Chongqing City

The most important city in western China and the economic engine of the upper Yangzi, Chongqing City (重庆; Chóngqìng) is a massive and enthralling urban sprawl. Chongqing makes up for a lack of top-notch sights with fantastic food and charismatic geography: its combination of steep hills at the confluence of the Yangzi and Jialing Rivers is a prelude to the even more dramatic scenery of the Three Gorges downstream.

Be aware that navigating some parts of the city on foot, particularly near the riverbanks, can be like a real-life game of chutes and ladders. Something that looks close on a map might be separated by hundreds of vertical feet – expect to climb lots of stairs while absolutely drenched in sweat, or save your energy and hail taxis with abandon.

When we last visited, a new port area for Three Gorges cruises at Chaotianmen was in the midst of reopening.

Explore Chongqing City

H
Huguang Guild Hall
You could spend several hours poking around the beautifully restored buildings in this gorgeous museum complex, which once served as a community…
C
Ciqikou Ancient Town
The opportunity to snatch a glimpse of old Chongqing makes it worth riding some 45 minutes out to Shapingba district, on the Jialing River west of the…
L
Luohan Temple
Built around 1000 years ago, this still-active temple is now sandwiched between skyscrapers. A notable feature is the corridor flanked by intricate rock…
H
Hongya Cave
Not a cave, but a Disney-esque recreation of the old stilt houses that once lined Chongqing's riverfronts, this 11-storey shopping, dining and…
C
Chongqing Ancient City Gates
Sadly, only fragments remain of Chongqing’s once-magnificent Ming dynasty city wall, which stretched 8km around the Jiefangbei peninsula and was more than…
L
Liberation Monument
This clock tower monument at the heart of Chongqing commemorates China's victory over Japan in WWII. The surrounding pedestrian streets are now home to…
T
Three Gorges Museum
This sleek museum showcases the history of settlement in the Chongqing region. There's the inevitable exhibition on the Three Gorges, including a model of…
P
Pipa Mountain Park
For views of the city skyline, climb 345m Pipa Mountain Park, the highest point on the Chongqing peninsula. During the day, residents bring their…
D
Dōngshuǐ Mén
The renovated former city gate (directly beneath the bridge) is now part of Dongshuimen Old Street, which includes the Huguang Merchant Hall, as well as a…

H
Huguang Guild Hall
You could spend several hours poking around the beautifully restored buildings in this gorgeous museum complex, which once served as a community…
C
Ciqikou Ancient Town
The opportunity to snatch a glimpse of old Chongqing makes it worth riding some 45 minutes out to Shapingba district, on the Jialing River west of the…
L
Luohan Temple
Built around 1000 years ago, this still-active temple is now sandwiched between skyscrapers. A notable feature is the corridor flanked by intricate rock…
H
Hongya Cave
Not a cave, but a Disney-esque recreation of the old stilt houses that once lined Chongqing's riverfronts, this 11-storey shopping, dining and…
C
Chongqing Ancient City Gates
Sadly, only fragments remain of Chongqing’s once-magnificent Ming dynasty city wall, which stretched 8km around the Jiefangbei peninsula and was more than…
L
Liberation Monument
This clock tower monument at the heart of Chongqing commemorates China's victory over Japan in WWII. The surrounding pedestrian streets are now home to…
T
Three Gorges Museum
This sleek museum showcases the history of settlement in the Chongqing region. There's the inevitable exhibition on the Three Gorges, including a model of…
P
Pipa Mountain Park
For views of the city skyline, climb 345m Pipa Mountain Park, the highest point on the Chongqing peninsula. During the day, residents bring their…
D
Dōngshuǐ Mén
The renovated former city gate (directly beneath the bridge) is now part of Dongshuimen Old Street, which includes the Huguang Merchant Hall, as well as a…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Chongqing City.

See
Huguang Guild Hall
You could spend several hours poking around the beautifully restored buildings in this gorgeous museum complex, which once served as a community…
See
Ciqikou Ancient Town
The opportunity to snatch a glimpse of old Chongqing makes it worth riding some 45 minutes out to Shapingba district, on the Jialing River west of the…
See
Luohan Temple
Built around 1000 years ago, this still-active temple is now sandwiched between skyscrapers. A notable feature is the corridor flanked by intricate rock…
See
Hongya Cave
Not a cave, but a Disney-esque recreation of the old stilt houses that once lined Chongqing's riverfronts, this 11-storey shopping, dining and…
See
Chongqing Ancient City Gates
Sadly, only fragments remain of Chongqing’s once-magnificent Ming dynasty city wall, which stretched 8km around the Jiefangbei peninsula and was more than…
See
Liberation Monument
This clock tower monument at the heart of Chongqing commemorates China's victory over Japan in WWII. The surrounding pedestrian streets are now home to…
See
Three Gorges Museum
This sleek museum showcases the history of settlement in the Chongqing region. There's the inevitable exhibition on the Three Gorges, including a model of…
See
Pipa Mountain Park
For views of the city skyline, climb 345m Pipa Mountain Park, the highest point on the Chongqing peninsula. During the day, residents bring their…
See
Dōngshuǐ Mén
The renovated former city gate (directly beneath the bridge) is now part of Dongshuimen Old Street, which includes the Huguang Merchant Hall, as well as a…

Guidebooks

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