Chongqing Travel Guide 2025
Located in southeastern China, Chongqing is one of the four municipalities in China (with Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin). With a population of over 30 million, it claimed to become one of the world's largest city. Chongqing, this Mountain City, stands out as the “8D Magical City” and “Cyberpunk City” where plenty of high-rises and public transport cling to its mountainous terrain, creating an enchanting multilayered urban landscape, especially at night when all neon lights are on.
According to combined data from Google Engine, social media like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc., and inbound tourism preference, Chongqing is now one of the top 3 tourist cities among visitors to China. It welcomes visitors with abundant tourist resources including UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Wulong Karst Geological Park and Dazu Rock Carvings, lots of other attractive scenic spots with both century-old Ba-Yu culture and urban charisma, and spicy food, especially hotpot. Besides, as a vital port city for the Yangtze River Cruise on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, Chongqing attracts numerous visitors to come to Chongqing.
Come to Chongqing to explore the essence of this enchanting megacity!
Start planning your tailor-made cruise/trip by contacting our cruise experts or calling at +86-28-85223685
Plan a Chongqing Tour with Yangtze River Cruises
Chongqing is a port city for the Yangtze River Cruise, which ranks among the top 8 thing to do in China. During the cruise, travelers will sail through the breathtaking Three Gorges and witness the magnificent Three Gorges Dam - a marvel of modern engineering, and explore riverside attractions rich in primitive charm, culture, and history. Most travelers will visit Chongqing and have a Yangtze River Cruise in one trip.
There are 4 routes along the Yangtze River for you: 4-5 days downstream and upstream cruises between Chongqing and Yichang, and 11-12 days downstream and upstream cruises between Chongqing and Shanghai.
Top Attractions & Things to Do in Chongqing
Chongqing is endowed with numerous scenic attractions and things to do, both in and around Chongqing City. To help you better plan your Chongqing trip, here we collect the Top 8 Chongqing attractions and Chongqing things to do.
Wulong Karst Landscape
- Type: Karst Landscape; World Heritage
- Length: 1-2 days
Wulong Karst landscape is part of South China Karst on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List. It's located 190km southeast (3 hrs by car) from Chongqing downtown. You're highly recommended not to miss this typical Karst Landscape at its key highlights including Three Natural Bridges (tiankeng), Longshuixia Gap, and Furong Cave (limestone cave) to marvel at the uncanny workmanship of nature's masterpieces.
Hongya Cave
- Type: Ancient Architecture; Night View
- Length: 0.5-1 hour
Hongya Cave is an impressive 11-story stilt-wooden building complex nested against a cliff. When night falls, it's illuminated by neon lights, like a vivid fairyland described in Spirited Away. With a 2300-year history, it's also regarded as a living fossil of Chongqing culture and Ba and Yu civilization. Take a stroll along its ancient structures, and snap memorable photos, while admiring the breathtaking Jialing River scenery.
Dazu Rock Carvings
- Type: Grotto Art; World Heritage
- Length: 0.5-1 day
Dazu Rock Carvings, 100km (1.5 hours by car) northwest from Chongqing downtown, is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site and one of the top eight grottoes in the World. It is an exceptional series of rock carvings from the 9th to the 13th century, known for its grand scale, aesthetic quality, and rich diverse themes. Baodingshan and Beishan Rock Carvings are two treasures you cannot miss.
Three Gorges Museum
- Type: Museum
- Length: 2-3 hours
Three Gorges Museum is themed on the development of Chongqing, traditions, and culture in the Ba & Shu Region, and abundant knowledge of the Three Gorges and Three Gorges Dam. It holds over 170,000 relics and artifacts and opens four major exhibition halls with several themes. It also offers good views of Chongqing People’s Assemble Hall, the “Little Temple of Heaven”.
Liziba Station
- Type: Light Rail Station; Landmark
- Length: about 0.5 hour
Liziba Station is a top check-in scenic spot in Chongqing. As the first light rail station built within a residential block with light rail trains passing through this building, it greatly shows this city’s enchanting architectural ingenuity. You can take brag-worthy photos of it or choose to take Line 2 to enjoy the allure of this mountainous city and witness the Jialing River gliding past your window.
