In Chongqing, a variety of experiences sit side by side: sightseeing from the air, museums covering the city’s and region’s history, traditional architecture and hotpot. When planning your trip, it helps to start by choosing the themes that matter to you. Each destination offers a different way to experience the city, without implying a set order for your visit.
Cable cars and distinctive views of trains
The Yangtze River Cableway is a national 4A-rated tourist attraction and offers aerial sightseeing in central Chongqing. It is also a protected cultural heritage site of the city. Getting there is straightforward: the cableway is about 20 metres from Exit 5B of Xiaoshizi Station on Chongqing Rail Transit Lines 1 and 6. This destination is therefore notable both for its views from the air and its status as part of the city’s cultural heritage.
Liziba Station has its own viewing platform, with photo areas, a glass walkway and pedestrian access. The famous sight there is of trains that appear to pass through a building. If you are looking for an unusual view of a train, this offers a different experience from the Yangtze River Cableway. The two places offer distinct ways to experience Chongqing’s transport and cityscape.
City history and cultural sites
The Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum, together with the adjacent Chongqing People’s Square and Chongqing Great Hall of the People, forms an urban cultural complex of particular significance. The museum itself is a comprehensive history and art museum. Its main areas of focus include Bayu culture, Three Gorges culture, wartime culture, migration culture and urban culture. The institution comprises a main museum and four additional sites: the Chongqing Baiheliang Underwater Museum, the Chongqing Soong Ching Ling Memorial Museum, the Tushan Kiln Ruins Site and the Chongqing Three Gorges Cultural Relics Science and Technology Protection Base.
Another way to explore historical themes is to visit Huguang Guild Hall, which has a migration museum and a museum of commemorative plaques open to the public. Ciqikou Ancient Town offers a different focus: it is considered one of the best places to experience traditional Bayu residences, folk customs and local life. Ciqikou was also among the first Chinese historical and cultural districts to be placed under national protection by the State Council. You can reach Ciqikou Ancient Town via Ciqikou Station on Chongqing Rail Transit Line 1.
Jiefangbei is also an important cultural landmark in the city: it is one of Chongqing’s defining landmarks and one of the city’s ten major cultural symbols. If you want to focus on the city’s history and cultural significance, you can distinguish between these sites by their respective themes: Ciqikou represents Bayu residences and folk customs, while the Three Gorges Museum covers a broad range of history and art.
Hongyadong, hotpot and local food
Hongyadong is located where the Yangtze River and Jialing River meet and features Diaojiaolou, Chongqing’s traditional stilt-house architecture. Chongqing hotpot is one of the experiences visitors can enjoy there. The cuisine also has a history: Chongqing hotpot originated in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties (1600–1644) as a simple meal for boatmen and trackers on the banks of the Jialing River and at Chaotianmen Wharf. By trying it, you can discover local food customs; its origins offer another perspective on the dish.
Natural science and trip planning
As a counterpoint to the cultural and historical themes, the Chongqing Natural History Museum offers a focus on natural science. It is a multidisciplinary museum dedicated to research and public education in the natural sciences, and a national 4A-rated tourist attraction. In the new building, six permanent exhibitions highlight themes that explore the relationships between natural resources, the environment and human activity.
Next, compare a hotel’s exact location with the places you want to visit. The Rail Transit connections mentioned above provide a practical basis for planning individual journeys: Xiaoshizi is near the Yangtze River Cableway, and Ciqikou is accessible via the station of the same name on Line 1.
For an overview of the wider trip: Chongqing.
