Top 30+Things to Do in Chongqing

If you're travelling in Chongqing, here are 30+ experiences that will challenge your views.

All the recommendations in this article come from my personal experience, as well as some suggestions from our guide, Peter (20+ years local guide). We also have tips to help you avoid common pitfalls (like how to navigate queues at popular spots or find the best photo spot).

Are you ready to explore the wonders of Chongqing?

What to Do in Daytime: Explore 8D Chongqing

1. Liziba Monorail through the Residential Building

The photos I took at Liziba Station

Chongqing's most iconic transport scene. Every three minutes, you'll see a train passing directly through a residential building, yet the residents inside are barely affected.

The design and noise control impress almost every first-time visitor.

Best viewpoints:

• The riverside walkway below the station: closer and more dramatic, but usually crowded.
• Across the river: You can take the famous "eating the train" photo.

2. Kuixinglou

Kuixinglou

You may have seen this on social media. You stand on what looks like ground level. Then the camera turns, and suddenly you're on the 22nd floor. There is a city beneath your feet.

That's Kuixinglou. It directly shows you the magical layout of Chongqing.

You can use the small holes on the suspension bridge for the photo composition.

3. Shancheng Alley

Shancheng Alley

Here, wartime architecture blends with modern artistic cafés.

As you walk deeper downhill, the scenery keeps changing. Old residential buildings, WWII relics, then a riverside path decorated with colorful lanterns. The views open up gradually. Unlike many old streets in Chongqing, the style here shifts as you move.

Halfway down the hill, stop by Ling'er Jie Snack (a well-known local dessert shop). Sit at the outdoor counter and enjoy the river and skyline.

Similar 18 Steps and Longmenhao

They are all mountain alleys with similar stores. But you can see different decorations and get unique photo angles.

If you're short on time in Chongqing, just choose one or two to visit.

18 Steps

• 18 Steps: beautiful, colorful ribbons and bamboo-woven hat decorations.
• Longmenhao: grey stone gates with a red bridge and open river views.

4. Ciqikou Ancient Town

The entrance of Ciqikou

In Ciqikou Ancient Town, you can still feel old Chongqing here.

Wooden stilt houses line the stone street, boats moor at the ferry, and teahouses spill onto the streets. It's an easy place to wander at a relaxed pace. Stop for tea, browse small craft shops, and sample traditional snacks.

This is also the birthplace of Chen Changyin Mahua, so you can try the most authentic version here. If you enjoy handmade crafts, there are also short experiences where you can try making mahua, crunchy rice candy, or simple ceramics.

5. Yangtze River Cableway

I took it in November, when Chongqing is a bit foggy.

As the cable car leaves the platform, the entire mountain city unfolds beneath you.

Through the panoramic glass, you'll see the Yangtze River below, Raffles City Chongqing ahead, and the bright yellow roofs of Huguang Guild Hall standing out by the river.

Best Timing

• 4-6 pm: Ride from Jiefangbei Side to Longmenhao Side for sunset over Qiansimen Bridge.
• 7:30 am: the first cable car for morning mist, fewer people.
• 8 pm: Catch the city light show

Queue time: Waiting is almost unavoidable. Expect around 20-90 minutes. Weekdays are your best bet for a shorter line.

6. Ring Mall

Ring Mall

If you love the indoor rainforest at Changi Airport, you'll find something surprisingly similar here in Chongqing. The waterfall, layers of greenery, and even floating trees make the mall magical.

The central installation changes from time to time. You might see a giant Christmas tree, pumpkins, POP MART figures, or other playful displays. It's like a surprise blind box. Your photos may look completely different from what you've seen on social media.

Best photo view:

• L4: panoramic view. The direct lift often has long waits. You can take the escalator instead.
• B1: upward viewing Angle. Ride the escalator down, and you'll find the rainforest entrance right in front of you.

