This 7-day Chongqing itinerary features the best of the mountain city — with a good mix of ancient towns, cyberpunk attractions, and nature trips!
China has always been one of our favourite destinations to travel to. We’ve visited major cities like Shanghai and Beijing, and even ventured across Yunnan’s great outdoors, but there are still so many places to explore!
So this time, we’re heading to Chongqing — an underrated city known as many things. For instance, a Cyberpunk City (futuristic skyline), Mountain City (hilly terrain), Fog City (misty skies), 8D Magic City (complex infrastructure), and Hotpot City (birthplace of spicy Sichuan hotpot).
Does it live up to all of these nicknames? Spoiler alert: Yes!
Check out our 7-day Chongqing itinerary to see what makes it so unique and worth the trip — great for first-timers in China or after you’ve visited the bigger cities. Plus, it’s only a 5-hour direct flight from Singapore!
Pre-trip essentials
Travel insurance: In case of unforeseen circumstances, purchase insurance before your trip for peace of mind! Ours covered travel delays, cancellations, and overseas medical expenses (including Covid-19)!
eSIM: Local physical SIM cards in China don’t support apps like Telegram, WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook. So we recommend booking your China eSIM via the “eSIM” icon on the homepage of Klook’s app. At ~S$28 for 8 days, it’ll give you unlimited data per day, and access to all these platforms as long as you never ever connect to the WiFi. The best part is that you can activate the eSIM in the app directly, without having to use another device to scan the QR code — making it super fuss-free and easy!
Hotel & Activities: Pre-book popular activities, tours and hotels on online platforms like Klook before you fly, as slots fill up fast, especially during peak holiday seasons. Plus, it’ll help you skip the physical queues when you’re there.
*Pro-tip: Redeem 5% OFF Klook essentials and activities for use later, up to 3x. Just enter code <THETRAVELINTERNKLOOK> at checkout. New users get 10% OFF their first booking. T&C’s apply!
Apps: Some apps we found useful were Alipay/WeChat (payment), DiDi (transport), Xiaohongshu (local recommendations), Amap/Baidu (directions), and Google Translate (translation). For more details, skip to the end!
*Note: Use the Amap mobile app on your phone for the directions linked in this article, as the web browser may be wonky at times.
Day 1: Capturing Instagrammable Photos
Liziba Station (李子坝站)
First stop on our Chongqing itinerary is the famous Liziba Station. It’s known for its iconic sight of a train passing through a 19-storey residential building! Before you ask, yes, it’s a working rail line. In fact, we took a train from our hotel to the station itself, admiring views of the Jialing River along the way.
While many people flock to this specific spot just outside the station to take pictures, it can be super crowded. So we searched on Xiaohongshu (a local app similar to Instagram) for alternative photo-taking spots, and found this gem.
From the station, take Exit 2 (instead of Exit 1) and turn left. Then walk down the slope, pass the police station, and you’ll end up at a small carpark area. We waited around 5-10 minutes for the train to pass by and snapped pictures of it up close, without the crowds!
Opening hours: 24hrs
Train timings: 6:32AM – 11:49PM
Address: No. 119, Liziba Street, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
How to get there: 20min train ride from Glenview ITC Plaza Chongqing (Amap)
TESTBED 2 (贰厂文创公园)
Next, we explored TESTBED 2, a cultural and creative park in Chongqing. This area was once a printing factory from the 1950s to 1970s, contributing to most of the city’s colour prints.
After the factory relocated in 2012, it transformed into an arts centre with photo spots and shops selling clothing and jewellery. There are also plenty of cafes like Coffeeholic, where we stopped for drinks and desserts.
We had a red velvet latte (35RMB) and pistachio coffee (38RMB), paired with pistachio (42RMB) and original (35RMB) basque cheesecakes. The red velvet drink was sweet, and I enjoyed the super creamy cheesecakes.
Opening hours: 24hrs (shops vary)
Address: 1 Eling Main Street, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
How to get there: 12min DiDi ride from Liziba Station (Amap)
Great Hall of the People (人民大礼堂)
One of Chongqing’s most recognisable landmarks is the Great Hall of the People, or the Chongqing People’s Auditorium. Established in 1954, the hall served as the meeting place of the Municipal Legislative Bodies and the Chongqing Municipal People’s Congress.
It incorporates architectural styles of the Ming and Qing dynasties — with grand designs, wooden structures, a striking green roof, and red pillars that stand out among the city skyscrapers!
For 8RMB, you can even enter the auditorium to see what it looks like, though we were happy just taking photos from the outside.
Catch a frontal view of the building from the People’s Square, or head to this less-crowded spot for a stunning side view of the hall!
To get there, go to Maanshan Office and walk up the stairs beside it:
Entrance fee: 8RMB/pax (~S$1.50)
Opening hours: 8AM – 6PM
Address: 173 Renmin Rd, Da Xi Gou, Yuzhong Qu, Chongqing
How to get there: 15min DiDi ride from TESTBED 2 (Amap)
Luohan Temple (罗汉寺)
Then, we went to a peaceful temple located right in the city centre. Built around 1,000 years ago, Luohan Temple is one of China’s national key Buddhist temples! It’s part of the National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit and the base of the Chongqing Buddhist Association.
