Best Things to Do in Chongqing: The Ultimate Experience Guide for First-Time Visitors

Welcome to Chongqing, China’s sprawling multi-dimensional mountain metropolis! While it is famously the birthplace of hotpot, the city offers far more. Its unique hilly terrain, multi-layered transportation, iconic photo spots, and dazzling nightscapes combine to create an unforgettable travel experience. If you’re planning your first independent trip, you might wonder: How to plan with so many attractions? Which are the most worthwhile? Will the complex transport system be confusing?

Don’t worry! This guide compiles the absolute best things to do in Chongqing. It covers top attractions, must-eat foods, photo tips, transport, and money-saving advice. Whether on a short city break or combining Chongqing with Chengdu or Zhangjiajie, this guide will help you explore this magical city with ease.

🌟 Top 12 Must-Do Experiences in Chongqing

1. Hongyadong: Step into a Real-Life ‘Spirited Away.’

Vibe: Night views, food, iconic architecture.

Best Time: Evening to night.

Hongyadong is one of Chongqing’s most iconic landmarks. This riverside complex of traditional stilted buildings might seem ordinary by day. But when the lights ignite at dusk, it transforms into a fairy-tale world, strikingly similar to the bathhouse in the anime Spirited Away. The lower levels are packed with authentic snack stalls, making it a paradise for photographers and foodies.

How to Enjoy:

Visit after dark for the magical night view.

Must-try snacks: Chongqing sour-spicy noodles, hotpot, grilled brain tofu.

2. Liberation Monument & Bayi Road Snack Street: Feel the City’s Pulse

Vibe: City center, shopping, food street.

Best Time: Afternoon to night.

The Liberation Monument is the absolute commercial and cultural heart of Chongqing. After snapping photos of this landmark, head directly to the adjacent Bayi Road Snack Street. This bustling alley is packed with energy from the afternoon until late. It’s a perfect spot to experience the local pace of life and food culture.

Must-Eat Here: Chongqing noodles, skewer hotpot, mountain city sweet rice balls, and noodles with pea paste.

3. Ciqikou Old Town: Stroll Through a Millennia-Old Street

Vibe: Ancient town, souvenirs, culture.

Best Time: Half a day.

Ciqikou is an ancient street with over a thousand years of history. Lined with retro architecture, handicraft shops, and traditional snack stalls, it’s ideal for a leisurely stroll, photos, and buying unique souvenirs.

Pro Tip: Sample tofu pudding and Chen’s twisted dough twists. Find a teahouse for a quiet break. Visit on weekdays to avoid weekend crowds.

4. Liziba Light Rail Station: Witness the ‘Train Piercing a Building.’

Vibe: Magical transport, viral photo spot.

Best Time: Daytime.

This is one of Chongqing’s most astonishing sights: a light rail train passes directly through the middle of a residential building! Liziba Station is not just a photo op but a fully functioning station.

Photo Tip: Go to the viewing platform near the station exit to capture the train entering the building.

5. Yangtze River Cableway: Ride the ‘Flying Bus.’

Vibe: Cable car sightseeing, city panorama.

Best Time: Daytime.

Once a vital transport link, the Yangtze River Cableway is now a popular tourist ride. Gliding over the river offers breathtaking views of the cityscape, waterways, and skyscrapers unfolding beneath you.

How to Enjoy:

Ride during the day for the clearest views.

Book tickets in advance via WeChat or Alipay to skip long queues. Tickets are around ¥20 RMB (~$2.8 USD) one-way.

6. Nanshan ‘One Tree’ Observation Deck: Gaze Over the Mountain City’s Sparkling Nightscape

Vibe: Panoramic night view, photography hotspot.

Best Time: Night.

If you think Hongyadong’s lights are beautiful, wait until you see the view from Nanshan. From here, the city’s countless lights look like a galaxy sprinkled over the hills, with the mighty Yangtze and Jialing Rivers converging below.

Transport Tip: Take a taxi or Didi (Chinese Uber) up in the late afternoon. Expect crowds when returning at night.

7. Wulong Karst Region: Explore a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site

Vibe: Natural wonder, day trip.

Best Time: A full day.

A few hours from downtown, Wulong is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Landscapes like the Three Natural Bridges, Longshuixia Fissure, and Fairy Mountain are masterpieces carved by nature over millennia. It’s perfect for nature lovers and adventurers.

