72 Hours in Chongqing
This was my third—or maybe fourth—time in Chongqing, and I still found plenty of new things to try, see, and explore. It was also my sisters’ first time visiting the city, so it was fun to rediscover Chongqing through their eyes. Chongqing is famous for its hot pot and spicy food, so of course we made sure to eat plenty of both while we were there. Time passed so quickly, and since our trip was short, we tried to make the most of every moment.
Activities
Deyi Plaza 德一世界
For the iconic nighttime city light views that have taken over social media, this is one of the best spots to experience them. The shopping area also has plenty of restaurants and stores, so there’s more to do than just admire the lights.
Address: 重庆市渝中区解放碑街道较场口88号(较场口地铁站9号口步行100米)
Hongensi Forest Park 鸿恩寺森林公园
This park is a little farther from the main tourist areas, but it’s still within the city. There are several nice walking paths, and you can also enter the temple for an additional fee. It was especially beautiful at night when all the lights were on.
Address: 重庆市两江新区鸿恩路
Hongyadong 洪崖洞
This has to be one of the most famous and talked-about spots in Chongqing. Be prepared for huge crowds, especially at the popular viewing areas. There are plenty of shops and restaurants around, though many of them feel overpriced because of the heavy tourism. You can explore the area by walking through its many levels, viewing it from the bridge, or crossing the river for a panoramic view from the opposite side. All of these spots are popular for photos and attract large numbers of tourists.
Address: 重庆市渝中区嘉陵江滨江路88号(小什字地铁站9号口步行430米)
Landmark Riverside Park 重庆长嘉汇购物公园
This is a great spot for an evening walk along the river while taking in the beautiful city lights. On certain days, scheduled drone shows add an extra attraction, and they’re worth planning your visit around if possible. I was hoping to see one during my trip, but unfortunately there weren’t any shows while I was there.
Another advantage of this location is the mall directly across the street, which offers plenty of shopping and dining options. It’s a convenient place to enjoy the nighttime scenery outdoors while still having easy access to indoor activities. Overall, it’s an enjoyable destination for both sightseeing and leisure.
Address: 重庆市南岸区泰昌路69号
Longmenhao Old Street 龙门浩老街
This old street is right next to the Xiahaoli area. It is a continuation of shops, cafes, and dining spots. I had a wonderful tea tasting experience at a shop. The lady that helped us was so friendly and gave us many tips on how to enjoy our time in Chongqing. We also tasted and purchased a lot of wonderful tea for friends and family. Here is the link to the shop if you’re interested in visiting 山城沱茶 (https://surl.amap.com/33RMIw6570C).
Address: 重庆市南岸区南滨路105号(上新街地铁站2号口步行320米)
Luohan Temple 罗汉寺
The temple is situated in the heart of the bustling city, and it instantly feels peaceful when you step onto the temple grounds. The architecture is impressive and exquisite in all the details. My sister did have a problem with how overpowering the incense was wafting around, but she still enjoyed the atmosphere of the place.
Address: 重庆市渝中区解放碑街道罗汉寺街7号(小什字地铁站6号口旁)
Shibati 十八梯
Be prepared for crowds of people as this is a touristy area. There were many shops, but not as many options for eating compared to Xiahaoli. There are clothing, skincare, and souvenir shops abounding in this shopping place. It was a little overwhelming with people swarming the small streets, but it was such a fun experience.
Address: 重庆市渝中区中兴路1号(较场口地铁站出入口旁)
Xiahaoli 下浩里
Between Longmenhao, Shibati, and Xiahaoli, I enjoyed Xiaohaoli the most. The cafes and eating spots are trendy, and it felt less touristy than Shibati. I saw many cafes that I would have loved to try, but didn’t have the time. The area sits on a hill, so I recommend starting at the top, and descending down the hill. I would one hundred percent love to go back and spend more time to explore more of the shops. I also purchased quite a few souvenirs while here.
