Chongqing Travel Guide: Your Complete Guide to China's Mountain City

Chongqing: The Mountain City of Magic

Chongqing is a special city—one I’ve visited five times, one where I plan to live for a year, and one I both love and fear.

Why is Chongqing so special? Located in western China, the city and its surrounding districts are built among mountains. Skyscrapers intertwine with stairways and tiered roads that form a maze-like pattern. Despite this challenging terrain, Chongqing stands as the only municipality directly under the central government in western China.

At the heart of Chongqing flows the Yangtze River. Here, it meets the Jialing River, shaping the city’s distinctive landscape and role as a major transportation hub. The embrace of the two rivers gives Chongqing its grand, flowing spirit. Rivers such as the Wu River and Fu River also converge within the municipality, creating a dense water network that nourishes both its ecology and culture.

First Impressions

I first visited Chongqing in 2016—more than nine years ago now. My first stop was Jiefangbei, the city’s landmark. Standing before the monument and looking up, I was surrounded by bustling crowds and layers of high-rises, as if at the center of a three-dimensional labyrinth.

On the second day, I visited the Wulong Karst. Its tiankengs and fissures are among the filming locations for Transformers and other movies. It was my first time seeing a sinkhole—truly awe-inspiring.

Second Visit

On my second trip in 2017, I stayed a bit longer. The first stop was the now-famous Hongya Cave. Back then, it was only mildly popular. Its resemblance to scenes from Spirited Away later made it go viral.

Next was Liziba, where the light rail runs straight through a residential building. Watching the train roar through the structure felt like stepping into a sci-fi movie come to life. It struck me then: this is not just a transportation marvel, but a testament to how Chongqing’s people create infinite possibilities within limited space.

Then came the Crown Escalator—the longest of its kind in China and the second longest in Asia. It stretches 112 meters with a vertical rise of 52.7 meters, equivalent to an 18-story building. Every day, tens of thousands of passengers ride it. Truly astonishing.

From a riverside lookout, I admired Chongqing’s famous “8D” cityscape. The reputation isn’t exaggerated—drivers often make over a dozen consecutive right turns just to reach the riverbank. You’ll even find forks inside tunnels, rare elsewhere but common here. That’s partly why I both love and fear this city: its roads are thrilling yet chaotic. Even as an experienced driver, I’d tread carefully.

The City’s Changing Face

I also visited Ciqikou and Chaotianmen. It was my first time at Chaotianmen, before Raffles City was completed. Today, the area has been reborn—Raffles City rises at the confluence like a giant ship, magnificent and commanding.

Hotpot: The Soul of Chongqing

Hotpot originated in Chongqing, first as a way for dockworkers to stay warm in winter—boiling offal in spicy broth to fight the cold. Over time, it evolved into a beloved culinary tradition. The numbing heat and rich aroma reflect the bold, straightforward character of the Bayu people. From street stalls to major chains, hotpot has become more than just food—it’s a cultural symbol that connects emotions and preserves memories.

Because Chongqing’s location made it a vital waterway in the west, Chaotianmen became especially important. It’s also where hotpot culture began. The city’s steep, mountainous terrain left little flat land, making transportation laborious in the past. So the “Bangbang Army” emerged—porters who carried goods with bamboo poles, sustaining families and keeping the city running.

The Spirit of the Bangbang

The Bangbang deserve deep respect. With their shoulders, they bore the weight of life—and lifted the city’s economy. The story of Ran Guanghui moved countless people, but many more unnamed Bangbang silently climbed the endless steps. Today, machines have replaced much of that labor; only a few remain. One day, the profession may disappear, but its spirit will endure.

Beyond the Main City

So far, I’ve mostly described the main urban area. But Chongqing is vast. In early 2025, while living in Enshi, I visited Chongqing three more times, traveling through the eastern corridor—Wanzhou, Yunyang, Fengjie, Wushan, and Wuxi—and witnessing the grandeur and transformation of the Three Gorges region.

Chongqing has 38 districts and counties. I’ve visited fewer than half, so I plan to live there for a year and explore them all. I’ll update my blog as I go—hope you’ll enjoy following the journey.

Final Thoughts

Chongqing is a city of magic—complex, powerful, and unforgettable. It’s a place that challenges you and charms you at the same time. For those who love adventure, few cities in China are as fascinating to explore.