Chongqing

China’s Mountain City on the Yangtze

Chongqing stands out as a major city in southwestern China along the Yangtze River. It features steep hills, vibrant neighborhoods and a busy port that connects inland regions to waterways. The city has rapid transit lines that move large numbers of people efficiently through its streets. Local food includes spicy hotpot and dishes influenced by Sichuan flavors. Chongqing’s mix of modern development and historic sites creates an urban environment where old traditions meet new technology in daily life.

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City in China

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.8

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	6

Read details

2/5

English is not widely spoken, except in major hotels and tourist areas. It’s helpful to use translation apps or learn a few basic Mandarin phrases for a smoother experience.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Chongqing Summary

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Strong in dramatic cityscapes and spicy cuisine. Ride cable cars over rivers, explore mountain streets, enjoy hotpot restaurants and see glowing night skylines.

Place score

7.5

Best at:

Local cuisine

Street food

Large cities

Rivers

Fine dining

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

💻 8

Digital Nomads

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

China – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type I Type A: Type I: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) £1 ≈ CN¥8.88
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in China, particularly in urban areas. Mobile payment services like Alipay and WeChat Pay are commonly used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in China and is not expected, although it may be appreciated in high-end restaurants or by hotel staff for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in many places in China, but it is common in restaurants and bars.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, such as restaurants and public transport, but enforcement can vary.

Chinese New Year (January/February)	Major holiday with family gatherings and public celebrations
National Day (1 October)	National holiday with parades and festivities

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 120 (Ambulance), 119 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	DiDi, Uber
Other:	China is known for its vast cultural heritage, including historical landmarks like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army. It offers diverse landscapes ranging from mountains to beaches.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Chongqing, China

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	April - May, Oct.
Shoulder season:	March, June - Sep., Nov.
Crowdedness:	9 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Golden Week (1 to 7 October): extremely crowded, book hotels and train tickets well ahead

July and August: temperatures regularly above 38°C, outdoor sightseeing best early morning or evening

Yangtze River cruises from Chongqing are best in spring and autumn, fewer sailings in winter

Don't miss

🏮 Explore vibrant Hongya Cave, especially at night
🏘️ Stroll through historic Ciqikou Ancient Town
⛰️ Admire panoramic city views from Nanshan Mountain
🚡 Take a cable car over the Yangtze River
🏛️ Visit the impressive Three Gorges Museum
🐼 See giant pandas at Chongqing Zoo’s panda enclosure

You've been here?

Why travel to Chongqing?

Chongqing is a fascinating blend of ancient culture and modern innovation. The city offers incredible hotpot dining experiences, a vibrant nightscape and unique sights like the cliffside Hongya Cave. Its proximity to the Yangtze River also makes it a gateway to breathtaking river cruises through the iconic Three Gorges. While the city's steep hills and humidity might be challenging, its charm makes every step worth it.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Three Gorges Museum
2 Chongqing Zoo
3 Yangtze River Cableway
4 Chongqing Grand Theatre
5 Ciqikou Ancient Town
6 Green water drops from the Hongya Cave

🎡Places for activities

1 Liziba
2 Raffles City Chongqing
3 Hong Ya Dong
4 Grand Theater

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Three Gorges Museum
2 Furong
3 South Mountain

🎈Events

Chongqing International Hotpot Festival
Chongqing Beer Festival
Three Gorges Cultural Festival
Chongqing Night Market Festival
Yunyang Dragon Boat Festival
Spring Lantern Festival
Wushan International Red Leaf Festival
Southwest Book Fair
Chongqing International Marathon
Chongqing Shopping Festival

Explore on map

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Knowledge before you go

Download translation app; English signs scarce in daily life.
Try Chongqing hotpot cautiously – extremely spicy; request mild version for first-timers.
Use metro Line 2 for skyline views; ride through mountains between stations.
Visit Hongya Cave at dusk when lights activate, revealing stunning 11-story cliffside architecture.

How to travel to Chongqing

Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) connects with many domestic and international destinations. The city is also a major hub for high-speed trains, offering convenient access to other Chinese cities. Yangtze River cruises often start or end here.

Access summary

From Jiangbei Airport (CKG): Metro Line 3/10 or taxi, about 35–60 minutes.
From Chengdu: High-speed trains typically 1–2.5 hours.
From Shanghai: Direct flights usually around 2.5–3.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Chongqing

Chongqing offers a wide range of accommodations, from luxury hotels near Jiefangbei to budget-friendly options in Ciqikou. International hotel chains are present and many hotels provide stunning river or skyline views.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

GLENVIE ITC PLAZA CHONGQING

9.4

Somerset Yangtze River Chongqing

9.1

Ascott Raffles City Chongqing

9.6

Hilton Chongqing

8.5

Marriott Executive Apartments Chongqing

9.5

The Westin Chongqing Liberation Square

9.3

Walling Hotel - Chongqing Hongyadong Binjiang Road

9.4

SEYA Panoramic Hotel - Chongqing Raffles Plaza Jiefangbei (Managed by SEYA GROUP)

9.5

JW Marriott Hotel Chongqing

9.0

Kempinski Hotel Chongqing

8.8

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Chongqing

Chongqing has an extensive metro system with signs in English, making it easy to navigate. Taxis and buses are widely available and the Yangtze River Cableway offers a scenic way to cross the river. The city is quite hilly, so be prepared for lots of steps and inclines.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-73 %

Daily expenses in Chongqing are around 73% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-1 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CNY) is 1% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£24	£52	£136
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£11	£30	£75
🍝 Food per day	£11	£19	£55
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£3	£6

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£8
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.20
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.80
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.10
☕ Cappuccino	£1.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.85

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.22
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£3.40
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.85

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£4.30
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£45
🤧 Cold medication	£6
💇 Basic haircut	£5.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Chongqing is generally safe for tourists. Petty crime like pickpocketing can occur in crowded places. Avoid poorly lit areas at night and be cautious when using ATMs.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities in Chongqing are good, with several international clinics. Air quality can sometimes be an issue, especially for those with respiratory problems. Bottled water is recommended.

Accessibility

The metro and many modern attractions are accessible, but the city's hilly terrain can be challenging. Many older areas like Ciqikou have steps and uneven paths.

Tap water

Tap water in Chongqing is not safe to drink. Stick to bottled or boiled water and avoid ice in drinks unless you know it’s from purified water.