Chongqing Tours

It used to be that Chongqing was a mere stopover for travelers on route to bigger things – the Yangtze, Three Gorges, anything beyond the city’s limits. Not any more. Chongqing is now a recognised wonder in China, offering those with a curiosity for the unusual a genuine experience of a wholly different world.

Admired for the intentional engineering feats that earned it the moniker of an ‘8D’ cityscape, Chongqing offers an unforgettable urban adventure. With the goal of providing Chongqing tours thoughtfully designed to navigate this multi-layered metropolis and discover its unique contrasts, we help you make the most of whatever your schedule allows.

Liziba Monorail Station and the train through a building

No Chongqing tour is complete with taking in the marvel of urban engineering that has made this city famous worldwide. Get up close and watch as the light rail train seamlessly glides through the sixth and eighth floors of a residential skyscraper – yes, it drives right through it – perfectly demonstrating how innovative engineers and architects have adapted to the city’s impossible terrain.

Hongyadong

Explore this iconic complex that appears to be a towering ancient structure built into the cliffs of the Jialing River. By day, it’s a fascinating maze of shops and eateries on 11 different levels. By night, it transforms into a dazzling multilevel lightshow of neon that outlines the traditional architecture and creates a stunning cyberpunk aesthetic against the dark sky. It’s a breathtaking blend of traditional stilted architecture and modern commercial energy, best viewed from the opposite bank.

Ciqikou Ancient Town

Step back in time from the futuristic cityscape into the old-world charm of Ciqikou. Wander its narrow, sloping flagstone streets, browse artisanal craft shops, and relax in a classic tea house overlooking the river. This well-preserved town offers a peaceful respite and a taste of Chongqing’s history before its rapid modern expansion.

E’ling Park & The Two Rivers Converge

For the quintessential panoramic view of Chongqing, visit E’ling Park. From the park’s vantage point, it is possible to clearly see the distinct waters of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers merging, encircling the city’s mountainous peninsula. It’s the perfect place to understand the geography that shaped Chongqing’s development.

The Three Gorges Museum

Prepare for your cruise with a visit to the Three Gorges Museum, or simply deepen your understanding of the region’s power and history. Providing insights to the monumental engineering feat that was the Three Gorges Dam project, a history of the Yangtze River, and the exhibits of cultural relics rescued before the dam’s construction, the museum provides essential context for any visit to Chongqing.

Dazu Rock Carvings

Only a day trip from Chongqing, venture beyond Chongqing to the Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage site that will leave you in awe. Dating from the 7th century, the Dazu Rock Carvings are a collection of exquisite religious sculptures and cliff-side inscriptions that are renowned for their artistic beauty and harmonious blend of Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian themes. A contemplative contrast from the hustle, bustle, and bright lights of urban Chongqing, time spent here is well worth it if your China travels have allowed for limited temple time.

Wulong Karst National Geology Park

Journey from the urban wonder of Chongqing to a natural wonder at this UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the otherworldly landscape of the Three Natural Bridges, colossal limestone archways formed by ancient river erosion that tower over lush, sunken valleys. This dramatic scenery is so cinematic that it served as a key filming location for the blockbuster movie Transformers: Age of Extinction. The alpine grassland of Fairy Mountain is the getaway for locals to escape from the summer heat and the skiing destination in winter. Another core scenic area of this national park is the magnificent Furong Cave, famous for its stunning array of stalactites, stalagmites, and flowing stone formations. It’s a day trip that reveals the breathtaking natural forces that have shaped the region surrounding the ‘Mountain City.’

Chongqing is synonymous with hot and spicy dishes. In fact, you could say it’s the fiery heart of Chinese cuisine. Truly, Chongqing is a city that hits all the senses, especially for the culinary adventurous ready to explore the bold, mouth-numbing flavors that define its food scene.

Unlike the subtle elegance of Cantonese cuisine or imperial refinement of Beijing banquets, Chongqing food is in a league of its own. With heat and spice reflecting a passion and directness, Chongqing’s cuisine easily tops China’s list as the spiciest by far

Chongqing is synonymous with hot and spicy dishes. In fact, you could say it’s the fiery heart of Chinese cuisine. Truly, Chongqing is a city that hits all the senses, especially for the culinary adventurous ready to explore the bold, mouth-numbing flavors that define its food scene.

Unlike the subtle elegance of Cantonese cuisine or imperial refinement of Beijing banquets, Chongqing food is in a league of its own. With heat and spice reflecting a passion and directness, Chongqing’s cuisine easily tops China’s list as the spiciest by far

Local and international connoisseurs alike consider famous Chongqing food the country’s most tantalizing and with good reason. And while there are a lot of Chongqing dishes designed to set your mouth ablaze, there are more layers to this food story. Yes, Chongqing is famous for its liberal use of heaven-facing chilies and Sichuan peppercorns that create the signature “mala” (numbing and spicy) sensation; however, this foundational flavour is just the beginning. The essence of famous Chongqing food is the powerful, unapologetic way these flavours are combined to create a culinary experience that is as direct and layered as the city’s 8D landscape. Come and take a culinary adventure with Chongqing’s most loved dishes, street food and local snacks.

Chongqing Hotpot (Chongqing Huoguo)

The undisputed king of Chongqing cuisine and a social institution. A Chongqing hotpot is an experience, not just a meal. Legend has it that the modern hotpot originated with Chongqing’s dockworkers on the Yangtze River, who would boil offal in a spicy broth to make cheap cuts of meat palatable. Today, it is a ritual that draws family and friends together around a bubbling, divided pot, most often containing a fiery, blood-red chili oil broth on one side. Diners choose from a vast array of thinly sliced meats, tripe, vegetables, and tofu, cooking them in the flavorful soup centrally located on the table. The true magic lies in the dipping sauce, a personalized blend of sesame oil, garlic, and cilantro that helps temper the spice.

