Why Chongqing
I've been to Chongqing five times now, and the reason I keep going back is because this city is absolutely magical!
The first time I went without proper planning and got scammed left and right — ended up spending over ¥10,000!
Chongqing is an incredibly value-for-money travel destination. It has the most authentic hot pot, the most complex and bizarre terrain, and the most warm-hearted locals. Your travel happiness level will skyrocket here.
I've traveled to many cities, but when it comes to fun, delicious food, and saving money, nothing beats Chongqing. This guide is compiled from my five trips — pure hard-won lessons to help you avoid pitfalls.
What to Prepare
Documents
ID card, student ID (some attractions offer discounts)
Sun Protection
Sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, and ideally a sun-protective jacket. Especially important for July-September visits — the UV in this mountain city is intense!
Medicine
Motion sickness pills (Chongqing's attractions are spread out), band-aids, cold medicine, antihistamines
Electronics
Phone, power bank, charger, headphones, selfie stick, camera (mountain city + film camera = stunning photos)
Getting Around
How to Get to Chongqing
① Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport: Two terminals (T2, T3) with free shuttle between them
② Chongqing North Station: Preferred high-speed rail station — closer to Jiefangbei than West Station
③ Chongqing West Station: Farther from city center, less convenient
City Transport
① Metro: WeChat/Alipay search "Chongqing Public Transport Transit Code". Currently 8 lines, operating 6:30-23:00.
Warning: Always check your destination carefully! Some metro exits say "5 min walk" but Chongqing's terrain means you might climb stairs for 5 minutes in 35°C heat!
② Bus: Same transit code, ¥2 flat fare
③ Ride-hailing: DiDi, T3, Caocao
④ Taxi: Chongqing's "yellow Ferraris" — base fare ¥10 (day), ¥11 (night)
⑤ Rental car: Seriously not recommended unless you're a 10-year veteran driver! Chongqing's traffic is chaotic.
Pro Tip
Chongqing is a 3D magic city — navigation apps are often useless here. The map might show you're 50 meters away, but you could be on the 11th floor while the destination is on the 1st floor!
Must-See Attractions
Chongqing's attractions fall into four categories:
- City landmarks: Jiefangbei, Hongyadong, Qiansimen Bridge, Ciqikou, Liziba Monorail Station, Yangtze Cableway
- Zhuoshui area: Bala Lake, Puhua Underground River, Zhuoshui Ancient Town
- Wulong & Wujiang area: Wujiang Gallery, Jiuli City, Natural Bridges
- Wansheng Otao Ji: Theme park for thrill-seekers
Hongyadong
You can't visit Chongqing without seeing Hongyadong. This national AAAA tourist attraction blends Bayou folk culture, mountain architecture, and dock culture.
Tips:
- Lights on 19:00-23:00 — don't go too early
- Free entry but capacity-controlled
- Photos with mascots cost extra
- Best全景 shot from Qiansimen Bridge above
Jiefangbei
Chongqing's most famous landmark — the absolute heart of the city's commercial center.
Best visited at night when Chongqing's nightlife begins and the area fills with people.
Wulong Natural Bridges
Located 20km northeast of Wulong district, this is a stunning karst landscape with three natural bridges: Tianlong, Qinglong, and Heilong. The Tianfu Official Courier Station beneath Tianlong Bridge was filmed in "Curse of the Golden Flower" and "Transformers 4".
Ciqikou
China's Historical and Cultural Street, Chongqing's protected traditional street, and one of Chongqing's "New Twelve Scenes". Walk the quiet alleys for the most authentic local life.
Yangtze Cableway
Chongqing's iconic transport experience. Ride across the Yangtze River with panoramic views. Single ¥20, round-trip ¥30.
Nanshan One Tree Observation Deck
The best spot for Chongqing's night view — overlooking the entire Yuzhong Peninsula and two rivers. ¥30, arrive at dusk and wait for the lights.
Dazu Rock Carvings
UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 50,000 stone carvings. Baoding Mountain (¥140) is the main area; Thousand-Hand Guanyin is the star. Hire a guide — the carvings are hard to appreciate without context.
Chaotianmen
Where the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers meet — Chongqing's original dock. The Yangtze runs muddy while the Jialing runs clear, creating a dramatic visual split. The new Raffles City is the modern landmark.
7-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive → Jiefangbei → Bayi Food Street → Hongyadong night view
Day 2: Jiefangbei → Chaotianmen → Yangtze Cableway → Nanshan One Tree
Day 3: Wulong → Natural Bridges → Fairy Mountain
Day 4: Wulong → Tiankeng Difeng → Return to city
Day 5: Dazu Rock Carvings (Baoding + North Mountain) → Return
Day 6: Ciqikou → Liziba Monorail → Eling Park → Eryao Creative Park
Day 7: Shopping at Jiefangbei → Hot pot → Depart
Day 1: Arrival + Jiefangbei + Hongyadong
Arrive in Chongqing, check in, rest then head out. Visit Jiefangbei landmark, 3 min walk to Bayi Food Street.
