Chongqing is like a real-life cyberpunk city—skyscrapers punching through fog, streets stacked on hills, and neon reflecting off the Yangtze river. Don’t miss Hongya Cave at night, the skyline cable cars crossing river, or the pandas at Chongqing Zoo.
Now, food: the hotpot here is legendary (RIP your spice tolerance), and street eats like spicy noodles or grilled skewers will have your taste buds on a rollercoaster. Just don’t trust a restaurant without a line of locals outside!
Getting To & Around Chongqing
If you're heading Chongqing, you'll land at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) - 21 km north of downtown. CKG connects to most big cities in China and some international spots like Tokyo, Bangkok and even Los Angeles. The new T3B terminal (opening soon) has these weird little monorail pods that zip between gates—feels like a low-budget sci-fi movie.
If you land on a red-eye flight, book a hotel nearby—many offer shuttles.
| Hotel Name | Distance from Airport (CKG) | Shuttle Service Info |
| Holiday Inn Chongqing North | 2 miles from Jiangbei Airport (CKG) | Free shuttle service available. Breakfast included. |
| Chongqing Marriott Hotel | 10 miles from Jiangbei Airport (CKG) | Airport shuttle service, available on request. Pre-booking required. |
See more hotels near Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) for your best stay!
From the airport, the metro Line 10 whisks you downtown in ~30 mins, or grab a taxi to go straight into the city’s maze of hills and neon-lit skyscrapers.
Once there, Chongqing’s metro is the best way to get around—its Line 2 even slices through an apartment building at Liziba Station, turning commutes into viral TikTok moments. For short hops, try the retro Yangtze River Cable Car or embrace the chaos of a shared scooter ride—just don’t trust Google Maps here; the 8D terrain laughs at directions.
Hongya Cave area
Where to Stay in Chongqing
Jiefangbei - This is the Times Square of Chongqing. Bright lights, insane crowds, and a hotpot joint on every corner. But don’t expect to sleep much - the city never really shuts down here.
Hongya Cave area - Yeah, it’s touristy as hell, but there’s a reason everyone takes that same Ins shot. Stay here if you want to roll out of bed straight into that riverside view. Just be ready to elbow through crowds after dark.
Nan’an (South Bank) - My personal pick for a good balance. You get killer skyline views looking back at downtown, way fewer tourists, and some legit local eats that haven’t been ruined yet. The 10-minute cab ride to central is worth it.
Shapingba - Where all the uni students hang. Think cheaper food, more dive bars, and that youthful energy. Not as polished, but way more character than the business districts.
The Yangtze cable car
Top Things to Do in City Chongqing
Chongqing is a city where skyscrapers grow out of mountains, rivers slice through downtown, and you'll swear the metro system was designed by M.C. Escher.
- Hongya Cave looks like a fantasy movie set after dark, with its tiered wooden houses glowing gold above the Jialing River. Come for the Instagram shots, stay for the street vendors slinging spicy grilled squid on sticks. Just don't expect personal space - this place packs in crowds like a rush-hour subway.
- The Yangtze cable car - The OG way to cross the Yangtze before all those fancy bridges were built. These old-school gondolas rattle across the river giving you front-row seats to Chongqing’s skyline circus. Best ¥20 you’ll spend – just don’t expect AC or personal space.
- The Three Natural Bridges – This is where China’s karst landscape goes full dramatic mode. These limestone arches look like something out of Avatar, with waterfalls cascading down the cliffs. Take the elevator down into the gorge if you want that "tiny human in a giant world" feeling.
The Three Natural Bridges
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