As one of the most popular "internet-famous cities", the joy of shopping in Chongqing is not necessarily buying a certain item that is "only available here". It's part of the experience. You can shop, take photos, and enjoy the city at the same time.
You can browse through trendy clothing, fashion accessories, budget beauty products, search for anime and pop-culture goods, or bring home Chongqing food souvenirs like hot pot base and fried dough twists. If you prefer gifts with unique designs, there are also many creative products featuring elements of the mountain city and panda themes.
This guide will show you where to shop, what to buy, and which places are worth your time based on your travel style.
Which Shopping Area or Mall Fits You Best?
| Where | What to Buy | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Jiefangbei Business Circle | Fashion, bags, affordable clothing, luxury brands, pop-culture items | First-time visitors staying in the city center who want the most convenient shopping stop |
| Guanyinqiao Business Circle | Chongqing food souvenirs, anime goods, trendy fashion and accessories | Food lovers, teens, and travelers who enjoy young local culture |
| Longfor Paradise Walk | Beauty products, fashion, family items, toys, lifestyle goods | One-stop family shopping experience |
| Ring Mall | Beauty products, clothing | If you enjoy unique mall designs like Rainforest and shopping with photos |
| Xiahaoli Old Street | Creative souvenirs, Chongqing-themed gifts, handmade and design items | If you're looking for meaningful gifts and fun stuffs |
If you are unsure which shopping area fits your route, we can help combine shopping stops with your Chongqing itinerary, so you don't spend extra time crossing the city.
1. Jiefangbei Business Circle: Downtown Shopping Hub
How to Get: Line 1 or 2 to Linjiangmen, Jiaochangkou, or Xiaoshizi Station
If this is your first time in Chongqing and you are staying downtown, Jiefangbei is usually the most convenient area.
It brings together the widest range of fashion items, from luxury to mid-range and wholesale markets, so you can easily spend half a day exploring without traveling across the city.
- Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street: you can find many international brands like Prada and Gucci, and high-end shopping malls for bags, watches, and more. Also stop by Pop Mart, MINISO LAND, and S95 Mall to browse blind boxes, trendy toys, and other pop-culture items.
- Bayi Square: You'll see many flagship stores for sports brands, fast-fashion stores, and casual clothing, such as Adidas, Puma, Li-Ning, and Anta, mostly around CNY 100-500. Yonghui Superstores and New Century Supermarket are also best to buy specialty to bring home
- Chaotianmen: it has one of the largest clothing wholesale markets in southwest China, offering budget fast-changing fashion, accessories, bags and shoes. You feel like browsing offline Tmall. Remember to bargain, as some prices still have room for negotiation.
If you have limited time, focus on Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street and Bayi Square. You only need a 5-minute walk and can easily go shopping together, while Chaotianmen is about 20min walk away.
Jiefangbei gets crowded on weekends and public holidays. For a more comfortable shopping experience, you can visit on weekdays.
2. Guanyinqiao Business Circle: Food and Youthful Vibe
How to Get: Line 3 or Line 9 to Guanyinqiao Metro Station
The biggest highlights of Guanyinqiao are its huge food market (12,000 sqm) and anime/pop-culture space (50,000 sqm). You can explore Chongqing specialties, discover youth culture, and browse fashion, accessories, and lifestyle stores in the surrounding malls.
- Guanyinqiao Food Street: Here you can buy hot pot base, fried dough twists, strange-flavored broad beans, rice candy, sour and spicy noodles, and more Chongqing food. The difference here from the supermarket is that you can eat and buy at the same time.
- Fangyuan Live: In this huge underground space, you can find anime figures, character cards, blind boxes and their cotton dolls, and even BJD dolls and Lolita dresses. While browsing, you'll also meet many young people dressed in cosplay outfits and fellow fans.
If you have extra time, you can also explore nearby shopping spots together, such as Starlight 86 Mall for beauty products and international brands, with a unique aquarium space to see a mermaid performance. Also, Seoul Street has many Korean-style dresses and accessories for you to pick.
3. Longfor Paradise Walk: One-Stop Shopping Choice for Families
How to Get: Line 1 to Shiyou Road Station
Unlike Jiefangbei and Guanyinqiao, which are made up of multiple separate shopping malls, Longfor Paradise Walk is a huge connected mid-range shopping complex.
The five zones are all connected, and each one is about the size of a normal mall. You can comfortably spend several hours here, without worrying about hot or rainy weather.
- Zone A: Good for browsing beauty products, fashion clothing, and accessories. You can also find themed stores for Pokémon and Sanrio, as well as second-hand luxury shops.
- Zone B: You can shop for jewelry and electronics. There is also a New Century Supermarket to buy specialties to bring home.
- Zone C: The most family-friendly zone, with fast-fashion brands like ZARA and Ariseism, sportswear, children's clothing, toy stores, and kids' play areas.
- Zone D: Mainly for entertainment. When you need a break from shopping, you can stop here for a meal, enjoy a drink at the bars, get a manicure, or watch a movie at the theater.
- Zone E: You can explore more anime and pop-culture stores, as well as affordable independent design brands for clothing, bags, and accessories.
4. Ring Mall: Go Shopping in a Rainforest Scene
How to Get: Line 5 to Chongguang Station
If you come only to shop, the products at Ring Mall are similar to those in a regular shopping mall. What makes it special is that you can browse stores while enjoying its unique rainforest and other artistic designs.
At the center of the mall, you wander into a green world with tropical plants, waterfalls, suspended trees, and skywalks.
Instead of simply following adults from store to store, your kids can also enjoy exploring the rainforest-like space, making the shopping experience more fun for the whole family.
During holidays and festivals, you'll find creative themed decorations, such as Christmas trees, Jade Hare Dolls, and Halloween pumpkins. While taking photos, you can also stop by some stores to pick up beauty products and fashion items, or a Pop Mart blind box.
However, Ring Mall is a 30-minute drive and 1h by metro from the city center. It is worth the extra time if you enjoy unique mall designs and want a shopping experience beyond just buying things.
5. Xiahaoli: Find Creative Chongqing Gifts
How to Get: Line 6 or Loop Line to Shangxinjie Station
Xiahaoli is a good place to find creative souvenirs and handmade items. Built into Chongqing's layered mountain landscape, as you wander through its slopes and alleys, you'll also discover small hidden stores along the way.
In its small shops, you can browse felt crafts, dolls, accessories, illustrated goods, home decorations, vintage items, handmade shoes, and fragrances.
If you do not want to buy the same mass-produced souvenirs found around popular attractions, Xiahaoli offers more thoughtfully designed Chongqing-themed gifts, such as yellow taxi keychains, artistic fridge magnets, postcards, and Hongya Cave-inspired night lamps.
Beyond shopping, Xiahaoli is also a relaxed lifestyle area. While browsing, you can also stop and take a break at a cozy cafe and a stylish restaurant, such as Chinese, Western, Japanese, or Thai food styles.
Travel with China Highlights
With private transportation and a local guide, you don't need to spend hours comparing locations or carrying your purchases through crowded streets. Your guide can also help you discover more local products and avoid overly touristy shops, making your shopping experience easier and more meaningful.
Travel with China Highlights, and we will help you create a Chongqing journey that combines iconic sights, local experiences, and shopping moments that truly fit you. Just feel free to contact us.