Things to Do in Chongqing: 13 Things I’d Recommend + 2 I’d Skip
Updated: Aug 27
Chongqing might be one of the most visually insane cities I have ever visited. I mean that as a compliment.
It feels futuristic, chaotic, and completely different from anywhere else I have traveled.
And there is A LOT to do.
Most of what we did absolutely lived up to the hype, but there were a couple of popular spots I honestly would not go out of my way to visit again. There were also quite a few things I wish I had known before the trip that would have made exploring Chongqing a lot easier.
So if you are planning your first trip, these are the things I would actually recommend doing in Chongqing, plus two popular stops I personally think you can skip.
My Quick List of the Best Things to Do in Chongqing
If you just want the short version:
1. See Hongya Cave at night
2. Take a river cruise
3. Shop around Jiefangbei and Raffles City
4. Explore Ciqikou Ancient Town
5. Go to the top of Raffles City
6. Spend an evening around Nanbin Road
7. Eat Chongqing hotpot
8. Walk the Eling Skywalk
9. Try a yogurt rice drink
10. See Chongqing’s neon streets at night
11. Ride the Yangtze River Cableway
12. Visit Shibati and the Mountain City streets
13. See the skyline from Nanshan
And then I’ll get into the two famous attractions I would personally skip.
1. See Hongya Cave ("Golden City") at Night
Hongya Cave, or Hongyadong, is probably the image you have already seen when researching Chongqing. It is the huge tiered building complex along the Jialing River that glows completely golden at night and somehow looks like it should exist in a fantasy movie rather than in the middle of a modern Chinese city.
And yes, it is absolutely worth seeing.
But I would not recommend experiencing it the way most people do.
The famous view is from Qiansimen Bridge, and that bridge can become an absolute nightmare.
When we went, trying to walk across the bridge to get the classic view felt like being swallowed by a wall of people. Everyone is trying to stop for photos while everyone else is trying to walk through, and the crowds can completely take away from the experience.
The bridge does give you that iconic elevated view, but there are much better ways to see Hongya Cave without fighting through everyone.
What I Would Do Instead
My first choice would be to see it from the water on a river cruise. You get the entire glowing building, bridge, river, and skyline in one view, and you are not trying to take a photo over twenty other people's heads.
Another option is to go across the Jialing River to the Jiangtan Park / Chongqing Grand Theatre riverbank area. From there, you can look back across the river toward Hongya Cave and Qiansimen Bridge with much more space around you. It is a little farther away than the bridge, so you do not get quite the same close up view, but I would absolutely consider it if crowds stress you out.
Then actually walk through Hongya Cave itself.
The craziest part is Chongqing's vertical geography. Hongya Cave is built into the cliff, so what feels like the top floor can literally open onto a normal city street. It is one of the first places where you really start to understand why Chongqing gets called an “8D city.”
Want to Do the Traditional Costume Photos?
You will also see plenty of places around Hongya Cave offering traditional costume rentals with hair, makeup, and professional photos.
I honestly would have loved to do this with my sister if we had the time because the photos are gorgeous. But we personally skipped it.
Once you factor in choosing the outfit, getting your hair and makeup done, taking the photos, and changing afterward, it can take up a decent chunk of your day. If you have the time and love that kind of experience, I think it would be really fun. We just had too much else we wanted to see.
2. Take a River Cruise at Night
This was one of my favorite ways to see the city because Chongqing looks completely different from the water.
You get Hongya Cave glowing along the river, Raffles City towering over Chaotianmen, illuminated bridges, skyscrapers, and the entire layered skyline surrounding you.
And because Chongqing is built around the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, seeing it from the water actually helps you understand the layout of the city a little better.
The boarding area for many of the cruises is right around Chaotianmen and below the Hongya Cave area, which makes it really easy to pair the two experiences in one evening. Hongya Cave is also especially dramatic from the river. I would walk through Hongya Cave first and then end the night on the boat.
3. Visit Ciqikou Ancient Town
If you want a break from Chongqing's futuristic skyscrapers, go to Ciqikou Ancient Town.
This is one of those areas where I would just wander. There are narrow streets, traditional buildings, shops, food stalls, teahouses, temples, and plenty of places where you can stop for snacks.
