
If you want to travel to Chongqing for a trip, you should first know the tops things to do in Chongqing. This articles list all the recommended attractions of Chongqing. Read this guide and plan you best Chongqing trip!
What is Chongqing Famous for?

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1. 3D Topography & Transportation
- Mountain City Landscape: Built on steep hills, creating a multi-layered "8D magical" cityscape.
- Yangtze River Cableway: An aerial cable car crossing the Yangtze River, once a local commute tool, now a iconic ride.
- Liziba Light Rail Station: Where Metro Line 2 passes directly through a residential building.
- Spiral Interchanges (e.g., Panlong Interchange): Multi-level looping roads that challenge even GPS navigation.
2. Culinary Capital of Spice
- Chongqing Hot Pot: Characterized by its numbing Sichuan peppercorns and fiery chili broth, often served in a traditional nine-grid pot.
- Street Food: Spicy noodles (Xiaomian), skewers (Chuanchuan), and bold "Jianghu" dishes.
- Night Markets: Vibrant food streets like Jiaochangkou and Bayi Gourmet Street.
3. History & Cultural Heritage
- WWII Legacy: Served as China’s provisional capital during the war, with sites like Hongyan Village and Zhou Enlai’s Residence.
- Stilted Architecture: Hongya Cave’s cliffside wooden structures glow at night, reminiscent of Spirited Away.
- Ancient Towns: Ciqikou Old Town’s cobblestone lanes, tea houses, and traditional crafts.
4. Natural Wonders & Night Views
- Two Rivers Converge: The Yangtze and Jialing Rivers meet at Chaotianmen, creating distinct water colors.
- Spectacular Night Views: Nanshan Mountain and Eling Park offer panoramic city light displays.
- Wulong Karst: A UNESCO World Heritage site with natural bridges and caves (2 hours from downtown).
5. Modern Landmarks & Trendy Culture
- Raffles City Chongqing: A soaring skyscraper complex shaped like "sailing ships" over Chaotianmen.
- Chongqing Eye: A thrilling glass-bottomed observation deck.
- Artistic Hubs: Eling Er’chang Cultural Park, a retro-industrial creative zone.
Best Things to Do in Chongqing
Chongqing Attraction| Hongya Cave

Source from Unsplash
- Opening Hours: Open all day. Recommended to visit during the evening lighting hours.
- Lighting Hours: Approximately 20:00 - 22:30 (subject to change; it's best to arrive around 21:00).
- Best Photo Spots: The road opposite the first floor; on Qiansimen Bridge.
Want to see Chongqing's most stunning night view? Then you definitely shouldn’t miss Hongya Cave. It has become an immensely popular网红 (wǎng hóng - internet famous) spot in recent years, even surpassing the popularity of West Lake in Hangzhou and the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an. Many say its appearance is strikingly similar to the bathhouse from the Japanese animated film "Spirited Away" (千与千寻).
Hongya Cave is a stilted building complex constructed along a cliff. By night, it’s bustling with crowds. The structure has 11 floors, filled with numerous food stalls and snack shops. Due to its unique mountainous terrain, exiting from either the 1st or the 11th floor leads directly to a street—a fascinating feature that exemplifies why Chongqing is often called a "magical 3D city."





Chongqing Attraction | Yangtze River Cableway

Opening Hours:
- Monday - Sunday: 07:30 - 22:30 (March 1 - October 31)
- Monday - Sunday: 07:30 - 21:30 (November 1 - February 28)
Ticket Price: $20 RMB (One-way ticket)





Chongqing Attraction | Eling Park

- Opening Hours: Open all day
- The predecessor of Eling Er'chang Cultural and Creative Park was the "Chongqing Printing Factory No. 2," which was once regarded as a highlight of the printing industry in Southwest China.
- The renovated old factory buildings retain the original appearance of the former industrial site while incorporating modern aesthetics. With vintage-inspired cultural and creative shops and unique restaurants, it’s a great place to explore!
- Former Site of the Central Bank of the Republic of China Currency Printing Factory (1940)
- Featuring many unique restaurants and snack shops, it has now become a popular artsy check-in spot for young people in Chongqing.




Chongqing Attraction | Ciqikou

- Opening Hours: All day
- Chongqing One-Day Tour Itinerary: Chongqing City One-Day Tour (Yangtze River Cableway & Shancheng Step Trail & Liziba & Ciqikou & Two Rivers Cruise)
There are many places here to experience Chongqing’s local specialty snacks, such as Chen Mahua (numbly spicy twists), Chongqing Xiaomian (spicy noodles), and Lao Suannai (traditional yogurt).
Wandering through small shops or cafés gives off a fresh, artsy vibe. When visiting Chongqing, you can make Ciqikou the first stop of your itinerary. In the morning, Ciqikou is least crowded, allowing you to experience the authentic old Chongqing atmosphere. However, by noon, it turns into a bustling tourist area.





How to get to Chongqing

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Chongqing is well-connected by air and rail, making it easily accessible from both domestic and international locations. Below are the main transportation options, along with exclusive Trip.com recommendations for booking your travel.
By Air: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG)
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport is the main airport serving the city, with flights to/from major global destinations.
Trip.com Flight Recommendations:
- Cheap Flights to Chongqing → Search and compare prices from 1000+ airlines worldwide.
- Airport Transfers → Pre-book a private car or shuttle from CKG Airport to your hotel.
By Train: High-Speed Rail (HSR) & Conventional Trains
Chongqing is a major railway hub in Southwest China, with high-speed trains connecting to cities like Chengdu, Xi’an, Guiyang, and more.
Major Train Stations in Chongqing:
- Chongqing North Railway Station: Serves high-speed trains to Chengdu (1.5–2 hours), Xi’an (5 hours), etc.
- Chongqing West Railway Station: New station serving HSR to Guiyang, Kunming, and more.
Trip.com Package Deals (Flights + Hotels)
For the best value, consider booking a flight + hotel package on Trip.com
When is the Best Time to Visit Chongqing?