7. Eling Park

Eling Park is the best places to appreciate Chongqing's layered cityscape in the daytime. You're wrapped in tranquil greenery, while the skyscrapers rise quietly beyond the trees. It's a calmer, more refreshing way to experience its vertical skyline.

Use the classical garden as your foreground

From the wall windows, you can frame the branches with Chongqing's layered, high-density skyline. It's a quiet dialogue between old architecture and Chongqing's vertical future.

Elevated Walkway (around 30m high)

Eling Elevated Walkway

As you stroll along the flat path, greenery lines one side while the Yangtze River and skyscrapers open up on the other. It's relaxed, easy, and especially friendly to the elderly.

8. Guanyinqiao Business District

Guanyinqiao Food Street

Where is the foodie paradise in Chongqing? Guanyinqiao is hard to miss. Open the map, and you'll see restaurants and food stalls packed everywhere.

Chongqing's largest food market (actually, an indoor food street) is here. You can try almost every local snack, such as spicy potatoes, mahua, Chongqing noodles, bean jelly, wontons, and more. It's also a convenient place to pick up local specialties to bring home.

For anime lovers, or if you're looking for something fun for kids, Guanyinqiao also has Chongqing's biggest anime mall, Fangyuan Live. While browsing for your favorite anime merchandise, you'll also catch cosplay events and themed activities happening inside.

9. Air-raid Shelters Market

Bunker market

You might never imagine that air-raid shelters could become part of daily life in Chongqing, until you step inside and explore the creative spaces they've become.

In the morning market, you can see locals carrying bamboo baskets on their backs, selling fresh vegetables and chatting casually inside the cave-like space. Stroll, and listen to your guide telling how the local government set this place to help farmers sell their produce.

Just nearby, you can also find teahouses and hot pot restaurants to sit down for a break or lunch. It's a special way to explore one side of Chongqing's life away from the cyberpunk cityscape.

Market days: 3rd, 6th, 10th, 13th, 16th, 20th, 23rd, 26th, and 30th of each month (morning only).

10. 1949 Grand Theater

Unlike traditional theatres, the 1949 Grand Theater features a 360° rotating stage. Your seat moves together with the stage, giving you a more immersive theatre experience.

The show brings Chongqing's wartime story to life. If you're looking for a deeper history experience beyond food and photos, this is worth it.

Seating tip: Book AB sections have rotating seats. CD sections are fixed.

11. 816 Underground Nuclear Project

One of the tunnels of 816 project

What kind of project could send tens of thousands of workers underground for 15 years, live, but completely hidden from the outside world? Project 816 is exactly that story.

Today, you can walk through its enormous reactor hall and maze-like tunnels. Especially if you enjoy historical stories, Cold War heritage sites, or unique industrial architecture, it's worth a visit to see the interior structure of the facility.

The project was never put into operation and was later officially halted. That means you can explore it today without worrying about radiation.

12. Chongqing Zoo

Chongqing Zoo

If you're skipping Chengdu, Chongqing is the second-best city in China to see giant pandas.

Chongqing Zoo has about 26 pandas across three exhibition areas. After a 2-minute walk from the gate, you'll be greeted by the pandas, munching on bamboo, climbing trees, or playing. Besides giant pandas, you'll also meet litters of adorable red pandas.

What to Do at Night: Cyberpunk Chongqing Adventure

No one wants to miss Chongqing's famous cyberpunk night views. But knowing where to find the best viewpoints and night activities is the real challenge. Here are some ideas.

1. Hongya Cave

Hongya Cave

When cyberpunk meets traditional Chinese architecture, you get Hongya Cave, Chongqing's most iconic night view. You can hardly believe that it carries over 2,300 years of history.

We don't recommend viewing from the ground floor. It's always crowded. Instead, go up to Qiansimen Bridge or across the river to Jiangtan Park. You'll get the best photo angles with fewer crowds.

