Hongyadong Stilted Houses and Night Lights
Hongyadong is the glowing cliffside complex of stilted houses on the Jialing River that made Chongqing famous online. Come at dusk for the lights, the riverside views and the old-city atmosphere.
China
Chongqing
Chongqing is the Mountain City of south-west China, a vast metropolis stacked across steep hills where the Jialing River meets the Yangtze.
Its old centre is a layered maze of stairs, cableways and elevated roads, lit at night by the stilted houses of Hongyadong and the towers of Jiefangbei, and it is the home of fiery hotpot and one of the most exciting food scenes in Asia. Visitors ride a monorail that runs through an apartment building, cruise the two rivers after dark and begin the classic four-day Yangtze voyage through the Three Gorges. Within a day's reach are the UNESCO Buddhist carvings of Dazu, the giant karst arches of Wulong, the alpine meadows of Fairy Mountain and the temples of Fengdu Ghost City. Twickly's Chongqing guide covers the best sights, hotels from riverside luxury to value stays near the metro, and practical guides on food, seasons and day trips.
Don't miss
Hongyadong Stilted Houses and Night Lights
Hongyadong is the glowing cliffside complex of stilted houses on the Jialing River that made Chongqing famous online. Come at dusk for the lights, the riverside views and the old-city atmosphere.
Two Rivers Night Cruise
A short evening cruise on the Yangtze and Jialing rivers shows Chongqing's glittering skyline and Hongyadong from the water, with a stop at the Chaotianmen confluence.
Dazu Rock Carvings
Dazu's UNESCO-listed Buddhist cliff carvings are among the finest in China. A day trip from Chongqing covers Baodingshan and Beishan, with options for a guide or a transfer.
Wulong Three Natural Bridges and Longshuixia Gorge
Wulong Karst is a UNESCO-listed landscape of giant stone arches and deep gorges south-east of Chongqing. The Three Natural Bridges and Longshuixia Gorge are its headline sights.
Things to do in Chongqing
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Jiefangbei Monument and Pedestrian District
Jiefangbei is the beating commercial heart of Chongqing, a pedestrian district built around a monument. A guided half-day links it with Hongya Cave and Liziba for the classic city-centre loop.
Liziba Monorail Through a Building
Liziba is the metro station where the monorail glides straight through a residential tower. A private day tour links the monorail with ferry rides and Chongqing's most surreal urban landmarks.
Ciqikou Ancient Town
Ciqikou is a restored river-port town of stone lanes, teahouses and snack stalls on the Jialing. A guided visit adds the history, the ruins and a viewing deck above the old streets.
Chongqing 1949 Immersive Theatre Show
Chongqing 1949 is a large immersive theatre show that takes you through the city's dramatic wartime and revolutionary history. A good wet-weather evening choice with plenty of spectacle.
Two Rivers Night Cruise
A short evening cruise on the Yangtze and Jialing rivers shows Chongqing's glittering skyline and Hongyadong from the water, with a stop at the Chaotianmen confluence.
Yangtze River Cableway
A short cable car ride across the Yangtze gives a cheap, breezy look at the river and the city skyline. The linked private tour pairs it with a walk through the old streets.
Three Gorges Museum and Eling Park
A relaxed morning combining the Three Gorges Museum with Eling Park's hilltop gardens and city views. A good first look at the history behind the Yangtze and the Mountain City.
General Stilwell Museum and Arhat Temple
A one-day private tour that links the Stilwell Museum, the old Arhat Temple and Eling Park. A neat window into Chongqing's wartime years and its Buddhist past.
Mountain City 8D Neighbourhood Walk
A half-day walk through Chongqing's steep, tangled neighbourhoods, where roads, stairs and homes stack in layers. The best way to understand why the city is called 8D.
Chongqing Hotpot and Evening Food Walk
Chongqing is the home of fiery hotpot. An evening food and hotpot walk with locals helps you order, balance the heat and sample the city's snacks.
Wet Market Tour and Cooking Class
Shop in a local wet market, then cook Chongqing dishes yourself. This hands-on experience also includes a paper-cutting craft for a gentler pace of sightseeing.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
InterContinental Chongqing Raffles City
Chaotianmen (Yuzhong)
A luxury high-rise hotel at the Chaotianmen tip of the Yuzhong peninsula, close to the point where the Yangtze and Jialing rivers meet.
Check rates →Hilton Chongqing Hotel
Central Yuzhong
An established upscale international hotel in the central Yuzhong area, a practical base for the old town, Jiefangbei and the river.
Check rates →Chongqing Marriott Hotel
Jiefangbei
A large upscale hotel in the Jiefangbei business and shopping district, within easy reach of restaurants, malls and the river.
Check rates →Niccolo Chongqing
Central Chongqing
A stylish luxury hotel for travellers who want contemporary design and attentive service in the heart of the city.
Check rates →Atour Hotel Hongyadong Riverside Chongqing
Hongyadong Riverside
A mid-range riverside hotel close to Hongyadong, a smart choice for travellers who want the night lights on their doorstep.
Check rates →Ascott Raffles City Chongqing
Chaotianmen (Yuzhong)
A serviced-residence style hotel at Raffles City, good for longer stays with extra space and a kitchen-style setup.
Check rates →Mercure Chongqing Downtown
Downtown Chongqing
A mid-range international-brand hotel in the downtown area, good value for first-time visitors who want a central address.
Check rates →Holiday Inn Express Chongqing Guanyinqiao
Guanyinqiao (Jiangbei)
A budget-friendly modern hotel in the Guanyinqiao shopping district of Jiangbei, with metro access and plenty of food nearby.
Check rates →Hilton Garden Inn Chongqing Yubei Central Park
Yubei District
A modern mid-range hotel in the Yubei district, near a large urban park and well placed for the airport side of the city.
Check rates →Novotel Chongqing Airport
Chongqing Airport Area
A convenient airport-area hotel for early flights, late arrivals and short layovers, with easy road and metro links to the city.
Check rates →Chongqing guides
First Time in Chongqing: What to Know Before You Go
A practical first-timer guide to Chongqing: how the city is laid out, how to get around, what to see first, what to eat and how to handle the hills, the heat and the language.
Where to Stay in Chongqing: Best Areas and Hotels
A guide to choosing where to stay in Chongqing, comparing the Yuzhong peninsula, Chaotianmen, Jiefangbei, Guanyinqiao, Yubei and the airport area, with hotel types and tips.
Chongqing in Three Days: An Easy Itinerary
A three-day Chongqing itinerary that mixes the old centre, the night views, wartime history, hotpot and a day trip to the Dazu Rock Carvings or Wulong.
Eating and Drinking in Chongqing: Hotpot, Noodles and Street Food
A food guide to Chongqing: how hotpot works, how to handle the spice, what to order for breakfast, noodles, snacks and drinks, and how to eat well as a visitor.
Day Trips from Chongqing: Dazu, Wulong, Fengdu and Beyond
The best day trips from Chongqing: Dazu Rock Carvings, Wulong Karst, Fairy Mountain, Fengdu Ghost City, Jinfo Mountain, Wansheng and the 816 nuclear plant, with travel times and how to choose.
Best Time to Visit Chongqing: Weather, Seasons and Festivals
When to visit Chongqing: spring and autumn weather, hot humid summers, foggy winters, holiday crowds and tips for each season.
