Select as you like

Hongya Cave (洪崖洞): the replicated but vivid representation of traditional residential complex on a cliff, Tik-Tok hotspot

*nightview is available after 1930PM//overtime charge may apply

advise to visit on your own during the nighttime

Liziba Monorail Station (李子坝轻轨站): On Line 2, an engineering feat and a Tik Tok hotspot, the first monorail in China dated to 2005 

*From Linjiangmen to Liziba, cost CNY3

Yangtse Cableway (长江索道 entry ticket): the only surviving on Yangtse, 4-min ride that gives you a breath-taking view over the grand river in contrast with the skyscrapers

Entrance: CNY30 per head, one-way

Jiefangbei Square/Pedestrian St (解放碑步行街): an extensive pedestrian street with the center of a liberation monument, a zone with skyscrapers, comparable to Time Square in NY

Daijiaxiang Plank-Road (戴家巷栈道): a good choice if you want to escape the crowded Hongyadong. It is a few steps away from it where you could experience the dazzling hilly cityscape and some remains of Hongyadong

*100m from Hongyadong

18-Steps Old Street (十八梯): the restored representation of traditional settlement dated to 1950s on a slope and in contrast to modern high-rises

Raffles City (shopping mall) 重庆来福士: the breath-taking contour designed by Singaporean engineer

see the confluence of rivers

Zhongshansilu Road (中山四路):  a immersively historic and clean avenue in the city that is home to several exotic WWII mansions and full of naturally hung trees and vibrant shops.

Walking in the shades makes you feel like you are in Paris

MountainCity Alleyways (山城步道): the exciting street view in narrow and zig-zag alleys that is reminiscent of colonial days prior to 1930s

Food Street: a bustling and salivating street where you can expect to find diverse snacks and drinks from in and out of Chongqing, from steam buns, fried ribs, spicy noodle, to Chinese boda tea and ice  cream.

*5min walk from Jiefangbei Square

People's Auditorium (People's Hall 人民大礼堂): built in 1950s as government offices in the shape of Beijing's Palace of Heaven, now it is a spiritual symbol and a functional performance hall.

The expansive and symmetric square in front of it is used for important ceremony and celebration.

*sits right across the Three Gorges Museum

Food Market （街市/菜市场）: a very down-to-earth place where you could have a basic understanding how people lead their life, what they have on the dinner table.

Intriguing to foreigners desiring to explore the vibe of local people

Two markets are recommended (one is close to People's Auditorium, another to Jiefangbei Square), and you may visit either of them. 

Click to see more

E'ling (Goose Neck)Park (鹅岭公园): built in 1900s as a private garden, used as the summer office/temporary office by Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-Shek and other foreign embassies during WWII. 

It is the highest peak where you can see the panorama of the urban area. 

Kuixinglou (Pagoda of Wisdom Deity 魁星楼): the Pagoda was dismantled, leaving a plaza empty. 

But it has some hits on Tik Tok for its view for mountainous landscape, i.e, the 1-22 floor difference in height

*10min walk from Jiefangbei Square

Three Gorges Museum (no reservation): Learn about ancient history and the rescued archaeological findings and remains before the Three Gorges Dam was built

Know the customary practice of Chongqing in the past 200 years

*Closed on every Monday

E'ling Er'chang Theme Zone (鹅岭二长文化创意园): The second note-printing factory during 1940s. Now it is turned into a Tik Tok hotspot accommodating various cultural-creative shops and canteens

Chaotianmen Plaza （朝天门广场）: literally Gate of "Looking toward the Sky/Dragon son". The tip of Chongqing Peninsula that faces due east to Nanjing, the ancient capital in imperial China.

It's an auxiliary site to the Raffles City as it was renovated when Raffles was being constructed.

See the confluence of two rivers

City Walled Gates (七星岗 通远门城墙遗址)

Surrounded by two rivers, Chongqing Peninsula (a triangle) has a unique landscape with 17 wall gates, unlike any other places in China and in the world.

But there are only 2 gates still in use.

A living evidence of China's Fengshui/Geomancy ideology

*Fengshui: The concept of Wind and Water, an architectural and locational ideology that still exerts an influence on Chinese sociocultural life

Chongqing Cathay Theatre (Guotai国泰剧院): an internet sensation of architectural style known for its criss-crossed and piled chopsticks. 

