Southwest China

Chongqing & the Upper Yangtze

Neon hills, hotpot, wartime history and the start of the Yangtze cruise. Chongqing is China at its most vertical and theatrical.

2Journeys

March–May · September–NovemberBest time

The feeling

A mountain city with a river running through it.

Chongqing is built on hills where two rivers meet, and the city makes the most of the drama. Streets climb, monorails pass through apartment blocks, and at night the skyline turns into a wall of neon reflected in the Yangtze. It is also the gateway to the Three Gorges and a natural pairing with Chengdu.

We use Chongqing for a short, intense city stay: hotpot, the old town, wartime sites and a river view — then either a high-speed train to Chengdu or a downstream Yangtze cruise.

Plan a journey here

Region: Southwest China
Best time: March–May · September–November
Ideal length: 4–10 days
Access: Flight or high-speed rail
Style: Private, tailor-made

All journeys here are private and can be combined with other regions.

Don't miss

The essentials,
and the quieter corners.

Hongya Cave at night

The signature experience — worth planning your route around.

Chongqing hotpot

Best with a specialist guide and time to slow down.

Three Gorges Museum

We weave this in where it fits your interests and the season.

Yangtze River cruise departure

We weave this in where it fits your interests and the season.

Plan it properly

Chongqing without
the guesswork.

When to go

March–MayMild, humidModerate crowds

Best city weather

June–AugustVery hot and humidHigh crowds

Short walks, long dinners

September–NovemberWarm, clearerHigh crowds

Best nights on the river

December–FebruaryCool, damp, foggyLow crowds

Moody and atmospheric

Getting there & around

Airport

Jiangbei International (CKG) is about 30–50 minutes from the centre by metro or road.

High-speed rail

Chongqing North and West connect to Chengdu in about an hour and to Xi'an in four to five hours.

Getting around

The metro is spectacular but hilly; a driver is useful for the old town and cruise terminal.

Where to stay

Jiefangbei First-time convenience

Central, bright and busy; the river views are the reason to be here.

Nan'an / Longmenhao Skyline views

Quieter side of the river, with the classic view back to the city.

Hongya Cave Night atmosphere

Spectacular but crowded; choose a room away from the crowds.

Three ways to shape it

2 days

The vertical city

Old town, river and hotpot.

Hongya Cave
Raffles City and river view
Ciqi Kou old town
Hotpot dinner

3 days

Chongqing and the Yangtze

Add the museum and a short river experience.

Three Gorges Museum
Hongya Cave
Yangtze cable car
Cruise or Chengdu train

5 days

Chongqing and Wulong

City energy plus karst scenery.

Two days in Chongqing
Wulong karst
Fairy Mountain
Return by rail

What to eat

Chongqing hotpot

Beef tallow, chillies and a serious amount of garlic; not for the faint-hearted.

Xiaomian

A bowl of spicy noodles for breakfast — the city's daily ritual.

Jianghu cuisine

Bold, rustic dishes from the river towns; order family-style.

Street skewers

A late-night snack; go where the locals queue.

Practical notes

Chongqing is built on hills; expect stairs and steep streets, and wear proper shoes.
Summer heat is extreme; plan indoor or river activities in the middle of the day.
Hongya Cave is best after dark, but arrive before sunset to avoid the worst crush.
Yangtze cruises leave from Chaotianmen; confirm the terminal and boarding time with the operator.

Combine with