Chongqing, ChinaChillTrip

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Chongqing

Chongqing travel guide · Asia

ContinentAsiaLanguageMandarin ChineseCurrencyCNYLocal specialtyChongqing Hot PotFree to read

Chongqing is a futuristic megacity perched dramatically at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, famous for its jaw-dropping vertical architecture and neon-lit hillside neighborhoods. Once off the tourist radar, it has exploded in popularity thanks to its surreal urban landscape, spicy cuisine, and role as the gateway to the legendary Three Gorges. With a history stretching back to WWII and a skyline that defies gravity, Chongqing is unlike any other city on Earth.

01

Best time to visit Chongqing

aprilmayjuneseptemberoctober

Spring and early autumn offer milder temperatures before the brutal summer heat and humidity set in. October to March brings heavy smog that can be challenging for visitors with respiratory issues.

02

What to see in Chongqing

Chaotianmen SquareChillTrip
Must-see
01viewpoint

Chaotianmen Square

A large public square at the dramatic confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, offering sweeping views of the rivers and the Chongqing Grand Theatre. River cruise ships depart nearby and the night lights are spectacular.

FreeAbout 60 minculturehistorynature & outdoors

AddressHH8Q+J4V, Changjiangbinjiang Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China, 400062

4.5/5 on Google

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HongyadongChillTrip
Must-see
02neighborhood

Hongyadong

A dramatic stilt-house complex clinging to the mountainside near Jiefangbei, recreating old Chongqing with small shops, local crafts, and authentic food. Especially stunning when lit up at night.

FreeAbout 90 minculturehistoryfood & dining

AddressChina, Chongqing, Yuzhong District, Jialingjiangbinjiang Rd, 纸盐河街37, 邮政编码: 400011

4.5/5 on Google

Open in Google Maps

Jiefangbei Pedestrian StreetChillTrip
Must-see
03neighborhood

Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street

The beating heart of downtown Chongqing, centered on the 27.5-meter People's Liberation Monument. Surrounded by gleaming skyscrapers, luxury malls, hotels, and thousands of shops — reminiscent of Times Square or Shibuya.

FreeAbout 120 minculturehistoryshopping

AddressChina, Chongqing, Yuzhong District, 步行街, 重庆时代广场附近, 邮政编码: 400011

4.6/5 on Google

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Three Gorges MuseumChillTrip
Must-see
04museum

Three Gorges Museum

A world-class museum across from People's Square featuring rich exhibits on the ancient Ba culture, Three Gorges history, Qing dynasty life, and Chongqing during WWII.

FreeAbout 120 minculturehistory

Address236 Renmin Rd, Daxigou, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China, 400015

4.2/5 on Google

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05neighborhood

Ciqikou Ancient Town

A remarkably preserved ancient riverside town meaning 'Porcelain Port', with original Ming and Qing dynasty streets, local shops, a hilltop temple, and access to the Jialing River. One of the few such areas in China not reconstructed.

FreeAbout 120 minculturehistoryshopping
Raffles City ChongqingChillTrip
Must-see
06viewpoint

Raffles City Chongqing

A stunning complex of eight towers completed in 2019, featuring the 'Crystal' skybridge — 300 meters long and 250 meters high — recognized as the second highest skybridge in the world. The observation deck offers breathtaking panoramic views.

Paid entryAbout 60 mincultureadventure

AddressHH7Q+9CC, Changjiangbinjiang Rd, Chaotianmen, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China, 400013

4.6/5 on Google

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Liziba StationChillTrip
Must-see
07other

Liziba Station

One of Chongqing's most surreal attractions — a metro station where Line 2 passes directly through the middle of a 19-storey residential apartment building. A must-see example of the city's creative urban engineering.

FreeAbout 20 minculturehistory

AddressYu Zhong Qu, China, 400015

4.1/5 on Google

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03

Where to eat in Chongqing

HongyadongChillTrip
01Chongqing / Sichuan

Hongyadong

Beyond its famous architecture, Hongyadong houses numerous restaurants serving genuine local Chongqing food including hot pot and traditional snacks in a historic stilt-house setting.

Price $$Must tryChongqing Hot Pot

AddressChina, Chongqing, Yuzhong District, Jialingjiangbinjiang Rd, 纸盐河街37, 邮政编码: 400011

4.5/5 on Google

Open in Google Maps

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04

Things to do in Chongqing

Yangtze River Three Gorges Cruise

cruisePaid entryAbout 2880 min

Board a scenic river cruise from Chongqing's Chaotianmen docks and sail through the legendary Three Gorges along the Yangtze River, one of China's most iconic natural and cultural journeys.

Glamorous Chongqing Drone Show

showFreeAbout 20 min

Every Saturday night, thousands of synchronized drones light up the sky above the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers. In June 2025, the show set a Guinness World Record with 11,787 drones. Best viewed from Chaotianmen Square or Riverside Park Mall.

Dazu Rock Carvings

tourPaid entryAbout 240 min

A UNESCO World Heritage Site located about three hours west of Chongqing city, featuring spectacular Buddhist cliff carvings dating back to the 7th century — one of the most important examples of rock art in China.

Chongqing Metro Line 2 Ride through Liziba

otherPaid entryAbout 30 min

Ride Chongqing's monorail Line 2 through the famous Liziba Station, where the train passes directly through a residential apartment building — one of the city's most surreal and photogenic urban experiences.

05

Where to go near Chongqing

Chengdu

Train 1h30Bus 2h30

The capital of Sichuan Province and home to the famous Giant Panda Research Base, Chengdu is a vibrant city known for its laid-back teahouse culture, spicy cuisine, and proximity to natural wonders.

Dazu

Bus 3hCar 3h

Home to the UNESCO-listed Dazu Rock Carvings, a breathtaking collection of Buddhist cliff sculptures dating back to the 7th century, considered among the finest examples of religious rock art in the world.

Wanzhou

Bus 3h

A major city along the Yangtze River and a key stop on Three Gorges cruises, offering a gateway to the dramatic gorge scenery downstream from Chongqing.

Yichang

The downstream endpoint of the Three Gorges cruise and home to the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric power station — a remarkable feat of modern engineering.

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