Chongqing is a magical three-dimensional mountain city where the Yangtze River meets the Jialing River, forming the unique “Two Rivers and Four Banks” landscape. At night, Hongyadong’s stilted buildings glow brightly, mirroring the river’s surface. The bustling Jiefangbei Business District exudes urban vibrancy, while the Liziba Light Rail passing through a building and the Yangtze River Cableway perfectly showcase the city’s 3D charm. Its spicy hotpot, noodles and hot and sour noodles are irresistible, whether from street stalls or time-honored restaurants. This practical guide helps you start an unforgettable Chongqing free & easy trip from multiple dimensions.
Must-Visit Core Attractions of Chongqing Free Travel
Hongyadong Folk Custom Scenic Area
Hongyadong is Chongqing’s iconic attraction, featuring traditional Bayu stilted buildings built along the mountain and river. With 11 floors in total, it forms a unique “vertical aerial market”. During the day, its grey tiles and red walls present an elegant ancient scene, where you can wander through shops to buy Sichuan embroidery, paper-cuts and crispy broad beans with strange flavors. At night, thousands of colored lights illuminate the stilted buildings, creating a stunning contrast with the opposite Jialing Riverbank’s night view, making it the pinnacle of Chongqing’s night scenery. Note that it gets extremely crowded on holidays; avoid the peak hours from 19:00 to 21:00. The best viewing spots are the riverside near the Grand Theatre or the Qiansimen Bridge across the river, where you can capture the full view.
Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street
Jiefangbei is Chongqing’s commercial center and urban landmark. The People’s Liberation Monument standing in the street center witnesses the city’s historical changes. Today, the Jiefangbei Business District gathers shopping malls, brand stores, specialty shops and food streets, satisfying both shopping and dining needs. The nearby Bayi Food Street is a paradise for foodies, offering local snacks like hot and sour noodles, Chongqing glutinous rice balls, boboji (skewered snacks in spicy sauce) and roasted pig brains that tantalize your taste buds. In addition, the Guotai Arts Center in the business district is famous for its unique “chopstick building” shape, making it a perfect photo spot. Plan 2-3 hours here to enjoy the urban buzz and taste authentic local food.
Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street
Liziba Light Rail Through-Building Observation Deck
The Liziba Light Rail passing through a residential building is Chongqing’s internet-famous landmark. The spectacle of Line 2 trains running through the middle floor of a building attracts countless visitors. The observation deck below Liziba Station offers a wide view, allowing you to clearly see the entire process of trains passing through the building and capture amazing moments of trains entering and exiting the station. Besides taking photos at the observation deck, you can also take Metro Line 2 to experience the fantastic feeling of “the train passing through the building, and passengers traveling in a painting”. It is recommended to visit on weekday mornings to avoid crowds; bring a telephoto lens for better photos.
Yangtze River Cableway
Known as Chongqing’s “aerial bus”, the Yangtze River Cableway is an excellent way to admire the scenery on both sides of the mountain city. Connecting Yuzhong District and Nan’an District, it takes about 4 minutes for a one-way trip. Sitting in the cable car, you can overlook the surging Yangtze River and the scattered urban buildings below during the day; at night, you can enjoy the dazzling city lights, which is a unique experience. Note that the cableway attracts many visitors, with waiting times up to 1-2 hours on holidays. It is recommended to book tickets in advance via the official WeChat account to save time.
Yangtze River Cableway
Ciqikou Ancient Town
Founded in the Song Dynasty, Ciqikou Ancient Town has a history of over a thousand years. Once an important land and water terminal on the lower reaches of the Jialing River, it is now a microcosm of Chongqing’s history and culture. The winding bluestone paths and ancient stilted buildings on both sides are lined with shops, and the sound of vendors hawking fills the air, exuding a strong market atmosphere. Here, you can taste local specialties like Chen’s fried dough twists, ancient town chicken giblets and Mao Xuewang (spicy blood curd stew), and buy handcrafts such as wood carvings, bamboo weaving and pottery. Attractions like Baolun Temple, Wenchang Palace and Hanlin Academy have profound historical and cultural heritage, worth a careful visit. Plan 2-3 hours here to wander slowly, eat local snacks and enjoy the leisurely town life.
