Chongqing is one of the country’s largest and fastest-growing cities. This metropolis, at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, is in a prime spot in China’s showcase of natural beauty. At the gateway to the Three Gorges Dam, there is much to see in Chongqing, a leading city enveloped by mountains and breathtaking scenery.
This mountainous city is noted for its warm character. The climate is surprisingly warm all year round, making it easy to visit all year round. Hidden in the mist of Chongqing are amazing monuments, unique museums and a culture that will thrill you. Read on to find out all there is to see and do in Chongqing.
What are the best places to see in Chongqing?
1. Jiefang Bei and the Liberation Monument
Among the most iconic sights to see in the giant city of Chongqing is the Chongqing People’s Liberation Monument, a monumental sculpture that serves as a reminder of the victory over the Japanese in World War II.
The 27-metre-high monument is surrounded by one of the most frequented shopping areas for locals and tourists who wander the city’s streets. Jiefang Bei Square is home to the spectacular monument and serves as a meeting point for people strolling through Chongqing’s central hub.
This square is one of the best spots to start your adventure in Chongqing, as well as being one of the best places to get a feel for the essence of the city. If you’re looking for a place to stay, it’s also one of the best options, given its connection to the most important things to see in Chongqing.
2. The Ancient Town of Ciqikou
At the top of the hill overlooking the Jialing River, you’ll find the charming old village of Ciqikikou, one of the areas that best preserves the essence of traditional Chongqing.
The tiny Ciqikikou (especially when compared to the size of Chongqing’s more modernised areas) was once an important port for the city, with goods arriving via the Jialing River. It’s a delight to wander through its narrow streets, which transport you back to Ming Dynasty China at a glance.
If you enjoy drinking tea as much as we do, this area is perfect for it. Ciqikou is also known as the City of Porcelain, because porcelain crafts are still one of the main products manufactured in this area of the city. If you also love to try the local pastries, this is definitely a must-see place in Chongqing.
3. The Great Hall of the Public
Erected between 1951 and 1954, the Great Hall of the Public is an impressive piece of architecture that you have to see in Chongqing. Not only because it is one of the most iconic buildings in the city, but also because it is simply monumental and part of Chongqing’s history.
It was designed by Zhang Jiade, in a successful attempt to blend Ming and Qing dynasty styles, as well as trying to honour the Soviet standards of the time. In fact, its original name was the ‘Sino-Soviet building’, which was later modified. Its distinctive red dome is reminiscent of that of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.
It consists of a main wing, the oldest of them all, along with the north and south wings. Later the east wing was added, making it one of the largest monuments in the city. In front of the building, in 1997 they built a square, which frequently hosts performances. It is common to see thousands of people dancing around it during such gatherings.
4. The Eling Park
If you want to enjoy the best views of the city, Eling Park should definitely be on your list of things to see in Chongqing. This enclave, which name literally means ”goose-neck” park, is on Changjian Street and owes its name to the peculiar shape of its walkway.
It has numerous species of flora from different places. Being a centre of art exhibitions, it has become a favourite place for great personalities of Chinese high society as an enclave for rest and relaxation.
This splendid park boasts centuries-old trees and a zoo housing species such as panda bears and different types of monkeys. Other attractions include the Sheng Bridge and the beautiful Bonsai Garden, where bonsai lovers gather to sample local tea specialities.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What things to do around Chongqing?
A cruise on the Yagntze River and Three Gorges
If you visit the city of Chongqing and have several days to enjoy the area, it’s practically a sin not to venture into the Yagntze River, as this spectacular natural area gives rise to the three valleys of the Daning River, also called the Three Gorges.
On the river route, you will pass the giant Yangtze River Dam, a project of immeasurable proportions that has allowed large boats to enter the route and people to see the three different gorges, called Longmen, Bawu and Dicui respectively.
Witnessing these wilderness areas, teeming with wildlife, as well as the steep cliffs and slopes of the river meander, is a visual spectacle that is not easily shaken from the memory of those who witness it.
What to see in 2 days in Chongqing?
The amount of things to see in Chongqin is overwhelming and it’s hard to fit it all into one article. Let alone see it all in just two days. But if you’re short on time, this little itinerary will help.
For us, some of the most iconic places you can and should see in Chongqing are definitely the ones listed above. Visiting Jiefang Bei Square and its Liberation Monument is an excellent start. Being located in an optimal area to stay, it connects well with the different points of interest in the metropolis.
To this we would add visiting the traditional Ciqikou Village and visiting the Great Hall of the Public, two places with a lot of charm and history that you can’t miss on your tour. Visiting Guo Jiang Suodao, Chongqing’s cable car, is also one of the great charms of this mountainous city.
Finally, a visit to Eling Park is a great way to take in the breathtaking views of Chongqing. And of course, if you have more time or just want to focus on the area’s natural scenery, you can forget about a trip along the Yangtze River to see the Three Gorges.
Where and what to eat in Chongqing?
Chongqing’s cuisine is highly acclaimed and is undoubtedly one of the main attractions of travelling to a region like this. For this reason, we have left a recommendation of some places where you can enjoy it:
- Seasonal Tastes: One of the most affordable yet highly recommended options, where you can enjoy local gastronomy at an unbeatable price, as you can eat your fill for around €9 per head.
- Taste All Day Dining Restaurant: Japanese in style, this restaurant focuses on its excellent seafood and sushi. Prices per head are around €30, but it’s well worth it.
- Origano Roma: For those nostalgic for European food, Origano Roma is a great place to be transported to beautiful Italy. Prices range from €20 and up for lunch or dinner.
Where to stay in Chongqing?
We know it’s a hassle to plan everything that goes into a trip, so to make your stay much more enjoyable, we’ve put together a short list of some accommodation for your days in Chongqing:
- Atour hotel: Located in Jiang Bei, this cosy four-star hotel is an excellent choice for accommodation on your trip through the metropolis. The price for a weekend stay for two adults starts from €111.
- Yue Ke Apartment: Four-star flats, with everything you need for your stay and an unbeatable price of €50 per weekend.
- Vienna International Hotel Chong Qing Yu Bei Airport: As the name suggests, this excellent hotel is very close to the airport and its price and facilities make it a highly recommended option, despite its location. The price for two nights for two people is around €98.
How to prepare what to see on your trip to Chongqing?
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat. You can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map. You can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post).
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Chongqing, China.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about travelling to Chongqing
There are a number of flights available from cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, with flights in June and onwards costing from €1,000 for a return trip. Just bear in mind that you will have at least one stopover on your journey or more, depending on availability and what you pay.
Seasonal Tastes, Taste All Day Dining Restaurant and Origano Roma.
Atour hotel, Yue Ke Apartment and Vienna International Hotel Chong Qing Yu Bei Airport.
Chongqing has an efficient public transport system that will allow you to get around the city without any problems. There is a metro system as well as light rail, buses (usually crowded) and taxi services.
In general, we recommend that you take the metro to get around the city. Especially if you’re staying for a short period of time.
The temperature is mild throughout the year, with especially hot spikes during the summer. So, if you suffer from the heat, we recommend that you avoid travelling in summer at all costs.
As we mentioned, being a particularly hot city, we recommend that you avoid travelling in the summer months. Choose other times of the year, as the heat is really pronounced.
Winter and autumn are excellent times, but if you want a little warmer, spring is the best time to organise your trip.
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