Chongqing (pronounced chong ching) is a place that feels alive the moment you arrive. It rises from steep hillsides and meets two powerful rivers creating a skyline that changes as you move through the city. Even though it is one of the largest cities in China it still feels warm friendly and full of small everyday moments that make travel special. You will see it in the street food stalls, the endless escalators, the smoky hotpot restaurants and the way people move through narrow lanes and high rise neighbourhoods. Chongqing is busy bold and unforgettable and it invites you to dive into its unique rhythm.
What Makes Chongqing So Special?
Chongqing blends wild landscapes rich culture and a strong sense of local pride, creating a travel experience that is both exciting and grounding. The entire city sits on mountainous terrain, which means every turn leads to a new viewpoint a hidden staircase or a quiet corner looking over the river. It is a place where modern towers stand beside old districts and where traditional food stalls glow beside busy night markets.
Travellers love Chongqing for its epic hotpot, its dramatic night views, its easy transport links and its close connection to places like Wulong Furong Fenghuang and the Zhangjiajie region. Even simple walks through the city streets become memorable because the scenery is always changing.
The name Chongqing is often translated as Double Celebration which dates back to the Song Dynasty. As you explore you will see touches of this history in old temples, red lantern streets, riverfront paths and restored heritage districts. The mix of ancient stories and modern design creates a city that feels both historic and fresh at the same time.
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Our Experience in Chongqing
We came to Chongqing for one purpose and that was to see Hongya Cave at night. It is all over Instagram and for once the photos online were a true reflection of the real thing. Nothing felt exaggerated. It was exactly as dramatic and breathtaking as we hoped.
Be prepared for crowds, and I mean crowds like you have never known before. This area draws thousands every night and the moment you arrive the noise and energy hits you. Only this part of the city feels this intense yet when you finally see Hongya Cave glowing against the cliff you understand why. The levels the lights the scale and the atmosphere are mind blowing.
You will need a full night to explore the whole area because it is much bigger than it looks online. There are bridges viewing decks alleyways escalators and platforms stacked across multiple stories and every level gives you a new viewpoint. At times it feels like stepping into a movie scene because everything lights up in every direction.
If you do only one thing in Chongqing make it this. Hongya Cave at night is unforgettable.
⭐ Best Things to Do in Chongqing
Hongya Cave at Night
- This is the star attraction. The cliffside district lights up with layers of neon and warm lanterns that glow against the river. The atmosphere is wild yet magical.
Tohu Tip: A traveller we met in Furong told us to head to Jiangbeizui Riverbank Park on the opposite side of the bridge and start filming at 6.30 pm in winter. You catch the exact moment the lights turn on and the view is unreal. Then walk back across the bridge into the glowing madness of Hongya Cave.
Explore the Multi-Level Streets
- The pathways around Hongya Cave rise and fall across stacked layers of alleys bridges tunnels and glowing platforms. Every turn takes you somewhere new. One moment you are in a crowded food lane the next you are on a quiet balcony with river views. Each level has its own energy with lanterns markets performers and lookout points tucked into unexpected corners. You can wander for hours and never see the same scene twice which is what makes this area so unforgettable.
Try Local Chongqing Food
- Chongqing is known for its fiery hotpot and you can smell it the moment you step onto the streets. Aromatic spices drift from every corner and restaurants stay busy late into the night. If you love bold spicy flavours this is the place to dive in.
See the Train Through the Building
- One of Chongqing’s most iconic sights is the monorail that runs straight through a residential building. It sits well outside the city centre so you will need a Didi or a tour to reach it. Friends of ours went and said it was definitely worth the trip. We caught sight of it on our way to the train station.
🛏️ Where to Stay in Chongqing
We stayed at Beichen Riverside Hotel which was ideal for one night. It was cheap, easy to find and the location was perfect for exploring Hongya Cave. The walls were thin though so we would not stay long. For most travellers two to three nights is a great amount of time to see the city at a relaxed pace.
Choose accommodation close to the Hongya Cave area if you want easy access to night views and food.