Address: 重庆市南岸区南滨路与东水门长江大桥交叉口东北角
Places to Eat & Drink
Bayi Road Food Court 八一路
We came across this underground food court by accident, and it proved to be the go-to spot while we were in Chongqing. There were so many stalls to choose from ranging from hot and sour noodles (a Sichuan specialty) to watermelon shaved ice. Of course, I continued to eat as much tanghulu as I could. This time I got tomatoes, blueberries, hawthorn, and grapes to try. My personal favorite continues to be the grapes.
Address: 重庆市渝中区八一路181号(临江门地铁站出入口步行410米)
Underground Old Hot Pot 地下之城老火锅
There are bunkers spread across Chongqing since they were erected to keep people safe during World War II. Now, they have become prime spots for hot pot restaurants. It was a must to experience, so we took a very long taxi ride to one and had dinner there. The atmosphere was loud and lively and the bunker seemed to go on forever. We were seated around table #100, and I still couldn’t see the end. The tender beef was a highlight of the meal.
Address: 重庆市两江新区两江新区龙塔街道吉安路临14号地下之城老火锅14号洞
Chagee 霸王茶姬
One of the many popular milk tea brands, Chagee is among my favorites. In case you are wanting to try a cup, there are shops everywhere. It was my go-to drink in Zhangjiajie and Chongqing. You can’t go wrong ordering any of the teas as they are flavorful and not too heavy.
Chen Tea 种青山茶肆
Tea served in a countryside manner has become very popular recently. I discovered one such tea shop at Shibati, and it was a fun experience. The tea comes with a variety of snacks and food that you can cook over a small charcoal stove.
Address: 重庆市渝中区传统风貌区E区入口西南79米
Chunzai Gallery 春在
There were so many intriguing cafes in Xiahaoli, but we finally settled on this one. The interior decor and drinks were beautiful and the flavors of the matcha were deep and flavored. The music rounded out the whole experience, and it was obvious that the cafe workers really cared about the drinks and atmosphere provided to their customers.
Address: 重庆市南岸浩里山台号楼二(上街地铁站号口步行205米)
Coco 都可
This was my go-to place when I lived in Chengdu, and I was ecstatic to find it in Chongqing. It brings back so many good memories from Coco being located near my university campus - it was a convenient stop to get a quick drink. They have a wide variety of milk and fruit teas to choose from.
Yuxi Hot Pot 余喜老火锅
While in Chongqing, hot pot is an essential meal to partake in. I randomly searched for restaurants within the vicinity of our hotel, and decided to try this one. The ingredients were fresh, and the atmosphere was lively. I appreciated the bright night life type of decor that was displayed throughout the room.
Address: 重庆市渝中区国贸中心中华巷1-44号4楼(临江门地铁站7号口步行64米)
Try more of the local food
I find that searching for restaurants in the area, or simply wandering down the street and going into a restaurant provides you with some great finds that you otherwise wouldn’t know about. This restaurant is one such example - it is located across the street from Luohan Temple - and the food was delicious. They had an extensive list of dishes to choose from and it proved difficult to narrow down to only three dishes.
How to get around
Taking the subway, buses, and taxis are more than sufficient methods of transportation. We ended up taking mostly taxis just based on convenience. The taxis are inexpensive and got us to our destinations relatively quickly.
How long to stay
We spent three days in Chongqing, which helped us cover most of the basic hot spots that people recommend visiting. As my sisters’ first time, it was a brief introduction to the area. If you are interested in visiting places further outside the actual city then I suggest adding more days to your trip. Ideally, I would have liked going to Wulong National Park and the Dazu Rock Carvings.
When to go
Fall, winter, or spring are the seasons that I think are most suitable for traveling. Summer can be quite unbearable to be out in the hot and humid weather.
Where to stay
To access many of the sights, restaurants, and close public transportation, staying in the Jiefangbei area is probably the best. Many shops are located around this area and provide tourists with great places to shop for some top brands and gifts for friends and family.