Recommended Route:

Visit the Three Natural Bridges in the morning, and explore the fissure or glass walkway in the afternoon.

Booking a local day tour is a time-efficient option. Tour prices start from approximately ¥400 RMB (~$56 USD).

8. Baigongguan & Zhazidong: Understand a Solemn History

Vibe: Historical education, free attraction.

Best Time: Morning.

For history enthusiasts, these two sites are worthwhile. They were prisons during WWII and are now well-preserved memorial museums, open to the public for free, showcasing a difficult period.

Note: Bring your passport for registration to enter.

9. Chongqing Zoo: Meet Adorable Giant Pandas

Vibe: Family-friendly, pandas.

Best Time: Morning.

Want to see giant pandas but not going to Chengdu? Head to Chongqing Zoo! One of the earliest panda-keeping zoos in Southwest China, it houses giant pandas, red pandas, and more. The leafy park is great for families.

Tip: Go in the morning to avoid crowds and see more active animals. Entry is around ¥25 RMB (~$3.5 USD).

10. Huangjueping Graffiti Street & Luo Zhongli Art Museum: Feel the Power of Street Art

Vibe: Street art, photos, artsy.

Best Time: Afternoon.

In Huangjueping, entire neighborhood walls are covered in massive, colorful graffiti, bursting with artistic energy. Most works are by students and teachers from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute. The nearby Luo Zhongli Art Museum also boasts a stunningly designed exterior, perfect for art and photo lovers.

11. Eling No.2 Factory Cultural Park: A Hub for the Artsy Crowd

Vibe: Creative park, cafes, vintage style.

Best Time: Afternoon.

This transformed old printing factory is now a design-savvy creative park. The preserved brick walls and steel windows blend perfectly with modern cafes, dessert shops, and design stores. It’s a great place for a relaxed afternoon and retro-style photos.

Spotlight Shops: Times Bookstore, Blue Whale Cafe.

12. Chongqing People’s Great Hall: Admire Grand Chinese Architecture

Vibe: Iconic architecture, photos.

Best Time: Evening.

This magnificent hall, modeled after Beijing’s Temple of Heaven, is incredibly imposing. The People’s Square in front is a local leisure space. In the evening, the building is beautifully illuminated.

📋 Quick-Reference Guide: Top 12 Chongqing Attractions

❓ Chongqing Travel FAQ

Q1: When is the best time to visit Chongqing?

A: Spring (Mar-May) and Autumn (Sep-Nov) offer comfortable weather. Avoid the hot, humid peak of July-August and major holidays. Winters can be chilly and damp.

Q2: Is the transport really like a maze? Will I get lost?

A: Yes, Chongqing is famous for its 3D transport (roads on rooftops, trains through buildings). But don’t worry—apps like Google Maps, Amap, or Didi’s navigation work well. The metro is the top choice for getting around.

Q3: What transport do you recommend for tourists?

A: Prioritize Metro + Bus + Didi. The metro is affordable and scenic. Buses are good for short hops. Didi is convenient when needed. Use WeChat or Alipay to scan and pay for rides.

Q4: What if Chongqing hotpot is too spicy for me?

A: Order a “YUANYANG GUO”—a split pot with one spicy side and one mild (like broth or tomato) side. Ask for “wei la” (mild spice). Pair it with soothing foods like tofu, lotus root, or sour plum juice.

Q5: Do I need to book attraction tickets in advance?

A: For popular spots like the Yangtze Cableway, Wulong day tours, and Nanshan, booking tickets online in advance is wise. It avoids long queues and sometimes offers discounts.

Q6: Which area is best to stay in?

A: Recommended areas:

Near Liberation Monument/Hongyadong: Most central, best for dining/transport, ideal for first-timers.

Guanyinqiao Commercial Area: Great shopping, moderate prices, local vibe.

Shapingba District: Near Ciqikou & university town, cultural atmosphere.

Ready to start your Chongqing adventure? This guide covers the best things to do in Chongqing to explore this layered, captivating mountain city. Each experience offers a unique piece of the puzzle.

Want more personalized advice? Planning a specific itinerary or need local guide recommendations? Feel free to reach out via email at mylocalfriend@163.com or leave a message on our website. I’m happy to help you create your perfect Chongqing journey!