18 Things to Do in Chongqing (+ Night Views You’ll Regret Skipping)

Chongqing is the city from my recent China trip that I often miss the most.

The city is built on cliffs and hillsides where the Yangtze and Jialing rivers meet — and it’s likely the city you’ve seen all over social media.

It’s overwhelming and chaotic, while laid-back and easygoing.

This guide covers the top things to do in Chongqing, including what I found to be overhyped online, plus practical tips on where to stay and how many days you actually need.

If it’s your first time visiting China, read my China Travel Guide for the essentials before you go.

Chongqing Travel Quick Links:

▢ Book your train ticket to Chongqing ahead of time

▢ Raffles City Skywalk ticket (my favorite experience in Chongqing)

▢ Try the TikTok-famous motorcycle photography + filming

▢ Wulong Karst entry tickets (popular day trip from Chongqing)

▢ Top-rated hotels in Chongqing: Booking.com | Trip.com (what I use for China)

▢ Most popular Chongqing day tours and attractions

How Many Days in Chongqing?

I stayed 4 nights and spent 3 full days in Chongqing.

If you only have 3 nights, 2 full days would suffice to cover the top things to do in Chongqing.

However, I could have easily stayed longer to explore more attractions.

Regardless of how long you stay, the sites you want to prioritize in Chongqing are the night views.

Sample of a 2-day itinerary (3 nights):

• Day 1: Liberation Plaza, Kuixinglou, Luohan Temple, Shibati, Hongya Cave at night
• Day 2: Liziba viewing platform, Longmenhao Old Street, Ropeway, Nanbin Road Scenic Area and Raffles Skywalk at night

If you’re limited on time or doing a day trip, these are the top 5 things to do in Chongqing I’d prioritize:

• Liberation Plaza
• Hongya Cave
• Shibati
• Nanbin Road Scenic Area
• Raffles Skywalk

How to Get to Chongqing

Chongqing is in southwest China, well-connected by both flight and high-speed rail.

I took the high-speed rail to Chongqing after spending 5 days at the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Tianmen Mountain.

By Flight Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) has direct flights from most major Chinese cities. From Shanghai and Beijing it’s about 3 hours.

By High-Speed Train From Shanghai, high-speed trains take about 10.5–12 hours (overnight options available). From Chengdu, trains take just 1–1.5 hours, and from Zhangjiajie 2 hours.

There are four railway stations in Chongqing — the main ones are East and North, depending on where you’re staying. All four are connected to a metro station.

🚂 Book your train tickets to Chongqing on Trip.com

Where to Stay in Chongqing

There are two main areas to stay in Chongqing for first-time visitors, especially if you want to be near the main sites to save time and energy spent walking.

1. Jiefangbei — Best for first-timers. Jiefangbei is the city center of Chongqing. This is where you’ll find the most popular attractions in Chongqing like Liberation Plaza and Hongya Cave.

I stayed more east of the main Jiefangbei area, at a hotel right next to Raffles City Mall, in case the main area got too noisy at night (though I still had to walk 20 plus minutes to get there).

🏨 Find hotels in Jiefangbei on Trip.com

2. Nanbin Road / Nan’an District — Best for night views. This is on the south bank of the Yangtze River, directly facing the Yuzhong Peninsula skyline.

This is where you go when you want to look at Chongqing rather than be in the middle of it. The views of Hongya Cave and Raffles City from this side of the river are some of the best in the city.

🏨 Find hotels on Nanbin Road on Booking.com

The Search for Hotels in Chongqing

I spent a lot of time researching hotels in Chongqing — it’s common for 10+ hotels to share one building, which can mean longer elevator wait times if you’re on the 20th floor for example.

I only found a few reasonably-priced ones that didn’t share a building by looking up four-star hotels on Trip.com.

I stayed at this 4-star hotel for $40 a night:

Things You Need to Know Before Visiting

• Chongqing has a lot more incline than you’d expect — you won’t realize it until you’re out of breath.
• So make sure to save some energy for night views, which Chongqing is most famous for.
• It’s common for people to come up to you offering professional photography at main attractions like Hongya Cave or Raffles City.
• Chongqing’s popular drone show only runs on Saturdays.
• Chongqing was the only city I visited where Amap kept crashing or giving me unnecessarily longer walking routes, which appears to be a common experience online.
• The lights at main attractions turn on and off depending on the season.
• Chongqing gets packed even on weekdays — avoid visiting on weekends if possible.