For a more immersive evening, we can arrange a lakeside hotpot dinner. You can enjoy the river breeze, glowing Hongya Cave, and skyline, as well as Chongqing flavours all at once.

Light-up time: 7:30 pm in summer and 6:30 pm in winter.

2. Drone Show

Drone Show. I watched at Changjiahui.  

Chongqing is the first city to host a regular drone show every Saturday night at 8 pm.

In the 20-minute show, you can see over 10,000 drones form changing patterns in the sky, like pandas, unicorns, monkeys, cars, flowers, trees, people, and many other unexpected shapes. You never know what comes next.

Best viewing spots:

• Front-facing view: Changjiahui Shopping Park (crowded)
• Reverse angles: Jiangtan Park and Raffles City (less crowded with convenient transport)

3. Two River Night Cruise

Two River Night Cruise

A 45-minute river cruise lets you see the evening skyline from a different perspective.

You'll pass Raffles City, Hongya Cave, illuminated bridges, and the dramatic river confluence. On some evenings, you may even watch the drone show from the water. There is also a Sichuan face-changing performance onboard.

Choose the earliest cruise around 7:40 pm, as boats may depart slightly later (like 8 pm). If you board after 9 am, some riverside lights begin to turn off, so late sailings will be less impressive.

4. Xiahaoli

Xiahaoli

As the warm lights turn on, Xiahaoli feels like a miniature landscape inside a music box. Layered stairways, greenery, and small waterfalls creates a dreamlike scene in front of your eyes.

If you are a photo lovers, you'll find many beautiful boutique stores and popular photo corners as you walk up and down the stairs. You just can't stop snapping.

Best time: Around 6-7 pm, during the blue hours when the lights are already on.

Route tip: Start from Entrance 1 (the red wall photo spot), then walk toward the Chiang Mai Kitchen (next to the panoramic viewing platform).

5. Deyi World

Deyi World, cyberpunk Chongqing

If you happen to catch a rainy night in Chongqing, don't hesitate. Head to Deyi World.

Neon signs stack the buildings densely. When rainwater reflects the lights on the ground, it feels like stepping into a cyberpunk game world you once played.

If there is no rain, you can even use some water to create a post-rain atmosphere for photos.

6. High-Rise Observation Decks

View from WFC

Many visitors head up to observation decks to see Chongqing's cyberpunk skyline from above.

But with several popular options, you may want to know which one suits you best.

If you like a cool cyberpunk portrait, go to World Trade Center 131.

If you want a quiet drink with skyline views, choose WFC Huixianlou.

If you want the highest point and the widest view, head to Cloud of Eye.

If you enjoy high-altitude adventures, try Raffles Exploration Warehouse.

7. Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street

Jiefangbei

At night, Jiefangbei feels livelier under the city lights. You can stroll slowly through the commercial heart of Chongqing.

You'll find luxury brands, POP MART stores, and a three-storey MINISO outlet. The Cyberpunk 2077 dimension tunnel and Bayilu Food Street are also nearby. It's a good place to relax, shop, and enjoy casual food after a day of sightseeing.

8. Nanbin Road Motorcycle vs Beibin Road cycling

Chongqing's night view from Nanbin Road

Choose your style, adventure, or relaxation!

If you like something cool and energetic, try a motorcycle experience along Nanbin Road.

You'll ride past the skyline near Raffles City with the wind brushing by. The ride can be arranged with filming and editing included, so you can share the edited video on social media easily.

If you prefer something gentler, try night cycling along Beibin Road.

It's a hidden gem that many tourists miss. You'll ride slowly along the riverside, passing Hongya Cave, Raffles City, and Qiansimen Bridge. The best hour is around 7-9 pm, when all the lights are splendid.

9. Chongqing Golden Impression Spa

Massage your feet to relax

After walking more than 10,000 steps a day, a relaxing massage is a perfect way to unwind your fatigue. In Chongqing, you can easily find well-developed spa services.

