Overview
Chongqing is a steep, neon-lit river city built around spicy food, cheap transit, and dramatic night views. Use the metro, cableway, and escalators to navigate the hills, then branch out toward Dazu or the Three Gorges.
Food · Nightlife · River · Transit Hub · Architecture
Did you know?
- Small restaurants serve local beer for ¥3 a bottle.
- The Yangtze River Cableway costs ¥20 one-way and offers river views.
- One building's ground floor can equal the adjacent building's 20th floor.
Why go?
Chongqing is fast becoming the most economically important city in interior West China, with a futuristic downtown core popular with travel YouTubers. It serves as the launching point for Yangtze River cruises through the Three Gorges and is near the UNESCO-listed Dazu Rock Carvings. The city is notorious for hot humid weather and smog from October to March.
Getting in
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (IATA: CKG) is 21 km northeast of the city, served by international flights from Asia, Middle East, Europe, Oceania and North America. The city has three major railway stations: Chongqing North Station (high-speed to Chengdu and many other cities), Chongqing West Station, and the new Chongqing East Railway Station (opened June 2025, claimed as the largest railway station in the world). Long-distance buses depart from Caiyuanba Bus Station (next to the old Chongqing Railway Station) and Chenjiaping Bus Station for buses to the west and Sichuan.
Getting around
The metro and bus systems are very cheap and efficient. Chongqing is very hilly with lots of stairs; the ground floor of one building can equal the 20th floor of an adjacent building. The Yangtze River Cableway (¥20 one-way) offers great views across the river. The Huangguan Escalator (¥2) is the second longest single escalator in Asia, saving steep climbs.
When to go
Chongqing is humid year-round, cold December to February and hot June to September. Smog is heavy from October to March, posing respiratory challenges. The best times are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) for milder weather. Saturdays feature a drone show at Chaotianmen at 20:30-20:50 (and on major holidays).
Where to stay
Accommodation ranges from dormitory-style hostels for ¥30 per night, to three-star hotels for ¥150, up to top Western hotels for ¥600-2000. The Yangtze River International Youth Hostel is a budget favorite with dorms from ¥30 and clean facilities. The Yudu Hotel near Jiefangbei offers singles for ¥180 and doubles for ¥280. The Sheng Ming Hotel (from ¥279) includes English channels and room service.
Food and drink
Chongqing is famous for its spicy hotpot and noodles. Small restaurants serve local beer at ¥3 per bottle, while bottled beer in bars is around ¥10. Susie's Pizza in Shapingba offers hotpot pizza from ¥50. Xiaofeng Noodle Restaurant serves delicious Chongqing-style noodles for ¥14-18. The 'Yuwei 360 Bowl' initiative promotes local dishes at designated stores.
Things to do
Visit Chaotianmen Square for free views of the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. Explore Ciqikou ancient town (free) with porcelain shops and a temple. See Hongyadong (free), a recreation of old Chongqing clinging to the mountainside. Ride the Yangtze River Cableway (¥20 one-way) for aerial views. Evening cruises on the Liangjiang (¥95-118) offer skyline night views. Hot springs like Northern Hot Springs Park (¥10 entry, ¥308 for bathing) provide relaxation.
Safety
The air quality is poor from October to March due to smog; travelers with respiratory issues should take precautions. Some bars may use 'pretty girls' to overcharge; be cautious and avoid such establishments. The city is generally safe for travelers, but watch for scams in bars.
Budget
A daily backpacker budget can be as low as ¥100-150: dorm ¥30, street food meals ¥20-30, local transport ¥10-20. Hot pot meal ¥50-80, local beer ¥3-10. Many museums are free or cost ¥10-30. The Yangtze River Cableway is ¥20 one-way. Evening cruises cost ¥95-118.
Day trips
The Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are three hours west of Chongqing city and can be reached by bus from Chenjiaping Bus Station. Qijiang is another nearby option mentioned.
Go next
From Chongqing, you can take Yangtze River cruises through the Three Gorges (¥700-2500). Other destinations include Chengdu by high-speed train from Chongqing North Station, and the Dazu Rock Carvings for a day trip.
Guide text adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to start
Eat
Susie's Pizza
Has all of the classic flavours and some local Chongqing flavours like hotpot pizza. The restaurant is small and clean.
Price when recorded: From ¥50
Eat
Xiaofeng Noodle Restaurant
Eat delicious Chongqing-style noodles on the street.
Price when recorded: ¥14-18
Eat
渝味360碗美食体验店
As part of the official "Yuwei 360 Bowl" initiative to promote Chongqing cuisine [citation:1], these designated stores offer a curated tasting experience of the city's diverse and authentic local dishes in one place.
See
Art Museum of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute
Situated at the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute's Huxi Campus, this is one of Chongqing's largest art museums. The museum is also known as the Luo Zhongli Art Museum. Mr Luo Zhongli is a famous oil painter who graduated from the institute. Some of Luo’s works have been reproduced on the exterior of the buildings.
Price when recorded: Free
See
Baolin Museum
A large private museum established by retired PLA general Chen Baolin. The museum's name is incorrectly translated into English as 'Baolin Art Museum'. In fact, this is more than just an art museum. The museum's exhibits pertain to a broad range of subjects, including arts, culture, history and paleontology.
Price when recorded: Free
See
Beibei Art Museum
Price when recorded: Free
See
Beibei History and Culture Museum
Price when recorded: Free
See
Changjiang Museum of Contemporary Art
Price when recorded: Free
Before you go
Accommodation
Dorm from ¥30, three-star from ¥150, luxury ¥600-2000. Rarely fully booked.
Language
Local dialect is Sichuanese; standard Mandarin widely understood.
Money
Local beer ¥3-10, dorm beds ¥30, street noodles ¥14-18, hotpot ¥50-80.
Safety
Heavy smog Oct-Mar; bar scams possible. Avoid pretty girls luring you in bars.
Transport
Metro and buses cheap and efficient. Hilly city with many stairs. Huangguan Escalator ¥2, Yangtze River Cableway ¥20.
Weather
Humid year-round, cold Dec-Feb, hot Jun-Sep. Smog Oct-Mar.