1. Liberation Square

Liberation Square, home to the iconic People’s Liberation Monument, is the commercial and cultural center of Chongqing city.

The 27.5-meter (90 ft) monument in the middle of the plaza was built in 1947 to celebrate its victory against Japan.

The surrounding pedestrian area is one of the busiest commercial hubs in China, packed with shopping malls and restaurants.

It’s where many of the other attractions in this guide are clustered, so you’ll likely pass through multiple times during your Chongqing itinerary.

Visit at night when the LED lights are on and the area is at its most lively (though not a rainy day):

Cost: Free | Nearest metro: Linjiangmen Station or Xiaoshizi Station | Amap

2. Hongya Cave

Hongya Cave is probably the most photographed spot in Chongqing and the one you’ll see most on social media.

It’s an 11-story stilt-building complex built against a cliff facing the Jialing River.

The building has hundreds of years of history and represents the traditional Ba-Yu architectural style of old Chongqing.

Inside you’ll find restaurants, snack shops, bars, and souvenir stalls across the floors, though it gets very packed.

It lights up nightly (timing varies by season) and turns off at 11pm. I watched the building lights turn on from the Qiansimen Bridge, though you need to arrive early to get a good spot.

If you want a closer evening view, go later at night from the street directly across it.

I went back on a Monday at 10pm, and the area was still packed. Expect crowds either way!

Cost: Free | Hours: 6pm–11pm (when lights turn on & off) | Nearest metro: Xiaoshizi Station | Amap

🎫 Book a guided tour of Hongya Cave tickets on Trip.com

3. Glamorous Chongqing Drone Show

Chongqing hosts one of the most impressive drone light shows in China — over 5,000 drones flying in formation above the river.

It runs every Saturday night, but gets cancelled if it rains.

It’s quite impressive, but honestly not worth scheduling a trip to Chongqing on a weekend, which is what I did. The city is extra packed on the weekends, and I went in late April.

If you do go during the drone show, the best views are from:

• Changjiahui Viewing Platform (it directly faces the show)
• Nanbin Road Scenic Area (go early for a good spot)
• Chaotianmen Square (back of Raffles City mall, less crowded, though you’ll see the show inverted)

Cost: Free | When: every Saturday night, 8:30pm or 9pm depending on season

4. Liziba Viewing Platform

Liziba Station is where Chongqing’s monorail Line 2 passes directly through a 19-story residential building.

There’s around 400 households in the building, and the station only takes up floors 6 to 8. Somehow it’s remarkably quiet inside.

The viewing platform outside the station is the spot everyone comes to watch and photograph.

Is it as impressive in person as it’s shown on social media? Not really, but still fascinating to see.

While you’re there, go to nearby parks like Eling Park or downstairs to the river for a nice waterfront view:

Cost: Free | Nearest metro: Liziba Station | Amap

5. Shibati

Shibati, which translates to “Eighteen Steps,” is a revitalized historic district in the Yuzhong area.

It’s one of the main old town areas to visit in Chongqing, with steep stone staircases that date back to the Ming Dynasty.

Visit for its old architecture, modern boutiques, food stalls, and cultural exhibits.

I visited Shibati at night around 8pm with fewer crowds, and it ended up being one of my favorite things to do in Chongqing.

Cost: Free | Nearest metro: Jiaochangkou Station | Amap

6. Nanbin Road Scenic Area

Nanbin Road runs along the south bank of the Yangtze River and is possibly the best place in Chongqing for night views.

From here you can see the full Yuzhong Peninsula skyline, Raffles City towers, the ropeway, and bridges connecting both sides of the river:

There’s also trendy riverside restaurants and bars with great views.

I visited at 7pm to see the lights go on at Raffles City, but it doesn’t get noticeably dark until after 8pm.

Across the street is where they do the internet-famous motorcycle photography and filming, which you can book online:

Cost: Free | Getting there: Taxi or Didi from the center (~10–15 min) | Amap

7. Longmenhao Old Street

Longmenhao Old Street is on the south side of the Yangtze River in Nan’an District, facing Yuzhong across the water.

Visit for the preserved riverside heritage street with old stone-paved paths, beautiful themed shops, and views of Dongshuimen Bridge (not to be confused with its twin bridge Qiansimen):

I visited again at night after visiting the Nanbin Road Scenic Area. It’s worth seeing it lit up in the evening from across the street:

Cost: Free | Nearest metro: Shangxinjie Station | Amap

8. Raffles Skywalk

The Raffles City Chongqing skywalk is a glass-bottomed sky bridge connecting the tops of four skyscrapers, suspended 250 meters (820 ft) above.

