Best Places to Visit in Chongqing

Chongqing, located in southwest China, is a vibrant metropolis and a major economic center on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. The city offers a unique urban landscape with attractions such as the stilted buildings of Hongya Cave, the light rail passing through Liziba Station, and the Yangtze River Cableway. Additionally, Chongqing is home to the world-famous Three Gorges, the UNESCO World Heritage Dazu Rock Carvings, and the World Natural Heritage sites of Wulong Karst and Jinfo Mountain. Here, we've curated a list of eight must-visit locations within Chongqing city and the most representative counties around Chongqing, allowing you to explore the natural and cultural wonders and experience the unique charm of this mountainous city.

 

 

Top 8 City Attractions in Chongqing

1. Hongya Cave: A Real-Life Fairytale

 

Located on the lower section of Cangbai Road, Hongya Cave has a history of over 2000 years. It features traditional stilted buildings clinging to a 75-meter-high cliff, incorporating Bayu folk culture, mountain residential architecture, and dock culture. At night, the illuminated buildings resemble the bathhouse from the anime "Spirited Away." The 11-story complex includes food stalls (4-8th floors), coffee and bar streets (9-10th floors), and souvenir shops.

 

 

   - Best Photography Spot: Capture a full view of Hongya Cave from the middle of Qiansimen Bridge.

   - Getting There: Take metro line 2 to Linjiangmen Station or lines 1 and 6 to Xiaoshizi Station.

   - Useful Info: The lights are on from around 18:00 to 23:00 (optimal viewing at 21:00).

 

2. Ciqikou Ancient Town: A Glimpse of Old Chongqing

 

Situated by the Jialing River, Ciqikou dates back to the Song Dynasty and was once a bustling river port. Known as “Little Chongqing,”it showcases traditional performances and snacks like oil pressing, silk drawing, sugar crafting, and face painting.

 

   - Points of Interest:

• Hanlin Yard: Formerly a private school in the late Qing Dynasty.
• Bayu Folk Museum: Exhibits the essence of the town's architecture.
• Baolun Temple: A hideout for the Jianwen Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
• Deep Well: A well-preserved Ming Dynasty relic.
• Baoshan Palace: Formerly Jiaoling Primary School, now a ceramics museum and Ding Zhaozhong Memorial.

 

 

   - Getting There: Take the metro to Ciqikou Station.

   - Useful Info: Free entry, open all day.

 

 

2. Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street: The Oldest Commercial Center

 

Chongqing's earliest commercial district and one of its landmarks. The area is known for its skyscrapers, luxurious malls, and fashionable crowds.

 

 

   - Itinerary Ideas:

• Traditional: Victory Memorial Monument - Luohan Temple - Bayi Food Street - Jiefangbei Night Market.
• Artistic: Guotai Arts Center - Chongqing Art Museum - Thousand Leaves Art Gallery - Mountain City Trail.
• Historic: Former Site of Sino-British Liaison Office - Xinhua Daily Office - Tongyuan Gate - St. Joseph's Catholic Church - Korean Provisional Government Office - Dai Family Alley.
• Shopping: Metropolis Plaza - Chongqing Times Square - Sun Moon Light Center - Chongqing Department Store - Yingli International Shopping Center - Raffles City.

 

   - Getting There: Take metro line 1 to Linjiangmen Station, Exit B.

   

4. Yangtze River Cableway: A Bird's-Eye View of Chongqing

 

Chongqing’s Yangtze River Cableway, built in 1985, is a rare way to experience the city from above. This 1,166-meter cableway connects Yuzhong District with Nan’an District and offers stunning views of the Yangtze River and the surrounding cityscape.

 

Practical Tips:

• Tickets: Single ride 20 RMB, round trip 30 RMB.
• Times: Peak season (March 1 - October 31) 7:30-22:30 / Off-peak season (November 1 - February 28) 7:30-21:30 / Public holidays until 22:30.
• Frequency: Every 6 minutes, 50 passengers per cabin.
• Entrances: North entrance near Jiefangbei and Hongya Cave (more crowded); South entrance (less crowded but harder to find).

 

 

Getting There:

• North entrance: Line 6 to Xiaoshizi Station, Exit 5B, then walk.
• South entrance: Loop Line (Er'lang direction) to Shangxin Street Station, Exit 2, then walk.

 

5. Jiaotong Tea House: Step Back in Time

 

Located on Huangjueping Graffiti Street, Jiaotong Teahouse is Chongqing's only remaining teahouse from the 1980s. Once a canteen in 1987, it became a teahouse due to social needs. The retro atmosphere, bustling with card games and shiny wooden benches, evokes a bygone era.

 

What to do: Drinking tea, chatting, or renting a qipao or suit for photos. Don't miss the Graffiti Street right outside.

Getting There: Bus to Huangjueping Main Street Station.

Useful Info: Open 07:00-19:00.