Within it are over 400 stone-carved Buddha statues from the Song Dynasty, and 500 clay statues of Arhats (Luohans) — people who are said to have reached nirvana.
Besides being rich in culture, it’s also a great photo background! We headed to the building next to the temple and got this gorgeous pic on Level 5.
Entrance fee: 20RMB/pax (~S$4)
Opening hours: 8AM – 5PM
Address: 7 Luohansi St, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
How to get there: 23min DiDi ride from Great Hall of the People (Amap)
Hongyadong (洪崖洞) and Qiansimen Bridge (千厮门大桥)
Not gonna lie, I felt like I was transported into a cyberpunk city at Hongyadong. This 11-storey, stilted building on a cliff is most famous for its appearance at night, when it’s all lit up from 7:30PM!
Featuring an antique design, Hongyadong houses various restaurants and shops selling souvenirs, tea, and traditional Chinese clothing.
We settled down for dinner here on Day 1, with zi char-style (mixed rice) dishes like sour fish soup (68RMB) and fried bacon with garlic (68RMB) to share. The portions were really big, and the spiciness was a tad too much for me. But it was delicious nevertheless.
Once we were done taking photos of Hongyadong’s neon exterior, we waited for the nearby Qiansimen Bridge to light up around 8PM. This historical bridge spans the Jialing River, connecting the Yuzhong and Jiangbei districts.
*Pro-tip: If you don’t mind missing the exact moment Hongyadong and Qiansimen Bridge light up, we recommend coming after 8PM to avoid the huge crowds.
Opening hours: 24hrs (shops vary)
Light illumination: 7:30PM (Hongyadong), 8PM (Qiansimen Bridge)
Address: Yuzhong District, Changbai Road, Chongqing
How to get there: 10min DiDi ride from Luohan Temple (Amap)
Chongqing Shouwu Foot Massage (重庆首悟足道)
I knew Chongqing was known for being a hotpot city, but never would I have thought that it would extend to a footbath. So yes, of course we had to try it.
Chongqing Shouwu Foot Massage is just a 10 to 15-minute walk away from Hongyadong, and to secure our slots, we booked an 80-minute hotpot footbath session on Klook. Needless to say, it was a very… interesting experience 🤭
There are three types of hotpot to choose from: Mala, Floral or Mix. The “broths” are meant to help with your blood circulation during your foot soak. The mala gave us a numbing sensation, while the floral soak was more fragrant and calming.
Our package also included ear cleaning and washing, which was totally different from what we expected. Yes, there was cleaning involved, but also somehow, feathers on faces and bell sounds?? (we’ll leave it up to your imagination).
Cost: ~S$32/pax via Klook for an 80min session
Opening hours: 1PM – 1AM
Address: Jialingjiangbinjiang Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
How to get there: 12min walk from Hongyadong (Amap)
Check-in at Glenview ITC Plaza Chongqing (重庆国贸格兰维大酒店)
For our one-week itinerary, we stayed at Glenview ITC Plaza Chongqing. It’s conveniently located, just a 30-minute taxi ride from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, and a 5-minute walk from Linjiangmen Station.
It’s also near Jiefangbei Street (lined with food and souvenir shops), a mall, and at least three different convenience stores like Lawson and Mei Yi Jia.
As for the room, I loved how spacious it was, being able to fit two beds, a desk and a small couch. The bathroom even had a huge bathtub! Oh, and did I mention that facilities onsite include a bar, spa, gym and swimming pool?
Cost: From ~S$87/night for a Deluxe Twin Room (2 pax)
Address: No.66 Qingnian Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
How to get there: 30min DiDi ride from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (Amap)
Day 2: Diving Into Ancient History
Ciqikou Ancient Town (磁器口古镇)
On Day 2, we travelled back in time to the ancient town of Ciqikou! The name literally translates to Porcelain Port, as it was once a main producer of porcelain products during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
We walked along stone-cobbled streets, passing by shops selling local snacks, cheongsams and souvenirs. There was even someone making traditional candy from scratch, into shapes like a dragon and a butterfly.
While strolling around, we found Mahjong Museum, which tells the history of this traditional game. Although the information is in Mandarin, Google Translate works well enough to understand what it means!
It’s free to enter, and there’s a mahjong-themed gift shop to bring something back for your friends and family.
Opening hours: 24hrs (shops vary), 10AM – 6:30PM (Mahjong Museum)
Address: No. 1, Jingnan Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing
How to get there: 30min DiDi ride from Glenview ITC Plaza Chongqing (Amap)
Lunch at Wuchaoshou (吴抄手)
For lunch, we stumbled upon Wuchaoshou, apparently known for their handmade dumplings! I’m glad they lived up to their claims as the pan-fried chicken dumplings (15RMB) were super crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
They also have a range of noodle dishes — we ordered zha jiang mian (fried sauce noodles, 18RMB) and chicken shredded noodles (12RMB). The noodles were just the right consistency, not too hard or chewy, and paired well with the vinegar sauce.
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM
Address: Ciqikou Ancient Town, Ciqikou, Shapingba District, Chongqing
How to get there: 1min walk from Mahjong Museum (Amap)
Chongqing 1949 Performance (重庆1949)
Located a 15-minute walk from Ciqikou Ancient Town, the Chongqing 1949 Performance was easily the highlight of the day! What’s really unique about this show is its 360° revolving stage, which fully immerses the audience.