Eling Park
- Type: Public Park; Viewing Platform
- Length: about 1 hour
Eling Park, once a private garden in Chongqing during the Qing Dynasty (1909), is now a public park boasting lush greenery, historic pavilions, ponds, and bridges. Visit this tranquil park for a leisurely stroll and climb to the 7-story Kanshenglou Pavilion for a bird’s eye view of Chongqing city and the Jialing and Yangtze rivers. Appreciating sparkling lights at night is recommended.
Ciqikou Ancient Town
- Type: Historical Town
- Length: about 2 hours
Reputed as “Little Chongqing”, Ciqikou Ancient Town with over 1000 years of history offers a glimpse of old Chongqing. Visitors can have a look at well-preserved Ming and Qing Dynasties wooden buildings with typical Ba style, taste kinds of snacks such as Salt Peanuts, Chen Fried Dough Twist, etc., take a seat at traditional teahouses, admire Shu Embroidery, overlook Jialing River...
Kuixing Building Chongqing
- Type: Ancient Architecture; Rooftop Plaza
- Length: 20 minutes
Kuixing Building is a hot scenic spot among travelers to Chongqing for being the best place to feel the charm of Chongqing as an “8D Magical City”. Although it has only three stories, once you ascend to the spacious rooftop plaza and traverse the two bridges linking it to the adjacent office building, you'll find yourself perched at a height akin to the 22nd floor, with pedestrian streets below!
Get to Chongqing
By Air - Chongqing Jiangbei Airport
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) has over 200 domestic airlines and 30 international airlines, linking Chongqing to nearly 160 destinations with more than 1000 daily flights. Travelers can take direct flights from/to international cities including Singapore, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, London, Seattle, Sydney, etc., and cities in China like Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Kunming, Guangzhou, and more.
By High Speed Train
The most frequently used railway stations in Chongqing are Chongqing North Railway Station, Chongqing West Railway Station and Shapingba Railway Station. Travelers can take G, D, or C series high-speed trains from/to Beijing (7-9.5 hrs), Shanghai (10.5-13.5 hrs), Xian (5-6hrs), Chengdu (2-2.5 hrs), Emeishan (2.5-3hrs), Leshan (2-5hrs), Guilin (3.5-5hrs), Yichang (4.5-5hrs), Guiyang (2-3.5hrs), Kunming (4.5-6hrs), Dali (7-7.5hrs), Wuhan (5-7.5hrs), Changsha (5.5~6hrs), etc.
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Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
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Chongqing North Railway Station
Get around Chongqing
By Private Transfer of Our Tour Package
Due to Chongqing's mountainous terrain, the best way to visit it is by private transfer. At yangtze-river-cruises.com, we offer safe, clean, non-smoking, air-conditioned private vehicles with experienced drivers and English-speaking guides as part of our tour packages to help you have a better Chongqing trip.
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Travel with yangtze-river-cruise.com
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Non-smoking Licensed Private Vehicle of Our Tour Package
By Public Transport
Travelers can get to Chongqing's attractions, Chaotianmen Dock, Chongqing airport, and railway stations via extensive public transportation networks. Within the city, 12 rail transit lines and taxis offer easy access to various attractions, airports, and railway stations. For attractions located on the outskirts of Chongqing, coaches, trains and taxis are the recommended modes of transportation.
Get to Chaotianmen Dock (for the Yangtze River Cruise)
Chaotianmen Dock, beside Raffles City Chongqing in the downtown area, is 2.5km (10 mins by car) from the central Jiefangbei CBD, 24km (40 mins by car) from Chongqing Jiangbei Airport, 10km (1.5 hrs by car) from Chongqing North Railway Station, 15km (0.5 hr by car) from Shapingba Railway Station and 20km (40 mins by car) from Chongqing West Railway Station. To get there, travelers can take Rail Transit Line 1 and get off at Chaotianmen Dock Metro Station or take a taxi.
