📜 Introduction.
Halfway through my 1-month trip in China, I reached Chongqing, the cyberpunk city, one of the country’s most futuristic and surprising cities. Often called the 3D city, Chongqing rises vertically on different layers, chaotic yet fascinating, and full of history.
Impressively built on steep hills and crossed by the Yangtze River, this metropolis blends past and future in a way unlike anywhere else.
In this 4-day itinerary in Chongqing, I’ll share with you what to see, where to stay, what to eat, and my best travel tips to fully experience the cyberpunk city of China.
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Day 1: Arrival in Chongqing and First Impressions.
Right after leaving Chengdu, I reached Chongqing in about 1.5 hours by high-speed train. Getting to my hotel using public transport was an adventure itself. Chongqing is literally a vertical labyrinth of stairs, bridges, and elevators. I wandered around for over 30 minutes trying to find my hotel, which was only 5 minutes from the metro!
Once I finally checked in, exhaustion hit me. I just had a long shower and went straight to bed. But if you still have energies, head to Raffles City, an impressive complex of connected skyscrapers filled with shops, restaurants, and rooftop views.
- h 19.08 – Train from Chengdudong (East) to Chongqingxi (West)
- h 20.45 – Arrival in Chongqing
- h 22.00 – Visit to Raffles City
Day 2: Multi-Layers City Tour
For the second day, I had booked a free walking tour on GuruWalk.com. However, the guide cancelled last minute, so I explored the city on my own.
Using Amap app, I started at Arhat Temple, a peaceful Buddhist pagoda hidden among the skyscrapers. From there, I walked to Hongyadong, a famous wooden complex built on cliffs, and then to Jiefangbei Square, and People’s Liberation Monument.
Then I headed up to the surreal Kuixinglou Square, located on the 22nd floor of a building! After lunch, I strolled around Baixiang Street and Shancheng Alley, charming old lanes full of local shops and traditional vibes. A contrast between past and future.
At sunset, I boarded a Yangtze River cruise from Hongyadong Pier. Seeing Chongqing’s skyline light up from the water was pure magic and a must-do experience in the city. On the ferry, there’s a restaurant where you can buy food, but I had already brought my own dinner and enjoyed it peacefully on deck.
- h 08.30 – Visit to Arhat Temple, Hongyadong, Jiefangbei Square, People’s Liberation Monument and Kuixinglou Square
- h 13.30 – Lunch
- h 14.30 – Exploring Baixiang Street and Shancheng Alley
- h 19.30 – Sunset Cruise on Yangtze River
Day 3: Ciqikou Ancient Town and Chongqing Hot Pot
The third morning was slower. After breakfast, I took the metro to Ciqikou Ancient Town, an old riverside village filled with tea houses, souvenir stalls, and street snacks.
Afterwards, I spent the afternoon relaxing and planning the next leg of my journey in China.
Eventually, dinner was a highlight: the legendary Chongqing Hotpot at Pipayuan Restaurant, one of the largest hot pot restaurants in the world.
- h 09.00 – Day-trip to Ciqikou Ancient Town
- h 21.00 – Hot pot dinner at Pipayuan Restaurant
Day 4: a Train through a Building
Finally, on my last day, I visited two of the most famous places. First, I headed straight at Liziba Station, where the metro literally passes through a residential building. Then, I had a peaceful walk in Eling Park, a green oasis with great city views.
After lunch, I grabbed my stuff and caught my train to Zhangjiajie, ready for a new adventure.
- h 09.00 – Watching the metro passing through Liziba Station Building
- h 10.00 – Walk at Eling Park
- h 13.00 – Lunch
- h 15.07 – Train from Chongqing to Zhangjiajie
🛏️ Where to Stay in Chongqing.
I stayed three nights at the Ashan River View Hotel, a modern hotel in central Chongqing facing Raffles City. Spacious rooms, big breakfast, and a perfect location near the main attractions.
Price was only €123 for 3 nights in a double room with a stunning city view and breakfast included.
🎁Use the refer code below to register on Trip.com to unlock your €10 discount🎁
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🍜 What to Eat in Chongqing.
Chongqing cuisine means one thing: spicy food!
You can’t leave without trying the city’s signature dish: Hot Pot.
I recommend you Pipayuan, one of the world’s largest hotpot restaurants built up on a hill. In fact, it serves up to 10,000 diners a day and can host more than 5,800 customers.
This was one of the most expensive meals of my entire trip in China, yet I only spent €26 for a full hot pot with meat, shrimp, and a few appetizers. After all, I was lucky to find a waiter who spoke good English and explained everything: from how to choose the ingredients to cooking them in the broth and eating with chopsticks.
🎫 Where to Buy Tickets.
Chongqing is like an open-air modern museum. Every place I visited was free to enter and easy to access.
Conversely, the only activity I booked in advance was the Yangtze River sunset cruise. Surprisingly, it cost only €19 via Klook.com (link below). Nevertheless, keep in mind that prices may vary depending on the season and the type of cruise you choose. I went for the evening cruise departing from Hongyadong Pier, and it was absolutely worth it.
Klook.com💡 Travel Tips.
Chongqing, the cyberpunk city, is a real labyrinth. So, my best advice to make sure you don’t miss anything is to book a guided city tour. You can find some free options on GuruWalk.com, or go for paid ones on GetYourGuide, but they can be quite pricey. Below, I’ve listed three of the most affordable tours, and some of them even include lunch at a local restaurant.
To conclude, Chongqing isn’t an easy city to explore, but that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable. Although you might feel overwhelmed and a little lost at times, every corner offers a new perspective.
🎈 Conclusion.
Chongqing is a vertical, dynamic city that surprises you at every corner. Its illuminated skyline reflects on the Yangtze River, the alleys of Ciqikou whisper stories of ancient merchants, and the spicy scent of hotpot fills the air every night.
In just four days, I discovered the cyberpunk city in China: a place where urban chaos turns into raw energy. Walking through its streets means climbing stairs, crossing bridges, and suddenly finding breathtaking views waiting for you.
If you love vibrant cities, dizzying skylines, and a bit of adventure, Chongqing will steal your heart.
💬And you? Do you prefer glittering skylines or ancient villages? Tell me in the comments!
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