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Season | Period | Weather & Features | Recommended Activities |
Where to Stay in Chongqing?
Find Cheap Hotels in Chongqing
From now until stock last, you can enjoy up to 8% off hotel deals on Trip.com when you register as a member on desktop or app!
Chongqing Hotel | InterContinental Chongqing Raffles City
InterContinental Chongqing Raffles City hotel is Trip.com "2024 Global 100 Instagrammable Hotels". It is just 11km away from Chongqing North Railway Station and 22km away from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. Huguang Guild Hall, Chongqing World Financial Center Observation Deck (Huixian Tower) and Night Cruise Of Jialing River And Yangtze River are all nearby.
This hotel is a popular accommodation for guests traveling with families. There are many facilities for children, such as children's meal, bathrobe, toys and more. You can also enjoy a range of amenities including elegant rooms and suites, indoor swimming pool, a fully-equipped fitness center, and even sauna!

Real Guest Reviews:





Chongqing Hotel | Hongya Dieyuan Hotel (Chongqing Jiefangbei Hongyadong Branch)

Hongya Dieyuan Hotel (Chongqing Jiefangbei Hongyadong Branch) is on of the best scenic hotels in Chongqing. It is located in Jiefangbei area, near the famous Hongyadong. According to our guests, this hotel provides a very high level of service.
With Chongqing North Railway Station just 11km away and Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport 23km away, transportation is very convenient. Famous local attractions Historical Facts of June 5th Tunnel Tragedy During the Bombing, Qiansimen Bridge and Chaotianmen Square, can all be reached with a short walk. This hotel makes a great place to kick back and relax after a long day of sightseeing.
Real Guest Reviews:





Chongqing Hotel | Melia Chongqing

Melia Chongqing is one of the best family hotels in Chongqing with unique designs. Different from those hotels in center Chongqing, it is located in Tieshanping Forest Park, where you can experience this "outside the city" paradise surrounded by mountains and water. The environment is beautiful, the hotel building is built around the lake, the facilities are complete. The spacious rooms provide a relaxing retreat, ensuring a comfortable stay.
Real Guest Reviews:





Chongqing Hotel | Qianhexuan Resort Chongqing (Jiefangbei Hongyadong Branch)

Qianhexuan Resort Chongqing (Jiefangbei Hongyadong Branch) is located in the subway Line 1 and 2 (the jiaochangkou station). It is one of the best cultural hotels in Chongqing. In the five old historical buildings, the diaojiao buildings stand up to the mountain, strewn at random have send. The hotel rooms are divided into 12 different styles of rooms, comfortable and clean. The hotel is equipped with breakfast restaurant, gym, self-service laundry, children facilities and more.
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Chongqing Hotel | The Move River View Hotel (Chongqing Jiefangbei Hongyadong)

The Move River View Hotel (Chongqing Jiefangbei Hongyadong) is just a short walk from Xiaoshizi Metro Station. There's plenty to do nearby, with Chongqing Two Rivers Night Tour, Kuixing Building and Century Legend all within a short distance. You can enjoy the beautiful views of the Jialing River at night. Besides, this hotel provides parking on site, children facilities, café, lobby bar and more services you can expect.
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Chongqing Food Recommendation

Source from Visit Our China
- Chongqing Noodles: What’s Chongqing locals’ favorite breakfast? Xiaomian! A simple bowl of noodles needs no extra toppings to delight your taste buds.
- Hotpot: As the icon of Chongqing cuisine, hotpot is truly unbeatable! Any ingredient dipped into the rich, spicy beef tallow broth becomes incredibly delicious.
- Chuanchuan Xiang: Those in the know understand that the broth for Chuanchuan Xiangdiffers from hotpot—it’s less heavy on the beef oil. Do you also grab handfuls of beef skewers every time?
- Hot and Sour Sweet Potato Noodles: True to its name, this dish is both tangy and spicy—absolutely addictive! The chewy noodles soaked in the flavorful sauce can even help drive away the chill.
- Maoxuewang: A hearty dish made mainly with blood curd, tripe, and assorted meats, served on a bed of vegetables and packed with fiery mala flavor. It’s truly a rice-stealing superstar!
- Ciba: “Sweet little Ciba, 20 pieces for 1.5 yuan!”—a familiar street vendor call from childhood. These soft, sticky rice cakes dipped in soybean flour are simply irresistible.
- Trotters Soup: Soft, tender, and rich without being greasy—this trotter soup is absolutely a nourishing classic.
FAQs about Chongqing Travel
How many days do you need in Chongqing?
You generally need 2 to 3 days for Chongqing's highlights, but 4 to 6 days is recommended for a comprehensive experience including day trips to nearby attractions like the Dazu Rock Carvings or Wulong Karst. A longer stay of 5 to 7 days allows for deeper cultural exploration, nature immersion, and even a Yangtze River cruise.Is Chongqing or Chengdu better?
If you're interested in pandas, tea culture, and a more laid-back atmosphere, Chengdu might be preferable. On the other hand, if you enjoy vibrant nightlife, unique geography, and river cruises, Chongqing could be the better choice. Ultimately, both cities have their own charm and are worth visiting!What is Chongqing famous for?
Chongqing is famous for its unique "cyberpunk city" architecture built on steep hills, spicy hot pot cuisine, and as a major starting point for Yangtze River cruises through the Three Gorges. The city is also known for its foggy weather, vibrant neon lights, and its blend of ancient sites like the Dazu Rock Carvings and modern marvels.

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