Chongqing Chaotianmen Dock

Chaotianmen Dock, at the junction of the Yangtze River and Jialing River, is the most important dock in Chongqing, which handles large quantities of cargo and welcomes thousands of Yangtze River Cruisers. More than 90% of Yangtze River cruisers would start or end their Yangtze River tour at Chaotianmen Dock.

This guide will show you all the essential information about Chaotianmen Dock, including its location, wharves, facts, map, important notes, nearby attractions and how to get there.

Where is Chaotianmen Dock - Location, Wharfs & Port Change Tips

• Opening Hours: All Day Long
• Fee: Free of Charge
• Wharfs: 1-11, 13, 15, 17
• Address: Chaotianmen Wharf, Changjiang Binjiang Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing（重庆市渝中区长滨路17号朝天门码头）

Location of Each Wharf in Chaotianmen Dock

There are 14 separate wharfs in and around Chaotianmen Dock. Wharf No.1 is at the centre north of Chaotianmen Dock; on its’ left side, from north to south, is Wharf 2, followed by Wharfs 4, 6, 8 and 10. On the right side are odd-number wharfs from Wharf 3 to Wharf 17.

Recently, due to the renovation of the piers and the square, the boarding entrance has been separated into two sites for travelers’ convenience, respectively entering the singular piers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11) and the even-numbered piers (2, 4, 6, 8, 10).

• Singular Piers: Chaotianmen Wharf Entrance (朝天门码头入口) seated between Wharf 11 and Wharf 13 on the east side of the dock;
• Even-numbered Piers: Chongqing Port Tourist Terminal (重庆港旅游码头) seated between Wharf 8 and Wharf 10 on the west side
• Wharfs 13, 15 and 17 each have independent access; tourists who embark at these wharfs don’t need to get through the boarding entrances but are suggested to navigate to the specific dock to board the ship directly.

Chongqing Chaotianmen Dock with 14 Seperated Docks

When & How to Get the Wharf Number for Boarding?

After booking the ship, you must wonder about which wharf you should go to embark the ship. Usually, the exact wharf number for each ship is only available ONE or TWO days before sailing. Therefore, you might not get the exact boarding wharf on the day you book the cruise or receive the confirmation letter.

In case you are worrying, here are some references to common wharfs used by leading Yangtze River Cruises:

• Frequently-used Wharf for Century Cruises: Chaotianmen 11 Wharf
• Frequently-used Wharfs for Victoria Cruises & Gold Cruises: Chaotianmen 6/8/5/15/17 Wharf

Important: The arranged boarding and disembarking wharfs of Yangtze River cruises may be changed according to the real situation. For tourists booking with us, our professional one-to-one travel consultants will provide you with the latest information and always keep in touch to help you board the ship smoothly.

Click to Enlarge Map of Chongqing Chaotianmen Port in Daytime

When Can You Board / Disembark Your Ship at Chaotianmen Dock?

Different cruise companies might arrange different boarding and disembarking time. You can check your confirmation letter or contact your travel consultant to know the exact time of your ship. Remember to leave yourself enough time to catch your Yangtze River cruise ships, trains and flights.

Usually, downstream Yangtze River cruise ships can be boarded at Chaotianmen Dock during 18:00pm~21:00pm. We suggest downstream travellers book a flight arriving at Chongqing Jiangbei Airport before 16:30pm or a train to arrive at Chongqing before 18:00pm.

Upstream Yangtze River cruises would arrive at Chaotianmen Dock at about 8:00 in the morning. For upstream cruise travelers, you are suggested to book the flight from Chongqing Jiangbei Airport after 12:30 or the train after 11:00 on your disembarkation day.

How to Get to Chongqing Chaotianmen Dock

Chaotianmen Dock is located at the confluence of the Yangtze River and Jialing River in the Peninsula of Yuzhong District in Chongqing. It is about 28km from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport and 11km from Chongqingbei Railway Station.

Chongqing's roads are multi-dimensional, meaning that although the straight distance seems not far, it may involve climbing slopes and ladders. Therefore, you are mostly suggested to get to Chaotianmen Dock by taxi or licensed private cars.

