My 5 Trips to Chongqing - An Insider's Ultimate Guide | Don't Go Before Reading This!

My 5 Trips to Chongqing: An Insider’s Ultimate Guide 🌶️🏙️ | Don’t Go Before Reading This!

Hey everyone! 👋 After visiting the incredible mountain city of Chongqing five times, I’m here to share some real talk. Chongqing is fantastic for budget travel, but you absolutely need a good plan to avoid the common tourist traps! 🗺️

This guide covers everything: where to stay, how to get around, what to eat, and what to skip. If you’re new to Chongqing and worried about making mistakes, this post is for you. It might not save you from 100% of the pitfalls, but it will definitely help you dodge 90% of them. Hope this helps you have an amazing trip! ✨

How to Get to & Around Chongqing ✈️🚆

Getting to the city center is pretty straightforward. Here are your options! 👇

Reaching the City Center

By Air ✈️: 📍 Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) is about 25 km (15.5 miles) from the city center.
- Subway 🚇: Take Line 3 directly from the airport terminal to the city. Or, transfer to Line 10 to reach Chongqing North Railway Station or T2/T3 terminals. This is the top choice!
- Taxi/Ride-hailing 🚕: A trip from the airport to Jiefangbei takes about 40 minutes.
- Airport Bus 🚌: Direct routes to major commercial districts. Tickets are around 20RMB.
By Train 🚄:
- 📍 Chongqing North Station: Handles high-speed and bullet trains. Connects to Subway Line 3 or 10.
- 📍 Chongqing West Station: Mainly for regular-speed trains. Connects to Subway Line 5 or the Loop Line.
- 📍 Chongqing Station: An older station, some regular-speed trains stop here.

Navigating the City

Subway 🚇: The subway network is your best friend! Lines 1, 2, 3, 6, and 10 connect most major attractions, making it the most convenient way to explore.
Bus 🚌: Covers the entire city and supports mobile payments (Alipay/WeChat Pay). Great for scenic rides along the Yangtze River.
Taxi/Ride-hailing 🚕: Fares start at 10RMB. Note that there might be surcharges at night and it can be hard to get a cab during peak hours. Taxis here are bright yellow “Shuttles”!
Yangtze River Cableway 🚠: This is the famous “bus in the sky”! It crosses the Yangtze River, connecting the Yuzhong and Nan’an districts in just 5 minutes. We strongly recommend booking tickets online in advance to avoid long queues during peak tourist seasons.

Where to Stay in Chongqing 🏨🌃

Choosing the right area to stay can make or break your trip. Here’s a breakdown! 🛎️

📍 Jiefangbei Business District (解放碑)

This is the heart of Chongqing! ❤️ It’s packed with high-end hotels and you can walk to Hongyadong. Perfect for first-timers who want to be in the middle of the action. Stay here for 1-2 nights for the ultimate night-view experience.
📍 Guanyinqiao Business District (观音桥)

A trendy hub for young people with lots of cost-effective B&Bs and a vibrant nightlife. 🕺 You can find rooms with great river views near the Jiujie Bar Street. Note: some older buildings here may not have elevators, so confirm before booking!
📍 Nanbin Road / Beibin Road (南滨路/北滨路)

The top choice for stunning river views! 🌊 Many hotels here include tickets for the Two Rivers Cruise. Perfect for families or a romantic getaway. For the best views, choose a room on the 15th floor or higher.
📍 Shapingba District (沙坪坝区)

Student paradise! 🎓 Located near Ciqikou Old Town and University City, this area offers budget-friendly accommodation and many affordable hotels.
📍 Liziba / Eling (李子坝/鹅岭)

An artsy and photogenic area. 🎨 You’ll find unique guesthouses hidden in the mountain walkways. It’s perfect for photo lovers, but be sure to book well in advance.

*Pro Tip:* Chongqing’s terrain is complex! Always prioritize staying near a subway station (Lines 1, 2, or 3 are especially convenient). Your feet will thank you! 👟

Must-Visit Attractions vs. Tourist Traps 🤩🆚🙅

Here’s the honest truth about what’s worth your time and what you should probably skip.

