Chongqing is a dramatic mountain metropolis on the Yangtze, where high-rises stack up the hillsides, a light-rail train runs straight through an apartment block, and night lights shimmer on the river. It's also the gateway to the Three Gorges and the home of China's most famous spicy hotpot. Here's the practical lowdown.
What to see in Chongqing
- Hongya Cave: a many-tiered complex of traditional stilt houses by the river, glowing like an animated film after dark.
- Liziba station: where a light-rail train passes straight through a residential tower — a sight found almost nowhere else.
- Ciqikou old town: a riverside historic district of teahouses, crafts, and snacks.
- Dazu Rock Carvings: an exquisite set of cliff-carved Buddhist sculptures, a World Heritage site.
- Wulong Karst: three colossal natural bridges and a majestic gorge.
Cultural experiences worth trying
- Take a Yangtze River cruise for the river-and-mountain scenery and as the gateway to the Three Gorges.
- Watch the face-changing (bian lian) act in Sichuan Opera, a lightning-fast mask-swapping art.
- Admire the city by night from a cross-river cable car or a hilltop viewpoint.
What to eat in Chongqing
Chongqing is the capital of the numbing-spicy (mala) flavour:
- Chongqing hotpot: a fiery red broth, numbing and hot from chillies and Sichuan peppercorns.
- Laziji: crispy fried chicken buried in dried chillies.
- Xiaomian: the spicy morning noodles everyone eats.
- Grilled fish (kaoyu): fish grilled with bold, spicy seasonings.
- Suanlafen: hot-and-sour sweet-potato noodles.
Getting around Chongqing
Chongqing is famous for its three-dimensional terrain, which can disorient newcomers. The light rail and metro are well developed, weaving through hills and across the river, and the cross-river cable car doubles as both transport and viewpoint. But with steep roads and tangled overpasses, GPS can get confused, so for distant sights like Dazu or Wulong (a few hours away) a private car is the sensible choice.
A French- or Vietnamese-speaking guide helps you avoid getting lost in Chongqing's "maze" and order your hotpot at the spice level you actually want.
When to visit Chongqing
The best times are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November), when it's cool and pleasant. Summer is notoriously sweltering — Chongqing is one of China's "furnace" cities — so avoid it if you dislike heat.
How many days do you need?
About 2–3 days: a day exploring the centre (Hongya Cave, Liziba, Ciqikou), a day for Dazu or Wulong, and a day if you want to begin a Yangtze cruise.
A few practical tips
- Specify your spice tolerance for hotpot; you can opt for a split pot, half spicy and half mild.
- See Hongya Cave once it's fully dark to catch all the lights ablaze.
Chongqing offers one of the most distinctive urban experiences in China — vivid, vertical, and full of energy.