It is touristy, yes. But I still think it is worth visiting. The farther you get from the busiest main street, the more interesting it becomes.
Don't Miss Baolun Temple
Inside Ciqikou, make time for Baolun Temple. It is one of the remaining historic temples in the ancient town and gives you a much quieter contrast to the crowds and shopping outside.
I liked having both experiences in the same visit. You can spend one minute surrounded by snack stalls and people shopping and then walk into a temple that feels completely different.
4. Go to the Top of Raffles City Chongqing
If you want to understand just how enormous Chongqing is, go to the top of Raffles City. This is probably my favorite place for a full city view.
The complex sits at Chaotianmen, where the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers meet, and from the Exploration Deck inside the Crystal you get a huge panoramic view over the rivers, bridges, buildings, Hongya Cave, and the rest of the city. The observation area is roughly 250 meters above the ground.
And then things get slightly terrifying.
Walk on the Glass Floor
Part of the observation deck has a glass floor where you can look straight down at the city beneath you. My family did this.
It is one of those things where logically you know you are completely safe, but your brain still says: Why exactly are we standing on glass 250 meters in the air?
And then there is the Skywalk.
The Raffles City Skywalk Was MUCH Scarier Than I Expected
My family also did the Skywalk.
The whole Skywalk is outdoors, but at first you are walking on a fairly wide platform, so I honestly thought it was going to be easier than expected. Then we got to the part where you step onto the narrow outer ledge that runs along the edge of the building, and that completely changed things.
The ledge is only wide enough to comfortably walk on, and there is basically open air right beside you. You do wear a harness that is clipped into the safety railing the entire time, so you are secured, but visually it still feels like one wrong step could send you straight over the edge.
I was gripping the railing for dear life.
My mom skipped this part because she is afraid of heights, and I absolutely do not blame her. It was one of the most thrilling things we did in Chongqing, but I would not recommend it if you are even slightly uncomfortable with heights.
The attraction also has a Sky Swing high above the city, although when we visited, the swings unfortunately were not operating.
If they are working when you go and you somehow need even more adrenaline, there you go.
5. Go Shopping Around Jiefangbei and Guanyinqiao
I did not expect Chongqing to be such a good shopping city.
If you like shopping at all, definitely give yourself some time around Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street. This is basically the commercial heart of Chongqing, with huge malls, international brands, Chinese brands, restaurants, street food, and the Liberation Monument right in the middle of everything.
At night, it turns into that futuristic Chongqing everyone posts online, with giant screens and neon everywhere.
I would also stop at Bayi Food Street while you are around here because you can try a bunch of Chongqing snacks without committing to a full meal.
I would also make time for Raffles City, especially if you want a mix of shopping, restaurants, and the observation deck experience all in one stop.
You also don't want to miss stopping in the Louhan temple in Jiefangbei.
Another area worth checking out is Guanyinqiao, which is one of Chongqing’s biggest shopping and entertainment districts. It has massive malls, department stores, restaurants, cafes, and a much more local, everyday city feel than some of the tourist-heavy areas around Hongya Cave. If you have the time and enjoy shopping, I think it is worth visiting both Jiefangbei and Guanyinqiao because they feel different enough that it does not seem repetitive.
What Should You Buy in Chongqing?
Some of the things I would look for are:
Local snacks and spicy food products
Tea
Chinese beauty and skincare products
Local Chongqing souvenirs
Chinese fashion brands you may not find easily in the U.S.
6. Spend an Evening Around Nanbin Road
I would also spend at least one evening along Nanbin Road. It runs along the south bank of the Yangtze River and gives you great views looking back toward central Chongqing.
There are restaurants, bars, cafes, and plenty of places to just sit and take in the skyline.
This is the kind of area I would visit after a long sightseeing day when you want to slow down a little.
We even came across a bar where the floor looked like you were walking over the ocean.
Only in Chongqing.
The entire city seems determined to make you question whether the floor beneath you is actually a floor.
7. Eat Chongqing Hotpot
You cannot come to Chongqing and not eat hotpot.
Chongqing is famous for its incredibly spicy style of hotpot, usually loaded with chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns.
