Reviving the Old Soul with Modern Beats in Chongqing
Chongqing is a city of layers, where echoes of history blend seamlessly with the hum of modern life. As visitors wander through narrow, lantern-lit streets, they can feel the traditions etched into every corner, while towering skyscrapers and sleek architectural marvels soar above, reflecting the city’s unstoppable energy.
Here, the rhythm of daily life intertwines with cultural celebrations, street sounds, and vibrant nightlife, creating a living tapestry that is at once timeless and contemporary. Exploring Chongqing feels like stepping into a story that is constantly unfolding, where every turn reveals a fresh perspective on a city that honors its past while racing toward the future.
A Tapestry of History and Culture
Travel Tips: Carry some cash for smaller vendors, keep a translation app handy for easier communication in local neighborhoods, and bring a water bottle, as exploring Chongqing often involves long walks and steep stair climbs.
Chongqing’s historical quarters unveil a rich tapestry woven from centuries of migration, trade, and riverside life. From steep stone stairways and timeworn facades to ornate guild halls and lively old streets, these heritage districts offer a rare glimpse into the city’s layered past. As traditional architecture meets modern cultural revival, visitors are invited to wander through living history, where stories of resilience, craftsmanship, and everyday life continue to unfold at every turn.
CHONGQING SHIBATI
One of Chongqing’s most iconic historical neighborhoods, historically serving as a vital link between the city’s upper and lower districts via its steep stone stairways. Today, it harmoniously blends restored traditional architecture with modern cultural spaces, allowing visitors to step back in time while enjoying contemporary arts and lifestyle offerings. Heritage buildings, quaint tea houses, colorful street art, and local studios line the winding alleys, creating an atmosphere where the past and present coexist. Walking through Shibati feels like moving through a living museum, where the echoes of history resonate around every corner.
Address: Eighteen Stairs (Shibati), Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
LONGMENHAO
A revitalized riverside heritage district located at the meeting point of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, known for its historic colonial-era buildings and layered waterfront views. Once a foreign concession area, it has been transformed into a charming cultural and lifestyle hub with boutique cafes, art spaces, and scenic promenades. It offers a quieter, more refined atmosphere while still preserving its nostalgic character and panoramic river scenery.
Address: Longmenhao, Nan’an District, Chongqing, China
CIQIKOU ANCIENT TOWN
A beautifully preserved enclave dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, this town is renowned for its old stone streets, bamboo-style architecture, and vibrant local culture. Once a bustling trading port along the Jialing River, it now charms visitors with teahouses, street-side snacks, traditional craft shops, and lively folk performances. Its winding alleys and lively squares offer a sensory journey through historic Chongqing life, providing an authentic glimpse of the city’s heritage while preserving the warmth and energy of its past.
Address: Shapingba District, Chongqing, China
CIQIKOU ANCIENT TOWN LONGMENHAO CIQIKOU ANCIENT TOWN A HISTORIC RIVERSIDE ENCLAVE WHERE MINGQING ARCHITECTURE, TRADITIONAL TEAHOUSES, AND LIVELY ARTISAN STREETS CAPTURE THE TIMELESS CHARM OF OLD CHONGQING.
HUGUANG GUILD HALL
An important cultural and historical complex built during the Qing Dynasty by migrants from Hunan, Hubei, Guangdong, and Guangxi. The site consists of beautifully preserved wooden architecture, elaborate carvings, and traditional opera stages, reflecting the social and cultural life of merchant communities in old Chongqing. It stands today as a remarkable example of immigrant heritage and classical Chinese craftsmanship.
Address: Xiahongxue Lane, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
Open: Daily 9.00 – 18.00
Price: Start from 160 CNY/Person
XIAHAOLI OLD STREET
Xiahaoli Old Street offers a more intimate glimpse into Chongqing’s everyday history, where visitors can stroll past restored façades, sample authentic local snacks, and browse through small artisanal shops. The street retains much of its original charm, making it feel like a living museum where layers of time coexist, and where every corner reveals stories of Chongqing’s enduring heritage through its architecture, food, and daily life.
Address: Mishi Street, Xiahao Community, Nan’an District, Chongqing, China
Public Transport: Riding the Chongqing Metro or taking a ferry along the Yangtze River gives visitors insight into how locals navigate the city, especially with its famous hilly terrain and riverside neighborhoods.
