🎯Chongqing 3-Day Travel Plan
This is a 3-day travel guide based on my own journey through Chongqing — walking the streets, tasting the food, and taking time to enjoy the city.
From must-see spots to local restaurants, teahouses, and night markets, I’ve mapped out the route so you can easily follow along.
No complicated planning needed — just take it step by step and enjoy. Perfect for first-time visitors to Chongqing.😊☘️
DAY 1
Breakfast
🍜Chongqing Noodles 重庆小面
You can find a bowl of Chongqing noodles almost anywhere in the city. A warm, spicy broth with a gentle mala (numbing chili) flavor — the perfect way to start your day. Locals grab a quick bowl on their way to work.
This is what Chongqing tastes like.
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💰7-22元
A Thousand Years of History
Ciqikou Old Town 磁器口古镇
One of the best places to experience the atmosphere of Chongqing’s traditional neighborhoods. It’s a well-known tourist spot, so expect crowds most of the time.
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The streets are lined with local specialties like hot pot spices, dried chili peppers, and snacks such as mahua (麻花, Sichuan-style twisted fried dough). A nice place for a slow walk and some window shopping.
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Located outside the city center — getting here takes over an hour by subway. If your schedule is tight, this is one stop you could skip without too much regret.
🚩重庆市沙坪坝区磁南街1号
No.1 Cinan Street, Shapingba District
🚇Ciqikou Station (磁器口), Line 1 — about 1 hour from downtown by subway
🕰️Open 24 hours (most shops open around 9 AM)
💰Free entry
Lunch
🍚Sichuan Home-Style Dishes
A simple local restaurant serving a variety of Sichuan stir-fried dishes (炒菜), each on small plates. It’s a pick-and-choose style: grab as many dishes as you like, about 6 RMB per plate. Steamed rice is unlimited. We shared four plates between two people — just the right amount.
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🚩Found this place by chance while walking around — forgot to save the location on the map😅
💰6-30元
Walking the Mountain City
Mountain City Trail 山城步道
If you want to truly feel the spirit of Chongqing, this hillside walking trail is a must. It takes you through old alleyways, river views, small teahouses, and charming little shops. Even though it’s a popular tourist route, the rough and honest vibe of Chongqing is still alive here.
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Pro tip: Always start from the top and walk downhill — going the other way is seriously tough.
Starting point for the downhill route:
🚩重庆渝中区佳实养老院领事巷8号
Jia Shi Nursing Home, 8 Ling Shi Alley, Yuzhong District
🕰️ Open 24 hours
💰Free entry
Stairway Through Chongqing’s Past
18 Stairs 十八梯
A stone stairway where the lives of porters once moved up and down, surrounded by wooden houses and wartime bomb shelters. Though the area has been redeveloped as a tourist site, the original layout and old-town spirit remain intact.
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There’s something to discover at every turn. Like Mountain City Trail, starting from the top and walking downhill is the best way to enjoy the route.
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The view is especially beautiful at night when the lights come on — the best photo spot is looking down from the top.
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Tip: Plan your day with Mountain City Trail in the afternoon and 18 Stairs in the evening. It’s walkable between the two, but be ready for a lot of steps!
🚩重庆市渝中区中兴路1号
No.1 Zhongxing Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
🚇Jiaochangkou Station (较场口), Line 1 / Line 2 — Exit 4 or 11 (northern entrance recommended for downhill route)
🕰️Open 24 hours (lights on after 6:00 PM daily)
💰Free entry
Dinner
🍲Chuanchuan 串串
Similar to hot pot, but here the ingredients are skewered and cooked directly in the bubbling broth. The fun is in picking your skewers straight from the pot, one by one. Affordable, tasty, and a great way to try a variety of dishes — perfect for sharing between two people.
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🚩江二娃串串香(得意世界直营店)
Jiang Erwa Chuanchuanxiang
重庆市渝中区新华路得意世界负一楼B1-2
B1-2, Deyi World, Xinhua Road
🕰️Open 24 hours
💰Around 60 RMB per person
The Heart of Chongqing
Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street 解放碑
One of Chongqing’s most iconic landmarks, Jiefangbei is a lively downtown area filled with shopping malls, restaurants, and hotels. At its center stands a monument celebrating China’s victory in the War of Resistance against Japan — surrounded by a forest of skyscrapers.
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If it’s your first time in Chongqing, staying near Jiefangbei is a smart choice. It’s close to many major attractions and has great subway connections for getting around the city.
🚩重庆市渝中区民族路177号
177 Minzu Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
🚇 500m from Jiaochangkou Station (较场口, Line 1)
🚇 400m from Linjiangmen Station (临江门, Line 2)
🕰️Open 24 hours
💰Free entry
Chongqing’s Famous Food Street
Bayilu Food Street 八一路美食街
Wander around Jiefangbei long enough, and you’ll eventually stumble into Bayilu — a neon-lit street packed with food stalls and local eats. It’s one of the best spots to try a variety of Chongqing dishes all in one place.