This may have been the best attraction I visited in Chongqing.

The last call to buy tickets is at 9pm; I bought tickets on Trip.com 10 minutes prior as I am slightly afraid of heights.

It was absolutely worth it, plus there were fewer people then.

The night I visited wasn’t the clearest, so I can only imagine how much more stunning it would be on a clearer day.

You’re harnessed to a line with your phone secured in a holder attached to you so you can safely take photos.

You can buy a ticket to the observation deck without doing the skywalk, but when I went, the observatory views alone didn’t seem worth it.

There’s also a sky swing if you want more adrenaline.

Cost for Skywalk + observatory: ¥196 ($29 USD) | Hours: 10am–10pm | Nearest metro: Xiaoshizi Station | Amap

🎫 Book your Raffles City Skywalk ticket on Trip.com

9. Raffles City Mall + Chaotianmen Square

Raffles City Chongqing is an 8-tower mixed-use complex next to Chaotianmen Square.

It’s your regular modern shopping mall with mostly international brands.

Even if you don’t go up to the skywalk or go shopping, it’s worth walking through the mall and down to Chaotianmen Square for the waterfront views.

At night, Raffles City is lit up and viewable from throughout Chongqing, especially from the Nanbin Road Scenic Area.

Cost: Free (mall and square) | Nearest metro: Xiaoshizi Station | Amap

10. Luohan Temple

Luohan Temple is a Buddhist temple in the heart of the Jiefangbei area, originally built during the Song Dynasty.

It’s unassuming from the outside, but it was one of the most stunning temples I’ve visited.

It’s definitely worth adding to your Chongqing itinerary.

The temple is known for its collection of clay Luohan (arhat) statues, each one distinct:

There’s a ticket booth out front, and you scan a QR code to pay with the Alipay app.

The temple closes at 5pm, but it’s worth passing by at night as it’s beautifully lit up:

Cost: ¥10 (~$1.50 USD) | Nearest metro: Linjiangmen Station | Amap

🎫 Book a guided tour that includes Luohan Temple + top attractions in Chongqing

11. Ren’Aitang

Ren’Aitang is another historic area to visit, located along Shancheng No. 3 Walking Trail, an old walking route built into the mountain cliffs.

The trail passes through Ren’ai Hall (the old French church built in 1902), a popular tiny bookstore called Time Library, traditional stilt houses, courtyards, and shops.

The easiest way to do it is to start from above at Qixinggang Station and walk downhill toward Zhongxing Road, which is less tiring.

You’ll also get views of the Egongyan Bridge on the Yangtze River:

Cost: Free | Nearest metro: Qixinggang Station (start from top) or Jiaochangkou Station (start from bottom) | Amap

12. Chongqing Haochi Street

Chongqing Haochi Street is a busy food street in the Yuzhong District known for its neon signs, vendor stalls, and local street food.

I stopped by around 9pm for a late-night snack of vegetable dumplings and it was still packed, but seats were available.

Prices are slightly higher than other parts of the city since it caters to tourists.

Cost: Free to walk; food from ¥5–30 per item (~$1–4 USD) | Nearest metro: Linjiangmen Station | Amap

13. Deyi World

Deyi World is a nightlife and entertainment complex in the Jiefangbei area.

There are multiple bars, live music, electronic clubs, and lounges.

If you don’t plan on partying, it’s pretty much a quick photo stop in the evening when it’s lit up like a cyberpunk world:

Cost: Free to enter most areas | Nearest metro: Linjiangmen Station | Amap

14. People’s Square

Chongqing’s People’s Square is a large open plaza next to the People’s Auditorium, the massive domed building modeled on Beijing’s Temple of Heaven.

While there, visit the free Three Gorges Museum to learn more about Chongqing’s history and explore ancient artifacts.

I wish I visited at night — the People’s Auditorium looks especially striking lit up.

Pair it with a stop at the Liziba Viewing Platform since both are located farther from the main Jiefangbei area.

Cost: Free | Nearest metro: Renmin Square Station | Amap

15. Kuixinglou

Kuixinglou is a historic building and square in the Jiefangbei area.

You’ve probably seen this on social media, and while fascinating, is more overblown compared to how it looks in person.

There’s a pedestrian skywalk here that gives an elevated view that’s 67 meters (220 ft) above street level.