The 70-minute show is completely in Mandarin, but we could sort of understand what was going on thanks to the strong storytelling.
TL;DR: It’s set in 1949, telling the revolutionary history before the liberation of Chongqing, and showing the power of communist beliefs through the common people.
Honestly, with the rotating stage, smoke effects, singing and flying military men, I couldn’t fully keep up with what was happening. But I loved every minute of it. We even bought VIP seats that rotate too — for the FULL experience (highly recommended!).
Cost: From ~S$36/pax (ordinary seats), From ~S$50/pax (VIP seats) via Klook
Time slots: 2PM, 4PM, 7:30PM, 8PM (depending on the date)
Address: No. 999 Jinbizheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing
How to get there: 15min walk from Ciqikou Ancient Town (Amap)
Chongqing Banquet of Ba Kingdom (华礼宴·礼宴巴国)
Our last item on the itinerary for the day was the Chongqing Banquet of Ba Kingdom, which was just as grand as it sounds. We topped up an additional ~S$40/pax for a makeup and styling session, plus a photoshoot pre-dinner, and it was such a fun experience.
From left to right: Trini (me), Edison and Kai Xin!
We could choose our costumes from different dynasties — I got mine from the Song Dynasty, while Kai Xin got hers from the Wei/Jin Dynasty. The looks were totally different: mine gave an empress look while hers was more fairy-like!
Guys can try it too — Edison looked like an emperor donned in black robes.
Then, it was on to makeup, where we were slabbed with the whitest foundation ever and fake hair for volume. Later, a professional photographer took our pictures, and I was really impressed with his direction for the poses.
Our package includes one photo, but you can top up 50RMB/extra photo.
Now on to the main event, the actual dinner.
It’s basically a five-course meal with stunning performances in between. Inspired by Bayu culture, there were different stories told through acting, music, and dancing. There’s even some interaction with the audience, where a chosen “emperor” can go up on stage!
Food-wise, there are light snacks, lamb sticks, braised chicken, prawns, mushrooms and sea cucumber, plus youtiao and floss as a dessert. Every dish was delicious, and it was just the right amount for the duration of the whole banquet.
Overall, it was a unique experience that I’ll 10/10 go for again!
*Note: You’ll have to pay a 500RMB/pax cash deposit before the experience, which will be returned at the end.
Cost of photoshoot: ~S$40/pax for full makeup and hairstyling
Cost: From ~S$83/pax via Klook (imperial feast dinner)
Time slots: 12PM – 2:20PM (lunch), 6:30PM – 8:50PM (dinner)
Address: 1st Floor, Building 12, Longli Baguo City, No. 6 Hongshi Avenue, Jiulongpo District, Chongqing
How to get there: 25min DiDi ride from Chongqing 1949 Grand Theatre (Amap)
*Pro-tip: As seats are limited, book your tickets on Klook in advance for both the Chongqing 1949 Performance and Chongqing Banquet of Ba Kingdom to secure your spot!
Day 3: Visiting Famous Scenic Attractions
Chongqing is not just cyberpunk cityscapes and ancient towns. It also boasts beautiful natural landscapes, although most of them are at least an hour or two’s drive out of the city.
That’s why we prepped in advance and got our own private car charter to cover well-known attractions within the Wulong Karst National Geological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007.
We paid ~S$208 in total (~S$69/pax divided by three) for a driver to bring us around for 12 hours — including transport to and from our hotel. We felt that the price was fair, in exchange for not having to worry about finding our own transport.
Three Natural Bridges (天生三桥)
Private cars are not allowed inside the national park, so we first had to go to the main visitor centre and take a 10-minute shuttle bus ride to the Three Natural Bridges.
Fun fact: This area was the filming location of Transformers 4: Age of Extinction. There’s even a life-sized Transformer at the entrance!
As the largest natural cluster bridge in Asia, it’s made up of the Tianlong Bridge, Qinglong Bridge, and Heilong Bridge.
1) Tianlong Bridge: Named Sky Dragon Bridge, as it looks like a dragon soaring through the sky. Here, there are stairs leading up to a viewpoint where we caught a panoramic view of Tianfu Posthouse.
2) Qinglong Bridge: From the front, it resembles a sword. From the back, you’ll see a jumping carp (picture above) — part of a legend that yellow carps turn into dragons after leaping over the Dragon Gate, symbolising success.
3) Heilong Bridge: The long-narrow bridge opening is high and dark inside, similar to a black dragon hovering above the cave. Walking through, we also saw mini springs pouring from the top of the bridge.
I really enjoyed taking my time exploring the area, and the paths were well-paved! There are also designated photo stations, where an official photographer takes pictures of you for a free souvenir.
The whole journey on foot took about 3 hours. Towards the end, we had the option to either take a small sightseeing bus (15RMB/pax) or walk 10 minutes to the exit.
Words of advice: take the bus. The walk up may sound short, but the steep stairs and slope made me regret my decision quickly.
