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One-Day Chongqing Travel Guide

Morning: Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street & Hongya Cave

Start your day with a visit to Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, the heart of Chongqing's commercial district. Take Metro Line 1 or Line 2 to Jiefangbei Station and walk to the area. Jiefangbei is a bustling shopping and dining hub, surrounded by shopping malls, restaurants, and cafés, making it the perfect spot to experience the modern vibe of the city.

From Jiefangbei, it’s a 10-minute walk to Hongya Cave, one of Chongqing’s most iconic attractions. The area is known for its unique stilt-house architecture, built into the mountainside. During the day, you can enjoy beautiful river views while walking through the streets, shopping for local handicrafts, or trying Chongqing’s famous street food like spicy noodles (suan la fen) or skewered hotpot (chuan chuan xiang).


Lunch: Chongqing Hotpot

For lunch, head to a nearby hotpot restaurant to enjoy an authentic Chongqing hotpot experience. You can choose Xiao Tian E Hotpot or Lao Zao Hotpot, both famous local hotpot chains. The hotpot broth is typically spicy and numbing, with a variety of fresh meats, seafood, tofu, and vegetables to dip in. It’s a perfect way to taste the bold, fiery flavors that Chongqing is known for.

After your meal, take a taxi or a 15-20 minute walk to Ciqikou Ancient Town. Ciqikou is a well-preserved historical town, dating back over a thousand years. Its narrow streets are lined with traditional buildings, and it's an ideal place to explore Chongqing's cultural and folk heritage. You can stroll through the town, sample traditional snacks like sugar cakes and sesame treats, or pick up local souvenirs.


Afternoon: Ciqikou Ancient Town & Yangtze River Cable Car

After exploring Ciqikou for about an hour, head to the Yangtze River Cable Car. You can take a taxi or Metro Line 1 from Ciqikou Station to Yangtze River Cable Car Station, which takes about 20 minutes. The Yangtze River Cable Car is a unique way to cross the river, offering a panoramic view of the city and the river. From the cable car, you’ll get a stunning view of the Yangtze River, the city skyline, and the surrounding mountains. This is a great spot for photos, especially at sunset when the lights begin to twinkle.


Evening: Nanshan One Tree Hill Viewpoint

In the late afternoon, head to Nanshan One Tree Hill Viewpoint for a spectacular view of Chongqing. From Jiefangbei, take a taxi for about 30 minutes to reach the top of Nanshan Hill. This viewpoint offers one of the best panoramic views of Chongqing, with both the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers converging. The city’s lights create a breathtaking sight as night falls, making it an ideal place to capture stunning photos of the city.


Night: Jiefangbei Night Market & Yangtze River Night Cruise

In the evening, return to Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street to experience Chongqing's lively night market. The area is buzzing with activity, offering street food stalls selling everything from skewered meats to spicy snacks like spicy chicken (la zi ji) and hotpot. You can enjoy a leisurely walk through the streets, browse the shops, and soak in the vibrant nightlife of the city.

If you still have time, consider taking a Yangtze River night cruise. You can head to a nearby dock near Jiefangbei to board a river cruise. The night cruise offers an unforgettable view of the city’s skyline, with the river illuminated by colorful lights. The boat’s guide will share the history and culture of Chongqing, providing an enriching experience as you enjoy the sights along the river.



One-Day Chongqing Travel Guide

Morning: Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street & Hongya Cave

Start your day with a visit to Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, the heart of Chongqing's commercial district. Take Metro Line 1 or Line 2 to Jiefangbei Station and walk to the area. Jiefangbei is a bustling shopping and dining hub, surrounded by shopping malls, restaurants, and cafés, making it the perfect spot to experience the modern vibe of the city.

From Jiefangbei, it’s a 10-minute walk to Hongya Cave, one of Chongqing’s most iconic attractions. The area is known for its unique stilt-house architecture, built into the mountainside. During the day, you can enjoy beautiful river views while walking through the streets, shopping for local handicrafts, or trying Chongqing’s famous street food like spicy noodles (suan la fen) or skewered hotpot (chuan chuan xiang).


Lunch: Chongqing Hotpot

For lunch, head to a nearby hotpot restaurant to enjoy an authentic Chongqing hotpot experience. You can choose Xiao Tian E Hotpot or Lao Zao Hotpot, both famous local hotpot chains. The hotpot broth is typically spicy and numbing, with a variety of fresh meats, seafood, tofu, and vegetables to dip in. It’s a perfect way to taste the bold, fiery flavors that Chongqing is known for.

After your meal, take a taxi or a 15-20 minute walk to Ciqikou Ancient Town. Ciqikou is a well-preserved historical town, dating back over a thousand years. Its narrow streets are lined with traditional buildings, and it's an ideal place to explore Chongqing's cultural and folk heritage. You can stroll through the town, sample traditional snacks like sugar cakes and sesame treats, or pick up local souvenirs.


Afternoon: Ciqikou Ancient Town & Yangtze River Cable Car

After exploring Ciqikou for about an hour, head to the Yangtze River Cable Car. You can take a taxi or Metro Line 1 from Ciqikou Station to Yangtze River Cable Car Station, which takes about 20 minutes. The Yangtze River Cable Car is a unique way to cross the river, offering a panoramic view of the city and the river. From the cable car, you’ll get a stunning view of the Yangtze River, the city skyline, and the surrounding mountains. This is a great spot for photos, especially at sunset when the lights begin to twinkle.


Evening: Nanshan One Tree Hill Viewpoint

In the late afternoon, head to Nanshan One Tree Hill Viewpoint for a spectacular view of Chongqing. From Jiefangbei, take a taxi for about 30 minutes to reach the top of Nanshan Hill. This viewpoint offers one of the best panoramic views of Chongqing, with both the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers converging. The city’s lights create a breathtaking sight as night falls, making it an ideal place to capture stunning photos of the city.


Night: Jiefangbei Night Market & Yangtze River Night Cruise

In the evening, return to Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street to experience Chongqing's lively night market. The area is buzzing with activity, offering street food stalls selling everything from skewered meats to spicy snacks like spicy chicken (la zi ji) and hotpot. You can enjoy a leisurely walk through the streets, browse the shops, and soak in the vibrant nightlife of the city.

If you still have time, consider taking a Yangtze River night cruise. You can head to a nearby dock near Jiefangbei to board a river cruise. The night cruise offers an unforgettable view of the city’s skyline, with the river illuminated by colorful lights. The boat’s guide will share the history and culture of Chongqing, providing an enriching experience as you enjoy the sights along the river.