due to strong winds. “If the wind calms, we’ll resume,” staff assured them. Despite her fear of heights, Cymye felt reassured by their professionalism. “I’ll wait and see,” she said. An hour later, the winds eased, and the platforms came alive, delivering the thrilling experience they’d anticipated. Saahil summed it up: “Here, adventure and safety go hand in hand.”
Wang Weina was captivated by the library’s café.
In Guiyuan Town’s Jingzhu Village, the warm afternoon sun illuminated the Wuyou Library, a striking blend of wood, tiles, brick, and fiberglass that merges traditional charm with modern design. Wang Weina was captivated by the library’s café, where she met Ran Guangfang, a 53-year-old local barista.
In 2015, Jingzhu Village, leveraging its “National Tourist Resort” status at Fairy Mountain, launched the Guiyuan Town cultural tourism project, sparking rural revitalization. Local farmers found stable jobs with regular hours and steady salaries. Ran, once a farmer, began as a guesthouse server before taking on cleaning duties at the Wuyou Library. Over a year, she mastered coffee-making, becoming a beloved barista. “I now earn twice what I made farming,” she shared. Wang Weina reflected, “Ran’s story shows how tourism can transform lives.”
Four pieces of batik workings.
The group also tried batik, a traditional Chinese wax-dyeing technique known locally as “La Ran”. Brought to Wulong by the Gelao, an ethnic minority group with a rich cultural heritage, during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, this craft is a cherished part of local identity. “Creating batik felt meditative, connecting me to the Gelao’s traditions,” Jess said. Saahil added, “The stunning scenery, preserved traditions, and thriving community likely earned Jingzhu Village its ‘Best Tourism Village’ title from the UN World Tourism Organization.”
The Furong River, the largest tributary of the Wujiang River, flows through a breathtaking gorge of mountains, caves, forests, and springs. As the group cruised the river, Saahil explained to Cymye, “The water’s vibrant green comes from its rich minerals, reflecting excellent water quality and strong ecological protection.”
Saahil was on the cruise.
To preserve the fragile underground river system, the Wulong District World Natural Heritage Protection Center collaborates with research institutions on a Karst Hydrological Monitoring Network. Over 30 monitoring points track water quality, flow, and erosion in real time, supporting conservation efforts.
Furong Cave is a core scenic spot of the World Natural Heritage, a national 5A scenic spot, and a national geological park. It is known as one of the three largest caves in the world along with the Mammoth Cave in the United States and the Krams Cave in France. Inside this “underground art palace,” colorful stalactites glow under carefully designed lighting.
Group picture in Furong Cave.
Cymye and Diego were awestruck by the “giant waterfall” and “thousands of arrows” formations. They were equally impressed by the cave’s ecological safeguards: precise monitoring maintains temperature and humidity, elevated walkways protect delicate deposits, and a daily visitor limit allows the cave to “breathe.”
Over the past decade, carbon dioxide levels in Furong Cave have dropped by 40%, slowing stalactite erosion.Cymye said: “Development and conservation here work together to protect nature’s treasures.”