▶ Check more about
① Transfer between Chongqing Airport and Chaotianmen
Dock;
② Transfer between Chongqing's Railway Stations and
Chaotianmen Dock.
Get to Wulong Karst Geological Park
Wulong Karst is around 190km southeast from Chongqing downtown. To get to the park, travelers can take a coach and transfer to take a tourist bus for 3.5 hours or take a train for about 3 hours.
▶ Check more about How to Get to Wulong Karst Geological Park.
Get to Dazu Rock Carvings
Dazu Rock Carvings is around 110km northwest of Chongqing downtown. To reach Dazu, travelers can choose to take a coach for 1 hr 40 mins from Caiyuanba Bus Station.
▶ Check more about
① How to Get to Dazu Rock Carvings;
② Chongqing Transportation Guide.
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Chongqing Rail Transit
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Chongqing Taxi
Weather & Best Time to Visit
Chongqing belongs to the humid subtropical monsoon climate, with an annual average temperature of 19.5°C. It usually has 100+ rainy days and 100+ cloudy and foggy days, thus it is called the “City of Fog”.
Chongqing is suitable for year-round visits, but spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best time to visit. As the “Third Furnace”, Chongqing has very high temperatures in summer (mid-June to mid-September), so outdoor visiting in downtown is not suggested this time. Instead, it is highly recommended to visit Wulong Karst Geopark which boasts pleasant cool weather from May to October.
For taking the Yangtze River cruise, Spring and Autumn are the best times. However, late November to December is the right time to admire the annual Three Gorges red leaves.
▶ Check more about Chongqing Weather & Best Time to Visit Chongqing.
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Chongqing City Landscape
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Chaotianmen Delta
Accommodation & Where to Stay
Chongqing has abundant hotel choices, from luxury 5-star and comfortable 4-star to budget 3-star. Travelers can easily find the desired accommodation to stay.
Best areas to stay in Chongqing: downtown Jiefangbei CBD & Raffles City Area (convenient transportation), Guanyinqiao Area and Nanbin Road Area (excellent choices with good prices); Fairy Mountain (Xiannvshan) Tourist Center Area (for visitors to Wulong Karst Geological Park).
▶ Check more about Chongqing Accommodations.
| Accommodation Areas | Recommended Hotels |
|---|---|
| Chongqing City | Hyatt Regency Liberation Square Chongqing (5-star); Hampton by Hilton Hotel (5-star); Somerset Jiefangbei Chongqing (4-star); Bindun Langyi Hotel (3-star). |
| Wulong Fairy Mountain Tourist Center Area | The Joya Hotel (5-star); Tianyi Fangcaodi Holiday Hotel (4-star); Fairy Hill Mingyu Shangya Hotel (3-star). |
Useful Chongqing Maps
To have a clearer understanding of the location of Chongqing attractions, Chongqing airport, railway stations, Chaotianmen Port, and Yangtze River, and the distance among them, you can have a look at the following latest Chongqing maps for your Chongqing planning and visiting!
▶ Check more about Chongqing Maps.
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Chongqing China Map
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Chongqing Chaotianmen Dock, Railway Stations, Airport Location & Distance Map
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Chaotianmen Dock Map
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Attractions in Chongqing Map
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Attractions around Chongqing Map
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Chongqing Accommodation Map
Our Suggested Chongqing & Yangtze Cruise Tours
We, yangtze-river-cruises.com, running an office in Chongqing, will offer you the best Chongqing city tour to take you feel the essence of the mountain city, side trips to reach UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as awesome Yangtze River cruise from Chongqing to Yichang at the reasonable low price! View all Chongqing Tours >>
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No.1 Short Tour4 Days Chongqing Yangtze Cruise Tour
Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / YichangThis is the No.1 short cruise tour chosen by numerous travelers. If you want a short break with a cruise, take this classic tour with both a fantastic exploration of Chongqing City and a relaxing 3-night cruise vacation from Chongqing to Yichang!