It is a performance centre for script-plays and exhitions.

*Close to Jiefangbei and Hongyadong

*Observation from outside

Huguang Guild Hall (湖广会馆 entry ticket)

A residential complex dated 400 years ago.

Mansions and houses were used as a venue of social gathering and meeting for businessmen and immigrants from the same province

A living evidence of immigration history of this inland city, and a representation of architectural influence of other parts of China

*face-changing opera performance available at extra cost

Crown Escalator (皇冠大扶梯 entry ticket): built in late 1990s by Hong Kong developer, a good choice if you want to experience the great height difference in the urban city. 

A 3-min ride on the 32° steep slope. 

The second longest escalator in Asia following the one inside the train station in Pyongyang

Arhat Monastery （羅漢寺）(entry ticket): a 1000-year-old temple residing in a bustling city center, famous for accommodating over 400 Arhat statues of varied postures, dated to the same period of UNESCO Dazu Carvings.

Evidence of religious piety and cultural heydays in medieval China, and Buddhism glory in Southern China

Bombed and restored in the past 50 years

*10min walk from Hongyadong Cave

Chaotianmen Budget Wholesale Market （朝天门批发市场）: a distribution center/avenue of consumer goods and non-branded fashion merchandise of low-income local residents. You will find something ranging from socks, stationery to curtains, beddings, wedding sweets.

*For fashion lovers, go to iMix Mall-大融汇 (which sells non-branded and counterfeit wear and shoes, even luggage)

*For budget buyers, go to other units except iMix. You will find even low-priced products, but it requires higher proficiency of Chinese.

*Install a Translator Apps in advance for better understanding and bargaining

White Elephant Residences (Baixiangju 白象居): an internet sensation of water-front residential complex that was built in 1993 and represents the inter-crossed and multilayered city. 

It is a compound of 6 residences and a place for filming and navigation to see how you easily get lost (physically and figuratively) in a concrete jungle.

*Close to Wholesale Market and Cablecar

*Inacessible by metro

*Walking distance from Arhat Monastery

Matching-making Corner/Marriage Market （相亲角）: Despite of the momentum for dating Apps and speed date, (elder-generation) Chinese are still used to a very down-to-earth practice of finding the Mr/Mrs. Right😜, not for themselves, BUT for their children remaining single and into 30s. It is prevalent across China, and Chongqing has its own version.

It is related to sociopolitical policy (One-Child, for example) and development intertwined with Chinese traditional family ethics.

*Only available on Fri and Sat, starting 0800AM-0900AM

Click to see more (BBC perspective)

Click to see more (local perspective)

Two River Nightview Ferry/Cruise (entry ticket): a good choice if you want to experience the breeze on the river and observe the stunning "little Hong Kong" nightview and skylines

50-min cruise trip

*Price varies for daytime and nighttime pass--See below

*Seek my advice before you buy the tickets, cheaper with me and no hassles

Rudraksha‌ Stupa (Jin'gang Puti Pagoda金刚菩提塔): built in 1929, it is a sidetrack but unexpected place because of its Tibetan stylized buddhist structure situated in south China--Chongqing.

Meanwhile it is related to Chongqing urban legend

Qixinggang Linhualu Neighborhood (七星岗临华路小区-4B Exit of Qixinggang Metro Station): a good choice if you want to experience the Central Hong Kong equivalent neighborhood.

Alternatively, you could choose Yijingyuan (怡景苑小区-2 Exit of Qixinggang Metro Station) where you will see the authentic livelihood

Citywalk in criss-crossed lanes and multi-layered neighborhood

Zengjiayan Sisters of Monte Carmelo（加尔默洛女修会）: Founded in 1918, it witnessed the ups and downs of western religion in Chongqing, an inland city that is home to a lot of western presences. Now only several century-old  Corinthian columns remain.

Click to see more (Basics in Chinese)

High-rise Observation Desk:

So far four towers offer observation desk services, not recommended in rainy and misty weather.