And I need you to understand something. I like spicy food. I am not the person who orders everything completely mild. And Chongqing spicy hotpot was still WAY too spicy for me.
There is spicy. And then there is Chongqing spicy.
I would personally order mild unless you genuinely love extremely spicy food. And if you are one of those people who sees that as a challenge? Good luck.
Please report back.
Another great option is a divided pot so you can have spicy broth on one side and something milder on the other.
That way you get to experience the famous Chongqing flavor without spending the rest of dinner questioning every decision that led you there.
8. Walk the Eling Skywalk
The Eling Skywalk, also called the Eling Cliffside Footbridge, is a newer elevated walkway that connects Fotuguan Park with Eling Park.
And it is MUCH longer than it looks.
The walkway is about 460 meters long, follows the hillside, and reaches roughly 30 meters above the ground in places. It also gives you views over the Jialing River and Chongqing's stacked cityscape.
I personally loved it. My parents and sister? I think they thought it was a LOT of walking.
And here is something really important to know:
Do Not Go to the Main Eling Park Entrance for the Skywalk
This confused us, so we definitely walked more than we had to.
The entrance for the one way Skywalk is actually through Fotuguan Park, not the main Eling Park entrance. The walkway operates in one direction only, starting at Fotuguan Park and ending around Eling Park. Once you start, you cannot just turn around and walk back out the way you came.
So yes. You are walking the whole thing.
For foreign visitors, access is currently free, but you may need to register at the visitor center and show your physical passport to receive the entry QR code or ticket.
Bring your passport.
You Can Also See the Famous Train Through the Building From Here
Another reason I loved this walk is that you can get a distant view of Liziba Station, where Chongqing's monorail famously passes straight through a residential building.
Which brings me to one of the attractions I would personally skip later.
9. Get a Yogurt Rice Drink
I need this to become popular in the United States immediately.
One of my absolute favorite things we drank in Chongqing was a yogurt rice drink. It is creamy, slightly tangy, and has rice blended into it, which sounds a little strange until you try it.
I became OBSESSED. So obsessed that my dad and I genuinely had a conversation about whether we should open a yogurt rice drink place in the U.S.
Li Ruo Tao was our favorite, with Yogurt Cow coming in a close second. Both have multiple locations throughout the city, so you should have no problem finding one.
Anyways, Boba tea is out. Yogurt rice drinks are in. I said what I said. Just try it.
10. Go Out at Night Just to See the Neon
Even if you do absolutely nothing else, give yourself a night to just walk around Chongqing after dark. The city completely transforms.
Jiefangbei is one of the easiest places to experience it because the area is filled with huge LED screens, glowing signs, malls, food streets, and skyscrapers stacked on top of each other.
I would also make a point to walk through Deyi World. At night, the area is packed with neon signs, restaurants, bars, and colorful storefronts, and it really leans into that futuristic, cyberpunk look Chongqing is known for.
This is where the whole “8D city” reputation starts to make sense. You are walking through glowing streets, surrounded by towering buildings and layered roads, and half the time you are not even sure what floor of the city you are technically on.
So do not just stand at the Liberation Monument and leave. Walk around Jiefangbei, wander through Deyi World, explore the side streets, and let yourself get a little lost.
That is honestly part of the fun.
11. Ride the Yangtze River Cableway
One thing I would add to your Chongqing itinerary is the Yangtze River Cableway.
It takes you across the Yangtze with the city rising around you, and it is another way to appreciate Chongqing's completely ridiculous geography. I would try to time it around late afternoon or early evening so you can start seeing the city light up.
You can also combine this nicely with Nanbin Road or a south bank viewpoint.
12. Walk Through Shibati and the Mountain City Streets
Another area worth adding is Shibati, or the Eighteen Steps area.
This gives you another look at Chongqing's old mountain city layout, with stairs, alleys, traditional style buildings, restaurants, and streets built vertically into the hillside. I would not necessarily dedicate half a day to it, but it is a great place to wander if you are already exploring central Chongqing. It also gives you a very different experience from Raffles City and Jiefangbei.
One hour you are standing on top of a glass skyscraper. The next you are walking down stone stairs through an old neighborhood. That contrast is probably my favorite thing about Chongqing.