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Best Seller6 Days Chongqing, Yangtze River & Zhangjiajie Exciting Tour
Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / ZhangjiajieThis is the real NATURE tour to Yangtze River and Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. In 6 days, take a relaxing 4-day cruise ship down from Chongqing to Yichang and spend 2 days getting into the surreal AVATAR world!
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15 Days China Yangtze Tour with Zhangjiajie Landscape & Guilin Karst
Shanghai / Zhangjiajie / Guilin / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Xian / BeijingIf you are planning a two-week vacation in China, this 15 days China tour will be perfect for you. You can fully explore traditional culture and modernity in the megacities such as Beijing and Shanghai; throw yourselves into the Avatar world, enjoy Karst landscape in Guilin and Yangshuo, take a Yangtze River cruise sailing through the beautiful Three Gorges, feel profound history in the ancient capital of 13 dynasties...All the best highlights of China are offered in 15 days!
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11 Days China Golden Triangle Tour with Yangtze River Cruise
Beijing / Xian / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / ShanghaiThis is one of our best selling China Yangtze tours for first timers to China. It covers the BIG THREE cities called the Golden Triangle Cities (Beijing, Xian and Shanghai) and a Yangtze River cruise sailing from Chongqing to Yichang along the famous Three Gorges in Central China. This tour takes you to meet the PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE of China. You won’t leave any regrets when taking this 11 days tour with 6 destinations and amazing experience!
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No.1 China Tour13 Days Classic China Tour with Yangtze Cruise
Beijing / Xian / Guilin / Yangshuo / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / ShanghaiWhat is your impression about the vast China? What do you want to see and explore in this beautiful country? This tour is No.1 best selling tour taking travelers to Beijing, Xian, Guilin and Shanghai and enjoying a luxury cruise experience for 4 days along the Three Gorges of the longest river in China. You will get a clear overview about China’s past, present and rapid growth in the golden triangle cities. Also immerse yourselves in a world of natural beauty in Guilin and Yangshuo.
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13 Days Enchanting China Tour with Yangtze Cruise & Avatar Zhangjiajie
Beijing / Xian / Zhangjiajie / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / ShanghaiIn recent years, Zhangjiajie was thrust into travelers’ eyes after the movie Avatar. The Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar were inspired by Heavenly Pillar in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. It is a wise choice to put Zhangjiajie into your China tour. This 13 days China tour covers Beijing, Xian, Zhangjiajie, Shanghai with a cruise along the Three Gorges which becomes one of the best selling tours for first timers.
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Top Yangtze Cruises
Popular Yangtze Cruise Lines
In 2025/2026, Yangtze River Cruises offer lines between Chongqing and Yichang with different duration.
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Chongqing Yichang Yangtze Cruises
The golden cruise line, downstream sailing takes 4 days and 3 nights
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Yichang Chongqing Yangtze Cruises
Most popular upstream cruise line, takes 5 days and 4 nights
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Chongqing Shanghai Yangtze Cruise
Brand-new 11 days downstream cruise running 2644km from west to east
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Shanghai Chongqing Yangtze Cruise
The most relaxing cruise line for 11 days and 10 nights on Yangtze
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Chongqing Wuhan Yangtze Cruises
Two ways to cruise on the section between Chongqing and Wuhan
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New to Cruising?
Do you have questions about planning or booking a Yangtze cruise? The following articles introduce you to what makes cruising such a unique and memorable way to travel the Yangtze River, when is the best time to cruise Yangtze, how to choose your best route, how to choose a Yangtze ship, how to choose a cabin, where to board & disembark your ships, what you can do onboard and ashore...To know more detailed information about Yangtze River and its cruises, please take a visit to our latest Yangtze River Cruise Guide.
Not easy to find the right cruise ship/itinerary for you? Please contact one of our Yangtze cruise specialists to save your time and money. Click the right button to send an online inquiry and we will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hours.
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