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Chongqing Recommended Local Food
Chongqing Hotpot
Chongqing hotpot is the representative of local cuisine and a must-try for visitors. The base is mainly butter spicy broth, rich, aromatic and spicy. For those who cannot tolerate spicy food, clear soup or dual-flavor broth is available. Must-order dishes include beef tripe, duck intestines, pork aorta, pig brains and beef. These ingredients are blanched in the boiling broth for a short while and dipped in sesame oil and mashed garlic sauce, offering a tender and flavorful taste. Hotpot restaurants are everywhere in Chongqing. High-end chain restaurants like Peijie Old Hotpot and Dalongyi Hotpot serve authentic and fresh ingredients; street-side family-style restaurants like Yuwei Xiaoyu Hotpot and Paerge Yaopianlao Hotpot offer high cost-performance and a strong local atmosphere.
Chongqing Noodles
Chongqing noodles are the first choice for locals’ breakfast and a famous card of Chongqing’s food culture. The noodles are chewy and smooth, served in a spicy and aromatic broth with toppings like chopped green onions, coriander, preserved mustard greens, crushed peanuts and preserved vegetables. A bowl of noodles will warm you up from head to toe. Noodle shops are ubiquitous in Chongqing, each with its own characteristics. Huashi Pea and Minced Pork Noodles serve minced pork that is tender and soft; Qinyun Laotaipo Tantai Noodles offer spicy and addictive noodles—both are time-honored brands worth trying.
Hot and Sour Noodles
Hot and sour noodles are a special local snack made from sweet potato noodles, served in a spicy and sour broth. They are chewy, tangy and appetizing, with toppings like minced pork, crushed peanuts, preserved mustard greens and coriander, offering a rich taste that makes people want more. Hot and sour noodle stalls can be found on every street and alley in Chongqing. Time-honored brands like Haoyoulai Hot and Sour Noodles and Bage Hot and Sour Noodles serve authentic flavors at affordable prices, with a per capita cost of only 5-10 CNY for a full meal.
Travel Transport Guide for Chongqing Free Travel
External Transport
– Flight: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport is the city’s main international airport and an important aviation hub in western China, with numerous domestic and international routes. It has two terminals, T2 and T3, with complete facilities and convenient transport. To get to the city center from the airport, you can take Metro Line 3 or Line 10, which costs 5-7 CNY and takes 40-60 minutes; you can also take airport buses covering major business districts and attractions in the city, with fares ranging from 15-30 CNY; taking a taxi to core areas like Jiefangbei and Hongyadong costs about 80-120 CNY, subject to traffic conditions.
– Train: Chongqing has three major railway stations: Chongqing Station, Chongqing North Station and Chongqing West Station. Among them, Chongqing North Station and Chongqing West Station are the main stops for high-speed trains and bullet trains. Chongqing North Station has North and South Squares; the South Square mainly serves ordinary trains, while the North Square serves high-speed trains and bullet trains. Chongqing West Station is one of the largest railway stations in southwest China, undertaking the transportation tasks of Chengdu-Chongqing High-Speed Railway and Chongqing-Guiyang High-Speed Railway. To get to core attractions from the railway stations, metro is the best choice. You can take Line 3 or Line 10 from Chongqing North Station, and Line 5 or the Loop Line from Chongqing West Station, with fares ranging from 2-7 CNY. Taking a taxi from Chongqing North Station to Jiefangbei costs about 30-50 CNY, and from Chongqing West Station to Jiefangbei costs about 40-60 CNY.
