Chongqing

Day Trips

Arrive at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. Check into hotel near Jiefangbei CBD. Enjoy a cup of local soy milk and a bowl of steamed wontons while soaking in the city bustle.

Explore the Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, admiring modern skyscrapers and traditional alleyways. Visit the People's Liberation Monument and the surrounding malls for unique souvenirs. Sample street snacks like spiced peanuts and guo qiao mi xian.

Wander along the riverfront near Nanbin Road for spectacular skyline views. Board a night cruise on the Yangtze River to see glittering bridges. Savor your first hotpot dinner at a riverside restaurant to kick off your Chongqing culinary adventure.

Start with a traditional tea ceremony in a centuries-old teahouse in Ciqikou Ancient Town. Meander through red brick lanes lined with vintage shops and handicraft stalls. Observe local artisans molding clay teapots and painting calligraphy scrolls.

Sample small eats like peppermint candy and fried dough twists as you wander deeper. Join a pottery workshop to mold your own porcelain keepsake. Snap photos of the town’s vintage wooden balconies and old city walls.

Return to the riverside and watch the sun set behind the Jialing River. Enjoy a quiet riverside walk as lanterns light up historic streets. Finish the day with a bowl of spicy Sichuan noodles at a local eatery.

Visit Nanbin Road Riverside Park at dawn to capture the sunrise over the Yangtze River. Enjoy a picnic breakfast of fresh baozi and soy milk while watching fishermen. Take in panoramic views of the city skyline reflected on the water.

Head to Chongqing Zoo to meet the famous giant pandas and other rare wildlife. Learn about conservation efforts and snap photos with playful cubs. Stroll through botanical gardens featuring native Sichuan flora.

Return to the city center for dinner at a riverside restaurant boasting mountain views. Sample local delicacies like Chongqing chicken and fish in chili oil. Conclude the evening with a leisurely walk along the illuminated Nanbin Road promenade.

Travel to Dazu County to explore the UNESCO-listed Dazu Rock Carvings. Marvel at intricate Buddhist and Taoist sculptures carved into sandstone cliffs. Listen to an expert guide reveal the historical significance behind each panel.

Enjoy a countryside lunch of home-cooked farm produce at a nearby village eatery. Wander through terraced fields and chat with farmers harvesting tea leaves. Taste freshly picked tea leaves brewed on the spot.

Return to Chongqing city and sample street food at the local night market in Shapingba. Try grilled skewers, spicy cold noodles, and sweet rice balls. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere with live folk music performances.

Depart early for Wulong Karst National Geology Park, a two-hour drive away. Hike through the Three Natural Bridges, marveling at towering limestone arches. Breathe in crisp mountain air and admire lush greenery.

Descend into the Furong Cave to witness its spectacular stalactite formations. Learn about geological processes that shaped this subterranean wonder. Capture photos of the dramatic cave chambers illuminated by colored lights.

Check into a local guesthouse and enjoy a quiet dinner featuring rural specialties. Taste homemade pickles, bamboo shoots, and mountain mushrooms. Relax on the terrace under a blanket of stars, far from city lights.

Return to central Chongqing and visit the Three Gorges Museum to explore exhibitions on local history, culture, and the Yangtze River Dam. Interact with multimedia displays and ancient relics. Gain insight into the region’s monumental engineering feats.

Walk to the grand People’s Assembly Hall across the street and admire its distinctive red dome. Snap panoramic photos from the terrace overlooking the lake and cityscape. Learn about the hall’s role in modern Chinese governance.

Dine at a nearby riverside teahouse offering Sichuan hot dry noodles. Listen to live Sichuan opera performances in traditional face-changing style. Immerse yourself in local performing arts as you sip jasmine tea.

Explore Hongya Cave’s multi-level stilt houses built along the riverbank. Wander through handcrafted shops selling local lacquerware and tea sets. Watch artisans crafting wooden carvings and silk lanterns.

Walk to Chaotianmen Dock, where the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers converge. Board a ferry for a short river crossing to enjoy unique vantage points of both rivers. Return to shore and sample river fish hotpot at a nearby stall.

Head back to Hongya Cave as lanterns glow across the wooden balconies. Soak up the lively atmosphere with street performers and folk bands. End the night with a dessert of chilled mango pudding and black sesame glutinous rice balls.

Take a boat ride to Fengdu Ghost City, exploring its eerie temples, shrines, and statues of the underworld. Listen to tales of ancient Chinese beliefs about life after death. Capture photos of dramatic cliffside carvings depicting sinners and deities.

Enjoy a riverside lunch of fresh river shrimp and vegetable dishes at a local restaurant. Return to Chongqing to board an overnight Yangtze River cruise. Settle into your cabin and sip green tea as the boat leaves port.

Attend the onboard welcome banquet featuring Sichuan delicacies. Watch traditional folk dances and acrobatics on the cruise deck. Relax on the top deck under the moonlight as the river flows by gently.

Drive to Wansheng Black Stone Forest to wander among towering black limestone pillars. Observe rare karst formations that resemble a petrified forest. Hike along elevated trails to gain varied perspectives on the landscape.

Visit nearby rural villages to see traditional wooden houses and terraced tea fields. Chat with locals about their daily routines and farming techniques. Join a family for a homemade lunch featuring farm-fresh vegetables and mountain river fish.

Return to Chongqing and explore a local brewing house for craft beers flavored with Sichuan peppercorn. Pair your drink with spicy barbecued skewers. Unwind with live acoustic music in a cozy, rustic setting.

Sleep in and enjoy a late brunch at a café in the Shawsheen Art District, sampling freshly baked buns and locally roasted coffee. Stroll through galleries featuring contemporary Chongqing artists. Pick a piece of local artwork as a memento.

Take a cooking class to master the art of Chongqing hotpot from selecting ingredients to balancing spices. Shop at a local market for fresh chilies, peppercorns, and organic vegetables. Learn proper dipping sauces and cooking techniques from a seasoned chef.

Conclude your trip with a grand hotpot feast at one of Chongqing’s most famous restaurants. Then explore the Guanyinqiao night market to snack on candied hawthorns and hot steamed pagodas. Reflect on the sensory overload of Chongqing as neon lights fade into the late-night bustle.