Chengdu and Chongqing are often mentioned together, as they are both located in Southern China. But in fact, they are not exactly the same. One is a panda and a history-filled city on the plains, while the other is a magical, 8D cyberpunk-style mountain city.
But you may still hesitate which to choose. Chengdu? Chongqing, or just visit both, like the YouTube star IShowSpeed did when he traveled to China? This guide will help decide.
What Are the Differences between Chengdu and Chongqing?
Chengdu and Chongqing share many similarities in culture, spicy food, weather (hot in summer, foggy and cold in winter), laid-back lifestyle with tea and mahjong, and vibrant nightlife, like bars and spas.
That said, having visited both cities myself, I can still say the overall travel experience feels very different.
1. Chengdu is the Best Place to See Pandas
Chengdu has panda bases to visit. Pandas are most active, climbing trees, sleeping, eating, rolling around, or more.
The panda family I caught at Dujiangyan Panda BaseThe bases are big enough for you to watch more pandas and find better viewing and photo angles. I also saw panda cubs, panda moms with babies, returned "overseas" pandas, and even randomly ran into free-roaming red pandas.
There are also more panda-themed activities to enjoy. For example, you can join a panda volunteer program and experience a day as a keeper. Or you can just relax like I did, having a panda afternoon tea and browsing for lovely panda souvenirs.
At Panda Bookstore near Chunxi Road, very lovely and delicate for photosYes, Chongqing Zoo also has pandas. I've been there too. But I only saw five or six (vs at least 15 in Chengdu). And the panda zone there is limited and crowded, and it was hard to get a good view.
So if pandas are high on your list, Chengdu wins, no question. Join our panda tours to enjoy more activities.
2. Chengdu: Cultural Depth vs. Chongqing: Visual Impact
Chengdu feels very lived-in and relaxed. The locals' laid-back lifestyle is a part of Chengdu's culture, and it just makes you slow down naturally and enjoy things at an easier pace.
Locals aren't just sitting around drinking tea. I saw people singing, dancing, playing instruments, doing embroidery, practicing snuff-bottle acrobatics, and reading. Not only at the popular People's Park, but also on the communities or streets I pass by.
I had never known what a community was before, until I went to Chengdu.Also, the Sichuan Opera Show is amazing to experience their traditional culture. There are many more professional theaters in Chengdu. I really like the face-changing, fire-breathing, rolling lanterns shows, plus monkey acts and puppetry. You can see it all in a 1-hour show.
Shu Feng Ya Yun Sichuan Opera ShowIf you prefer history, Chengdu also has many historical sites. For example, in Sanxingdui Museum and Wuhou Shrine, you can explore ancient Shu civilization and the Three Kingdoms history.
By contrast, Chongqing feels more modern and straight-up magical. The city is built on mountains with dense, layered skyscrapers.
In the daytime, it looks incredibly three-dimensional. At night, once the lights come on, it turns into a cyberpunk world, especially the night views like Hongyadong, Jiefangbei, and the skyline.
What impressed me most was the drone show on Saturday night. I watched that at Changjiahui Shopping Park. The drones changed into different moving shapes above the cyberpunk skyline, like pandas, unicorns, even whack-a-mole, really cool and just like a futuristic firework show.
And its urban layout also shocked me a lot. I haven't seen buildings like these outside of video games, like the rail going through the residential building, Kuixinglou (1st or 22nd floor?), and air-raid shelter restaurants. But in Chongqing, all these are real in front of your eyes!
3. Chengdu Is Easy to Walk, but Chongqing Is Physically Demanding
Chengdu is a flat, plain city, making it easy to walk around and relatively wheelchair-friendly.
Chongqing, however, is a mountain city. At almost every attraction, you need to climb or go down the slopes, stairs, or both. So your legs and knees can get tired and sore quite easily.
So if you have mobility issues but still want to experience Chongqing, I'd recommend a Yangtze River Cruise instead, and put less focus on the city's main highlights.
So, Which City Should You Visit?
Honestly, I recommend visiting both. Chengdu and Chongqing are often paired together.
The two cities offer completely different travel experiences. Chengdu wins with pandas, Sichuan opera, and a super relaxed vibe. While Chongqing blows you away with its night views and dramatic mountain-city landscape.
The contrast is huge, and that's what makes them both irreplaceable. Plus, they're only 1–2 hours apart by bullet train, so visiting both is really convenient and time-efficient.
That's exactly why, after visiting Chengdu in March 2025, I felt it would be a pity not to go to Chongqing. So I went again in November of the same year.