Internal Transport
– Metro: Chongqing Metro currently operates multiple lines, covering major attractions and business districts in the city center, making it the first choice for free & easy travelers. Fares range from 2-10 CNY, calculated by distance, and support QR code payment for convenience. Metro Line 2 is an internet-famous route, allowing you to experience the Liziba Light Rail through-building and enjoy the riverside scenery. Metro Line 1 connects core attractions like Chaotianmen, Jiefangbei and Ciqikou, with high travel efficiency.
– Bus: Chongqing’s bus network extends in all directions, covering remote areas not accessible by metro. Fares range from 1-2 CNY, with some long-distance routes costing 3-5 CNY, supporting QR code payment. Note that Chongqing is a mountain city; some bus stops are located on steep slopes or in alleys. For first-time visitors, it is recommended to check the navigation in advance to avoid taking the wrong direction.
– Taxi and Ride-Hailing Service: Chongqing’s taxi starting fare is 10 CNY for the first 3 km, with an additional 2 CNY per km thereafter. The nighttime starting fare (22:00 to 6:00 the next day) is 11 CNY for the first 3 km, with an additional 2.3 CNY per km. Ride-hailing services are slightly cheaper than taxis, suitable for group travel or visitors with large luggage. Chongqing’s roads have many slopes and sharp turns, prone to traffic jams during rush hours and holidays; it is recommended to plan your travel time in advance.
– Walking and Shared Bikes: Core attractions in Chongqing, such as Hongyadong, Jiefangbei and Bayi Food Street, are within walking distance of each other. Walking allows you to enjoy the unique street views of the mountain city. Shared bikes are widely available, suitable for short-distance travel, but due to the many slopes, cycling is challenging and not recommended for long periods.
Accommodation Guide for Chongqing Free Travel
Jiefangbei Business District
Jiefangbei Business District is the top choice for visitors, with a large number of hotels and homestays covering all price ranges. High-end hotels like The Westin Chongqing Liberation Square and InterContinental Chongqing cost 800-2000 CNY per night; mid-range hotels like Ji Hotel and Atour Hotel cost 300-600 CNY per night; budget hotels like 7 Days Inn and Home Inn cost 150-300 CNY per night; homestays cost 100-400 CNY per night, with some river-view homestays offering a view of Hongyadong’s night scenery. The advantage of staying in Jiefangbei is convenient transport, with walking access to attractions like Hongyadong and the Yangtze River Cableway, as well as easy access to shopping and dining options.
Guanyinqiao Business District
Guanyinqiao Business District is another core business district in Chongqing, with a stronger local life atmosphere and slightly lower accommodation prices than Jiefangbei. High-end hotels like Hyatt Regency Chongqing Guanyinqiao cost 600-1500 CNY per night; mid-range hotels like Atour Hotel cost 250-500 CNY per night; budget hotels like Pod Inn and Hanting Hotel cost 120-250 CNY per night. Staying in Guanyinqiao allows you to experience local people’s daily life, with numerous snack streets and shopping malls nearby, suitable for visitors who like a lively atmosphere.
Yuzhong District Riverside Road
Hotels and homestays along Yuzhong District Riverside Road are excellent choices for river views, offering a bird’s-eye view of the confluence of the Jialing River and the Yangtze River, as well as Hongyadong’s night scenery at night. High-end river-view hotels like The Regent Chongqing and Chongqing Marriott Hotel cost 1000-2500 CNY per night; mid-range river-view hotels like Shiguangli River View Homestay and Jiangfeng Yuhuo River View Hotel cost 300-800 CNY per night. The advantage of staying here is the stunning view, suitable for photography enthusiasts, but some sections have relatively inconvenient transport; it is recommended to choose accommodation near metro stations.