Worth a brief stop for photos, plus it’s within walking distance of Liberation Plaza and other main things to do in Chongqing.

Cost: Free | Nearest metro: Linjiangmen Station | Amap

16. The Ropeway of the Yangtze River

The Yangtze River Cableway is an urban aerial tramway that crosses the Yangtze River between the Yuzhong Peninsula and the south bank in Nan’an District.

I’ve read that it’s less busy if you ride it from the south bank first, then to Jiefangbei.

Otherwise, you may be waiting in line for quite a bit.

I only caught a glimpse of it at night, suspended above the Yangtze River.

A one-way trip costs ¥20 (~$3 USD), round trip ¥30 (~$4 USD).

Cost: ¥20 one-way (~$3 USD) / ¥30 round-trip (~$4 USD) | Hours: ~7am–10pm | North station: Near Xinhua Road, Yuzhong District | Amap

🎫 Book your cableway tickets online to save some time

17. Chongqing Art Museum

The Chongqing Art Museum, nicknamed the “Chopstick Building,” is impossible to miss in the Jiefangbei district.

It has four exhibition halls with about 1,000 meters (3,200 ft) of exhibition space.

Entry is free and the collection focuses on Chinese painting and contemporary works.

I passed by it a few times, including in the evening:

One thing worth knowing from my notes: the best view of the building is from the side, not the front where it’s located on Amap.

Cost: Free | Hours: Closed Mondays | Nearest metro: Linjiangmen Station (Exit D) | Amap

18. Longtousi Park

Longtousi Park is one of the biggest, cleanest parks I visited in China.

It’s located in the northern part of the city and was right next to a vegan restaurant I visited.

It’s farther from city central, but it’s a well-maintained green space with a lake, beautiful flora, and the park’s main feature — a long stone-carved wall with statues chronicling Chinese history from past to present.

Cost: Free | Nearest metro: Longtousi Station | Amap

More Things to Do in Chongqing

If I had more time in Chongqing, these are the spots that would have been on my list:

• Ciqikou Ancient Town: a well-preserved Ming and Qing Dynasty old town on the banks of the Jialing River.
• Eling Park at night: a hilltop park in Yuzhong with panoramic views of both rivers.
• Chongqing Central Park: a massive urban park located closer to the airport.
• South Mountain Yikeshu Viewing Platform: for panoramic city views at night.
• Hong’ensi Forest Park: for stunning lit-up views of Hong’en Temple at night.
• Guanyinqiao Street: another bustling commercial area.
• The Ring (Guanghuan Shopping Park): a futuristic mall with an indoor rainforest.

Day Trips from Chongqing

If you have more days in Chongqing, allocate a day or two for these popular day trips:

Wulong Karst National Geology Park

Wulong is a UNESCO World Heritage Site about 2.5 hours from Chongqing by train known for its Three Natural Bridges.

It’s a full day out and best booked as a tour. I had just come from the Zhangjiajie National Forest, so I skipped it on this trip.

🎫 Book Wulong Karst entry tickets online to save time

Dazu Rock Carvings

The Dazu Rock Carvings are about 1.5 hours from Chongqing city by car, another UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site with over 50,000 Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist rock sculptures.

It’s manageable as a day trip and less intense physically than Wulong.

🎫 Book your Dazu Rock Carvings tickets on Trip.com

Chengdu

Chengdu is only 1–1.5 hours from Chongqing by high-speed train. I went to Chengdu for a few days after Chongqing.

➡️ Read my full guide on things to do in Chengdu.

🚂 Book your Chongqing to Chengdu train ticket on Trip.com

Is Chongqing Worth Visiting?

At first visit, Chongqing can feel overwhelming when you’re there, right in the thick of the busyness and crowds.

But I find myself missing Chongqing’s chaotic yet laid-back vibe, and being able to see those incredible night views all throughout the city.

I would absolutely go back to Chongqing — to see the sites farther from the city center that I missed, and to revisit its stunning old town areas and night views.

My main tip is to save some energy to see evening attractions, or you’ll miss out on what makes Chongqing truly worth visiting.

Have a great time and save this post for your trip to Chongqing. 🌏

Book before your Chongqing trip:

📶 China eSIM card — eSIM I used that includes access to apps like Google, Instagram, etc.

🏨 Best hotels in Chongqing: Booking.com | Trip.com (what I use for China)

🎟 Top-rated Chongqing day tours and attractions

🚂 Book your train ticket to Chongqing on Trip.com

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