Places to See in Chongqing: The Ultimate Travel Guide to China’s Mountain City

When planning a trip to Southwest China, identifying the top places to see in Chongqing is essential. This multi-layered, magical mountain city offers everything from monorails weaving through buildings and dazzling hillside lightscapes to thousand-year-old stone carvings and majestic natural canyons. It caters to all interests—whether you love urban exploration, history, culture, or natural wonders. This guide highlights the very best places to see in Chongqing and provides practical tips to help you plan your trip smoothly.

🌃 Top Places to See in Downtown Chongqing – Experience the 8D Magic

1. Hongyadong – A Real-Life “Spirited Away”

Highlights: Traditional stilted Bayu architecture, brilliant night views, free entry

Recommended visit: Evening to night (about 2–3 hours)

Getting there: Walk about 10 minutes from Xiaoshizi Station (Metro Lines 1 or 6)

Hongyadong is a riverside complex of traditional buildings backed against the hill, featuring 11 stacked floors. When lit at night, it resembles the bathhouse from Hayao Miyazaki’s animated film Spirited Away, making it one of the most iconic places to see in Chongqing after dark.

Floor guide:

11F (Cangbai Road entrance): Viewing platform overlooking the Jialing River and Qiansimen Bridge.

9F–10F: Cafes and bars, perfect for relaxing with a view.

5F–8F: Folk culture zone and “Reunion 1980” retro block, with performances like Sichuan face-changing.

4F: Food street and a small square with another river-view platform.

1F (Jiabin Road): Exit to the riverside; cross the street for classic full-view photos of Hongyadong.

Tips:

Free entry via the official WeChat mini-program “Hongyadong” (reservation required).

Lights are usually on from 19:00 to 23:00 (seasonal adjustments possible).

Elevator waits can be long—wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to use stairs.

Dining inside is relatively pricey; for more authentic local food, try old hotpot or noodle spots in nearby lanes.

Ignore anyone offering “fast-track” tickets—all public access is free.

Walk from the 11F entrance to the middle of Qiansimen Bridge for a stunning panoramic view.

Nearby itinerary ideas:

From the Liberation Monument, it’s about a 10-minute walk to Hongyadong’s 11F entrance.

After visiting, walk onto Qiansimen Bridge or head to North Bin Road or South Bin Road for night views.

You can also take an evening river cruise from Chaotianmen Pier to see Hongyadong from the water.

2. Liberation Monument – The Heart of the City

Highlights: Victory Monument, shopping centers, food streets

Recommended visit: 2–3 hours

Getting there: Jiaochangkou or Linjiangmen Station (Metro Lines 1 or 2)

The Liberation Monument, built in 1947, commemorates the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan. Now surrounded by upscale malls, hotels, and offices, it forms a bustling commercial hub and is a central point among the key places to see in Chongqing. Nearby, Bayi Road Snack Street offers local treats like sour-spicy noodles and small glutinous rice balls.

Nearby attractions:

Shibati: A restored historic stairway neighborhood, famous from the movie I Belonged to You, great for photos and tea.

Mountain City Step Trail (Shancheng Lane): A trail retaining old Chongqing character, overlooking the Yangtze River, with quaint shops and viewing platforms.

3. Liziba Monorail Station – Train Piercing Through a Building

Highlights: Unique transit spectacle, free viewing platform

Recommended visit: 30 minutes–1 hour

Getting there: Liziba Station (Metro Line 2)

Here, the monorail runs directly through the middle of a residential building—a rare sight worldwide and one of the most unique places to see in Chongqing. A viewing platform downstairs by the Jialing River offers the best photo spot as the train enters the building. Ride Line 2 for a few stops to experience it, then exit to take pictures.

Nearby itinerary ideas:

Combine with Eling Print Art Park (a creative park in a renovated factory, good for photos and coffee).

Also close to Fotuguan Park and Banshan Cliffside Walkway, which offer elevated river views.

4. Yangtze River Cableway – A Bird’s-Eye View Over the River

Highlights: Cross-river cable car, city panoramas, historical transport

Recommended visit: Ride about 5 minutes, but queues can be long

Hours: 7:30–21:30 (extended on holidays)

Fare: One-way 20 RMB (about 3 USD), round-trip 30 RMB (one-way is sufficient)

Once a daily commute for locals, the Yangtze River Cableway is now a popular tourist experience and essential among the places to see in Chongqing for city vistas. Sunset rides offer beautiful views of the river and city skyline.

Tips:

Queues can exceed an hour. Book ahead and check wait times via the “Chongqing Cableway” WeChat account.

Boarding from the south bank (Shangxinjie Station) to the north (Xinhua Road) usually means shorter waits.

Once onboard, stand near a window for the best view.

5. Ciqikou Ancient Town – A Millenium-Old Riverside Street

Highlights: Stone-paved lanes, old buildings, snacks, and teahouses

Recommended visit: 2–3 hours (avoid weekends/holidays)

Getting there: Ciqikou Station (Metro Line 1)

Once a key port on the Jialing River, Ciqikou now features flagstone streets lined with oil presses, Sichuan opera teahouses, snack stalls, and handicraft shops. It’s a historic entry on any list of places to see in Chongqing, offering a glimpse into old river-town life.

Things to do here:

Try local snacks like hand-made sour plum drink, Chen mahua (twisted dough), and mao xue wang (blood curd stew).

Visit a riverside teahouse for tea and Sichuan opera performances.

Buy a Chongqing hotpot base as a souvenir.