When it comes to finding the right place to stay, we usually start with Trip.com— it’s easy to use and covers everything from budget motels to boutique stays and self-contained options. We also like to check Tripadvisor for reviews and side-by-side comparisons and Booking.com is a handy tool for comparing prices across multiple platforms. Between them, you’ll get a clear picture of what’s available and what might suit your travel style best.
🚖 Getting To and Around Chongqing
Didi was the easiest way to get around.
- Chongqing North Station → Hongya Cave entrance hotel: 32 yuan
- Hotel → Chongqing West Station: 29 yuan
When you arrive at any train station follow the signs that say Car Hailing. We never knew which gate to pick so we chose any gate, walked outside, and booked our Didi.
Tohu Tip:
Take a photo of yourself under the gate sign and send it to your driver. It makes pickup fast and stress free.
Travel time from either station to the Hongya Cave area is 30 to 50 minutes.
💡 Helpful Travel Tips for Chongqing
- Expect huge crowds at Hongya Cave especially at night
- Give yourself a full night to explore
- Head to Jiangbeizui Riverbank Park at 6.30 pm in winter for the light switch moment
- Streets stay lively until 11 pm and even later
- One night is enough for some travellers yet two to three nights gives you more freedom
- The train that goes through the building is far from the city centre so plan ahead
🧭 How Long to Stay in Chongqing
We stayed one night which suited our travel style yet we both agreed that two to three nights would be ideal for travellers who want to explore museums, temples, food streets and the riverfront. They also have a great selection of day trips you can take from Chongqing.
⭐Final Thoughts
Chongqing surprised us in every way. It is bold bright and unforgettable with energy that never slows down. From the cliffside glow of Hongya Cave to the multi level streets and the spicy local food it is a city that stays with you long after you leave.
⭐ Five Interesting Facts About Chongqing
- China’s Mountain City
- Chongqing is built on steep hills which is why locals call it the Mountain City. Stairs escalators and layered streets are part of everyday life.
- Home of the Spiciest Hotpot
- Chongqing is known for having the spiciest hotpot in China thanks to its heavy use of chilli and Sichuan peppercorns. The flavour is bold and unforgettable.
- A City of Fog
- Chongqing is famous for its misty weather and is often called Fog City. Low clouds roll through the valleys giving the skyline a dramatic look.
- The Train Through the Building
- The city’s monorail passes directly through a residential building, a design made to work with Chongqing’s extreme terrain. It is one of the most photographed spots in the region.
- One of the Biggest Cities in the World
- Chongqing covers a massive area and is often listed as one of the largest cities on the planet by population and land size. The city’s scale is far bigger than it appears on a map.
🔗 More China Travel Guides
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🌍 Travel Planning Resources
These are the tools we personally use and trust when planning our travels from finding a place to stay to booking activities, transport and insurance. Let your Tohu guide you — Trust the Journey and follow what feels right for you.
- ✈️Flights – Compare great deals with Trip.com then Kiwi.com for flexible, affordable options.
- 🚐 Campervans – Compare rental deals with Motorhome Republic across Aotearoa and beyond.
- 🛏️ Stays – Compare hotels on Trip.com and TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
- 🚐 Rental Cars – Compare prices and book through Airport Rentals by Motorhome Republic for trusted brands and easy airport pickup.
- 🎟️ Activities – Browse tours and experiences on Viator, Get Your Guide, or TripAdvisor
- 🚆12Go Asia – Compare and book trains, buses, and ferries across Asia in one place with 12Go.
- 🛡️ Travel Insurance – Get flexible short-term coverage with Insubuy for your next holiday.
- 🔒 Protect Your Privacy with a VPN – We recommend Surfshark VPN for secure and private browsing while travelling. It’s fast, affordable and works worldwide — perfect for public Wi-Fi at airports, cafes and hotels.
- 📱 Travel eSIM – Stay connected with Airalo
- 💼 Lounge Access – Treat yourself with Priority Pass – for UK or US
- 🎶 Events & Concerts – Book tickets worldwide through Ticketmaster.
🧭 Note: Some booking links can be a bit shy when you’re using a VPN. If one doesn’t open, try pausing your VPN or switching to a different server location or secure Wi-Fi network to get things flowing again.
“The best journeys are the ones where you arrive with no expectations and leave with your heart full.”