 

6. Eling II Factory: A Creative Hub for Artists

 

Originally a printing factory in the 1930s, Eling II has been converted into a cultural park where you can find art galleries, cafes, and shops.

 

Getting There: Take the metro to Eling Station and walk for 10 minutes.

   

7. Huguang Guild Hall: Tranquility in the Heart of Chongqing

 

Built during the Kangxi era, this 300-year-old guild hall is an exquisite example of Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. Representing the architectural style of the Ming and Qing periods, its brightly colored walls and tiered design resemble a southern garden.

 

Points of Interest:

Yuwang Palace: Home to a 5-meter bronze statue of Yuwang, showcasing Qing architecture.

Immigration Museum: China’s first immigration-themed museum with hundreds of artifacts.

Guangdong Guild Hall: The site of the largest theater in the assembly hall.

Qian’an Guild Hall: The best-preserved building in the complex.

 

Getting There: Line 6 to Xiaoshizi Station, Exit 4B. Bus to Huguang Guild Hall or Daomengkou Station.

 

Useful Info: Open 09:00-16:00 (closes at 17:00). Tickets 30 RMB (58 RMB with Bayu cultural performance).

 

8. Liziba Station: A Viral Train Ride Through a Building

 

Liziba Station gained fame online for its unique feature where the light rail passes through a residential building, making it a trendy landmark in Chongqing. Situated at the intersection of Jialing New Road and Guihuayuan Road, this station offers a fascinating sight.

 

 

How to Experience: Take line 2 to Liziba and enjoy the unique journey as the train passes through the building.

 

How to Experience: Take Line 2 from Niujiaotuo to Liziba for the “piercing through building” experience. Exit from Entrance B and look up to capture the train passing through.

 

Practical Information:

Operating Hours: First train at 06:30, last train at 22:30.

Fare: Starting at 2 RMB.

 

Natural and Cultural Attractions around Chongqing

1. Wulong: A UNESCO Natural Heritage Site

 

If you ask locals which district is the ultimate tourist destination near Chongqing, many will point to Wulong. Known as the "Oriental Switzerland," Wulong offers a plethora of attractions including the Fairy Mountain National Forest Park, the world-famous Karst Furong Cave, and the filming location of "Transformers 4" at the Three Natural Bridges. You could easily spend several days exploring just this area.

 

 

Recommended Attractions: Three Natural Bridges, Fairy Mountain, Longshuixia Fissure Gorge.

Suggested Visiting Time: 2-3 days (allow an extra half day if visiting the county town).

 

 

2. Fengjie: A Blend of Natural Beauty and Cultural Heritage

 

Situated in the eastern part of Chongqing, within the heart of the Three Gorges Reservoir area, Fengjie offers a rich tapestry of natural and cultural attractions. From the dramatic cliffs of Qutang Gorge to the historical White Emperor City and the natural wonders of sinkholes and fissures, Fengjie embodies the rugged beauty of the Sichuan region. This area has long been a source of inspiration for poets, who have immortalized its scenery in timeless verses.

 

 

   - Must-See: White Emperor City and the Qutang Gorge, famously depicted on the 10 RMB bill.

   - Suggested Visiting Time: 2-3 days (allow an extra half day if visiting the county town).

 

3. Nanchuan: A Mountain Paradise

 

1. Jinfo Mountain: Formed about 260 million years ago, Jinfo Mountain is known for its Karst world natural heritage, rich biodiversity, and Buddhist culture. 

2. Shanwangping: Renowned for its Karst landscape, Shanwangping features the largest and most distinctive ecological stone forest in China.

 

   - Recommended Stay: 1-2 days.

   

4. Wanzhou: Home of the First Waterfall in Asia

 

Wanzhou District is famous for the stunning Wanzhou Waterfall, as well as other scenic spots like the Tan Zhang Gorge and ancient villages with deep cultural roots.

 

   - Best For: A day trip or an overnight stay.

 

5. Dazu: Treasure Trove of Chinese Stone Carvings

 

Dazu is best known for its remarkable stone carvings, with 75 sites designated as protected cultural relics and over 50,000 statues.

 

 

   - What to see: Baoding Mountain Carvings, Beishan Carvings, Nanshan Carvings

   - Suggested Tour: A guided day trip offers a more comprehensive understanding of the history behind these carvings.

 

6. Fengdu - Experience the Ghost City

 

Located in the heart of the Three Gorges Reservoir area, Fengdu County offers a unique blend of natural and cultural landscapes.

 

Ghost city

 

1. Fengdu Ghost City: The Ghost City scenic area is divided into the Ghost City Mingshan Scenic Area and the Ghost King Stone Carving Scenic Area. 

2. Nantian Lake: Adjacent to Wulong Fairy Mountain, Nantian Lake has vast virgin forests, Karst highland lakes, rare highland wetlands, and beautiful green pastures.