13. Go to Nanshan for Another Skyline View
If you cannot get enough of Chongqing's skyline, consider going up to Nanshan, particularly the Nanshan One Tree Observation Deck.
This gives you a completely different perspective because you are looking back toward the entire peninsula from across the river. I would do this around sunset or after dark.
Raffles City gives you that feeling of being inside the skyline.
Nanshan lets you step back and actually see how insane the entire city looks from a distance. If you love photography, I think it is worth doing both.
2 Popular Chongqing Attractions I Would Personally Skip
There are two spots that show up constantly on Chongqing itineraries that I personally would not prioritize. Obviously, this is completely subjective.
But if your trip is short, I think there are better uses of your time.
1. The Liziba Train Through the Building Photo Spot
Yes, the train really goes through a building. And yes, it sounds incredibly cool but it was underwhelming. There is a famous observation area where people go specifically to get the photo or video that makes it look like the train is going into their mouth.
I personally did not care enough about getting that photo to make this a dedicated stop.
Especially because you can actually see Liziba Station and the monorail from the Eling Skywalk.
So if I had to choose:
Eling Skywalk wins.
You get the train, river views, city views, and an actual experience rather than standing around waiting to take one very specific picture.
If the mouth photo is on your bucket list, obviously go. Otherwise, I would skip the dedicated viewpoint.
2. Kuixinglou Square, AKA the “What Floor Am I On?” Photo Spot
Another famous Chongqing attraction is Kuixinglou Square. This is the place you have probably seen online where it looks like someone is standing at street level, but they are actually many stories above the ground. That is Chongqing's vertical city geography in action. And I will admit, the concept is very cool.
The actual experience? Underwhelming.
We basically got there, looked at it, understood the illusion, and that was it.
Chongqing has so many places where you naturally experience its crazy multi level geography that I do not think you necessarily need to go out of your way for this one.
If you are already nearby, sure. But I would not build my day around it.
How Many Days Do You Need in Chongqing?
I would personally give Chongqing at least three full days, and four would be even better if you want a slower trip.
There is a lot more here than I expected. And because Chongqing is so vertical, getting from one attraction to another can sometimes take longer than the map makes you think. A place that appears to be five minutes away might involve stairs, an elevator, a bridge, a metro ride, and somehow ending up 20 floors above where you started.
I wish I were exaggerating.
Is Chongqing Worth Visiting?
Absolutely. I loved Chongqing.
At one point during the trip, I genuinely remember thinking, Wow, I could live here. It has the energy of New York City, but somehow turned up several levels. The city feels huge, fast, layered, and constantly alive.
There is just so much to do. The food scene is incredible, the shopping is endless, and the nightlife is some of the best I have experienced. You can spend the day wandering through ancient streets or shopping in massive malls, eat some of the spiciest hotpot of your life, and then end the night surrounded by neon lights and skyline views.
It is chaotic in the best way, and there is always something happening. Chongqing ended up being one of my favorite cities from the trip, and I would absolutely go back.
My Top 3 Hotels in Chongqing Overall
⭐ The Westin Chongqing Liberation Square — Click here for rates and availability.
Best for: First time visitors, families, couples, foodies, shoppers, and travelers who want to be close to the major sights.
⭐ InterContinental Chongqing Raffles City — Click here for rates and availability.
Best for: Luxury travelers, couples, architecture lovers, and anyone who wants amazing river views.
⭐ Conrad Chongqing — Click here for rates and availability.
Best for: Couples, luxury travelers, repeat visitors, and travelers who want a calmer base.
Ready to Plan Your Chongqing Trip?
China can feel overwhelming to plan, especially when you start dealing with transportation, apps, payments, hotels, tours, and cities like Chongqing where even figuring out what floor you are standing on can become part of the adventure.
Ryan and I are travel advisors, and we can help you turn everything you want to see into an itinerary that actually makes sense. Whether you need help choosing where to stay in Chongqing, booking experiences, figuring out how long to spend in each city, or planning your entire China trip, we would love to take some of the research and logistics off your plate. Reach out to us about travel planning and booking services to start planning your China trip.
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