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Even if you’re already full, it’s hard to resist. Honestly, just walking through and soaking up the lively atmosphere is worth the visit.
🚩Near Jiefangbei
重庆市渝中区八一路解放碑步行街
🕰️Open 24 hours
💰Free entry
Chongqing’s No.1 Tourist Spot
Hongyadong 洪崖洞
Famous for its breathtaking night views, Hongyadong is one of Chongqing’s most iconic scenes — especially when seen from across the river, with the glowing lights reflected on the water.
If you only visit one place in Chongqing, make it this one.
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Inside the building, you’ll find souvenir shops and restaurants, though nothing particularly special. The crowds here are intense — keep an eye on your bag, phone, and wallet.
🚩重庆市渝中区嘉陵江滨江路88号
88 Binjiang Road, Jialing River, Yuzhong District
🚶 Walkable from Jiefangbei
🚇 500m from Linjiangmen Station (临江门, Line 2)
🚇 500m from Xiaoshizi Station (小什字, Line 1)
🚇 800m from Grand Theatre Station (大剧院, Line 6) — across the bridge
🕰️9:00-23:00
💰Free entry
DAY 2
Lunch at Chongqing’s Wholesale District
Chaotianmen Lunchbox 朝天门盒饭
Chaotianmen is Chongqing’s logistics hub, known for its clothing wholesalers and busy porters coming and going with goods all day long.
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Come lunchtime, you’ll see a line of workers waiting outside a small lunchbox stall tucked beneath an old shopping building. It’s simple but filling — a plate of vegetables for just 10 RMB, or add meat for 13 RMB. A solid, everyday meal for the people who keep the city moving.
🚩Outside on the ground floor of Dazheng Building(大正大厦)
重庆市渝中区曹家巷12号
🚇 140m from Xiaoshizi Station (小什字, Line 1)
🚇 260m from Chaotianmen Station (朝天门, Exit 1)
under the pedestrian overpass toward Shanxi Road (陕西路)
🕰️Best visited at lunchtime
💰10 RMB (vegetarian) / 13 RMB (with meat)
Everyday Life in Chongqing
Gangyu Plaza 港渝广场
Gangyu Plaza is Chongqing’s largest wholesale market — a place where you can catch a glimpse of the city’s everyday hustle behind the busy shopping streets. The scene is filled with shopkeepers, street vendors, and porters hard at work, offering a raw and authentic slice of local life.
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The shops inside the market are also worth a look. (I picked up a pair of pants here for 60 RMB — surprisingly good quality!)
🚩重庆市渝中区陕西路63号 港渝广场
63 Shanxi Road
🚇 550m from Xiaoshizi Station (小什字, Line 1)
🚇 650m from Chaotianmen Station (朝天门)
🕰️6:30-17:30
300 Years of Migration History
Huguang Guild Hall 湖广会馆
Huguang Guild Hall is the largest remaining complex of historic guild buildings in Chongqing, holding over 300 years of migration and trading history.
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This was once a gathering place for merchants and immigrants from southern China — a community space where people far from home supported one another. The traditional architecture of the Ming and Qing eras has been beautifully preserved here.
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The site includes several halls like Yuwang Palace, Jian’an Guild Hall, and Guangdong Guild Hall. Take your time walking through and exploring the stories of old Chongqing.
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⚠️ Taxis are hard to catch in this area due to the layered roads and tricky GPS signals. It’s about a 15-minute walk to the nearest subway station (Xiaoshizi, 小什字).
🚩重庆市渝中区长滨路芭蕉园1号
No.1 Bajiaoyuan, Changbin Road, Yuzhong District
🚇 500m from Xiaoshizi Station (小什字, Line 1)
🕰️9:00-19:00
💰25元
❗Passport required for entry
From Print Factory to Creative Space
E’ling Second Factory Cultural Park 鹅岭二厂文创公园
Once an old printing factory, E’ling Second Factory has been transformed into one of Chongqing’s most stylish cultural hubs. Known as a filming location for the movie “I Belonged to You” (从你的全世界路过), this spot has become a must-visit for many travelers.
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Wander through narrow alleys lined with indie shops, cozy cafés, and small galleries. Don’t miss the rooftop viewpoint — it offers a sweeping view of downtown Chongqing wrapped between two rivers.
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Among the many snacks here, the mala-flavored ice cream near the entrance is highly recommended!
🚩重庆市渝中区鹅岭正街1号
No.1 E’ling Zheng Street, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
🚇 About 800m (10 min walk) from E’ling Station (鹅岭, Line 1, Exit 2A)
🚇 From Liziba Station (李子坝, Line 2): visit the “train through the building” view first, then head here (uphill walk, 30 mins + 800+ steps — not recommended if you’re skipping the night view).