Nan’an District Nanbin Road
Nanbin Road in Nan’an District is a well-known riverside avenue in Chongqing, with accommodation prices slightly lower than those in Yuzhong District and a panoramic view of Yuzhong District’s night scenery. High-end hotels like Sheraton Chongqing Hotel cost 800-1800 CNY per night; mid-range hotels like Atour Hotel Chongqing Nanbin Road cost 250-500 CNY per night; homestays cost 100-300 CNY per night. Staying in Nanbin Road offers a quiet environment and beautiful scenery, suitable for visitors who prefer a relaxing vacation.
Shapingba District Three Gorges Square
Three Gorges Square in Shapingba District is close to Ciqikou Ancient Town and Chongqing University, with affordable accommodation prices, suitable for budget-conscious visitors. Budget hotels like 7 Days Inn and Home Inn cost 100-200 CNY per night; homestays cost 80-200 CNY per night. The area benefits from convenient transport, with Metro Line 1 directly connecting to Ciqikou Ancient Town and Jiefangbei Business District, suitable for students and budget travelers.
Budget Reference Guide
Budget-Friendly Option (500-800 CNY per person per day)
– Transport: Mainly metro and bus, 20-50 CNY per day;
– Accommodation: Budget hotels or homestays, 150-300 CNY per night;
– Food: Mainly street snacks and noodle shops, 100-200 CNY per day;
– Tickets: Most attractions in Chongqing are free; a few paid attractions like the Yangtze River Cableway (one-way ticket 20 CNY) and Huguang Guild Hall (25 CNY), 50-100 CNY per day.
Comfort Option (1000-1500 CNY per person per day)
– Transport: Mainly ride-hailing services and metro, 50-100 CNY per day;
– Accommodation: Mid-range hotels or river-view homestays, 300-600 CNY per night;
– Food: Mainly specialty restaurants and hotpot restaurants, 200-300 CNY per day;
– Tickets: Including paid attractions and experience projects like the Yangtze River Cableway (round-trip ticket 30 CNY) and Two Rivers Night Cruise (150 CNY), 100-200 CNY per day.
Luxury Option (2000 CNY or more per person per day)
– Transport: Mainly taxis and private cars, 100-200 CNY per day;
– Accommodation: High-end five-star hotels or luxury river-view homestays, 800-2000 CNY per night;
– Food: Mainly high-end restaurants and time-honored hotpot restaurants, 300-500 CNY per day;
– Tickets: Including all paid attractions and high-end experience projects like helicopter tours and hot spring resorts, 200-500 CNY per day.
Travel Tips for Chongqing Free Travel
- Travel Safety
Chongqing is a mountain city with many slopes, sharp turns and steps. When walking around, pay attention to your steps to avoid slipping; slow down when going up and down slopes to save energy. When taking metro and buses, keep an eye on your belongings to avoid theft in crowded places. For self-driving visitors, note that Chongqing’s roads are complex with many unmarked roads; it is recommended to use navigation in advance to avoid getting lost.
- Food Tips
Chongqing’s food is mainly spicy. For visitors with sensitive stomachs, it is recommended to prepare gastrointestinal medicine in advance and ask for “mild spicy” or “non-spicy” when ordering. When eating hotpot, it is recommended to pair it with sweet snacks like ice jelly and cold rice cakes to relieve the spiciness. In addition, Chongqing’s tap water has high hardness, which may cause acclimatization for some visitors; it is recommended to drink more bottled mineral water.
- Attraction Visiting Tips
Popular attractions like Hongyadong and Jiefangbei are crowded on holidays; it is recommended to visit during off-peak hours to avoid crowds. For internet-famous spots like the Yangtze River Cableway and Liziba Observation Deck, plan your time in advance to avoid long queues. When visiting red attractions like Bai Mansion and Zhazidong Prison Relics, maintain solemnity, respect history and do not touch cultural relics at will.
Why Chongqing Is Ideal for Free Travel
Chongqing’s layered cityscape and efficient public transport make it well suited for free travel. With a basic understanding of key districts and transport routes, independent travelers can explore the city at their own pace and experience its vibrant food culture, river views, and everyday local life.
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