By Private Cars - Most Convenient Way of Travel

Are you worried about traffic jams in Chongqing or can’t find the proper wharf to board your ship? Let us - Yangtze River Cruise to take care of your troubles. Booking a local transfer service with us, our experienced local guide and licensed drivers will pick you up at the airport or railway station according to your schedule, and send you to the right wharf for your cruise ship directly, without wasting time on finding the road or finding a taxi.

If you still have a balance for your vacation, don't let go of Chongqing, a rising travel destination in China that is absolutely worth the reputation. You can spend 1-2 days exploring the crazy landform, transport network and peculiar buildings of the extraordinary “8D Magic City” and enjoy the famous spicy local dishes and hot pot there. Two nearby UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Dazu Rock Carvings and Wulong Karst Landscape, are also unmissable.

>> 1 Day Chongqing City Essence Tour

>> 2 Days Chongqing & Dazu Rock Carvings Tour

>> 4 Days Chongqing Tour with Wulong Karst Landscape

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By Taxi - For Independent Travelers

After arriving in Chongqing, independent travelers can also take a taxi to Chaotianmen Dock, check the following chart to know the distance, estimated time to get to Chaotianmen Dock from Chongqing airport or train stations.

(Warm Tips: 1. Distances and estimated times above may change according to the real situations. 2. Due to the strict traffic control at Chaotianmen Dock, it sometimes may take you much more than 10 minutes to wait for a taxi. 3. Traffic jams appear a lot in Chongqing city, especially during rush hours (8-9am and 5-6pm). Therefore you should leave enough time for your transfer, try to hire a taxi as early as possible 4. For the tourists who are going to catch flights or ships in a hurry on their trip plan, you are suggested to book a private car service in advance.)

Check more information about Chongqing Transportation Guide

Embark / Disembark Yangtze River Cruise Ships at Chaotianmen Dock?

Embarking Yangtze River Cruises Ships at Chaotianmen Dock:

1. Get to the Chaotianmen Wharf Entrance (on the east side of Chaotianmen Dock and seated between Wharf 11 and Wharf 13) and then walk to the wharf where your ship docks;
   OR
   Get to the Chongqing Port Tourist Terminal (on the west side of Chaotianmen Dock and seated between Wharf 8 and Wharf 10), then follow the direction board and walk to the wharf where your ship docks;
2. For some cruises, for instance, century cruises, there will be cruise staff welcoming you at the wharf, show your passport to the staff;
3. Follow the floating bridge to reach the oncarrier;
4. Wait in line for security check and portrait collection;
5. Show your passport to the counter staff;
6. Look for crew members carrying the shipboard;
7. Follow their lead to the ship;
8. Wait for checking in at the front desk of the cruise;
9. Show your passport to the cruise staff;
10. Retrieve your passport and cabin card.

>> Check more information about Embarkation Time, Port & Tips

Click to Enlarge the Ship Boarding Guide

Photo Guide of Walking from Chaotianmen Wharf Entrance to Chongqing Port Tourist Terminal:

1. Arriving at Chaotianmen Wharf Entrance;
2. Follow the brown sign with numbers 6, 8 on the board;
3. Pass ports 11, 9, and 7 on the right;
4. See an orange sign: To go to Jiabin Road, Pier 6 and 8, please detour on Jiesheng Street;
5. Walk across the zebra crossing and enter Jiesheng Street, like a tunnel under the Raffles City;
6. Pass the tunnel and cross the street, you will arrive at the left side of Chaotianmen Dock;
7. Continue to follow the orange sign with numbers 6 and 8;
8. Go straight on, then turn left at the end of the road;
9. Walk down about a hundred stairs. You will reach the ports 6 and 8.

Click to Enlarge the Chaotianmen Dock Walking Guide

Disembarking Yangtze River Cruises Ships at Chaotianmen Dock:

1. If you book a porter service, send your luggage to the assigned place (usually near the reception desk) before check out;
2. Check out;
3. Follow the floating bridge to disembark from your ship (take your luggage with you if you haven’t book a porter service);
4. Walk to the entrance of Chaotianmen Dock, then hire a taxi or book a private car to your next destination.

