By Plane
Chongqing Airport (CKG)
Name: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
Distance to city: 25 km from city center
To city center: Metro Line 3/10 (40 min, ¥6), airport shuttle bus (¥15, 60 min), taxi (¥80-120, 40 min)
Direct Flights From
By High-Speed Train
Chongqing North Railway Station
Location: Major high-speed rail hub, 10 km from city center
One of western China's key rail stations. Metro Lines 3, 4, 10 connect to city center.
Popular Routes
| From | Duration | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing | 6h53m-10h | ¥700-1,200 | ✅ Verified: 8 G-trains daily, fastest 6h53m. Faster than expected! |
| Chengdu | 1h-1.5h | ¥150-250 | Very frequent trains! Chengdu-Chongqing is like twin cities. |
| Xi'an | 4-5h | ¥280-450 | Multiple daily G-trains |
| Shanghai | 10-12h | ¥800-1,300 | Multiple daily G-trains via Chengdu |
By Long-Distance Bus
Chongqing Long-distance Bus Station
Location: City center
Routes: Routes to Chengdu, nearby cities, Wulong Karst
By Car
From Chengdu
Distance: 300 km
Duration: 3.5h
Route: G42 Hurong Expressway
From Xi'an
Distance: 700 km
Duration: 8h
Route: G65 Baomao Expressway
From Wulong
Distance: 180 km
Duration: 2.5h
Route: G65 Baomao Expressway
Getting Around Chongqing
Public Transport
Metro has 10+ lines, covers major areas (¥2-7). Monorail and regular metro. VERY hilly city - metro is essential!
Taxi & Ride-Hailing
Taxis affordable (starting ¥10, ¥2/km). Didi app works. Navigation challenging due to 3D city layout!
Bike Rental
NOT recommended! Chongqing is called "Mountain City" for a reason - extremely hilly. Walking and metro are better.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to get to Chongqing from Beijing?
✅ Verified: Flying is fastest - 2.5h flight. High-speed train: 8 daily G-trains, fastest 6h53m (¥700-1,200). Train journey is scenic through mountains. Both are viable.
Can I visit both Chengdu and Chongqing?
YES! Chengdu and Chongqing are only 1h apart by high-speed train (¥150-250). Many travelers do both: Chengdu for pandas and food, Chongqing for cyberpunk cityscape and hotpot. 4-5 days total is perfect. They feel very different despite being close.
What makes Chongqing unique?
Chongqing is called "8D City" or "Cyberpunk City": (1) 3D city layout - buildings on hills, metro through buildings, roads on rooftops; (2) Hotpot capital - spiciest hotpot in China; (3) Hongya Cave - stilt houses lit up at night; (4) Yangtze River cable car - ride across the river; (5) Liziba Station - metro train passes through a residential building!
How do I get to Wulong Karst (Three Natural Bridges) from Chongqing?
Train: 2h to Wulong Station, then bus (30 min) to scenic area. Bus: Direct tourist bus from Chongqing (2h, ¥60). The Three Natural Bridges are UNESCO-listed karst formations - spectacular natural arches used in Transformers 4.
Why is Chongqing called the "Mountain City"?
Chongqing is built on steep hills at the confluence of Yangtze and Jialing rivers. The city has multiple "ground levels" - what looks like ground floor might be 20 floors up! This creates the unique 3D, cyberpunk feel. Walking involves lots of stairs. The metro system is essential.
How many days should I spend in Chongqing?
Minimum 2-3 days: Hongya Cave + river cruise + hotpot + city exploration. 4 days allows day trip to Wulong Karst (Three Natural Bridges). Chongqing + Chengdu combo is popular (5-6 days total). The city's unique 3D layout deserves at least 2 full days to experience.