Okay, listen: if you're thinking about going to Chongqing, you have to prepare yourself mentally. This city is chaotic in the best way. It's vertical. It's neon. It's humid. The roads make zero sense. The metro runs straight through buildings. I got lost. But I loved it.
So here's your no-stress, actually useful Chongqing travel guide, from getting there to where to stay and the top things you absolutely cannot miss.
How to get to Chongqing
Flying in and getting to your hotel
Fly into Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. Immigration is pretty smooth, but keep your visa documents and hotel address handy in case the officers ask for them. A few transport tips:
- Download the DiDi app before you arrive, the English version works well.
- No DiDi app? You can also reach it inside WeChat: go to Me > Pay and Services > DiDi Ride Hailing.
- DiDi is the Uber of China. There will be touts at the airport asking you to get into their cars. Don't. They aren't regulated, and if something goes wrong you may not be able to get help.
- Prefer the train? Metro lines 3 and 10 connect the airport directly to the city centre.
- A car to Jiefangbei (the main area) takes about 35 to 50 minutes depending on traffic.
Coming by high speed train
If you're already in China, the high speed train is honestly better and easier. It's so much more spacious than flying, plus you get the views of the countryside rolling by. Some popular routes:
- Chengdu to Chongqing: about 1 to 1.5 hours
- Xi'an to Chongqing: about 5 to 6 hours
- Shanghai to Chongqing: about 7 to 10 hours
Try to book a train into Chongqing North Railway Station or Chongqing West Railway Station. You can easily book on Klook; the tickets are sent to your account and linked to your passport. For the full walkthrough, read my guide on how to take the high speed train in China.
Internet and VPN
China's local SIM cards don't support apps like Instagram, WhatsApp or Telegram, so I got an eSIM instead. You can buy one on Klook too, and it has a built-in VPN so you can access all your usual apps easily. They start from around $1.30, very affordable. If you end up getting local internet and a VPN separately, I'd recommend the LetsVPN app. It's affordable, takes about a minute to set up, and you can connect multiple devices to the same subscription.
Where to stay in Chongqing
Location matters A LOT here. This is not a "we'll just walk everywhere" city.
The Jiefangbei area is where most tourists base themselves, and most of the touristy sights are nearby too. Hongyadong (the famous glowing neon complex) is right here. It's walkable to the major sights, there's tons of food around, and the nightlife atmosphere is unbeatable.
You can also look at the Nan'an District for the best skyline views. It's much quieter and a lot more local, so you still get the beautiful skyline without being in the middle of the chaos 24/7. This area is near Nanshan One Tree.
I stayed at the Asiam International Hotel Chongqing Jiefangbei Hongya Cave. It was a solid location with comfortable rooms and good value, about $60 a night, and the city views were great. Nothing ultra luxury, but clean and convenient, which is honestly what you need in Chongqing since you'll be out exploring most of the time. It was about a 5 minute walk to the main tourist area. The building is privately owned and a few different hotels have rooms inside it, so when you arrive at level 1 there are several receptions, an interesting concept for sure.
Top things to do in Chongqing
If you'd like a more detailed plan, keep an eye out for my 5 day 4 night Chongqing itinerary. Otherwise, here are my top things to do in Chongqing.
1. LiZhiBa Station
This is peak "8D Chongqing" energy. The metro literally passes through the middle of a residential building, and there's a designated viewing platform downstairs where tourists gather to film it. You can ride the train too: hop on line 2 if you want to be inside the carriage as it goes through the building. Trains run every few minutes, so you won't wait long for the perfect shot. Go mid-morning or late afternoon to avoid the heaviest tour groups. It's a quick visit (15 to 20 minutes), but it's one of those "okay wow, this city is insane" moments.
2. See the glowing night views at Hongyadong
During the day? Pretty. At night? Unreal. When the lights switch on after sunset, the whole complex glows gold against the river and it genuinely feels like a real-life Spirited Away set. There are 11 storeys inside, packed with snack stalls, souvenir shops, small restaurants, tea houses and photography studios where you can take pictures in traditional clothing. Head to the Insta-famous Wharf Teahouse at night for views over some of Chongqing's most stunning scenery. It's layered vertically, so expect escalators, lifts and lots of wandering. My tip: take the stairs up and down so you don't have to wait for the lifts.