Entrance fee: 155RMB/pax (~S$28)
Opening hours: 8:30AM – 4:30PM
Address: Junction of Baiguo Township and Walnut Township, Wulong County, Chongqing
How to get there: 2.5hr drive from Glenview ITC Plaza Chongqing (Amap)
Longshuixia Fissure Gorge (龙水峡)
From the Three Natural Bridges, we took a 10-minute shuttle bus directly to Longshuixia Fissure Gorge. Looking down from the top, I was super impressed by the vast landscape, deep valleys and multiple waterfalls.
The entire area also looked like a huge gaping hole in the ground, giving it another term, Difeng (crevice of the Earth).
Some notable attractions to me were the Jiaolong Karst Cave — formed by the corrosion of the underground river over billions of years, and the Galaxy Waterfall — an 80m-high, powerful waterfall. There’s also a rock formation called Holy Elephant Playing Water, no prizes for why it’s named that way 😉
After completing the route in 2 hours, we took the bus back to the visitor centre to meet up with our driver and head back to the hotel!
Entrance fee: 105RMB/pax (~S$19)
Opening hours: 8:30AM – 4:30PM
Address: Longshuixia Ground Seating Scenic Spot, Xiannvshan Town, Wulong County, Chongqing
How to get there: 10min shuttle bus ride from Three Natural Bridges (Amap)
Bonus: Fairy Mountain (仙女山)
Photo credit: Klook
If you don’t mind rushing through the first two attractions, or if you have an extra day, check out Fairy Mountain! Nicknamed “Oriental Switzerland”, this national forest park features alpine meadows, rolling hills and cool temperatures.
Spring and summer times (March to September) are best for horse-riding, hiking, and green landscapes, whereas winter time (December to February) is great for skiing and snowboarding.
Entrance fee: ~S$9/pax via Klook
Opening hours: 8:30AM – 4:30PM
Address: Fairy Mountain National Forest Park, Wulong County, Chongqing
How to get there: 40min drive from Longshuixia Fissure Gorge (Amap)
*Pro-tip: For those who want to visit the Wulong Karst attractions at a comfortable pace, opt for this two-day tour which covers the bridge, gorge, and mountain, as well as other famous landmarks.
Dinner at 1941 Jiangzhou Hotpot Restaurant (1941江州火锅)
1941 Jiangzhou Hotpot Restaurant is only a 10-minute walk away from our hotel, which we were grateful for after a long day out. Located on the 8th floor of Yutian Business Building, it had a retro Chinatown look to it — decorated in colourful lanterns and old-school posters.
This was our first hotpot meal of this trip, and we were quite excited since Chongqing is said to be the birthplace of spicy hotpot. Apparently, in the late Qing Dynasty, the city’s dockworkers and labourers created the communal meal using cheap meat and spices to warm themselves up.
*Pro-tip: Redeem 5% OFF Klook tours, activities and food for use later, up to 3x. Just enter code <THETRAVELINTERNKLOOK> at checkout. New users get 10% OFF their first booking. T&C’s apply!
We got the 138RMB all-you-can-eat set for one person, inclusive of a half-half spicy and mushroom soup base, with ingredients like marbled sliced beef, pork belly, sliced fish, quail eggs, etc. However, note that these are full portions, so we suggest ordering dishes in batches so as to not waste food.
Indeed, it met our expectations, and the mala left a tingling aftertaste in our mouths. Drinks are refillable too, with options like soya milk, watermelon juice and plum juice. And all these for just ~S$25/pax!
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM
Address: 8th Floor, Yutian Building, Jiefangbei, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
How to get there: 10min walk from Glenview ITC Plaza Chongqing (Amap)
Day 4: Exploring Chongqing’s Trendy Neighbourhoods
Linhua Road (临华路)
Day 4 was all about discovering Chongqing’s neighbourhoods! Linhua Road is famous on Xiaohongshu for its complex, labyrinth-like design and colourful pathways. So of course, we had to check it out.
I felt like I was climbing stairs after stairs, with no idea where the exit was. But that just makes it all the more fun to explore! It was a great way to tour the area through a local’s point of view.
In my opinion, the main photo spot to look out for here is the playground, where you can climb up the nearby stairs to get this top-down view. However, do note that actual people live here, so be respectful and mindful not to disturb them when walking around.
Opening hours: 24hrs
Address: Linhua Road, Qixinggang Subdistrict, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
How to get there: 7min DiDi ride from Glenview ITC Plaza Chongqing (Amap)
Mountain City Alley (山城步道)
Around a 10-minute taxi ride away is Mountain City Alley or Shan Cheng Bu Dao. It’s located on the mountainside and made up of smaller, older streets with various shops, teahouses and food stalls.
We walked by recognisable shops like Chagee and some local stores, such as one that sells cute cat accessories!
Along the way, we caught views of Nanjimen Rail Bridge across the Yangtze River and other background photo-ops such as this lantern wall.
Opening hours: 24hrs (shops vary)
Address: No. 234, Zhongxing Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
How to get there: 10min DiDi ride from Linhua Road (Amap)
Kuixing Tower (魁星楼)
This is the “ground” floor.
One of the most mind-boggling buildings on this trip for me was Kuixing Tower. On one side, we assumed we were on ground level looking at the cityscape, but on the other, we were 22 stories above ground looking down at a main road!
This is on the same “ground” floor, but with a different view on the other end!