Snack recommendations:
- Haoyoulai sour & spicy noodles (Chongqing specialty)
- Jinbang Timing (tender pig trotters, chewy and bouncy)
- Cold pot skewers (must-try in Chongqing)
- Grilled duck intestines (crispy and flavorful)
- Junton guokui (crispy flatbread, beef filling is amazing)
The highlight! Hongyadong's dazzling night view — if you haven't seen it, you haven't been to Chongqing.
Day 2: Chaotianmen + Yangtze Cableway + Nanshan
Morning: Chaotianmen where two rivers meet — Yangtze runs muddy, Jialing runs clear. Then ride the Yangtze Cableway across the river.
Evening: Nanshan One Tree observation deck for Chongqing's night view — one of the world's top three nightscapes.
Day 3: Wulong Natural Bridges + Fairy Mountain
Natural Bridges (AAAAA scenic area) — glass platform at the entrance, elevator down to the bridges. The Tianfu Official Courier Station beneath Tianlong Bridge was a filming location.
Afternoon: Fairy Mountain grassland at 1,800m elevation, summer avg 21°C. Horse riding and grass sledding available.
Day 4: Tiankeng Difeng + Return
Morning: Tiankeng Difeng — typical karst landscape with underground rivers, waterfalls, and canyons.
Afternoon: Return to Chongqing. Evening: hot pot dinner.
Day 5: Dazu Rock Carvings
UNESCO World Heritage Site with 50,000+ stone carvings. Baoding Mountain is the main area. Hire a guide to understand the carvings' meaning.
Day 6: Ciqikou + Liziba + Eryao
Ciqikou Ancient Town — thousand-year water town, try the famous mahua (twisted dough twists).
Liziba — watch the monorail literally pass through a building. Photo spot at the observation deck below.
Eling Park — panoramic views of Yuzhong Peninsula. Eryao Creative Park — filming location for "I Belonged to You".
Day 7: Shopping + Hot Pot + Depart
Last day: shop for hot pot base, Chen mahua, Hechuan walnut cake. Final hot pot lunch, then head to airport.
Where to Stay
① Avoid accommodation recommended by street touts — usually poor-quality guesthouses
② Compare prices across platforms to avoid being ripped off
Stay Near Jiefangbei or Guanyinqiao
Most attractions are concentrated around Jiefangbei. Budget options near Xiaoshizi/Chaotianmen stations. For river views, make sure you're within 300m of the river!
Avoid Shapingba or Chongqing North Station
Chongqing metro exits are far apart with lots of hills — stay near the attraction-dense areas.
Budget Tips
- Near metro
- Close to attractions
- Lots of food options nearby
- Clean and comfortable
- Under ¥170/person (river-view rooms excluded)
What to Eat
Chongqing Xiaomian (Noodles)
Price: ¥8/bowl
Why: Chongqing's most iconic dish — spicy chili oil with savory toppings that instantly awaken your taste buds!
Sour & Spicy Noodles
Price: ¥8/bowl
Why: The signature sour-spicy flavor is incredibly appetizing and refreshing.
Junton Guokui
Price: ¥6/piece
Why: Golden crispy flatbread packed with filling — try the spicy beef or five-spice pork.
Ghost Buns
Price: ¥17/serving
Why: Small but flavor-packed, thin skin with lots of filling, bursts with juice. Try the soy sauce flavor.
Ghost Crispy Pork
Price: ¥20/serving
Why: Deep-fried pork strips that are crispy not greasy, with Sichuan peppercorn kick. Eat fresh!
Yundougao (Steam Cake)
Price: ¥1/piece
Why: Traditional Chongqing snack — sweet, crispy outside, soft and chewy inside. Nostalgic taste.
Guaiwei Hudou (Spiced Broad Beans)
Price: ¥10/serving
Why: Traditional Chongqing snack with multiple flavors — try the spicy one. Crispy and moreish.
Guoba Tudou (Crispy Potato)
Price: ¥8/serving
Why: Crispy outside, fluffy inside. Try the sweet-sour-spicy flavor.
Hot Pot
Price: ¥80-120/person
Recommended: Dongzi Hot Pot, Qinma Hot Pot, Xiaotiane Hot Pot, Peijie Old Hot Pot, Dalong Hot Pot
Must-order: Tripe, duck intestines, beef aorta, beef, crispy pork
Jianghu Cai (Rustic Dishes)
Price: ¥50-70/person
Recommended: Linzhongle Laziji, Cuiyun Boiled Fish, Tieguomen Jianghu Cai
Must-order: Laziji (chili chicken), boiled fish, maoxuewang, twice-cooked pork
Practical Tips
- Chongqing food is spicy — bring fire-reducing medicine if you can't handle heat
- No cameras allowed inside Zhongshuge bookstore
- Many roads are one-way — your return metro stop might be far away
- Big temperature differences between day and night — bring warm layers
- Hongyadong lights up 19:00-23:00
- Statue photos inside Hongyadong cost extra
- Wear flat shoes or sneakers — this is a mountain city after all!
- This is the "Fog City" — bring an umbrella
- This is the "Magic City" — navigation will be unreliable
- This is the "Mountain City" — comfortable flat shoes are essential
Seriously, don't drive in Chongqing! Parking is a nightmare and the routes are too complex — you'll waste hours.