Close your eyes and relax as your head, shoulders, hands, and feet are gently massaged, letting the tiredness slowly melt away. Or choose moxibustion, ear cleaning, to experience Chinese-style therapy.

Things to Do Around Chongqing

If you have extra days in Chongqing, consider extending your trip to some popular nearby destinations.

1. Take a Yangtze River Cruise

Yangtze River Cruise

Yangtze River Cruise is the best way to explore the River, and especially relaxing for the elderly and kids. Don't need much strenuous walking, and you'll see the best scenery.

From the deck or your private balcony, you'll watch the river's gorges slowly unfold. You can also go ashore to visit attractions like the White Emperor City and the ship lift on Three Gorges Dam.

Before boarding, you can visit the Three Gorges Museum in Chongqing. It helps you better understand the region's culture and the stories of families relocated during the reservoir project.

Best Time to Take the Cruise

• March-May: cost-effective prices and greener river scenery
• September-October: Clearer weather and fewer crowds
• Mid-November to Mid-December: the most beautiful red foliage season

2. Visit Wulong Karst Region

Wulong Karst Region

If you love dramatic canyon and mountain scenery, the Wulong Karst Region (UNESCO site) is a must-see. The scenes in Transformers 4 will come true in front of your eyes.

With 2 days, you can cover all the highlights of Wulong:

• Three Natural Bridges: amazing sky holes with stone bridges connected, plus a mysterious old courtyard hidden under the sky hole.
• Longshuixia Gorge: a tranquil but curly gorge to challenge, with cascading waterfalls
• Fairy Mountain: a rare Karst grassland you can see. In winter, also best for snowscape.
• Furong Cave: one of the largest limestone caves in the world, full of dramatic stalactites

If you're short on time or prefer a lighter itinerary, a day trip is possible, for example: Three Natural Bridges + Longshui Gorge or Three Natural Bridges + Fairy Mountain.

>>>For more tips and detailed itineraries, see our Wulong Karst Region travel guide.

3. Day Trip to Dazu Rock Carvings

Dazu Rock Carving

It's actually spreads across five mountains. But you can focus on Baodingshan and Beishan. Most impressive sculptures are located there. These are also the only two sites connected by shuttle bus, so you can visit the carvings more conveniently.

• Baodingshan: the largest with the most iconic carvings. You'll find the Thousand-Hand Kwan-yin, and several scenes recognized by fans of Black Myth: Wukong.
• North Mountain (Beishan): the second largest site. You can spot a rare smiling Bodhisattva. And it's also open for a night tour.

If you're visiting during peak season and prefer a quieter experience, Beishan is usually less crowded. The night tour is also a good option in summer. You avoid the open-air heat and can see more details under the bright lights, as the carvings are a bit dim during the day.

4. Take a Boat Ride along Wujiang Gallery

Wujiang Gallery and Gongtan Ancient Town

If you're not taking a Yangtze River cruise but still want to enjoy a boat ride through beautiful river scenery, Wujiang Gallery is a great alternative, taking less time, and also cost-effective.

No matter when you visit, the river stays emerald green, never turning yellow or muddy. As you cruise along, you'll spot old towns built against the mountains along the riverbanks. With few tourists and a tranquil atmosphere, you'll feel like stepping into a hidden paradise.

It takes a 3-hour drive from Chongqing. We recommend allowing 1.5 days for the trip to ensure a relaxing pace. You'll also visit Chiyou Jiuli City nearby and experience the rich Miao ethnic culture, similar to what you might see in Guizhou.

Discover Chongqing with China Highlights

From its stunning night views and unique light rail to the rich cultural experiences and mouthwatering cuisine, Chongqing offers a blend of tradition and modernity that captivates every traveler.

Let us guide you through the city's hidden gems and must-see attractions, ensuring you make the most of your adventure. Whether you're a first-time visitor or returning to explore more, contact us now to create memories that will last a lifetime.