Chongqing, also known as the “City of Mountains” because it is built between many mountains, has a unique topography full of rolling hills and staggering buildings. And it’s super rich in food, attracting tourists from all over the world to experience it every year. I especially love traveling, and I had a super memorable time in Chongqing this time. Next, I’ll share my travel route, how much I spent, and the interesting experiences along the way with my foreign friends who are planning to visit Chongqing, and I hope it can give you some help in your travel plans.
Itinerary
Day 1: Jiefangbei, start the energizing journey
When you first arrive in Chongqing, we suggest you go directly to Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street. Jiefangbei is like a business card of Chongqing, it is a very famous landmark . It is surrounded by big and tall modern buildings, which have all kinds of fashionable shopping malls and different styles of restaurants. Walking on the pedestrian street, you can feel the city full of vigor, everywhere is full of people shopping and lively stores.
Day 2: Hongyadong, a double treat with great food and views
The next day you must go to Hongyadong, it has a unique traditional Bayu architecture style, those houses are just like building blocks layered on top of each other, it looks like a scene from a movie. You can enjoy its architectural features during the day, and at night, the whole Hongyadong is beautifully decorated with lights, just like a fairy tale world. On the riverside near Hongyadong, there are many hot pot restaurants, and you must try the authentic Chongqing hot pot. The bottom of the pot is carefully boiled with chili peppers, butter and other seasonings, which is hot, spicy and fragrant, and the ingredients like tripe, duck intestines and beef are super addictive to eat when shabu-shabu.
Day 3: Yangtze River Ropeway and Nanshan One Tree Observation Deck, overlooking the panoramic view of the mountain city
On the third day, we first went to experience the Yangtze River Ropeway. Sitting in the ropeway’s carriages, with the wide Yangtze River at your feet, the river flows unceasingly, and the scenery on both sides of the river looks like an unfolding landscape scroll. After coming down from the ropeway, go to the Nanshan One Tree Observation Deck. This is the perfect place to enjoy the night view of Chongqing. At night, the whole city is illuminated, with the lights of skyscrapers and the starry lights of thousands of homes reflecting each other, the night view of the mountain city is mesmerizingly beautiful.
Day 4: Ancient Town of Magwikou, Experience Traditional Culture
On the fourth day, you can go to the Maguikou Ancient Town for a stroll. There are many ancient streets in the ancient town, the ground is paved with stone slabs, walking on them is very sensational. There are many traditional handicraft stores on both sides of the street, where you can buy exquisite paper cuttings, wood carvings and so on. There are also countless food stalls, so be sure to try the Chen Mahua, which is fragrant and crunchy when you bite into it, and comes in several flavors, including original, sweet, and spicy.
Day 5: Bai Gong Gong and Hong Yan Memorial Hall, learn about Chongqing’s history
On the last day, visit Bai Gong Guan and Hong Yan Memorial Hall. Bai Gong Guan used to be the place where revolutionary martyrs were held, so you can learn about the brutal and tragic history of the city. The Red Rock Memorial Museum showcases the important historical events and heroic deeds of Chongqing during the War of Resistance and the War of Liberation, giving you a deeper understanding of the city’s past.
Cost
- Transportation:
About $70 (500 RMB), including transfers to and from the airport, as well as subway and bus transportation within Chongqing. The subway in Chongqing is very convenient and affordable.
- Accommodation:
Budget hotels cost about US$30 (RMB 200) a night, or US$140 (RMB 1,000) for 5 nights. Although these hotels are affordable, they have all the basic amenities and are relatively comfortable to stay in.
- Food and Drink:
Chongqing has so much to offer that you’ll spend about $20 (150 RMB) a day on food, totaling $100 (750 RMB) for 5 days. In addition to the aforementioned hot pots, you’ll also find small noodles, which are strong and have a spicy, flavorful broth; and you can’t go wrong with the spicy chicken, which is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with the chili peppers blending in perfectly.
- Tickets to attractions:
Almost US$40 (RMB 300), covering the basic entrance fees for each attraction.
All in all, the trip cost about US$360 (RMB 2,500), not counting shopping, or less than US$500 (RMB 3,500) if you add in shopping and incidental expenses.
Food Stories
When I was in Hongyadong, I tried the particularly famous local spicy chicken. The first bite I took, the strong spicy flavor instantly “ignited” my taste buds, and I was almost spiced to death, but magically, the more I ate, the more addictive it became. At that time the store was full of people, everyone ate while chatting, full of a strong sense of life, let me really feel the food culture of Chongqing. Later, in the old town of Maguikou, I stumbled upon a long-established store selling bean flowers. Their bean curd is especially tender and smooth, with special seasoning, a mouthful of it tastes so good that it instantly made me feel the strong human flavor in Chongqing cuisine.
Transportation Experience
Chongqing’s public transportation is well developed, especially the subway, which has many lines and can take you to all the major attractions. For example, if you take the subway from Jiefangbei to Hongyadong, it feels like you’re traveling through the city’s “blood vessels,” which is convenient and fast. There is also the Yangtze River Ropeway, which is a really unique experience. Sitting on the ropeway, looking down at the Yangtze River and the scenery on both sides of the river, it’s like traveling between history and modernity, and it’s an unforgettable feeling.
Special Recommendation
It is highly recommended that you visit the Yangtze River at night. You can choose to take a cruise at the confluence of the two rivers, drink beer, eat snacks, while enjoying the lights along the coast of the city night scene. At this time, the whole Chongqing is like a gorgeous painting slowly unfolding in front of your eyes. On the cruise, you can also meet tourists from different places, sharing travel stories together, so that you can better integrate into the city and feel its unique charm.