The reason: it’s built on a hillside, so floor levels differ depending on which side you stand on. And here’s another fun fact: the tower is connected to our hotpot foot massage building on Day 1 — so if you’re there, you can just take the elevator to the 22nd floor!
Opening hours: 24hrs
Address: No. 17, Datang Plaza, Linjiangmen, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
How to get there: 10min DiDi ride from Mountain City Alley (Amap)
Baixiang Residential Complex (白象居)
The next item on our Chongqing itinerary was Baixiang Residential Complex. The apartment buildings sport a rustic and grey exterior, with interesting architecture and multiple access points from the surrounding streets.
As it’s an old neighbourhood, there are no elevators — just a maze of stairs and bridges linking buildings together.
But what we’re really here for is the view of the Yangtze River Cableway crossing the river!
There are plenty of photo points hidden across different levels, with cafes and shops across the complex. We found one at Shan Shiji Cafe, and were amazed at the view of the red cablecars passing by every 5 to 10 minutes.
Opening hours: 24hrs
Address: 82 Xida St, Rongchang District, Chongqing
How to get there: 13min DiDi ride from Kuixing Tower (Amap)
Dinner at Pipa Yuan Hotpot (枇杷园)
After a day of neighbourhood-hopping, we headed to the world’s biggest hotpot restaurant for dinner — Pipa Yuan Hotpot!
It has a capacity of 5,851 seats and more than 700 tables, earning a spot in the Guinness World Records. We were stunned by the grand size, neon lights, and flights of stairs we had to climb to reach the top for the best view.
The menu has a wide range of fresh seafood, meats like beef and pork, and vegetables. We ordered three delicacies and spicy soup base (70RMB), marbled beef (48RMB), pork belly (18RMB), and tofu pudding (10RMB).
It was pretty affordable, coming down to ~S$9/pax split among the three of us. Our favourite was the beef, as it was thinly sliced and juicy.
The three delicacies soup had light flavours, while the spicy soup was not as numbing as I’d thought! Though I recommend that non-spicy lovers do a quick 3-second meat dip for just the right amount of spice.
If you prefer your own individual hotpot, get a hotpot buffet set for 138RMB/pax, where you’ll grab ingredients off a hotpot “sushi belt”!
Opening hours: 9AM – 12AM
Address: Wenfeng Main Street Laochang Jinzhu Cun, Nan’an District, Chongqing
How to get there: 22min DiDi ride from Baixiang Residential Complex (Amap)
Day 5: Wandering around Old-town Streets
Xia Hao Lane (下浩里)
Xia Hao Lane is a beautiful blend of the old and new, where you can walk down cobblestone streets and see traditional teahouses right next to modern cafes and clothing/souvenir shops.
It was bigger than we thought; we took around 2 hours to explore and hunt for photo-ops. We even found a waterfall right in the centre of everything! But as with almost every other attraction in Chongqing… be prepared to walk many, many flights of stairs.
Opening hours: 24hrs (shops vary)
Address: Xiahaoli, Nan’an District, Chongqing
How to get there: 18min DiDi ride from Glenview ITC Plaza Chongqing (Amap)
Lunch at Shanbushen (山不深合作社)
While looking for lunch places, we came across a small store called Shanbushen selling noodles and dumplings. You know the food must be pretty good if it has a limited menu and yet, is still thriving.
We had the bean paste noodles (16RMB) as it was a Chongqing specialty, and it tasted so delicious! The sauce was salty (just how I like it), and the noodles came topped with minced pork meat.
Opening hours: 10AM – 9:30PM
Address: No.38B, Xiahaoli, Nan’an District, Chongqing
How to get there: 10min walk from the entrance of Xia Hao Lane (Amap)
Longmenhao Old Street (龙门浩老街)
From Xia Hao Lane, we walked under the Dongshuimen Yangtze River Bridge and crossed over to Longmenhao Old Street. This is one of the best-preserved and largest historical and cultural blocks in Chongqing.
It used to be an important port and commercial centre where foreign businessmen gathered. Now it retains the old Chinese-Western architectural style of buildings, as a reminder of the past.
While it’s definitely quieter than Xia Hao Lane in terms of retail shops, we still saw many locals snapping photos at designated spots, like this gate!
Opening hours: 24hrs (shops vary)
Address: Chongqing, Ba’Nan District, Nanbin Road 105
How to get there: 15min walk from Shanbushen (Amap)
Dinner at Huangye Teahouse (荒野茶摊)
Located on a hill away from the city, Huangye Teahouse is where you can grill your own food while soaking in the views of the city and the Yangtze River.
Our DiDi driver could only drop us off at the nearby carpark, and we had to hike up a slope for around 15 minutes to reach the teahouse. If you’re not too keen to walk, there are also locals offering a bike ride up for 15RMB, though it may not be entirely safe (no helmets).
Our “hike” was tiring for sure, but the views at the top were worth it! We arrived around 6:30PM and managed to catch the moment the orange horizon turned to dark blue, dotted with yellow city lights.
As for food, each person is required to purchase either something to eat or drink. Among the three of us, we shared a 2-pax meal portion (256RMB) and got a refillable fruit tea (88RMB), which was more than enough to fill our tummies. The set came with various meats like prawns, beef and pork belly!
Needless to say, we had a good time with good food and good company.