Convenience Is Back: In 2026, Thai Airways International will resume daily flights on key China routes, including Xiamen, Chongqing, and Changsha, while launching new services to Wuhan and Shenzhen. The airline will also increase flight frequencies on existing China destinations to accommodate growing passenger demand and further enhance connectivity between Thailand, China, and onward destinations around the world.
MODERN LANDMARKS AND URBAN WONDERS
Chongqing’s skyline is a striking testament to its rapid urban growth, where innovative architecture meets vibrant city life. Towering skyscrapers, bustling commercial centers, and illuminated riverside districts create a dynamic blend of modernity and tradition. From soaring high-rises to multi-level riverside complexes, the city offers a captivating experience of contemporary urban culture while reflecting its unique topography and rich heritage.
JIEFANGBEI
At the bustling heart of Chongqing, Jiefangbei serves as a vibrant commercial and cultural hub anchored by the iconic Liberation Monument. The area is lined with towering skyscrapers, expansive shopping malls, and a maze of lively streets where global brands, local boutiques, and street vendors coexist. Cafés, restaurants, and nightlife spots draw both locals and visitors, making it a central gathering place for dining, socializing, and entertainment. During the day, shoppers and office workers create a dynamic, fastpaced atmosphere, while at night, the district transforms as neon lights illuminate the streets, outdoor performers entertain passersby, and the city’s skyline shimmers along the riverside. Rich in both contemporary energy and urban charm, Jiefangbei embodies Chongqing’s cosmopolitan spirit while remaining a hub where the pulse of daily life can be truly felt.
Address: Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
JIEFANGBEI CHONGQING’S MOST VIBRANT DOWNTOWN HUB, JIEFANGBEI CENTERS ON THE ICONIC LIBERATION MONUMENT AND PULSES WITH SKYSCRAPERS, SHOPPING, DINING, AND NONSTOP URBAN ENERGY.
Raffles City Chongqing: A striking architectural icon at the confluence of two rivers, featuring futuristic towers, a skybridge observatory, and a vibrant mix of shopping, dining, and urban leisure.
RAFFLES CITY CHONGQING
Raffles City Chongqing is an architectural marvel that seamlessly blends innovation and functionality, highlighted by its striking “horizontal skyscraper” design that connects several high-rise towers. The mixed-use complex features luxury hotels, retail spaces, office areas, and sky bridges offering panoramic city views. Its bold design and futuristic aesthetic make it a standout example of Chongqing’s rapid urban transformation.
Address: No. 8 Jiesheng Avenue, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
Open: Daily 10.00 – 22.00
Price: Start from 120 CNY/Person
HONGYADONG
A unique riverside district famous for its stilted architecture cascading along the cliffs above the Jialing River. By day, visitors can explore traditional shops and eateries tucked within its multi-level structures, while at night, the district transforms into a dazzling spectacle of lanterns and neon lights. It perfectly captures the blend of Chongqing’s historical charm with its vibrant contemporary culture.
Address: Jialingjiangbinjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
EXPERIENCING THE CITY LIKE A LOCAL
To truly understand Chongqing, it helps to step off the typical tourist path and immerse yourself in the daily rhythms of the city. From soaring above its rivers and hills to savoring fiery local dishes, sipping tea in centuries-old tea houses, and wandering lively riverside promenades, these experiences offer a glimpse into how locals live, work, and unwind.
Exploring the city this way reveals Chongqing’s character not just through its landmarks, but through its flavors, routines, and vibrant urban life.
TRY YANGTZE RIVER CABLEWAY
Gliding high above the Yangtze River, the cable cars provide a striking vantage point over Chongqing’s dramatic urban landscape, connecting the city’s steep hills and riverside districts in a way that is both practical and scenic. While locals use them as a convenient daily mode of transport, for visitors the ride is a visual feast: sweeping panoramas of towering skyscrapers, winding streets, and the bustling river traffic unfold beneath, highlighting the city’s unique topography. Each journey offers a blend of efficiency and spectacle, allowing travelers to see Chongqing from an elevated perspective while sharing in the rhythm of everyday local life.
YANGTZE RIVER CABLEWAY A THRILLING AERIAL RIDE OFFERING SWEEPING VIEWS OF THE CITY’S DRAMATIC SKYLINE AND THE MAJESTIC YANGTZE RIVER, BLENDING ADVENTURE WITH ICONIC URBAN SCENERY.