✅ Must-See Spots

Hongyadong 洪崖洞: A real-life Spirited Away! This dazzling stilted building complex built into a cliff is a must-see, especially at night. 🏮
Liziba 李子坝: Home to the famous sight of the subway train running through a residential building. An iconic Chongqing moment! 🚇🏢
Yangtze River Cableway 长江索道: Soar over the river on this “sky bus” for incredible city views. A single trip costs 30RMB. 🚠
Ciqikou Old Town 磁器口: A 1000-year-old town with ancient stone-paved roads and old shops. It gets crowded, so go before 9 AM or after 5 PM. The side streets hold the real charm! 🍵
Nanshan Yikeshu Observation Deck 南山一棵树: Offers a breathtaking 360° panoramic view of the Yuzhong Peninsula. Arrive an hour before sunset for the best light! 🌇

❌ Not Really Worth It

Huashengyuan Dream Castle 华生园梦幻城堡: The online photos are deceiving; the actual buildings are quite run-down.
Crown Grand Escalator 皇冠大扶梯: It’s just a long escalator that was used as a filming location for “Better Days.” Not a must-see unless you’re a huge fan of the movie.
Two Rivers Night Cruise 两江夜游: Can be pricey and crowded. For a better experience, book a window seat for the 7:30 PM cruise to see all the lights. 🚢
Ciqikou Main Street 磁器口主街: The main street has become overly commercialized with high-priced snacks. Explore the quieter side alleys for a more authentic experience.
Nanshan Sea of Clouds Park 南山海石公园: The entrance fee isn’t justified by the experience. It’s often empty and not well-maintained.

A Foodie’s Guide to Chongqing 🍜🌶️

You can’t leave Chongqing without trying these amazing dishes! 🤤

Must-Try Chongqing Noodles 🍜 | 重庆小面 Chongqing Xiaomian

The perfect spiritual breakfast to wake up your taste buds! The spicy and numbing flavor wrapped around the noodles is the authentic taste of Chongqing. ☀️
Must-Try Sour & Spicy Noodles 🌶️ | 酸辣粉 Suanlafen

Made with chewy sweet potato noodles and a special spicy and sour sauce, this dish is an appetizing and soulful “lifesaver” that everyone loves.
Try Authentic Local Hot Pot 🔥 | 杨春霞火锅 Yangchunxia Hot Pot

An excellent value-for-money hot pot spot loved by locals! The soup base is rich and prices are low (vegetables start from 1RMB, meat from 6RMB). This is community hot pot at its best!
Experience “Outlaw” Cuisine 🥘 | 马房湾66号江湖菜 Maluwan No.66 Jianghu Cai

Cultural Note: Jianghu Cai (江湖菜), literally “Rivers and Lakes Cuisine,” refers to bold, rustic, and unpretentious local dishes.

The restaurant has a cool 80s-90s vibe that’s great for photos. It feels like you’re eating at your grandma’s house. The flavors are authentic and their signature fish dish is a must-try!

Top Food Streets 🍢

📍 Jiefangbei Food Street 解放碑好吃街: The most famous food street in the main urban area, a paradise for foodies.
📍 Guanyinqiao Food Street 观音桥好吃街: A rich variety of snacks, from traditional hot pot to modern street food.
📍 Ciqikou Food Street 磁器口美食街: Experience the original wharf culture and Ba-Yu flavors. Signature dishes like Maoxuewang (spicy duck blood) and dry-pot chicken gizzards attract countless tourists.
📍 Hongyadong Food Street 洪崖洞美食街: Famous for Xiaomian and Suanlafen. The aroma from the bowls will shake your soul! A perfect spot to cool down with some Youzha (fried dough) and Binggao (ice cream).

Final Insider Tips & Booking Info 📝

A few last pieces of advice to make your trip flawless! 💡

General Tips: Bring your ID and student ID for potential discounts! 💳 Wear comfy, non-slip shoes. Pack a light jacket for strong indoor A/C and a hat/sunscreen for the sun. 👟
Photo Ops: The best spot to photograph the glittering Hongyadong at night is from Qiansimen Bridge (千厮门大桥) or across the river by the Chongqing Grand Theatre (重庆大剧院). 📸
Nightlife: For nightlife, head to Jiujie Street (九街). It’s where young people gather. Book popular bars in advance and be mindful of your drinks. 🍹
Local Lingo: “巴适 (Bāshì)” means comfortable or great. “要得 (Yàode)” means OK/sure. Calling a young local “老师 (Lǎoshī)” (teacher) is a polite and common way to ask for directions!
Scams to Avoid: Be wary of “free small gifts” offered in scenic spots – they are usually scams. Politely refuse and walk away. Avoid fortune tellers to protect your wallet. 🚫