Opening hours: 10AM – 11PM
Address: No. 240 Tushan Road, Nan’an District, Chongqing
How to get there: 17min DiDi ride from Longmenhao Old Street (Amap)
Chongqing Drone Show (重庆无人机表演)
Chongqing has a weekly drone show in the city every Saturday night! Unfortunately, we didn’t do our research properly, so we ended up on the wrong side at Chaotianmen Square and saw the 20-minute-long show with inverted words.
But honestly, the words didn’t really matter, as there were other images too! The whole time, I couldn’t help but oooh and ahhh at just how futuristic and advanced Chongqing is!
To avoid making the same mistake we did, here are several places to watch the show: Zhonglou Plaza on Nanbin Street, or Changjiahui Shopping Park. Both offer a background view of the illuminated Raffles City!
*Pro-tip: Arrive at least 1 to 2 hours earlier to grab a good spot.
Show timing: Every Sat at 8:30PM (Oct to Apr), or 9PM (May to Sep)
Address: Multiple locations
Day 6: Day Trip out of the City
Besides exploring Wulong, we also wanted to check out Fuling District, famous for hidden underground bunkers and scenic natural landscapes. So we booked a tour with Klook for ease of transportation and a knowledgeable local driver!
We loved how it was a small group (up to eight people) and our driver was friendly, answering all our questions about the various attractions.
*Note: Entry tickets are included in the tour, but the driver won’t follow you into the first two attractions (816 Underground Nuclear Plant, and Wuling Mountain Great Rift Valley). You’ll have the freedom to roam by yourself, and he will meet you back at the entrance.
816 Underground Nuclear Plant (816地下核工厂)
The 816 Nuclear Plant was once China’s top-secret underground military project, as part of its national defence back in 1966. It spanned over 100,000sqm, with 130 branch tunnels, 600 rooms, and multiple caverns. But due to political and economic changes after the Cold War, construction was discontinued.
The government then turned it into a tourist attraction in 2010 — don’t worry, it was never put into use, so there’s no radiation.
An on-site guide showed us around the area, but we had to be careful to stay close with the group as we almost got lost among the maze of tunnels, shafts and caves. If you do get separated, don’t panic and just follow the exit signs.
One of the highlights for us was Cavern No. 101, where the main reactor is located. It covers 12 floors, with the reactor hall on the 8th floor, and the reactor bottom on the 3rd floor.
The bottom was designed to have the strongest radiation in the project, though now it’s just a popular photo-op!
Wuling Mountain Great Rift Valley (武陵山大裂谷)
Located in the Wuling Mountain National Forest Park, Wuling Mountain Great Rift Valley is about 10km long! There are two walking routes to choose from: 2km (~2 hours) or 5km (~4 hours).
The shorter route saves time by cutting through the first half of the journey via a ropeway, but we opted for the longer one so as not to miss the views.
Along the way, we passed through scenic sights of mountains, forests, gorges, and springs. My favourites were the suspension bridge, and the Gorilla Mountain, a rock formation which resembles the great apes. There’s even an area with a small village and a flower garden.
Thankfully, we didn’t have to walk all the way. Past the midpoint, we took a tram from the mountain trail to Lover’s Valley. Then, it was a 2km walk through towering cliffs, deep gorges, and winding valleys.
At the end, we had to take a ropeway back up to the entrance.
Overall, as someone who is not exactly fit, the “hike” was relatively easy, just probably a tad too many stairs. I suggest pacing yourself and using those photo spots to rest for a bit before continuing your journey!
*Note: The ropeway leaves every 20 minutes, or immediately if there are 45 passengers.
Wujiang Cliff (乌江崖)
Our last stop of the tour was the Wujiang Gallery Observation Deck. It gave us a panoramic view of the emerald Wujiang River and surrounding cliffs — a peaceful and relaxing end to the trip.
Wuling Mountain Grand Rift Valley & Wujiang Cliff Scenic Area Day Trip
Cost: ~S$69/pax
Tour timing: 7AM – 7PM
Pick-up point: Hotel pick-up
Shi Ba Ti (十八梯)
After a long 2-hour journey back to the city, our driver dropped us off at Shi Ba Ti (18 Steps). This historical area is famed for its steep stone stairways, narrow alleys and traditional Bayu-style houses!
There are two stories behind the name:
1) Ming and Qing Dynasties — 18 flights of stairs were built to help traders easily travel between the upper city centre and the riverbank below.
2) A Well — The distance to a well and the residents’ homes was exactly 18 steps.
Could this be THE well?!
While here, we enjoyed seeing the contrast between ancient structures and urban stores. Plus, finding hidden alleys like this one:
Opening hours: 24hrs (shops vary)
Address: No 1. Zhongxing Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
How to get there: 2hrs drive from Wujiang Gallery Observation Deck (Amap)
Day 7: Finding Hidden Gems
Jingangbei Ancient Village (金刚碑老村)
For our final day on the Chongqing itinerary, we wanted to cover lesser-known gems! And one was just an hour’s taxi ride away — Jingangbei Ancient Village.
Situated between Jinyun Mountain and Jialing River, this old town was a peaceful escape from the city. When we got there around 10AM, it was still pretty quiet, with most shops in the midst of opening.
There were a few areas which looked deserted, but I felt that it just added to its ancient charm. You can even rent traditional Chinese clothing for 120RMB/pax to blend in with the scenery.
