When Traveling Is Caring ❤️
重庆South-West China29.56° N · 106.55° E
A vertical city of cliffs, bridges and fiery hotpot where two great rivers meet. Here is what to see, what to eat and how to plan around a Yangtze cruise.
Chongqing climbs steep hills at the point where the Jialing River flows into the Yangtze. Few cities anywhere look like it: towers rise from cliffs, roads stack on top of each other, a metro line runs straight through an apartment block and a cable car crosses the river. Locals call it the Mountain City, and on foot you quickly see why, with stairs and lifts linking streets at different levels.
For most travellers Chongqing is the start or end of a Yangtze River cruise, and a night or two here is well spent. Evenings are the highlight, when the riverfronts light up and the city sits down to hotpot. Beyond the centre lie the Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the karst gorges and natural bridges of Wulong, both popular day trips.
Our Chongqing journeys are private and tailor-made, often a night or two before boarding a Yangtze cruise or travelling on to Chengdu.
We tailor every trip. Want more time in Chongqing, a different pace or a mix of places? Design my trip →
The experiences our travellers enjoy most, in order of what we would not miss.
Stilted buildings stacked against the cliff above the Jialing River, lit up after dark. Walk the levels, then look back at it from the Qiansimen Bridge for the classic view.
The historic gateway to the city, where the green Jialing meets the brown Yangtze. A square at the tip gives wide views of both rivers and the bridges.
Watch a Line 2 train glide straight through a residential building, one of the city's most photographed sights. A small viewing platform sits below the track.
A short cable car ride high above the Yangtze, linking the old centre with the south bank. Queues are long in the evening, so come in the morning.
Stone lanes and old houses on the Jialing River, busy with snack stalls and teahouses. Mornings are calmer, and side lanes still show quieter corners.
A good primer on the Yangtze, the dam and the history of the region before a cruise, with Han dynasty artefacts and a large panorama of old Chongqing.
Thousands of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian figures carved into cliffs from the 9th to the 13th centuries, about two hours away. A UNESCO site and a rewarding day trip.
Huge natural stone bridges, deep gorges and sinkholes about three hours from the city. Part of the South China Karst UNESCO site, with plenty of steps and lifts.
Plan your private, tailor-made China trip for 2027 now and get $100 off. Tell us your travel dream and we will design it with you.
Customise My TripLocal specialities worth seeking out, and when the locals eat them. Your guide will know the best places to try each one.
Add a food experience →Jiangbei International Airport has flights from across China and some international routes. Chongqing is also well linked by high-speed rail, with Chengdu about 1.5 hours away and Guiyang about 2.5 hours.
Fast and easy, and an attraction in itself on the elevated lines.
Best for: Crossing the cityApps such as DiDi work well, though hills and traffic make routes slower than they look.
Best for: Short hopsIncluded on our journeys for transfers, the cruise pier and day trips.
Best for: Dazu and WulongPlaces that pair well with Chongqing, with approximate travel times.
Spring, from March to May, and autumn, from September to November, are the most comfortable seasons. Summer is very hot and humid, with July and August often uncomfortable for sightseeing. Winter is mild but damp and foggy, with grey skies most days.
A general guide. Weather varies from year to year, and we plan each route around the season.
Quick answers from our local team. Anything else, just ask your travel specialist.
Ask us on WhatsAppYes, especially if you are taking a Yangtze cruise. The city's cliffs, bridges and riverfronts are unlike anywhere else in China, the food is famous and the evening views are memorable. One or two nights is usually enough, with an extra day for Dazu or Wulong.
One full day covers Hongyadong, Chaotianmen, the cableway, Liziba and Ciqikou, with hotpot in the evening. Add a second day for the Dazu Rock Carvings or the Wulong Karst. Before a cruise, most travellers arrive the day before boarding.
It can be. Chongqing cooking uses plenty of chillies and numbing Sichuan pepper. Ask for a split hotpot with a clear broth, and order dishes mild where possible. Your guide can help with the menu and explain what is in each dish.
Spring and autumn are the best seasons, with milder temperatures for walking the hilly streets. July and August are very hot and humid. Winter is grey and often foggy, though still fine for museums, food and river views.
Yes, for anyone interested in art or religion. The carvings at Baodingshan in particular are detailed, well preserved and full of everyday life. The drive is about two hours each way, so it makes a full day with lunch nearby.
Tell us what you have in mind and a local travel specialist will design a private itinerary around you. Free, with no obligation.
Three quick questions and we will match you with the right journeys.
