What are the best things to do in Chongqing?
Top picks in Chongqing include Hongya Cave, Ciqikou Ancient Town, Three Gorges Museum, Liziba light-rail station. See the full list and itinerary on this Chongqing travel guide.
Why visit Chongqing
Travel guide for Chongqing, China — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Chongqing is a stop in China, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 1 days. If time is short, prioritise Hongya Cave, Ciqikou Ancient Town, Three Gorges Museum instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 50–130 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: November–March for cooler, drier conditions. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
November–March for cooler, drier conditions
Weather
Varies from tropical to temperate depending on the season
Experiences
Things to do in Chongqing
1
Hongya Cave
2
Ciqikou Ancient Town
3
Three Gorges Museum
4
Liziba light-rail station
5
Eling Park
6
Dazu Rock Carvings day trip
7
Yangtze River cable car
8
Jiefangbei pedestrian street
Plan your trip
Chongqing itinerary (1 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Chaotianmen Square
- Visit Northern Hot Springs Park
- Visit Southern Hot Springs Park
- Eat at Susie's Pizza
Budget
Chongqing trip cost
Budget
USD 25–45
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 50–130
per person / day
Luxury
USD 150–245+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Chongqing, China. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Chongqing
Estimated total (USD)
$2,145
≈ $1,073 per person · $306 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $90/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Chongqing mid-range ground costs (budget 25–45 · mid 50–130 · luxury 150–245+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Susie's Pizza
渝味360碗美食体验店
Xiaofeng Noodle Restaurant
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Chongqing Grand Hotel
Chongqing Jinjiang Oriental Hotel
DLT Hotel
Sheng Ming Hotel
Yudu Hotel
Shopping
- Carpenter Tan
Nightlife
- Semi underground entertainment centre
- Underground arcade
- Outside beer gardens
- Shapingba (west)
In pictures
Chongqing gallery
Photos: Jay Huang, 源義信, 源義信 (Minamoto Yoshinobu), xiquinhosilva, Juukeihc — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Chongqing travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Chongqing?
November–March for cooler, drier conditions.
How many days do I need in Chongqing?
Plan at least 1 days in Chongqing for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Chongqing?
Popular stays in Chongqing include Chongqing Grand Hotel, Chongqing Jinjiang Oriental Hotel, DLT Hotel. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Chongqing cost?
On the ground in Chongqing (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 25–45 per person per day, mid-range about 50–130, and luxury about 150–245+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Chongqing, China. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