1. WFC- 72 floor, situated on the tallest ground of the Peninsula. Entrance CNY100

2. Eyes in Cloud - 65 floor, situated on the ground close to the joint of two river. The building is not in fancy condition. Entrance CNY70

3. WTC101- 65floor, situated in the center of Jiefangbei Area. Entrance CNY90

4. Raffles Skywalk - the newest tower in the city, horizontal walkway on the top. Entrance CNY120-190

To be updated

To be updated

Danzishi Old Street: the replicated street view that is reminiscent of colonial days during late 1890s and early 1900s. Mansions of wealthy family, residential complex, etc

A view platform to see the breath-taking Yangtse River confluencing with its subsdiary

Longmenhao Old Street（龙门浩老街）: the well-preserved mansions and residences (now turned into cafes and shops) that can be dated to early 1900s together with some foreign embassies during the WWII.

A 20-min walk by the River Promenade would carry your trouble away

Nanshan（南山）:  Intensive hiking!!

a forested trail in the Nanshan Mt., the lung of the urban city.

The trail is well-preserved and covered by old stone tablets

Explore a famous Taoist temple-Laojundong（老君洞） and nightview platform upon the mountain, as well as a giant Golden Eagle statue

Huangjuewan Junction/Interchange

A vivid representation of "the 8-D city", "a city where navigation apps doesn't work"

8 directions+15 exits/ramps+layers of roadways>>an interchange that makes a driver crazy 

*Far from downtowns. If you have a flight to catch in the evening, it is advised to get past by it. Inaccessible by public transport

Tongyuanju Terrace (铜元之光观景平台): 

A high point on the South bank of Yangtse River to see the panorama of the urban city

Accessible by Metro Line 3, but be prepared for the intense climbing to reach the terrace. **Taxi recommended

Former Germany Embassy (德国大使馆旧址): 

It's nestled beneath the lush greenery of Nanshan Mountain's Wufeng Pagoda(文峰塔), a traditional Chinese building with black-tiled roofs and graceful eaves stands as a unique testament to history. Reopened on May 2025.

**Taxi recommended

**Reservation required, accessed via the hostel wechat account--重拾山民宿·重庆 Youtube

Laojundong Taoist Temple（老君洞道观）:  Intensive hiking!!

Nestled in a tranquil forest, the temple preserve the oldest remains of Taoist heritage in this city.

The trail is well-preserved and covered by old stone tablets, and you could also try the vegetarian food like a practitioner.

It's also a view spot for the city, but at cost of intense hiking

*Recommend to go from the top to the bottom, Grab Didi to the entrance on the top

Ciqikou (磁器口 Porcelain Harbor) Old Street: one of top 10 old towns in China, a bustling town by the Jialing River dated to the 10th century

see the eaves and roofs of traditional residences, and enjoy the overwhelming atmosphere of vendors and shops

Three sites in a row in the mid-level of Gele Mt.(歌乐山), all free to public -- very politicized, NOT quite interesting for foreigners, especially from western countries

• Martyr's Cemetry (烈士墓): a shrine in memory of the communist martyrs who were killed before Chongqing's was "liberated" from Nationalist Gov in 1940s.  

• Zhazidong (渣滓洞): the prison founded by Nationalist to keep communists "rebels", many inhumane torture and prosecution utilities on display

• Bai's Mansion (白公馆): the  custodian utility used by Nationalists to jail political enemies, and used to accommodate U.S alliances during WWII.

*Nationalist Party was founded by Sun Yat-sen, and succeeded by Chiang Kai-shek who founded modern Taiwan regime.

*Chongqing is the place where the peacetalk about formality of ruling and coalition between Nationalist and Communist Party broke, and the Cvil War ensued (1945-1949).

1949 Grand Theatre (1949大剧院--ticket required): see the stage play titled "Chongqing 1949" in a fully immersive atmosphere--rotating seat, immersive sound effects, all stunts, etc. 

The plot is about the efforts of liberating Chongqing by the "underground (communist) agents" from the Nationalists 3 months before Nov 1949, and the family division v.s political struggle

*Buy ticket from trip.com

*Nationalist Party was founded by Sun Yat-sen, and succeeded by Chiang Kai-shek who founded modern Taiwan regime.

*Chongqing is the place where the peacetalk broke about formality of ruling and coalition between Nationalist and Communist Party, and the Cvil War ensued (1945-1949).

Hongyancun Metro Station (红岩村地铁站): an internet sensation for its "deepest" underground station in China (Go down via Exit 4). Intersection of Line 5 and Line 9.

Be prepared to be jaw-dropping by the length of escalators into the ground.

A living evidence of China's advanced tech in city infrastructure.

