If it’s your first time in Chongqing, you’ll probably hear the same things: hot pot, crazy buildings, and endless stairs.
Some places look better at night, some are not worth the queue, and some of the best food isn’t where most tourists go.
So this is not a “perfect” itinerary —
👉 it’s exactly what I did, what I liked, and what I’d skip.
🏙 Is Chongqing Worth Visiting?
Yes — but not for everyone.
If you like modern cities with strong character, bold food, and unique landscapes, Chongqing is very worth it.
But it’s also hot, crowded, and very intense.
👉 Think of it as a mix of cyberpunk city views + very local daily life.
⏱ How Many Days Do You Need in Chongqing?
4–5 days is ideal for first-time visitors.
- 2 days → too rushed
- 3 days → main highlights
- 4-5 days → better pace + local experience
👉 This itinerary is based on 4 days, which felt just right.
🗺 My 4-Day Chongqing Itinerary
| Overview | Things to do | Time |
| Day 1 | Chongqing Museum | ~1.5h |
| Luohan Temple | ~1h | |
| Hongya Cave (Night) | ~1h | |
| Qiansimen Bridge | 30–45 min | |
| Day 2 | Yangtze Cable Car | ~15 min |
| Longmenhao Old Street | ~1h | |
| Xiahaoli | 1.5–2h | |
| Nanbin Road (Night) | ~1h | |
| Day3 | Chongqing University | ~1h |
| Lotus Root Wontons (Lunch) | ~30 min | |
| Wudu Theater Show | ~1h | |
| Jiefangbei Walk | ~1h | |
| Day 4 | Liziba (Train Spot) | ~30 min |
| Xiaoxiao Noodles (Lunch) | ~30 min | |
| Guanyinqiao Area | ~1h | |
| Deming Hot Pot | ~1.5h |
Day 1 — First Look at the “8D City”
Route: Arrival → Three Gorges Museum → Luohan Temple → Hongya Cave (night)
☀️AM | Chongqing Museum: Three Gorges Museum (重庆三峡博物馆)
- Free entry. No reservation needed now (passport required)
- Closed on Mondays
- Time: ~1.5 hours
- A good place to understand Chongqing’s history and culture.
☀️AM | Luohan Temple (罗汉寺):
- Ticket: 10RMB
- A quiet temple hidden in the busy city.
🌙 PM | Hongya Cave + Qiansimen Bridge (洪崖洞+千厮门大桥)
- Free entry
- Lights: 6:00–11:00 PM
- The best view is from the bridge.
Day 2 — Slower, Local & Cultural
Route: Yangtze Cable Car → Longmenhao Old Street → Xiahaoli
☀️AM | Yangtze River Cable Car
- Ticket: 20 RMB
- A classic Chongqing experience — but: Not worth it if the queue is long
- One way is enough
- Alternative: View it from a café instead
☀️AM | Longmenhao Old Street (龙门浩老街)
- Free
- Historic street with great river views. Good for photos
☀️AM | Lunch (Recommended) 👉 Xi Laoma Tihua (席老妈蹄花馆)
- ~70 RMB per person
- Location: No.103 Bahe Road, Nan’an District
- Braised pig trotter (not spicy)
- Spicy chicken
🌙 PM | Xiahaoli (下浩里)
🌙 PM | Walk along Nanbin Road for river views
Day 3 — Local Life & Campus
University + local food + light entertainment
☀️AM | Chongqing University
- Free (passport required)
- Time: ~1 hour
☀️AM | Lunch (Recommended) 👉 Lotus Root Wontons (莲藕抄手）
- 9–13 RMB
- Address: No. 121-3 Shapingba Main Street (Next to Qiangguaiguaia Hotpot)
- Directions: Take Metro Loop Line to Chongqing University Station (Exit 1A or 3). Cross the street, turn left, and walk 100-200m. It’s tucked away in the alley—just follow the map!
- Pork + lotus root filling
- Go for mild or clear soup if you don’t eat spicy
🌙 PM | Wudu Theater (Face-Changing Show) 雾都剧院
- A highly authentic Chinese intangible cultural heritage performance.
- Location: 6F, Bayi Square, Jiefangbei (解放碑八一广场6F)
🌙 PM | Walk around Jiefangbei & Bayi Street
What to Skip (Important)
- Bayi Food Street (Jiefangbei area). Especially: Hao You Lai Hot & Sour Noodles
- Very touristy
- Overrated
- Not the best version you can find in Chongqing
Day 4 — City Icons + Food
Route: Liziba → Xiaoxiao Noodles → Guanyinqiao → Hot pot
☀️AM | Liziba (Train Through Building)李子坝
- Take photos and leave — no need to stay long
☀️AM | Lunch 👉 chongqing noodles: Xiaoxiao Noodles （晓小面）
- Cheap and filling
- Must try: Wan Za noodles + fried egg
🌙 PM | Guanyinqiao Area
- Modern shopping district
- Great place to see local lifestyle
🌙 PM | Hot Pot👉 Deming Hot Pot (德明火锅)
- 60–80 RMB per person
- Must order: crispy pork, beef, duck intestines
- Location: No.2 Fuqiang 2nd Village, Jiangbei District
- Go for mild spice
🍜 What to Eat in Chongqing
If you want a full list of what to eat (including noodles, hot pot, and local snacks),
👉 check out my full food guide here:
Quick picks:
- Hot pot
- Xiaomian (noodles)
- Wontons
