My Summer Trip to Chongqing & I’m Overwhelmed 😭 Brutally Honest Tips! 📍

Fresh off the plane from Chongqing, and I HAVE to share my hard-earned wisdom to help you avoid the pitfalls! 🔥 Chongqing in July-August is officially in scorching summer mode. It’s stunningly beautiful, but the heat is no joke! The summer crowds are still huge despite the high temps, so without a solid plan, you can easily run into trouble. 😓 If you’re planning a trip, please listen to this advice!

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😭 Truth Bombs from a Survivor

  1. Chongqing’s summer is incredibly hot and stuffy the moment you step outside! 🥵 If you can, bring a sun umbrella, a portable mini-fan, and cooling patches. They are absolute lifesavers!

  2. Beware of fake security guards in uniform around the 📍Jiefangbei area. Don’t trust the restaurants they enthusiastically recommend! ❌ They are just touters leading you to overpriced and mediocre food.

  3. Most attractions in Chongqing are actually FREE 🆓 and don’t require advance booking! Do bring student or senior IDs, as some places offer discounts.

  4. Chongqing has a vibrant nightlife, so don’t worry about getting a taxi if you arrive at the airport late. 🚕 Taxis are metered, and a ride within the main city area typically costs between ¥10-30, which is quite reasonable.

  5. Just book one hotel for your whole stay! 🏨 You don’t need to switch hotels every day. The popular attractions in the main city are all quite close to each other.

  6. Personally, I’d suggest skipping the 🚠 Yangtze River Cableway. Not only is the ticket expensive, but the queues are also incredibly long. Plus, if you’re on the shorter side, you might not see anything from the middle of the car!

  7. The lights at 📍Hongya Cave (Hongyadong) turn on at ⏰ 20:00 (8 PM). It’s best to go after dark for more stunning photos! The inside of Hongya Cave is just a standard commercial street, so there’s no need to squeeze through the crowds. You can get better, less crowded shots from the 📸 Qiansimen Bridge or the Grand Theatre riverside park.

  8. It’s best to visit the 📍Chongqing Zoo in the morning when it’s cooler! The pandas 🐼 will be much more active than in the afternoon.

  9. Here are a few restaurants I’ve personally tried and would recommend ✅ Feel free to use this as a reference:

    🌟 洋河村野火锅总店 Yanghecun Ye Hotpot (Main Store): Tucked away in an alley near Guanyin Bridge, the flavor is fantastic! I especially loved their Maitake mushrooms (舞茸菌), which had a rich, earthy aroma. 🍄

    🌟 杨春霞火锅较场口店 Yangchunxia Hotpot (Jiaochangkou Store): Located near the “Holy Cross” intersection (神仙口), just a few minutes’ walk from Jiefangbei! It’s a go-to spot for local residents. 🌶️

    🌟 廖壳子烂蹄花 Liao Kezi Lan Tihua: An old shop near Jiefangbei, their braised pig’s trotters (蹄花) are stewed until they’re incredibly soft and tender! The meat just falls right off the bone. 🍖

    🌟 盐老幺自贡菜 Yan Laoyao Zigong Cuisine: If you’re near the Grand Theatre shooting photos of Hongya Cave, give this Zigong-style restaurant a try. The dishes are all flash-fried in a hot wok and are super flavorful and perfect with rice! 🍚

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🚕 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary Recommendation

✔️ DAY 1: 📍Jiefangbei (Liberation Monument) → 📍Shancheng Trail → 📍Raffles City → 📍Hongya Cave → 📍Qiansimen Bridge → 📍Grand Theatre Exit 4 (The “La La Land” photo spot)

✔️ DAY 2: ⛴️ Liangjiang Ferry (from Hongya Cave pier to Danzishi pier) → 📍Longmenhao Old Street → 📍Xiahaoli Old Street → 📍Nanbin Road

✔️ DAY 3: 🐼 Chongqing Zoo → 📍Liziba (where the monorail passes through a building) → 📍Guanyin Bridge “I am in Chongqing” Big Screen → 📍Beicang Tapo Street Block

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