*close to Liziba Station, but not convenient to reach it if you go there by metro from Liziba as it involves 2 transfers.

Guanyinqiao (观音桥): an extensive commercial district, known for its cute neonlight and billboard.

A good place to explore the chill of night life

adjacent to 9 St.

9 St(Jiujie/九街): a signature nightlife and vibrant street behind Guanyinqiao Commercial District, known for its exotic bars and cultural studios.

Best time to go: after 2030PM, until 0200AM

Beverage, food, disco, bars, you name it!

Click to see more

Ring Mall (光环购物公园):  a shopping mall featured by its indoors jungle and forests. A Tik Tok hotspot.

*not in the downtowns, but close to the Airport

Hong'en Temple (鸿恩寺): a Tik Tok sensation for its brightly lighted tower during the night.

*The tower is a replica. There "was" a temple long time ago.

*Inaccessible by metro

Click to see more

Zijin-Ziwei Road Zone (紫荆-紫薇路): an old residential zone that was handpicked to test the city revival project.

You'll find diverse stylized cafes, bakery and canteens, part of the night vibe of the city. Enjoy the exotic chill and vibe in this decades-old block.

*Close to 9 St

Chongqing Grand Theatre (重庆大剧院): 

A stylized architecture of hilly contour sits across the Raffles and Hongyadong, inspired by Syndney Opera House and designed to accommodate major performance, art shows and symphony. It is also a spot for night-view photos

*Across the Hongyadong, accessed by Line 6

Dongjiaxi Flea Market (董家溪跳蚤市场): it is an all-inclusive second-hand goods center and a "treasure paradise" with hidden surprises. 

Previously Dongjiaxi Flea Market was "small", "chaotic" and "crowded", while the refurbished one after its relocation will surprise you.

*Exit 3 of Wulidian Station, Line 6 and 9

Yeshuigou Food Market (野水沟菜市场): it is an all-inclusive bustling paradise for local livelihood and gastronomy. *not touristy* 

It is one of the living evidence of China's urbanized progress. It is in backstreets of the shining and fancy high-rises and business district.

*Exit 8 of Guanyinqiao Station, Line 9

*Extra reading: village in the city (urban villages)" which is oftentimes costly and time-consuming to bulldoze and replace with high-rises.

Bijin Park (碧津公园): it is a hidden gem in the city where you could feel chill and a bit morning vibe--people practicing Taichi, calligraphy, dance.

Hailed as mini West Lake of this city

A clean lake, ar arch bridge, a century-old Confucian-themed archway.

*Bijin Station, Line 3 (far), Didi recommended as it is close to the airport

Chongqing Zoo (entry ticket): Pandamonium Tour. 

Over 20 cute panda bears are on display to the public along with other animals (no hug!)

*panda on duty😃 from 0830-0930AM

Huangjueping Graffiti St.（黄桷坪涂鸦艺术街）:  a place to see street arts that has been popular in western countries but been introduced to China in a recent decade. It is close to a top-tier fine arts institute in China.

Strong artistic influence on the freewill and expression of the youth.

Click to see more

"少年的你" Better Days (2019), awarded Best Picture and Best Screenplay in HK Film Awards, took dozens of shots in the street and filmed Chongqing as well

Jiaotong Tea House (交通茶馆): close to the Graffiti St.

A well-preserved tea shop and recreational venue for local Chongqing-ers dated to 1980s.

Have a sip of tea and listen to the bustling crowds and stand-up comedy!

Minzucun (民主村), aka, Democracy Village

A revived community reminiscent of days for socialist planning economy before 1980s. 

Such old neighborhoods were the workers' dormitory of factory. You can try the "collective canteen"--a pilot project for seniors who can access the subsided meal

Now known for its diverse dining places, and close to iMix (万象城) shopping mall

*a stark contrast between consumerist China and socialist China

Wuzhou Bookstore (五洲书店-滩子口店): a Tik Tok spot due to its unique interior rainbow-colored backdrop wall. 

*alternative to Chung's Bookstore

E'gongyan (鹅公岩立交) Interchange Photograph: a place where the vertical and inter-crossed junctions and city transport meet. 

Chung's Bookstore: a Tik Tok spot due to its unique interior design mimicking the mountainous landscape of Chongqing. 

A place of souvenir purchase- cute cultural and stationery items

*Last-day business 16 Sept 2024

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