This village is also known for its natural hot springs! We saw many hot spring establishments while walking around, with prices starting from 88RMB/pax, or around S$16 for the day.
In the interest of time, we didn’t enter, so I guess we’ll just have to come back next time.
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM (shops vary)
Address: No. 502, Beiquan Road, Beibei District, Chongqing
How to get there: 48min DiDi ride from Glenview ITC Plaza Chongqing (Amap)
Jun Ge Bookstore (军哥书屋)
Thanks to Xiaohongshu, we found another rare find in Chongqing: Jun Ge Bookstore. Located in an old air-raid shelter, this hidden bookstore has a vast collection of books regarding Chongqing’s literature and history, as well as travel guides and maps.
There’s also a mix of past and present memorabilia, such as typewriters and cassettes. Plus, a tunnel filled with photos of popular Chinese actors like Xiao Zhan and Wang Yi Bo. While most of these items aren’t for sale, try asking the staff and see if they’d sell!
The shop has a fee of 5RMB/pax for taking photos, reading books or playing games onsite. But this fee can also be used to offset a drink or item from the gift shop equal to the price.
Photo fee: 5RMB/pax (~S$0.90)
Opening hours: 8:30AM – 9PM
Address: Tielu Village 5, Huangjueping Subdistrict, Jiulongpo District, Chongqing
How to get there: 48min DiDi ride from Jingangbei Ancient Village (Amap)
Tuya Graffiti Street (涂鸦一条街)
Tuya Graffiti Street is a 10-minute walk from Jun Ge Bookstore, and was recommended by our driver from the Wulong day trip.
I found the concept really unique — an entire street “vandalised” in graffiti (LEGALLY), turning it into a vibrant artistic hub. This was part of a project by the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, which aimed to revitalise the area and promote a creative environment:
Besides street art, there are murals and sculptures scattered around, imitating an open-air art gallery with a touch of local culture.
We could even participate in painting the walls! We bought paint for 7RMB (three colours), and in true TTI fashion, left our iconic mark in a new city.
Opening hours: 24hrs
Address: No. 88 Huangjueping Main Street, Jiulongpo District, Chongqing
How to get there: 10min walk from Jun Ge Bookstore (Amap)
Nanshan One Tree Hill Viewing Platform (南山一棵树)
Then, it was on to Nanshan One Tree Hill Viewing Platform. The observation deck was built around a large tree (hence the name), and offers sweeping views of the city.
The best time to go is around 6PM, right before sunset, to catch the golden hue. Unfortunately, we missed the timing for sunset, but still enjoyed the vibrant cityscape, which came to life when night fell!
Opening hours: 9AM – 11PM
Address: Longhuang Highway, Nan’an District, Chongqing, near Huangpi Road
How to get there: 24min DiDi ride from Tuya Graffiti Street (Amap)
Chongqing Motorbike Trend (重庆机车)
Before flying back to Singapore the next morning, we wanted to try something we saw trending on TikTok. The Chongqing motorbike trend is a viral social media post where people are filmed riding a motorcycle against the city’s futuristic backdrop.
We booked the experience via Xiaohongshu and met up with an experienced rider along Nanbin Road. He gave instructions and taught us some poses before we went to the main road.
Truthfully, the experience was scary yet exhilarating. I thought the bike would’ve slowed down while posing, but it continued at a fast speed. Thankfully, I didn’t fly off the bike as I’d imagined, and the end product turned out epic!
The basic package costs around 199RMB/pax, inclusive of a 20-second video and a standard “grabbing” transition. Any additional poses/transitions (princess carry, hand-holding run etc) would cost an extra 100RMB.
Was it fun? Yes. But would I do it again? That’s a definite MAYBE (till I’m 100% comfortable with riding on a bike at high speed).
Cost: From 199RMB/pax (~S$36)
Address: No. 120, Nanbin Road, Nan’an District, Chongqing
How to get there: 20min DiDi ride from Nanshan One Tree Hill Viewing Platform (Amap)
*Note: Be responsible for your own safety and only attempt this if you’re confident on a bike! It would also be good to have insurance coverage for adventurous activities in case of any mishaps.
Planning Your Chongqing Itinerary
As a first-timer to Chongqing, it exceeded all my expectations. I didn’t realise how one city could feel so futuristic, yet full of ancient charm and natural wonders. I could be looking at the modern cityscape in one moment, and be transported to an old town street the next.
The activities and nature day trips were memorable too — I felt like a queen attending an actual royal banquet, and I was mesmerised by the vast landscapes.
However, slots for popular experiences fill up fast, and tourist attractions outside the city would definitely be crowded on weekends.
So we suggest booking tickets in advance on Klook whenever possible! It made our planning so much easier, secured our spots, and allowed us to skip physical queues so we could maximise our time.
*Pro-tip: Redeem 5% OFF Klook essentials and activities for use later, up to 3x. Just enter code <THETRAVELINTERNKLOOK> at checkout. New users get 10% OFF their first booking. T&C’s apply!