>> Check more information about Disembarkation Time, Port & Tips

Important: There are many stone steps at Chaotianmen Dock. If you carry a heavy luggage and travel alone, you may feel a little tough to climb the stairs, you can ask for a porter service. The service is offered by the cruise company and needs extra charge of about 30RMB for each piece. If you need porter service, please Tell your travel consultant in advance.

Road Condition in Chaotianmen Dock

Important Notes about Port Change of Yangtze River Cruise

During most times of the year, tourists who take the Yangtze River Cruise embark or disembark their ships at Chaotianmen Dock. However, from July and August - the flood period and March to April - the dry period, Yangtze River cruise ships may not dock at Chaotianmen Dock. During that time, Chongqing Longtousi Tourism Distribution Center (重庆龙头寺旅游集散中心) might become the gathering place for Century Cruises and the Chongqing Grand Theatre Bus Station (重庆大剧院公交车站) might become the gathering place for Victoria Cruises and Yangtze Gold Cruises.

Downstream cruises guests(from Chongqing to Yichang) will catch a bus arranged by the cruise companies at the gathering places in Chongqing to Fengdu to board the ship. Different cruise companies might arrange different gathering places and gathering times.

Upstream cruise guests will disembark at Fengdu Port in the morning and transfer to tourist buses arranged by cruise company to the dismissing places in Chongqing downtown.

For more detail information about the port change, please check Port Change for Special Events in Chongqing>>

Chongqing Grand Theater

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Questions & Discussions

Following are latest questions and answers from our webusers and customers. You can learn many useful information from the discussion and cases. You can also join in the discussions or ask your own question. Our experts will help you ASAP.

Emma Kwan

luggages direct to the cruise reception desk

Hi, I do understand that we can left our luggage onboard at the cruise reception desk (president no 6 too?), because we are coming at noon by flight and we want do shopping, short sightseeing and have a diner first before we go onboard the cruise ship at the evening.
But how I can tell the taxi driver from the airport because not all airport taxi drivers can speak English.Can you arrange this for us?
Thank you.

2018-09-27 03:06

Hi Emma,

Thank you for the message! The cruise embarkation time starts at 18:00 for Chongqing to Yichang cruise usually! And you can put you luggage at the reception desk in advance in the afternoon. However, as you need to collect your cruise ticket in person with your valid document like passport and get your luggage through security check which usually starts at 16:00, it is not allowed to do it by other people like taxi drivers. As Chaotianmen Port is very convenient to get to by taxi and is close to a series of interesting and popular tourist sites, you can put your luggage in person to the reception desk onboard after you arrive at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. If you are cruising during the National Holidays vacation during October 1 to October 7, the time allowing for luggage onboard would be changed according to different cruise company. Please ask details from your travel expert or directly from the staff onboard your cruise ship!

If you are interested in a half day Chongqing city tour with nice driver and guide help, please feel free to contact us!

Wish you a great Yangtze River cruise in China!

Carrie at yangtze-river-cruises.com 2018-09-27 11:10

Navin Desai

Left Luggage

We are landing in Chongqing at 11:30 by flight and departing on the Yangtze river cruise that evening. Is it possible to leave our luggage at the cruise reception desk (We are cruising Yangtze Gold 1); do a bit of sightseeing and then come back at night to collect the luggage and board the cruise?

2018-07-15 19:29

Hello Navin,

Thank you for the message! Yes, you could put your luggage onboard at the reception desk, where usually is supervised by the staff or at least within the range of the electronic monitor. And then you could have fun in Chongqing without any worry and go back to the ship after fun time before the sailing time at around 21:00. Also, if you need to experience the Chongqing half day tour and any other help, please contact us directly!

Have a wonderful sailing holiday in China!

Carrie at yangtze-river-cruises.com 2018-07-16 16:05