Chongqing in a Day: A Whirlwind Journey Through the Mountain City

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by Emma

March 29, 2024 · 1 min read

Chongqing 1 Day Itinerary

Embark on a whirlwind adventure through Chongqing with this compact yet exhilarating one-day itinerary. Start your journey soaring above the city on the Yangtze River Cableway, offering breathtaking views and a unique perspective of Chongqing's landscape. After your aerial escapade, dive into the bustling atmosphere of Hongyadong Commercial Street. This characteristic neighborhood, built into the side of a cliff, is a perfect blend of traditional architecture and modern commerce, where you can savor local delicacies and shop for souvenirs. As dusk falls, cap off your day with the Chongqing Two Rivers Night Tour. Glide along the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers on a serene boat trip, witnessing the city's skyline illuminated against the night sky. This one-day itinerary is designed to showcase the essence of Chongqing, leaving you with lasting memories of the city's dynamic spirit and charm.

ShanghaiChongqing
From US$61
Cheap Flights
Top 6 Hotels in Chongqing
TOP 1
Mercure Hotel Chongqing Jiefangbei
Mercure Hotel Chongqing Jiefangbei
hotelStar
4/5
4382 reviews
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TOP 2
Atour Hotel (Chongqing Jiefangbei)
Atour Hotel (Chongqing Jiefangbei)
hotelStar
4/5
5195 reviews
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TOP 3
Howard Johnson Xiushan Plaza Chongqing
Howard Johnson Xiushan Plaza Chongqing
hotelStar
5/5
565 reviews
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Chongqing Air China Hotel (Guanyin Bridge Branch)
Chongqing Air China Hotel (Guanyin Bridge Branch)
hotelStar
4/5
1866 reviews
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Chongqing Empark Grand Hotel
Chongqing Empark Grand Hotel
hotelStar
5/5
6581 reviews
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Meirui Hotel (Chongqing Jiefangbei Hongyadong)
Meirui Hotel (Chongqing Jiefangbei Hongyadong)
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3/5
6559 reviews
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Day 1: Chongqing's Charms from Sky to River

1

Yangtze River Cableway

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Begin your Chongqing adventure soaring above the city with the iconic Yangtze River Cableway. As the first attraction of the day, this half-hour ride offers a unique perspective of Chongqing's bustling life from above. Gliding over the Yangtze River, the cableway connects the two banks and provides panoramic views of the skyline, a thrilling experience that sets the tone for an exciting day ahead.

Attraction Info

  • No. 151, Xinhua Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
  • Suggested tour duration: 0.5-2 hour
  • Open from 01/01-03/31,8:00am-9:00pm;Open from 04/01-04/03,8:00am-10:00pm;Open from 04/04-04/06,7:30am-10:30pm;Open from 04/07-10/31,8:00am-10:00pm

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Yan She Featured Hot Pot
Yan She Featured Hot Pot
4.5/5 · 26 reviews
1.9 km from attraction
Glenview ITC PLAZA Chongqing· Impression of Mountain City Chinese Restaurant (Qingnian Road)
Glenview ITC PLAZA Chongqing· Impression of Mountain City Chinese Restaurant (Qingnian Road)
4.8/5 · 54 reviews
0.9 km from attraction
Robin's Grill and Teppanyaki @ Regent Chongqing
Robin's Grill and Teppanyaki @ Regent Chongqing
4.6/5 · 42 reviews
1.9 km from attraction
PEIJIE HOT POT
PEIJIE HOT POT
4.2/5 · 77 reviews
0.4 km from attraction
Les Champs Libres
Les Champs Libres
4.7/5 · 437 reviews
0.7 km from attraction
在渝里·重庆火锅(解放碑好吃街店)
在渝里·重庆火锅(解放碑好吃街店)
4.4/5 · 432 reviews
0.6 km from attraction
33 min,1.69 km
2

Hongyadong Commercial Street

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After your aerial excursion, step into the vibrant atmosphere of Hongyadong Commercial Street. This characteristic neighborhood, with its traditional stilted buildings clinging to the hillside, is a cultural feast for the senses. Spend an hour exploring the shops, sampling local delicacies, and immersing yourself in the architectural beauty that reflects Chongqing's rich history and modern vitality.

Attraction Info

  • No. 88, Binjiang Road, Jialing River, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-3 hour
  • Open from 9:00am-11:00pm
23 min,0.92 km
3

Chongqing Two Rivers Night Tour

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As the evening descends, conclude your day with the enchanting Chongqing Two Rivers Night Tour. A one-hour boat trip from Chaotianmen Wharf will take you on a mesmerizing journey along the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. The city's lights dance on the water, creating a magical atmosphere that perfectly captures the essence of Chongqing by night.