🕰️Open 24 hours
💰Free entry (some galleries and rooftop spaces charge 6–19 RMB)
The Train That Runs Through a Building
Liziba Station 李子坝站
One of Chongqing’s most iconic photo spots: here, the monorail literally passes straight through the middle of a residential building. Crowds gather daily at the viewing platform, waiting to catch this unique sight.
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The local “rule” here? Take a photo pretending the train is going right into your mouth — a must-do pose at this spot. Funny enough, there’s nothing special about riding the train itself — but watching it from the outside feels pretty surreal. Don’t worry about timing — trains come and go frequently.
🚩重庆市渝中区李子坝正街62号
62 Liziba Zheng Street, Yuzhong District
🚇 Get off at Liziba Station (李子坝, Line 2). Inside the building, take the escalator down to the ground floor. Cross the street to reach the viewing platform (well-marked signs make it easy to find).
🚖 Taxi destination: Liziba Viewing Platform (李子坝观景平台)
🕰️Train operates 6:30-23:00
💰Free entry
Dinner
🍢Shaokao 烧烤
For dinner, we went for shaokao — Chinese-style barbecue. This place is an old local spot with just the right kind of laid-back vibe. The smoky aroma of charcoal grilling fills the night air.
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You pick your ingredients, pay at the counter, and grab a seat at one of the outdoor tables. First thing? A cold beer. 🍺
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What makes this place special: after grilling, they chop up the skewers and toss everything with seasoning — spicy, savory, and perfectly paired with that beer. The classic Chongqing shaokao experience.
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🚩冯氏烧烤(凯旋路总店)
Feng’s BBQ
重庆市渝中区解放西路158号
158 Jiefang West Road
🕰️17:00-04:00
💰Around 70 RMB per person
Another Night Market Near Jiefangbei
Jiaochangkou Night Market 较场口夜市
Jiaochangkou Night Market is one of Chongqing’s most famous night food streets, with roots going back to the 1940s and 50s. Located right next to Jiefangbei, at the intersection of Bayilu (八一路) and Zhonghua Road (中华路), this place stays lively well into the night.
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The street is lined with all kinds of food stalls and small shops — perfect for a walk after dinner, or for grabbing a second (or third!) round of snacks. The later it gets, the more the place comes alive with that raw, energetic Chongqing vibe.
🚩重庆市渝中区八一路与中华路交叉口东南角
Southeast corner of Bayilu and Zhonghua Road intersection
🚇 780m from Jiaochangkou Station (较场口, Exit 9)
💰Free entry
DAY 3
Breakfast
🥯Yundougao 熨斗糕 & Laoshaobing 老烧饼
We stumbled upon these local Chongqing snacks while wandering through a small alley — and they turned out to be hidden gems.
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Yundougao is a rice cake grilled in a round mold, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a hint of sweetness and a light aroma of rice wine. Laoshaobing is an old-style savory flatbread, toasted to golden perfection with a nice, nutty flavor.
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One bite, and we were hooked. Sometimes, the best finds really are by chance. 😊
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💰1-3元
A Quiet Corner of Korean History in Chongqing
Korean Provisional Government Site
大韩民国临时政府旧址
This historic building tells the story of Korea’s independence movement against Japanese rule. After starting out in Shanghai, the Korean Provisional Government moved across China and finally settled here in Chongqing from 1940 to 1945 — their last and most active base before Korea’s liberation.
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The site has been beautifully restored with support from both Korea and China. Inside, you’ll find exhibits on key moments of the independence struggle, including photographs, documents, and relics from the Korean Liberation Army. The statue of Kim Gu, one of Korea’s most respected leaders, stands in the courtyard.
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If you’re curious about Korea’s past and the connections between Korea and China, it’s well worth a visit.
🚩重庆市渝中区莲花池38号
38 Lianhuachi, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
🚶 About 13 minutes on foot from Jiefangbei (850m)
🚇 670m from Jiaochangkou Station (较场口, Line 1)
🕰️Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30)
🚫Closed on Mondays
💰Free entry
❗Passport required for entry
Food Stops
& Photo Spots
Guanyinqiao 观音桥
Guanyinqiao is one of the busiest downtown areas in Chongqing’s Jiangbei District — packed with local restaurants, street food, and shopping. Prices are generally affordable, and there are plenty of local favorite spots worth trying.
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One highlight here is the “I’m in Chongqing”(我在重庆) LED sign, now a must-do photo stop for visitors. At night, travelers gather on the overpass, waiting for the words to light up and snapping that perfect shot.
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The area is easy to reach via Metro Lines 3 and 9. There are also many foot massage places nearby — a great way to relax after walking around Chongqing’s many hills. (I paid 88 RMB for a 45-minute massage — absolutely worth it after all the climbing!)