Here are other useful tips to help plan your trip:
1) Download these apps
Be sure to download these apps before you fly off, as some of them may need mobile verification. They definitely made our trip much smoother, be it paying vendors or finding our way around.
| App | Purpose | Details |
| Alipay/WeChat | Payment | – Alipay’s interface is in English – WeChat’s interface is in Mandarin – Good to have both as some vendors may not accept either one – Local tour operators mainly use WeChat to keep in contact |
| DiDi | Transportation | – For ride-hailing – China’s version of Grab – Accessible via Alipay, so you won’t need to figure out options in Mandarin |
| Xiaohongshu | Local Recommendations | – Similar to Instagram – Social platform used by locals for hidden gems and recommendations |
| Amap/Baidu | Directions | – Info about Chongqing places in Google Maps is not as accurate or updated – Tip: Search for places in Mandarin, as the English name may not appear |
| Google Translate | Translation | – Translate signages with your camera – Converse with locals |
2) Know your options for getting around Chongqing
Public Transport: The city is accessible via public transport like the metro and bus. Fares start from 2RMB (~S$0.40) per journey, but will increase depending on the distance travelled. Instead of physically buying tickets, use Alipay or WeChat to generate a “Chongqing Public Transport Code” for bus and metro! Then simply scan the QR code to enter and exit.
Walking: Certain points of interest could be within a short walking distance if you stay at a convenient location. For instance, it takes around 10 minutes to walk from our hotel to Kuixing Tower and 1941 Jiangzhou Hotpot Restaurant.
DiDi: This was our most used transport method, as it’s convenient, time-efficient, and affordable. For a 15 to 20-minute ride, it costs only ~S$2 to ~S$3!
Private Charter or Tours: Those who prefer exploring at their own pace can hire a private charter. Whereas, if you’d rather follow a set itinerary with a local guide, opt for a tour. Klook offers both options, so you can easily book online at your convenience.
3) Learn how to say Chongqing attractions in Mandarin
Here are the pronunciations of the places we visited, hopefully this helps you communicate better with the locals. If not, just show them this table or copy and paste the Mandarin words into Amap for navigation!
| Itinerary | Attraction/Place |
| Day 1 | Liziba Station 李子坝站 (Li Zi Ba Zhan) TESTBED 2 贰厂文创公园 (Er Chang Wen Chuang Gong Yuan) Great Hall of the People 人民大礼堂 (Ren Min Da Li Tang) Luohan Temple 罗汉寺 (Luo Han Si) Hongyadong 洪崖洞 (Hong Ya Dong) Qiansimen Bridge 千厮门大桥 (Qian Si Men Da Qiao) Shouwu Foot Massage 重庆首悟足道 (Chong Qing Shou Wu Zu Yu) Glenview ITC Plaza Chongqing 重庆国贸格兰维大酒店 (Chong Qing Guo Mao Ge Lan Wei Da Jiu Dian) |
| Day 2 | Ciqikou Ancient Town 磁器口古镇 (Ci Qi Kou Gu Zhen) Wuchaoshou 吴抄手 (Wu Chao Shou) Chongqing 1949 Performance 重庆1949 (Chong Qing Yi Jiu Si Jiu) Banquet of Ba Kingdom 华礼宴·礼宴巴国 (Hua Li Yan Li Yan Ba Guo) |
| Day 3 | Three Natural Bridges 天生三桥 (Tian Sheng San Qiao) Longshuixia Fissure Gorge 龙水峡 (Long Shui Xia) Fairy Mountain 仙女山 (Xian Nu Shan) 1941 Jiangzhou Hotpot 1941江州火锅 (Yi Jiu Si Yi Jiang Zhou Huo Guo) |
| Day 4 | Linhua Road 临华路 (Lin Hua Lu) Mountain City Alley 山城步道 (Shan Cheng Bu Dao) Kuixing Tower 魁星楼 (Kui Xing Lou) Bai Xiang Residential Complex 白象居 (Bai Xiang Ju) Pipa Yuan Hotpot 枇杷园 (Pi Pa Yuan) |
| Day 5 | Xia Hao Lane 下浩里 (Xia Hao Li) Shanbushen 山不深合作社 (Shan Bu Shen He Zuo She) Longmenhao Old Street 龙门浩老街 (Long Men Hao Lao Jie) Huangye Teahouse 荒野茶摊 (Huang Ye Cha Tan) Chongqing Drone Show 重庆无人机表演 (Chong Qing Wu Ren Ji Biao Yan) |
| Day 6 | 816 Underground Nuclear Plant 816地下核工厂 (Ba Yi Liu Di Xia He Gong Chang) Wuling Mountain Rift Valley 武陵山大裂谷 (Wu Ling Shan Da Lie Gu) Wujiang Cliff 乌江崖 (Wu Jiang Ya) Shi Ba Ti 十八梯 (Shi Ba Ti) |
| Day 7 | Jingangbei Ancient Village 金刚碑老村 (Jin Gang Bei Lao Cun) Jun Ge Bookstore 军哥书屋 (Jun Ge Shu Wu) Tuya Graffiti Street 涂鸦一条街 (Tu Ya Yi Tiao Jie) Nanshan One Tree Hill Viewing Platform 南山一棵树 (Nan Shan Yi Ke Shu) Chongqing Motorbike Trend 重庆机车 (Chong Qing Ji Che) |
Which is your favourite spot in this Chongqing itinerary? Let us know in the comments below!
This post was brought to you by Klook.