Attraction Info

  • Chaotianmen Wharf, Binjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
  • Open from 12:00pm-11:30pm

Where to Stay Tonight

4.8/53513 Reviews
4.8/5Outstanding3513 Reviews
Jiefangbei Area/Hong Ya Dong
Chongqing
|0.07km from city center
4.7/53227 Reviews
4.7/5Outstanding3227 Reviews
Jiefangbei Area/Hong Ya Dong
Chongqing
|0.16km from city center
4.7/5689 Reviews
4.7/5Outstanding689 Reviews
Jiefangbei Area/Hong Ya Dong
Chongqing
|0.18km from city center
4.8/518 Reviews
4.8/5Outstanding18 Reviews
Jiefangbei Area/Hong Ya Dong
Chongqing
|0.21km from city center

Top Things to Do in Chongqing-2024

TOP 1
Yangtze River Cableway
Yangtze River Cableway
4.1/5 · 12,036 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 199 review
Highlights:
Yangtze River Cableway has developed into a must-visit attraction for tourists in Chongqing. The cableway starts at Chang'an Temple (Xinhua Road) in Yuzhong District and crosses the Yangtze River to Shangxin Street (Longmenhao) in the Nan'an District. As you take the cableway and travel to the other side of the river, you can see the scenery of the skyscrapers, the Yangtze River, and the south bank of the river. There is a saying that “If you don't see the night view, you have not been to Chongqing”. So take the Yangtze River cableway so have a glimpse of Chongqing's night skyline. The Yangtze River cableway has also become a favourite for many filmmakers in Chongqing. Whenever there are cableway footages in domestic film and television dramas, the audience will know that it was shot in Chongqing.
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TOP 2
Three Natural Bridges
Three Natural Bridges
4.7/5 · 10,607 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 171 review
Highlights:

WulongTiansheng Three Bridges is a Unesco World Heritage Site located about 20km away from Wulong County and a filmmaking location for the films “Curse of the Golden Flower” and “Transformers 4”. It is a precious eco-system site which is famous for the karst topography expecially the Tiankeng or natural sinkhole in the world. The site has three stone arch bridges that are deemed as " natural arch bridges in the world". They are namely Tianlong(Sky Dragon) Bridge, Qinglong (Green Dragon) Bridge, and Heilong (Black Dragon) Bridge. It is the largest natural stone bridge group in Asia.

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TOP 3
Wulong Tiankeng Land Slot National Geological Park
Wulong Tiankeng Land Slot National Geological Park
4.6/5 · 3,521 review
Highlights:
Tiankeng Land Slot National Geological Park is located in the town of Wulong, Chongqing. It is a great place to see karst peaks, natural bridges, tiankeng (pits) and deep crevasses. It is a rare geological wonder. Tiankeng Land Slot National Geological Park includes two scenic areas called Three Natural Bridges and Longshui Canyon; each area requires a separate ticket. Visitors can visit the tourist center in Fairy Mountain to purchase tickets for Three Natural Bridges and Longshui Canyon.
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TOP 4
Hongyadong Commercial Street
Hongyadong Commercial Street
4.6/5 · 8,820 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 812 review
Highlights:
Hongyadong commercial street is located on Cangbai Road of Yuzhong District, Chongqing City. It is at the intersection where the Yangtze River and the Jialing River meet. Most of its buildings are “Diaojialou” style, which reflects traditional architectural features of Bayu. It is a great place to go if you want to check out the old streets of Chongqing, appreciate the two rivers, or try local cuisines. At the same time, it is home to a bustling night scene, making it a fascinating attraction for photographers.
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TOP 5
Ciqikou Ancient Town
Ciqikou Ancient Town
4.4/5 · 12,120 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 1,089 review
Highlights:
Ciqikou Ancient Town is located beside Chongqing city. It used to serve as a goods unloading dock. The town has more than a dozen streets and it is filled with ancient Ming Dynasty architectures. You can walk along ancient paths, taste local food and snacks, and chill in a teahouse to feel the ambience of old Chongqing. As the town is very close to the urban area, it is a popular attraction for urbanites' recreational activities. Mao Xuewang, Qianzhangpi and salt-and-pepper peanuts are the three specialties in the town. The "Chen Fried Dough Twist" is also a must-try when you are there.
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* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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Chongqing 1 Day Itinerary