SAVORING CHONGQING’S CULINARY CULTURE
No visit to Chongqing is complete without diving into its legendary culinary scene, where bold flavors and aromatic spices dominate every dish. The city, famous as the birthplace of Sichuan hotpot, invites diners to gather around bubbling pots of fiery broth, adding fresh meats, vegetables, and noodles in a social and interactive experience. Beyond hotpot, street vendors and family-run eateries serve Xiaomian (spicy noodles), Chongqing grilled fish, Maoxuewang (duck blood and tofu stew), and Fluffy baozi (steamed buns), each dish telling a story of local tradition and ingenuity. Eating in Chongqing is not merely a meal—it’s an immersive cultural ritual, offering a taste of the city’s energy, boldness, and enduring culinary heritage.
SHOPPING CHONGQING’S SIGNATURE SOUVENIRS
Exploring Chongqing’s markets and boutique shops is a feast for the senses, offering everything from traditional handicrafts to contemporary keepsakes. Must buy items include intricate paper cuttings, embroidered textiles, clay figurines, and local artwork that showcase the city’s rich cultural heritage. For edible souvenirs, travelers should not miss Sichuan pickled peppers (Paojiao), spicy preserved snacks, high-quality local tea leaves, and handcrafted chocolates infused with Sichuan flavors. Strolling through these vibrant shopping areas allows visitors to connect with local artisans, discover unique treasures, and bring home tangible memories of Chongqing’s history, creativity, and culinary traditions.
ENJOY NIGHTLIFE AT RIVERSIDE PROMENADES
As evening falls, Chongqing’s riverside promenades come alive with a mix of energy and charm. Strolling along Nanbin Road or similar waterfront areas, visitors encounter glowing bridges, street performers, and families enjoying evening outings, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere. Food stalls, music, and neon reflections on the water add layers of sensory delight, while the city’s dramatic skyline and river vistas provide a cinematic backdrop. Experiencing these promenades after dark offers insight into Chongqing’s vibrant social life, where tradition and modernity coexist, and the city’s spirit shines brightest under the night lights.
WHERE TO STAY
CHONGQING JINCHUAN HOTEL
Chongqing Jinchuan Hotel combines practical convenience with modern comfort in a central location, offering easy access to popular attractions and business districts. The well-appointed rooms feature contemporary furnishings, ergonomic workspaces, and thoughtful amenities designed for both short and extended stays. Guests can enjoy on-site dining that showcases local and international flavors, along with cozy lounges perfect for socializing or relaxing after a day of exploration. Additional facilities include a fitness center, meeting spaces, and attentive 24-hour service, providing travelers with a seamless balance of comfort, accessibility, and personalized hospitality while immersing themselves in the energy of Chongqing.
Address: 145 Jinfo Avenue, Nancheng Sub District Office, Nanchuan District, Chongqing, China
Tel: +86 156 8323 4466
Website: jinchuan.hotelsinchongqing.com
JW MARRIOTT HOTEL CHONGQING
JW Marriott Hotel Chongqing impresses with its sleek, modern architecture and exceptional hospitality, ideal for both leisure and business travelers. Spacious rooms and suites feature contemporary décor, panoramic city or river views, and premium amenities such as Nespresso machines, rainfall showers, and plush bedding. Dining options range from international cuisine to local specialties, complemented by elegant lounges. Guests can relax at the rooftop pool, fitness center, or luxurious spa. Its central location provides easy access to shopping districts, cultural landmarks, and riverside promenades, making it a refined base for exploring the city.
Address: 235 Minsheng Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
Tel: +86 23 6379 9999
Website: www.marriott.com.cn/hotels/ckgjwjw-marriott-hotel-chongqing/
CONRAD CHONGQING
A luxurious retreat in the heart of Chongqing, combining contemporary elegance with impeccable service. Spacious guest rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Yangtze River or city skyline, along with premium amenities such as Nespresso machines, rainfall showers, and plush bedding. Dining ranges from refined international cuisine to local specialties, complemented by stylish lounges and bars. Guests can unwind at the rooftop pool, fitness center, or full-service spa. Its riverside location offers easy access to shopping, cultural landmarks, and entertainment, making it an ideal base for both leisure and business travelers.
Address: 36 Nanping W Road, Sigongli, Nan’An District, Chongqing, China
Tel: +86 23 6289 8888
Website: www.hilton.com/en/hotels/ckgciciconrad-chongqing
Chongqing pulses with endless energy, where ancient streets resonate with modern rhythms and tradition seamlessly blends with innovation. From winding historic alleys to soaring futuristic skyscrapers, from fiery local cuisine to tranquil riverside vistas, the city invites exploration at every turn. It is a place that sparks curiosity, fuels adventure, and leaves travelers with unforgettable memories.