The short version
Is Chongqing worth visiting? Yes. It is one of China’s most striking cities: skyscrapers stacked on steep hills where the Yangtze and Jialing rivers meet, a monorail that runs straight through an apartment building, and a cable car over the Yangtze. It is also the home of Chongqing hot pot.
- How long: 2 days for the city highlights. 3 to 4 days if you add a day trip to the Dazu Rock Carvings or Wulong’s karst landscape.
- Getting there: about 1 to 1.5 hours by high-speed train from Chengdu, or fly into Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport.
- Best time: March to May and October to November. Summers are extremely hot.
- Entry: Chongqing Jiangbei is a 240-hour visa-free transit port, and 30-day visa-free travelers can visit too.
Why Chongqing is different
Chongqing is often called a “3D” or “8D” city. Streets run on many levels, so the ground floor of one building can be the 20th floor of the building next to it. Stairways, footbridges, escalators and elevators connect the levels. Map apps can struggle, and walking directions often involve a lot of steps.
At night the city lights up. The view of the skyline and bridges from the rivers and hilltops is the reason many people come.
What to see in Chongqing
City highlights
| Sight | What it is | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Hongyadong (洪崖洞) | Stilt-house-style complex on a cliff above the Jialing River | Best after dark when it is lit up; very crowded on holiday evenings |
| Jiefangbei (解放碑) | Downtown pedestrian area around the Liberation Monument | Shopping, snacks and a short walk to Hongyadong |
| Yangtze River Cableway (长江索道) | Cable car across the Yangtze, from Yuzhong to Nan’an | RMB 30 one way, RMB 50 return; queues can be long |
| Liziba station (李子坝) | Metro Line 2 monorail running through a residential building | Watch from the free viewing platform below the station |
| Chaotianmen (朝天门) | Where the two rivers meet; next to Raffles City | River cruises leave nearby in the evening |
| Ciqikou Ancient Town (磁器口) | Old riverside town with snacks and souvenir stalls | Go early; it is very busy by afternoon |
| Eling Park and Eling Erchang (鹅岭) | Hilltop park, and a former printing factory turned creative district | Good views over the peninsula |
| Nanshan viewpoints (南山) | Hills on the south bank with the classic skyline view | Take a taxi up for sunset and the night view |
Yangtze River Cableway
The cableway crosses the Yangtze between Yuzhong District and the south bank. According to the Chongqing Municipal Development and Reform Commission, fares from 1 January 2025 are RMB 30 one way and RMB 50 return. These are official maximum prices.
Queues are longest in the evening and on holidays. Go early in the day, or buy timed tickets through the official channels if they are available when you visit.
Evening river cruise
Evening cruises on the Yangtze and Jialing rivers leave from around Chaotianmen. They show the lit-up skyline, Hongyadong and the bridges. Book on the day or through a travel app, and bring a jacket in cooler months.
Chongqing in 2 or 3 days
Day 1: the peninsula
- Morning: Jiefangbei and the pedestrian streets, then the Yangtze River Cableway across to the south bank and back.
- Afternoon: Liziba station to watch the monorail go through the building, then Eling Park.
- Evening: Hongyadong after dark, then a hot pot dinner.
Day 2: old town and views
- Morning: Ciqikou Ancient Town before the crowds.
- Afternoon: a museum or a slow walk around the stairways and old lanes of Yuzhong.
- Evening: an evening river cruise from Chaotianmen, or Nanshan for the skyline view.
Day 3: a day trip
- Dazu Rock Carvings (大足石刻): a UNESCO World Heritage Site with thousands of Buddhist carvings from the 9th to 13th centuries. About two hours by road from central Chongqing.
- Wulong Karst (武隆): part of the UNESCO South China Karst site, with huge natural bridges and gorges. About three hours by road. Many visitors stay overnight.
Book these sights in advance and check current prices, opening hours and transport before you go.
Longer: Yangtze River cruise
Chongqing is the usual starting or finishing point for Three Gorges cruises to Yichang, which take about three to four nights downstream. Book with a licensed cruise company.