If You Can Only Choose One, I'd Recommend Chengdu
Panda is the most important reason why I recommend Chengdu. They're just too cute, and nowhere in the world compares to Chengdu when it comes to seeing them.
Overall, Chengdu felt more diverse to me. There are also some trency spots. I enjoyed a lot wandering and shopping at Eastern Suburb Memory. And I also went to the internet popular Dujiangyan Irrigation System and SKP Bamboo Fountain. These places are cool.
Dongjiao MemoryChengdu is also less spicy and oily than Chongqing, and more food-wise. I loved the chuanchuan, egg-baked cakes, and qiaojiao beef. Not all are spicy but super tasty.
If you can't handle spice, trust me, don't go to Chongqing. You are almost "finding food in chili peppers". I had stomach pain the whole time.
The weather in Chengdu is milder too. Chongqing is brutally hot in summer, and in winter it's foggy, humid, and gloomy. I'm pretty sensitive to the environment. I even had a skin allergy in Chongqing, but I was totally fine in Chengdu.
If you're traveling with kids or elderly family members, Chengdu is definitely the better choice. The food, weather, and walking conditions are all more friendly, and activities are great for all ages.
Chongqing feels more commercialized to me. It's mostly photo spots, malls, and pedestrian streets. I don't think kids under six years old or the elderly may enjoy it as much. And all those stairs can be rough for them.
But of course, It Depends on You
If you're a social-media photo addict or you're looking for a unique, never-before-seen city experience, then Chongqing might suit you better. Chengdu simply doesn’t have the same level of crazy night views and futuristic architecture.
At almost every attraction, everyone just pulls out their phone and starts filming. Many photographers will hold iPads and cameras, asking if you want photos taken. Or you can head to Nanbin Road to film those cool motorcycle transition videos, which are also popular on TikTok.
Discover more Chengdu Tours or Chongqing Tours.
Chengdu and Chongqing FAQs
1. Should I Fly to Chongqing or Chengdu First?
Both cities have plenty of direct flights to and from Southeast Asia. Especially if you're flying from countries like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Bangkok, etc., it's very convenient to arrive.
Chengdu does have more international flights than Chongqing (about 780 vs 149 per week). So flying into Chengdu and departing from Chongqing is usually a popular choice.
However, airfares change often; sometimes flights to Chengdu are more expensive, and other times Chongqing are. You can check real-time prices before deciding which city to fly into, whether for international or domestic flights.
Chengdu and Chongqing are well connected by frequent bullet trains, only taking 1-2hrs. So it's very easy to visit both cities in one trip, no matter which city you fly to first. In the city, metro, bus, and taxi are also efficient for you to get around the attractions.
2. How Many Days do You Need to Visit the Surroundings?
Usually, 6–10 days works well. That's enough to cover both Chengdu and Chongqing's city highlights, and you can extend your trip to nearby destinations depending on what you're interested in.
In Chengdu, 2 days are enough to explore downtown. For the extra days, you can visit:
- (2-3 days) Jiuzhaigou is China's most stunning turquoise lakes
- (1 day) Leshan Giant Buddha
- (2 days) Mount Emei, to see sunrise, the cloud sea, and Buddhist culture
- (2 days) Xiling Snow Mountain Ski Resort
In Chongqing, it also takes 2 days to visit downtown. You can then head out to nearby spots:
- (2 days) Wulong, with karst landscapes like Three Natural Bridges (filming location for Transformers 4), Longshuixia Gorge, and Fairy Mountain
- (1 day) Dazu Rock Carvings for impressive stone art
- (3 days) Yangtze River Cruise
Have no idea how to arrange the surrounding tours, or worry about the transfer? A private tour may suit you. You'll have a guide and a private vehicle throughout your trip.
3. Which City is More Expensive?
Chengdu is slightly pricier than Chongqing overall. This applies to daily spending, taxis, and hotels of a similar standard.
In the city, Chengdu also has more ticketed attractions, and prices tend to be higher (around RMB 20–80). Chongqing has fewer paid attractions, usually RMB 20–50.
For day trips, Chengdu can cost more as well. Many popular spots are farther away, so transport costs are higher.
Popular Chengdu and Chongqing Tours
- 6-Day Chongqing and Chengdu Tour with Wulong and Dazu
- 6-Day Chengdu and Xiling Snow Mountain Tour
- 5-Day Chengdu, Leshan, and Mount. Emei Tour
You could also contact us to make your own trip based on your travel time and requirements.
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