3. Explore the heart of the city at Jiefangbei
This is your reference point for everything. Shopping, food, street performances, it's always buzzing. The main landmark is the Liberation Monument clock tower. There are also lots of photographers here with their cameras offering professional shots for a small fee, just make sure to negotiate and agree on the rate first.
4. Eat everything at Bayi Road
Bayi Road Food Street is right next to Jiefangbei, so you can easily combine the two. My favourites are spicy cold noodles, lamb skewers and stinky tofu. Honestly, just commit to the chaos and try new things. You might see long queues, and that's usually a good sign. Most vendors specialise in one thing, which means they do it really well.
5. Visit Kuixinglou, the 8D city spot
This is where your brain stops functioning. You walk in on what looks like a ground floor plaza, then wander slightly to the other side and realise you're actually on the 22nd floor of another building. Chongqing is built on hills and cliffs, so buildings connect in the most confusing ways possible, and this spot captures it perfectly. It's free, quick to visit, and great for photos that make people go "wait, how?" To get here, take Chongqing Metro Line 2 (the monorail) to Linjiangmen station and take exit 2, or follow the signs to the Kuixinglou exit.
6. Walk through Shibati
Shibati is a restored historic district that blends old Chongqing architecture with modern cafes and boutiques. You'll find traditional-style buildings, steep staircases, red lanterns and small local shops. It was buzzing with people, and you could easily lose yourself wandering up and down the little alleys. It's more curated and aesthetic than the rest of the city's chaos, perfect for slow wandering and photos. Go late in the afternoon when it's less hot.
7. Ride the Yangtze River Cableway
Take the Yangtze River Cableway across the water. It's a short ride, about 5 minutes, but it's super iconic. Go around sunset (check the weather app first) for the most stunning views. You can travel from Xiaoshizi station to the Jiefangbei side, or to the Shangxin Street side. Tickets are 20 RMB one way and 30 RMB for a return trip.
8. Take a day trip to Wulong Karst
If you have time, head out to Wulong Karst National Geology Park. Inside you'll see the Three Natural Bridges, a set of massive stone arches that feel cinematic (parts of Transformers were filmed here), and Longshuixia, a dramatic canyon walk with waterfalls and towering cliffs. It's a long day (expect 8 to 10 hours total), with lots of walking and A LOT of stairs, but the scenery is unreal and completely different from the city. I booked a tour through GetYourGuide and would totally recommend it: it made getting around Wulong so much easier, and our driver, a local, took us for some amazing food at the end of the long day. He also recommended a massage place that was insanely good (more on that next).
9. Recover at Jin Se Yin Xiang massage
After a long day, you'll want to visit a place like this. China does massage so differently. Not only were we getting a massage for under $40, it came with a private room, a huge TV screen with hundreds of movies to choose from, and unlimited food we could order. I would go back to Chongqing just for this.
10. Relax at Jiangtan Park
Jiangtan Park sits right across from Hongyadong, so if you go at night you get the views from afar and it is seriously stunning. There are plenty of photographers here too, offering to take Instagram-worthy shots, and they even bring their own props. Just agree on a price first, though it's usually fairly standard.
11. See the Chongqing skyline from above at Nanshan One Tree
This is the postcard view of Chongqing. Nanshan One Tree is open from 9am to 10.30pm, and the viewing platform overlooks the entire city. It was truly unreal. Entry costs 30 RMB, and you can easily take a taxi up.
12. Visit Ciqikou Ancient Town
Ciqikou Ancient Town is similar to Shibati, full of shops, restaurants and narrow alleys. It's huge, and you could happily get lost wandering here too. Compared to Shibati, I'd say Ciqikou has a more traditional, old-world feel.
Chongqing is chaotic, vertical and completely unforgettable. Give it a few days, get a little lost, and let the city surprise you. If you have any questions, send me a note on Instagram.
