The most unique city we’ve ever visited. Chongqing 重庆 has earned the names “The 8D City” and “The Cyberpunk City,” and yes, this city is all that.
This city was built on a mountain, so once you’re here, you won’t really know which floor you’re on. You might think you’re on the ground floor, but it turns out you’re actually on the 22nd floor from the other side!
The skyline and the aesthetics of this city, both day and night, are unmatched. Everywhere we went, we kept feeling visually overstimulated — in the best way possible.
One thing you’ll notice is that this city is extra chaotic as well. There are mopeds honking everywhere, and many of the popular destinations can get extremely crowded, especially Hongyadong. And yes, you’ll probably get squeezed into the crowd! But that’s also because of how popular and amazing this city is.
Just enjoy the whole vibe, and you’ll experience a city unlike any other.
How to Get to Chongqing From Chengdu
1. High Speed Train (Recommended)
Most trains depart from Chengdu East Railway Station (成都东站) and arrive at Chongqing North (重庆北站), Chongqing West (重庆西站), or Shapingba (沙坪坝站). Depending on the train, the journey can take roughly 1–2 hours, with some services taking longer.
- Travel Time: 1-2 hours
- Ticket Price: Around 100-150 CNY
- Nearest Train Station: Guangzhou / Guangzhou South Station to Foshan Station
- Where to book ticket: Trip.com (best english booking platform in China)
First time taking China High Speed Train? Check out our China High Speed Train for First-Timers Guide
2. Flight
You can fly from Chengdu to Chongqing, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
The actual flight is short, but once you factor in:
- Getting to the airport
- Arriving early
- Security
- Boarding
- Baggage
- Getting from Chongqing airport into the city
…the high-speed train is much more convenient.
Top Places to Visit in Chongqing
1. Hongyadong — 洪崖洞
Also known as Hongya Cave, this is probably the first place that comes up when you search for Chongqing. It’s an amazing traditional-style building complex that lights up at night and looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie.
2. Xiahaoli — 下浩里
A destination full of cute little cafés and indie shops. It’s built on a mountain, so it has this feeling like you’re walking through a mountainous maze.
There’s even a small waterfall inside, and during sunset, it’s really beautiful here because you get a great view of the Chongqing Red Bridge.
3. Shibati — 十八梯
Located near Hongyadong, Shibati means “Eighteen Steps.” It’s another mountainous area to explore, with lots of souvenir shops and restaurants.
Make sure to go all the way to the bottom because that’s where you can see the whole area, and it looks amazing.
4. Jiefangbei — 解放碑
The main pedestrian area in Chongqing, kind of like Nanjing Road in Shanghai. There are a few places you should visit here:
Deyi World: Also known as one of the most cyberpunk destinations in the city. Come at night to see the whole place light up.
Guotai Art Museum: An architectural marvel. I’ve never seen a building that looks like this! But honestly, I’m not sure if there’s anything particularly interesting inside the museum.
Luohan Temple: A 1,000-year-old temple located right in the middle of one of the most modern parts of Chongqing. It’s also one of the prettiest temples I’ve ever seen.
5. Wulong Karsts — 武隆喀斯特
A great day-trip or 2-day-trip option from Chongqing. Wulong Karst has some of the best natural scenery in China.
Transformers 4 was even filmed here because of how incredible the scenery looks. Definitely worth visiting!
Here is our guide on how to get to Wulong, what to do, and where to stay.
6. Ciqikou Ancient Town — 磁器口古镇
A famous 1,000-year-old historic and cultural destination. It kind of feels like a place from a Ghibli movie here.
Don’t miss the Chongqing 1949 show while you’re here. It’s a show about Chongqing’s liberation in 1949 and takes place in the world’s first rotating theater.
The experience is immersive, touching, and breathtaking.
7. Liziba Station — 李子坝站
The iconic train station where the train appears to go straight through a building!
This has become one of the most famous and unique sights in Chongqing, and it’s definitely worth stopping by for a photo.
8. Nanbin Road — 南滨路
A hidden gem in Chongqing. There are a lot of cafés and restaurants in this area, and you get an amazing view of the Chongqing skyline.