🚩重庆市江北区红石路与红锦大道交叉口西南侧观音桥龙湖新壹街LG1
Longfor New One Street LG1, Guanyinqiao, Jiangbei District, Chongqing
🚇 Direct access from Guanyinqiao Station (观音桥, Line 3 / Line 9)
🕰️Open 24 hours
💰Free entry
Lunch
🐟Kao Yu 烤鱼
While in Guanyinqiao, we stopped by a local favorite spot for Kao Yu — spicy grilled fish, a must-try dish in Chongqing.
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The fish comes perfectly grilled, covered with a rich, flavorful, and spicy sauce, topped with plenty of vegetables. It works just as well as a hearty meal or as the perfect pairing for a drink. If you’re in Chongqing, this is one dish you really shouldn’t miss.
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🚩沈姐烤鱼(观音桥店)
Shen Jie Kao Yu (Guanyinqiao Branch)
– 重庆市江北区 观音桥东环路宏福俊悦大厦1楼（渝北四村19号-8号）
1F, Hongfu Junyue Building, Donghuan Road, Guanyinqiao
🕰️10:00-24:00
💰Around 80 RMB per person
Street Art
& Slow Walks
Near Guanyinqiao
Beichang Cultural Park 北仓文创园
Just a short walk from the busy Guanyinqiao area, Beichang Cultural Park is a renovated old neighborhood, now turned into a creative space filled with murals, art studios, bookshops, cafés, and a small flea market.
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It’s much quieter than other tourist spots — perfect for a relaxing stroll, snapping a few photos, or simply sitting down for coffee and taking a break.
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For a fuller experience, you can also explore nearby spots like Beichang Library and Beichangli (Taping, 塔坪).
🚩重庆市江北区观音桥塔坪55号
No.55 Taping, Guanyinqiao, Jiangbei District
🚇 About 740m from Guanyinqiao Station (观音桥, Line 3 / Line 9)
🕰️Open 24 hours
💰Free entry
Tea Time in Chongqing
🫖Slow Down with a Cup of Tea
The Sichuan region, including Chongqing, has long been known for its tea culture — and here, tea is part of everyday life.
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Step just a little outside the busy downtown streets and you’ll find quiet local teahouses where Chongqing residents go to relax. With a pot of tea, some traditional snacks on the side, and a calm atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to pause and enjoy a slower moment.
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🚩大兴茶馆 (Daxing Teahouse)
– 江北区钢锋村202号
202 Gangfeng Village, Jiangbei District, Chongqing
🕰️10:00-20:00
💰45 RMB per person
Dinner
🍲Hot Pot 火锅
I had a personal goal of eating hot pot every day during my trip to Chongqing — but with so much good food around, I didn’t quite make it. Still, for the last night, hot pot was the only right choice.
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Chongqing-style hot pot started as a humble meal for dock workers, who boiled offal and other inexpensive cuts in a fiery mala (numbing and spicy) broth. Today, it’s become one of the most famous dishes from the Sichuan region.
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What makes Chongqing hot pot special is the 9-section pot (九宫格). Originally designed so multiple diners could share the same pot without mixing their ingredients, each section can hold a slightly different temperature — perfect for cooking meat, veggies, and tofu just right.
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Spicy, rich, and totally addictive — if you try just one thing in Chongqing, let it be hot pot.
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🚩渝富贵火锅(较场口店)
Yufu Gui Hot Pot
– 重庆市渝中区中兴路9号附3号 (一二号地铁较场口4号出口对面)
No.9 Zhongxing Road, opposite Exit 4 of Jiaochangkou Station (较场口, Line 1 / Line 2)
💰Around 80 RMB per person
Late-Night Snack
🍢Shaokao 烧烤
Even after stuffing ourselves with hot pot, somehow there was still room for shaokao — charcoal-grilled street barbecue. That’s the magic of traveling, right? You think you’re done… until the smoky smell from a street stall pulls you right back in.
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In Chongqing, it’s almost impossible to resist. Here, both your heart and your stomach end up a little fuller. 😊
🗺️Chongqing Travel Map
3-Day Chongqing Itinerary at a Glance
Here’s the 3-day Chongqing route I followed, mapped out to make it easy to visualize the trip. ✍️ Each day’s course is marked with different colors for clarity.
💡Feel free to use this as a guide, not a strict schedule.
You don’t have to follow the exact order — grouping nearby spots together might make your trip even smoother. Adjust the plan to match your own pace and interests.
Take what’s helpful for you — and I hope this makes your Chongqing journey a little easier, and a little more enjoyable. 😊☘️
Want to explore even more?
👉 17 Ultimate Must-See Places in Chongqing｜Feel the City’s Hidden Magic
→ Discover must-visit landmarks, local spots, and hidden gems — all in one place.