Nearby itinerary ideas:

Combine with the Red Rock sites (Zhaizidian and Baigongguan) for historical context.

6. Nanshan One Tree Hill & Lao Jun Cave – City Views & Secluded Trails

Highlights: Panoramic views of Yuzhong Peninsula, Taoist temple, hiking paths

Recommended visit: Evening for One Tree Hill; daytime for Lao Jun Cave

Getting there: Taxi or car recommended

One Tree Hill offers a classic vantage point for night views, overlooking the city lights and two rivers—a definitive experience when considering places to see in Chongqing for photography.

Lao Jun Cave is a tranquil Taoist temple on Nanshan. Hike up via the ancient Huangge Trail among old trees and stone steps.

🏞️ Must-See Places to See Around Chongqing – Natural Wonders & Cultural Heritage

If you have 2–3 extra days, venture outside the city to see these stunning sites. These surrounding places to see in Chongqing showcase the region’s dramatic landscapes and deep history.

1. Wulong TianSheng Three Bridges – Asia’s Largest Natural Bridge Group

Highlights: Karst landscape, three giant natural bridges, film location

Recommended visit: Half to full day

Getting there: About 2.5–3 hours by road from downtown (join a tour or take a train to Wulong Station then transfer)

Massive natural stone bridges span a deep gorge, with streams and mist creating a fairy-tale scene. This is one of the most spectacular natural places to see in Chongqing. Be prepared for many steps, but the scenery is magnificent.

Can combine with:

Furong Cave: A large limestone cave with impressive stalactites.

Fairy Mountain National Forest Park: High-altitude grassland, ideal for hiking.

2. Dazu Rock Carvings – A Masterpiece of Grotto Art

Highlights: UNESCO World Heritage, Song Dynasty carvings, lifelike Buddhist themes

Recommended visit: Full day

Getting there: About 1.5 hours by road (or take a train to Dazu South Station then transfer)

Unlike the imperial style of other grottoes, the Dazu carvings reflect daily life, with fine details and preserved colors. As a World Heritage Site, it is unmissable among cultural places to see in Chongqing.

Tips:

Hire a guide or use an audio guide to better understand the stories.

You can also visit the North Hill and South Hill carving areas.

3. Yangtze Three Gorges (Fengjie Baidi City & Wushan Little Three Gorges) – Poetic Landscapes

Highlights: Qutang Gorge’s Kuimen Gate, Baidi City’s history, Goddess Peak

Recommended visit: 2–3 days (recommended to take a cruise)

Getting there: High-speed train to Fengjie or Wushan, or a Yangtze cruise from Chaotianmen Pier

Baidi City, at the entrance to Qutang Gorge, is famous from ancient poetry and history. For travelers looking for grand scenic places to see in Chongqing and beyond, a Three Gorges cruise is highly recommended.

How to visit:

Yangtze River Cruise: The classic way, with 2–4 day itineraries.

Drive + short boat trips: More flexible for limited time.

4.816 Project – Underground Nuclear Heritage Site

Highlights: Cold War-era underground nuclear facility, vast man-made caverns

Recommended visit: 2–3 hours

Getting there: In Fuling District, about 1.5 hours’ drive from downtown

Once a top-secret military project, this enormous underground complex offers a unique historical experience. It’s one of the more unusual and fascinating places to see in Chongqing, showcasing a different aspect of the region’s past.

🍜 Part 3: Food – Must-Try Flavors of the Mountain City

Hotpot: Try the traditional old-oil version. Local neighborhood spots often offer more authentic taste than trendy internet-famous restaurants.

Xiaomian: Noodles for breakfast, spicy and fragrant.

Local dishes: Nanshan spring chicken, Tieshanping peppercorn chicken, Gele Mountain chili chicken, Wanzhou grilled fish, Qianjiang chicken giblets.

Snacks: Sour-spicy noodles, small glutinous rice balls, Chen mahua, stepped tofu pudding, hand-made sour plum drink.

Tip: When ordering hotpot, choose “mild spicy” or a “yinyang pot” (half spicy, half clear).

📅 Suggested Itineraries & Practical Tips for Chongqing

Sample 3-Day Highlights Tour:

Day 1 (Downtown magic): Liberation Monument → Bayi Road Snack Street → Liziba Monorail → Eling Print Art Park → Yangtze Cableway → South Bin Road → Hongyadong at night.

Day 2 (History & old streets): Ciqikou Ancient Town → Red Rock sites → Mountain City Step Trail → Shibati → Nanshan One Tree Hill.

Day 3 (Day trip): Choose either Wulong TianSheng Three Bridges or Dazu Rock Carvings.

5-Day In-Depth Trip: Add a 2–3 day Yangtze cruise, or visit other regional places to see in Chongqing like Wujiang Gallery or Jinfo Mountain.

Essential Travel Tips:

Transport: The metro is very convenient for downtown places to see in Chongqing. When using maps, select “walking” mode.

Accommodation: Stay near Liberation Monument/Hongyadong for convenience.

Footwear: Wear comfortable sports shoes. Expect many slopes and stairs.

Weather: Best seasons are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November).

Booking: For popular places to see in Chongqing, book tickets online in advance.

Choosing the right places to see in Chongqing can define your trip. This city is best explored on foot, where you can feel its magic in the layered spaces and the unique blend of everyday life with dramatic landscapes.

Need personalized advice sorting through the best places to see in Chongqing? Feel free to reach out via email at mylocalfriend@163.com or leave a message on our website for more tailored tips and local guide recommendations for your Chongqing adventure!