This is also where the Chongqing Drone Show takes place on weekends.
Across the Nanbin Road area, there’s also a semi-outdoor mall called Landmark Riverside Garden, which is another hidden gem.
I lost count of how many stories this building has, but it’s such a unique destination. You can keep going higher and higher, and it feels like multiple buildings have been merged into one. Such a unique place to explore!
9. Guanyinqiao — 观音桥
This area is perfect for shopping. There are a lot of malls and retail stores around here.
The Guanyin Bridge is also famous for having the “I am in Chongqing” writing, and a lot of people come here to take pictures.
There’s also a mall called Starlight68, which is a very unique shopping mall with a large aquarium inside. They even have a mermaid show every Wednesday.
10. Beicang — 北仓
Not far from Guanyinqiao is Beicang, a very artistic area full of wall art, indie cafés, and shops.
It’s a very chic and fun area to explore if you want to see a different side of Chongqing.
Explore Our E-Book
Best Activities in Chongqing
1. Watch Chongqing 1949 Show
A large-scale, immersive theatrical performance in China that uses a 360-degree rotating auditorium and high-tech stage effects to depict the revolutionary history and liberation of Chongqing
2. Day Trip to Wulong
A scenic district in the southeastern part of Chongqing Municipality, China, famous for its breathtaking natural Wulong Karst landscape.
Learn more about How to get to Wulong Karst from Chongqing
Best Time to Visit Chongqing
1. October–November (Autumn) — My Top Pick
If you’re visiting Chongqing for photography and travel content, I’d choose October or November.
- Comfortable temperatures for walking around the hilly city
- Great conditions for exploring Hongyadong, Jiefangbei, Liziba and Ciqikou
- Less intense heat than summer
- Autumn atmosphere and frequent mist/fog can make Chongqing look especially atmospheric
- Great time for nighttime city views
October is particularly good for a first-time visit.
2. March–May (Spring)
Spring is another excellent period. The weather is generally pleasant, although May can start getting quite hot and humid.
March and April are particularly good if you plan to spend lots of time outdoors or take day trips around Chongqing.
⚠️ Avoid: June–August (Summer)
I’d avoid summer unless you don’t mind the heat.
Chongqing is famously known as one of China’s “furnace cities”, and summer can be extremely hot and humid. Walking up and down Chongqing’s many hills and stairs can become exhausting.
Where to Stay in Chongqing
We stayed at a few hotels when we were here, but one that really caught our hearts was Regent Chongqing.
This hotel offers service unlike any other. We felt like kings and queens here! From little details like having water, sunscreen, and face spray at the entrance to make sure we stayed hydrated and refreshed, to having an amazing view of Hongyadong right from our room, everything felt so thoughtfully prepared.
If you’d love to elevate your stay in Chongqing, choosing Regent Chongqing definitely won’t disappoint you!
Also, if you love having a drink with a view, I highly recommend visiting the bar here, River Terrace. It has one of the best views of the city. We spent one evening here soaking in the beauty of Chongqing’s skyline while enjoying their refreshing cocktails and mocktails.
The best time to visit is around sunset, when you can watch the city slowly light up!
Is Chongqing Worth Visiting?
Absolutely — Chongqing is very worth visiting, especially if you want a destination that feels completely different from typical Chinese cities.
It really looks like a real-life cyberpunk city. This is probably Chongqing’s biggest attraction. The combination of skyscrapers, mountains, bridges, neon lights and layers of elevated roads makes the city look almost futuristic.
Download Our Free 6-Day Chongqing Itinerary
Planning a trip to Chongqing? Download our free 6-day Chongqing itinerary to help you plan your trip, including where to go, what to do, and how to make the most of your time in this incredible city.
Check out our Chongqing vlog here
Explore More Hidden Gems in China
If you’re planning a longer trip, check out our other China travel blogs featuring Zhangjiajie, Shanghai, and Guangzhou — each offering its own unique blend of nature and culture.
For detailed routes and insider travel tips, download our China Travel eBook, which includes itineraries, hidden attractions, and local experiences curated from our own journeys.
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Chongqing city guide from shopping to must visit area. Covering where to go, where to stay and more important tips
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