Chongqing
Discover Chongqing
Chongqing (重庆; Chóngqìng, formerly spelled Chungking) is fast becoming the most economically important city in the interior West China, with an urban population of around 8.8 million. In addition to the central urban area, Chongqing Municipality also includes some 80,000 km² (31,000 sq mi) of the neighboring countryside and smaller towns, with approximately 30 million people altogether. Long off the foreign tourist's radar, the city has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity in the 2020s, with its futuristic downtown core now being a favourite haunt of travel YouTubers. Chongqing is the launching point for scenic boat trips down the Yangtze River through the Three Gorges Dam. The spectacular Buddhist Dazu Rock Carvings are three hours west of Chongqing City in the outlying Chongqing Municipality and are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What to Experience in Chongqing
Taste of Chongqing...
Chongqing is a harbor city and with this comes what is called dockside culture (matou wenhua). This culture is blamed for a lot of things from cursing profusely to... Hot Pot. While many great restaurants abound in the city, memorable dining is best along Nanbin Lu with incredible night views back across the Yangtze River with the Jeifangbei city skyline lit-up. Here are some examples of the city's many offerings. Hot Pot (火锅 huǒguō, lit.: firepot) is one of Chongqing's claims to fame. In cities across China, one can find hot pot restaurants, but only Chongqing people can really stand a real hot pot, so if you want authenticity, get it while you can in Chongqing. When ordering hot pot you have a choice between three kinds. First, the spicy version called red soup (hong tang). Then there is one without any spices. This is basically a bone soup, and it is tasty. To get this, simply ask for "yuán wèi" or tell them "wǒ bú yào là" which means "I don't want the spicy stuff!" Finally there is a compromise with Yuan Yang Hot Pot (Yuan Yang Huo Guo), which is basically a pot split down the middle with the spicy stuff on one side and the mild on the other. For those who like spicy but do not like it too spicy, it is possible to order red soup without the jolt (wei la hong tang). It is a nice mild experience.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThere are several ways to get from the airport to the city: High speed trains (G series) link to Chongqing North Station to Beijing in about 12 hours, and to Chengdu in about 1½ hours. In addition, there are slow trains that take about twice as long. The longest railway trip from Chongqing is from Harbin to Chongqing North, a 48-hour, 3,535-km ride. The price of hard ticket is ¥344 and hard berth is ¥599. Most train tickets can be purchased through the help of the hotel you are staying at. The tickets are then delivered to the hotel for you to pick up. Long distance buses travel to Chongqing from almost anywhere. There are numerous buses into Chongqing, most notably is the hourly service to and from Chengdu, Nanchong, and Xi'an. From the west Chengdu is 2½ hours and to the east Wanzhou is 3 hours, both on good highways and good buses. Avoid the "sleeper" buses as they must be the most uncomfortable way to travel ever invented....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The metro and bus systems are advised as the best forms of transportation and are very cheap and efficient. Chongqing is a very hilly city, so be prepared to climb lots of stairs when walking around. That can also make it a confusing city to navigate on foot, as the ground floor of one building can be at the same elevation as the 20th floor of an adjacent building for instance. The first section of Chongqing's rapid transit system opened in 2005. Since then, major expansions have now linked major railway stations, major shopping districts and the airport, with more extensions under construction. Announcements are made both in Mandarin and English. No smoking is allowed and all services are air-conditioned, which is a reason alone to board one from between April to September! Don't forget your electronic ticket card to get out of the station. If you overshoot your stop, go to the service counter and add value to your card. 1 Chaotianmen to Jiandingpo, east-west heavy rail metro line.
Where to Stay
There are hundreds of hotels all over the city ranging from dormitory style for ¥30 per night, through three star equivalent hotels for ¥150, up to the numerous top western hotels for ¥600-2000 per night, and many more are being added and are under construction. Most hotels are rarely fully booked. You can always check the room before you commit.
Money & Budget
Chongqing is a harbor city and with this comes what is called dockside culture (matou wenhua). This culture is blamed for a lot of things from cursing profusely to... Hot Pot. While many great restaurants abound in the city, memorable dining is best along Nanbin Lu with incredible night views back across the Yangtze River with the Jeifangbei city skyline lit-up. Here are some examples of the city's many offerings. Hot Pot (火锅 huǒguō, lit.: firepot) is one of Chongqing's claims to fame. In cities across China, one can find hot pot restaurants, but only Chongqing people can really stand a real hot pot, so if you want authenticity, get it while you can in Chongqing. When ordering hot pot you have a choice between three kinds. First, the spicy version called red soup (hong tang).
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Chongqing
Chongqing Forest-Chongqing Night by Friends
Chongqing Forest-Chongqing Night by Friends
Chongqing Forest-Chongqing Night by Friends
Subway is crossing the building.
city skyline under blue sky during daytime
Chongqing, China
Night view at Chongqing Hongya Dong or Hongya Gate, China
Chongqing Forest-Chongqing Night by Friends
A peek of the Yangtze River cable car
重庆李子坝穿楼而过的轻轨列车 Light rail train passing through the building in Liziba, Chongqing
Chongqing Forest-Chongqing Night by Friends
Chongqing Forest-Chongqing Night by Friends
Chongqing Forest-Chongqing Night by Friends