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Chongqing, China
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Chongqing

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Chongqing is a province-level municipality in southwest China — a mountain megacity where the Yangtze meets the Jialing River. Once the wartime capital, it now sprawls across steep hills as the gateway to the Three Gorges and the home of numbing, incendiary hotpot.

Chongqing

In-depth guides

Ciqikou Ancient Town

Ciqikou Ancient Town磁器口古镇

Neighborhood · 2–3 hours to wander and snack; half a day with the teahouses, backstreets and riverfront; a full day combined with Zhazidong and Bai Mansion

Practical info
Duration
2–3 hours to wander and snack; half a day with the teahouses, backstreets and riverfront; a full day combined with Zhazidong and Bai Mansion
Hours
Streets open 24 hours; most shops 9:00–21:00, some teahouses and bars until 23:00Closed: No fixed closing day.On major holidays (Spring Festival, National Day) shops trade later and crowds surge — timed-entry booking may be enforced. In summer the riverside night-market stalls run late.
Tickets
Old-town admissionFreeFree — no ticket neededHoliday timed entryFreeFree, but during peak periods (Spring Festival, National Day) you may need to reserve entry via the official "Ciqikou" WeChat account; not required at normal timesChongqing 1949 show (optional)¥198¥198–580 depending on tier (standard / VIP / premium) at the Jinbi Theatre; booked separately
Address
No. 1 Cinan Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing重庆市沙坪坝区磁南街1号
Booking
No booking neededNot needed at normal times — just turn up. During peak holidays (Spring Festival, National Day), follow the official "Ciqikou Ancient Town" WeChat account to reserve timed entry. Foreign visitors can register on site with a passport; no special restrictions.
Verified
July 20, 2026
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Tiers of golden-lit wooden stilt houses at Hongyadong stacked up the hillside at night, with the red 洪崖洞 sign and crowds below

Hongyadong Folk Custom Area洪崖洞民俗风貌区

Landmark · 1–2 hours for the night view; 2–3 hours if you explore the interior and eat

Practical info
Duration
1–2 hours for the night view; 2–3 hours if you explore the interior and eat
Hours
9:00–23:00 dailyClosed: Open year-round; entry may be restricted during extreme weather or major-holiday crowd control.Lighting hours vary by season (see the guide for the seasonal schedule); the gold lighting switches off at 23:00. Last entry is about 30 minutes before closing.
Tickets
General admissionFreeFreeObservation deck (11F)FreeFreeIn-mall parking¥5Per hour
Booking
No booking neededNot required on normal weekdays. On weekends, holidays and in peak season (Jul–Aug, Spring Festival, National Day), free timed entry opens one day ahead via Meituan (search 洪崖洞) or the official "Hongyadong" WeChat mini-program. Walk-in entry is sometimes possible off-peak, but expect long queues after 19:00. Bring your passport (foreign visitors) or ID card — it's scanned at the gate.
Verified
July 19, 2026
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Directory

More places to visit

The Raffles City towers and their sky bridge lit up above Chaotianmen at night

Chaotianmen Square朝天门广场

Landmark

Where the Yangtze meets the Jialing, and what locals call Chongqing's living room. The Raffles City towers rising over it are the newest thing on the skyline.

Practical info
Hours
Open 24 hours
Tickets
EntryFree
Address
8 Jiesheng St, Chaotianmen, Yuzhong District重庆市渝中区朝天门接圣街8号
Verified
August 5, 2026
The reclining Buddha and its attendant figures carved into the cliff at Baodingshan, Dazu

Dazu Rock Carvings大足石刻

Landmark

A UNESCO World Heritage site and the high point of Chinese cliff-carving — more than 50,000 figures cut into the rock between the late Tang and the Song. Reservation-only, through the official WeChat account.

Practical info
Hours
Baodingshan and Beishan carvings 09:00-18:00 (last entry 17:00); museum 09:00-17:00Closed: Mondays (museum only)
Address
7 Beishan Rd, Dazu District重庆市大足区北山路7号
Booking
Book in advanceReserve and buy tickets in advance through the official 大足石刻 WeChat account.
Verified
August 5, 2026
Photo
Photo: G41rn8 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
The Liberation Monument clock tower at the centre of the Jiefangbei pedestrian streets

Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street解放碑步行街

Neighborhood

Chongqing's commercial heart, laid out around the monument to victory in the War of Resistance. The pedestrian streets running off it are where the city's street food concentrates.

Practical info
Hours
Open 24 hours
Tickets
EntryFree
Address
Around the Jiefangbei Monument, Yuzhong District重庆市渝中区解放碑周边区域
Verified
August 5, 2026
Photo
Photo: HoweyYuan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
Mist around the limestone cliffs and the cliff-edge walkway on Jinfo Mountain

Jinfo Mountain金佛山

Nature

A UNESCO World Natural Heritage site as part of the South China Karst, and worth the climb in any season — skiing in winter, cool air in summer when the city below is unbearable.

Practical info
Hours
08:00-17:30 (last entry 16:30)
Address
West Slope Scenic Area, Sanhui Village, Nancheng Subdistrict, Nanchuan District重庆市南川区南城街道三汇村金佛山西坡景区
Booking
No booking neededTicketed. Booking online in advance is recommended.
Verified
August 5, 2026
Photo
Photo: Shallowell / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
Chongqing's illuminated skyline at dusk, seen from above the Yuzhong peninsula

Nanshan One Tree Observation Deck南山一棵树观景台

Landmark

The best-known vantage point over Chongqing after dark, where the lights stack up the hillsides in tiers. Tickets are sold at the gate, so it works as a spur-of-the-moment evening trip.

Practical info
Hours
09:00-22:30 (last entry 22:00)
Tickets
Entry¥30
Address
Nanshan, Nan'an District重庆市南岸区南山
Booking
No booking neededBuy at the gate, no reservation needed.
Verified
August 5, 2026
Photo
Photo: HoweyYuan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
A Yangtze River Cableway cabin crossing the river, with the Yuzhong skyline behind it

Yangtze River Cableway长江索道

Landmark

Chongqing's 'aerial bus' — a cable car strung right across the Yangtze, with a full view of both banks of the mountain city on the way over. Book online rather than queueing at the station.

Practical info
Hours
08:00-22:00 (Mar-Nov)Winter (Dec-Feb) 08:00-21:00; public holidays 07:30-22:30
Tickets
One way¥20Round trip¥30
Address
151 Xinhua Rd, Yuzhong District (north station) / 4 Shangxin St, Nan'an District (south station)渝中区新华路151号（北站）/ 南岸区上新街4号（南站）
Booking
No booking neededNo reservation needed, but buying online in advance avoids the queue.
Verified
August 5, 2026
Photo
Photo: Nyx Ning / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)