Western China
4days
Chongqing & Three Gorges
One of the great river journeys in the world, taken at the pace of a river cruise. Chongqing is the city to arrive in, and the Three Gorges are the reason to leave it.
From US$1,150per person
Central China
Chongqing
A municipality of 30 million on the ridges above the Yangtze and the Jialing, with hotpot as a civic institution. It is also where you board the Three Gorges cruise.
The case for going
What this place is actually good for
Hongya Cave and the stilt houses
The old riverside quarter, lit at night and stacked vertically.
Ciqikou old town
A preserved commercial street with a century of trade behind it.
The hotpot
The city’s defining dish, and the social ritual that goes with it.
The Three Gorges cruise
The reason most people come — a working river, not a tour boat.
Dazu Rock Carvings
Some of the finest Buddhist rock sculpture in the world, two hours out.
The Civil Defence Air Raid Shelter
An underground wartime city beneath the Jiangbei district.
Practical
The details that shape the trip
- Language
- Mandarin and Chongqing dialect
- Airport code
- CKG
- Time zone
- UTC+8 (China Standard Time)
- Currency
- All quotes in US dollars (US$)
- Best for
- Food, river cruises, night photography
Climate and season
Humid subtropical, famously foggy. Hot in summer, mild and damp in winter.
Getting there
Chongqing Jiangbei (CKG) has a monorail line straight into the city, which is rare and good. High-speed rail from Chengdu takes about 90 minutes; from Wuhan about 5 hours.
Airport. Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG)
Rail. Chongqing North is the main hub, on metro Line 10.
In pictures
Real scenes from Chongqing
Questions travellers ask
Chongqing basics, answered plainly
How many days do I need in Chongqing?
Two to three in the city — Hongya Cave at night, the cable car, the rail-through-building, and the wartime sites — plus a Dazu day trip if the carvings are on your list. Five if you board a Three Gorges cruise here.
Where should I stay in Chongqing?
Jiefangbei for the central walkable core and the night views, or Nanping on the south bank looking back at the skyline. Both are on the metro from the rail stations and 40 minutes from the airport.
How do I get to Chongqing?
Fly into Jiangbei (CKG) or the high-speed rail — 3 hours from Chengdu, 5 from Xi'an, 7 from Shanghai or Beijing. It anchors the southwest corner of most grand routes.
Is Chongqing worth a detour from Chengdu?
Yes — it is the most visually dramatic city in China, built vertically on the river gorges, and the food is spicier than Chengdu's. Pair the two on any southwest route.
Routes through here
The itineraries that include Chongqing
Where to eat
Michelin tables, local institutions and the dishes of Chongqing
Local Institution
Peijie Old Hotpot
The Chongqing hotpot name that launched a thousand queues: beef tallow broth, tripe, duck intestine and the two-oil…
- From US$20 pp
Local Institution
Huashi Wanza Noodles
The benchmark bowl of Chongqing xiao mian: pea-and-mince topping (wanza) over alkaline noodles, chili oil and preserved…
- From US$3 pp
Where to stay
Verified stays in Chongqing
Conrad · Luxury
Conrad Chongqing
On the Nanbin road with the best view of the two rivers joining — the classic Chongqing image, and the city’s most photographed hotel frontage.
- Stay 3, pay for 2
- Daily breakfast for two
- Room upgrade
- US$100 hotel credit
From US$500 per night
Valid to 2026-12-31
The Luxury Collection · Luxury
Chongqing TFT Hotel
The other Nanbin riverfront option, in a converted 1980s bank building, with its own dedicated hotpot restaurant.
- Signature amenities
- Daily breakfast for two
- US$100 credit
- Room upgrade
From US$500 per night
Valid to 2026-12-31
Century Cruises · Luxury
Century Glory
One of the newer generation of Three Gorges vessels: balcony cabins from 26 square metres, a proper spa, and shore excursions run in small groups rather than by the coachload. Sails Chongqing to Yichang downstream in four days.
- Cabin upgrade subject to availability
- All meals on board
- Shore excursions in small groups
- House wine with dinner
From US$590 per night
Valid to 2027-03-31