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Chongqing Tours

With the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers converging, Chongqing, located in southwestern China, serves as the gateway to the famous Yangtze River cruise. It draws crowds with its layered hilly cityscapes, modern skyscrapers, iconic night scenes, and magical wonders like the through-building light rail, along with its spicy food. The UNESCO-listed Dazu Rock Carvings and Wulong karst landscapes also add to the allure, while frequent high-speed trains make it easy to extend your Chongqing tour itineraries to Chengdu.

Best Private Chongqing Tours

FAQs on Chongqing Tours

Why is Chongqing so famous?

Chongqing has become viral online in recent years and is quickly known as China’s “8D City” thanks to its complex city layout. Many high-rise buildings were constructed on the cliffs, creating plenty of cool and special city vistas, like the Liziba Rail Station featuring a light rail train running through the 19-story residential building, and Kuixing Tower, where you’ll feel on the ground floor and 22 nd floor at the same time.  

For first-time visitors, besides the above two sights, the Jiefangbei CBD, Ci Qi Kou Ancient town with traditional architecture, local food and culture, lit-up stilted Hongya Cave, Chongqing Zoo with pandas, as well as the exquisite Dazu Carvings, and Wulong Karst Geological Park all should be on your tick-off list.   

How many days to stay for a Chongqing tour?

1-3 days: 1 day is only for those transfer in Chongqing, who can skim the surface to hit the most popular attractions like Jiefangbei CBD, Hongya Cave, and Ci Qi Kou Ancient Town. While 2-3 days allow an extra one-day excursion to Dazu Rock Carvings or Wulong Karst Park. 

4-5 days: It is ideal to combine Chengdu with your Chongqing tour package, exploring the highlights of the two most important cities in southwestern China. Alternatively, take a 4-day cruise downstream to enjoy the essence of the Yangtze River.

One week or more: Dig Chongqing and Chengdu deeper, or consider extending to Leshan Giant Buddha and Mt. Emei. The convenient high-speed trains also make it possible to add the quartzite-sandstone formations of Zhangjiajie.

When is the best time to visit Chongqing?

Though Chongqing in different seasons has its pros and cons, the best time is generally in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October), during which the weather is the most pleasant with moderate temperatures, as the city has a subtropical monsoon humid climate. Chongqing enters winter in November, marking the start of the rainy season and it is damp and cold, but perfect for budget travelers and suitable for enjoying hot pot and hot springs. This is the off-season, with lower ticket prices and wallet-friendly accommodations, except for the Christmas and New Year's Eve. June to August is the hottest season, making the city a furnace, with temperatures reaching 40℃, and thus traveling in the downtown outdoors can be sweaty. If you plan a Chongqing tour during this time, consider exploring the nearby natural areas like Wulong Karst Park to seek respite from the scorching heat.

What is the famous food in Chongqing?

"Not eating hot pot means you haven’t been to Chongqing." Behind this local saying lies the unshakeable position of hot pot in the local cuisine. Originating from the Yangtze River dock culture, where boatmen used to cook beef with chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns, it offers a complex and layered taste despite spiciness and numbness.

If the communal, shareable hot pot is not your type, then try the individually-eaten Chongqing Noodles, a spicy and numbing ritual for locals in the morning, based on over ten kinds of seasonings and topped with tender pea and minced meat. Other popular spicy dishes include Hot and Sour Rice Noodles, Dry-fried Spicy Chicken Cubes, and Wanzhou Roast Dish, all of which are mouth-watering. Then, where to try them? All of the above can be savored in Bayi Road Food Street near Jiefangbei CBD, Guanyin Bridge Food Street, Hongya Cave, and Danzishi Old Street. Also, the crispy fried dough twists in Ci Qi Kou shouldn’t be missed, either.   

Can you see pandas in Chongqing?

Yes, of course! As one of the largest panda-housing cities, Chongqing boasts more than 20 pandas at its city zoo. Generally, you can see pandas at their most active conditions in the morning, before 10 am.

Should I spend more time in Chongqing or Chengdu?

The two cities have their own unique charm, and how much time you should spend really depends on your personal preference. Chongqing is more suitable for those seeking adventures and who want thrilling visual experiences because of its magical hilly terrains, stunning night views, and the spicy local cuisine; while Chengdu is a perfect destination for family trips, where you can not only explore the panda base with hundreds of the cute creatures, but also enjoy a slow pace of life, and immerse yourself in the Three-kingdom culture. By the way, though Chengdu cuisine is also spicy and flavorful, it is milder than that of Chongqing.

If your schedule permits, of course we recommend visiting both, as frequent high-speed trains make travel between the two cities very convenient.   

Do you need a visa to go to Chongqing?

China has now implemented a visa-free policy to 77 countries, including Australia, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia. If you hold a passport of the 77 listed countries, then you can enjoy your Chongqing vacation without a visa. 

Besides that, travelers from 55 eligible countries, including the US and Canada, can also enjoy a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit in Chongqing, as long as they leave for the third country within 10 days, with the only Chinese stopover in Chongqing.  

Please note: the above visa policy is subject to change according to the Chinese government; please double-check it on the official website before departure.

How to take a Yangtze River cruise from Chongqing?

The Yangtze River cruise from Chongqing to Yichang offers a 4-day and 3-night downstream cruise sightseeing along China’s longest river, boasting one of the most fabulous natural landscapes in China. The cruise generally departs from Chaotianmen Dock, including some excursions to destinations like Three Gorges, Three Gorge Dam, White Emperor City, Shennv Stream, and Fengdu Ghost City, which differ based on various cruises. The price ranges from CNY 3,000 to over 10,000 for different cruises in different seasons. It is available to book from a licensed travel agency like us. Apart from the downstream cruise, an upstream cruise departing from Yichang to Chongqing, with 5 days and 4 nights, is also popular if you have sufficient time.