Getting around a city built on hills
- Metro: Chongqing’s metro, including the famous monorail lines, is the easiest way around. Pay with the metro QR code in Alipay (Transport → City) or buy single tickets at machines.
- Taxis and DiDi: cheap and plentiful. Hills and one-way roads mean the route can look strange on the map. See How to get a taxi in China.
- Walking: expect lots of steps. Comfortable shoes are essential.
- Maps: use Amap in English. Buildings with entrances on several levels can confuse any map, so check which level and entrance you need. See Does Google Maps work in China?
Getting to Chongqing
From Chengdu by high-speed train
Chengdu and Chongqing are connected by frequent high-speed trains. The fastest take about one to one and a half hours. Both cities have several big stations, including Chengdu East and Chongqing North and Chongqing West, so check your ticket and allow time to reach the right one. See How to book China train tickets.
By air
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport has international and domestic flights, and a metro connection to the city. It is a 240-hour visa-free transit port, so an eligible trip can, for example, enter at Chengdu and leave from Chongqing. See 240-hour visa-free transit.
From other cities
High-speed trains link Chongqing with cities such as Guiyang, Xi’an, Wuhan and Guangzhou. For long distances, a domestic flight may be quicker.
What to eat in Chongqing
Chongqing hot pot (重庆火锅) is the city’s signature: a bubbling pot of beef-tallow broth loaded with dried chilies and Sichuan peppercorns, which make your mouth tingle and go numb.
- Order a split pot (鸳鸯锅, yuānyang guō) with a spicy side and a mild side if you are not used to the heat.
- Ask for less spice: wēi là (微辣, “a little spicy”) or bú yào là (不要辣, “not spicy”).
- Classic dipping sauce: sesame oil with garlic, which cools the chili.
- Popular items: beef tripe, duck intestines, beef slices, potatoes, lotus root, tofu and greens.
Other favorites: Chongqing noodles (小面, xiǎo miàn), spicy chicken (辣子鸡), grilled fish (烤鱼) and suan la fen (酸辣粉), a hot-and-sour sweet potato noodle soup.
Many restaurants use table QR codes. See How to order food in China.
When to visit Chongqing
| Season | Weather | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Mild, sometimes rainy | Best |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Very hot and humid; highs often in the high 30s °C, sometimes above 40°C | Hard; go early and late |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | Warm in September, then pleasant | Best from October |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Cool, grey, damp and often foggy | Quiet, but views can be hazy |
Chongqing is very popular with Chinese travelers. Avoid the May Day holiday (1–5 May) and National Day week (1–7 October) if you can, when Hongyadong, the cableway and Liziba are packed. See the best time to visit China.
Chongqing and Chengdu: one trip or two?
Chongqing and Chengdu are close and very different, so many travelers combine them:
- Chengdu: relaxed, green, pandas, tea houses and Sichuan food. See our Chengdu guide and Chengdu Panda Base guide.
- Chongqing: dramatic, vertical, loud and spicier.
A good plan is 3 days in Chengdu and 2 days in Chongqing, linked by a short train ride, then fly on or take a Yangtze cruise.
Tips for visiting Chongqing
- Wear comfortable shoes. Steps are everywhere.
- Go early to the famous sights. Hongyadong, the cableway and Liziba get very crowded, especially in the evening and on holidays.
- Keep water and sunscreen with you in summer. The heat and humidity are intense.
- Carry tissues. Hot pot is messy, and many public toilets do not supply paper.
- Ask for a mild pot if in doubt. Chongqing’s spice level is higher than most restaurants abroad.
Plan your Chongqing and Chengdu trip
Our free trip planning service can combine Chongqing with Chengdu, the Yangtze and the rest of China, with train times, hotels and a sensible pace.
- Chongqing Municipal Development and Reform Commission: Notice on Yangtze River Cableway fares (from 1 January 2025)
- National Immigration Administration: Visa-Free Transit Policies (ports include Chongqing Jiangbei)
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