Chongqing Spicy Noodles (Chongqing Xiaomian)

A beloved breakfast for locals, these simple wheat noodles are a testament to how Chongqing delivers delicious flavors in a humble bowl. Xiaomian is the perfect, fiery way to start your day.

Consisting of noodles served in a potent, numbing broth made with chili oil, Sichuan peppercorn, sesame paste, and a savory soy-based sauce, this dish’s name means ‘little noodles’, a title that belies its powerful kick and significant role it plays in providing sustenance for city’s the local residents. Every vendor has their own secret recipe for the broth, making tasting different versions a delicious adventure.

Chinese Longsnout Catfish (Jiangtuan Yu)

For a delightful break from the intense spice, try the local Jiangtuan fish. This dish showcases a different side of Chongqing’s culinary flavors that emphasizes freshness and subtlety. Sourced from the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, it offers a perfect, soothing balance to the city’s fiery palate and is a favorite for family banquets. Known for its tender, delicate, and boneless flesh, Jiangtuan fish is often steamed with light soy sauce, scallions, and ginger to highlight its naturally sweet, fresh flavor. Another version is the classic Sichuan-style dry-braised Jiangtuan fish

Sliced Beef and Beef Offal in Chili Sauce (Fuqi Feipian)

Yet another much-revered dish representative of Sichuan cuisine, Fuqi Feipian enjoys an interesting history that is deeply tied to Chongqing’s street food culture. Today, it is generally made with slices of beef and offal, such as tripe and tongue, then tossed with celery and roasted peanuts in a fiery dressing of spiced broth, chili oil, and Sichuan pepper. Served cold, it’s a complex and addictive appetizer that should make it onto your order at least once during your Chongqing tour.

Spicy Sichuan Boiled Beef (Shuizhu Niurou)

A classic Sichuan famous dish, the literal translation of Shuizhu Niurou is ‘water-boiled beef’, a name which belies just how flavorsome and spicy it isThe dish is served dramatically, with the fragrant, oil-based ‘soup’ still sizzling. So appealing is it that Sichuanese chefs have co-opted it and created a piscatorial version, Shuizhu Yu – Spicy Sichuan Boiled Fish. Really not for the faint hearted, Shuizhu Niurou is a fiery experience for the palate.

Chongqing Dry Pot (Ma La Xiang Guo)

Imagine all the flavors of hotpot, but without the soup. That’s the essence of Ma La Xiang Guo, a hugely popular dish where ingredients are first boiled and then stir-fried in a wok with dried chilies, Sichuan peppercorns, and other aromatics. The result is a concentrated, intensely flavorful dish that is less messy than a hotpot but equally satisfying. Diners can choose their own combination of meats, vegetables, and offal. Served directly in the wok to keep it sizzling hot for the duration of your meal, be sure to add this to your must-try dish on tour.

Sour and Spicy Sweet Potato Noodles (Suan La Fen)

A quintessential Chongqing street snack, these chewy, translucent noodles made from sweet potato starch are a textural delight. They are served in vibrant, vinegary, and spicy broth, often topped with peanuts, cilantro, and pickled vegetables. A perfect, quick, and refreshing bite while exploring the city’s hilly streets.

Spicy Wontons in Chili Oil (Hong You Chao Shou)

While wontons are found all over China, Chongqing’s version is distinct. These delicate, meat-filled dumplings are doused in a potent, aromatic red chili oil, soy sauce, and garlic combination that makes them slippery, savory, a beloved snack or light meal.

While in Chongqing it is almost a rite of passage to extend your travels with a Yangtze River cruise through the breathtaking Three Gorges. Undertaken at a measured pace with ample time to explore, relax, sightsee and connect with fellow travelers, a Yangtze River experience provides the perfect balance to the pace and palate of China’s most futuristic city.

Our Yangtze River cruises are carefully selected, with only premium cruise providers making it into our tour itineraries. If you’re under decided and need a little prompt to include the Yangtze in your travels, here is handful of reasons:

#1 Unrivalled history and landscapes

Enjoy the ambience of a modern, comfortable cruise ship and leave the urban buzz behind as you sail into a landscape of sheer limestone cliffs, mist-shrouded peaks, and ever-changing vistas that have inspired Chinese poets and painters for centuries. This is a journey through the very heart of China’s dramatic scenery, passing through the majestic Qutang, Wu, and Xiling Gorges. Think of it as a moving panorama of natural history with innumerable photo opportunities.

#2 Flexible onshore excursions

Visit shore as much or as little as you like while cruising the Yangtze. If you’ve had your fill of temples and tombs, relax onboard and watch the natural scenery and ancient history of artefacts like the Hanging Coffins, float by. If there’s most you want to see, disembark at highlights like the ‘Ghost City’ of Fengdu, a complex of temples and shrines perched on a hillside, or tour the immense Three Gorges Dam itself, a modern engineering marvel.

#3 Relax in comfort

Yangtze river cruises have come into their own with ships now offering the comfort and ambience of a floating hotel. Enjoy comfortable cabins with large windows, quality dining with both Chinese and Western options, and a variety of onboard activities and entertainment as the stunning scenery glides by. By far the most relaxing way to see some of China’s most iconic natural vistas and a peaceful interlude between big city exploring.

#4 Every detail taken care of

The ChinaTours.com team prides itself on taking care of every detail, so you can enjoy your holiday. Include a Yangtze cruise in your itinerary and expect us to arrange hotel transfers to the cruise port in Chongqing, assist with cruise selection, cabin category, and sailing dates to match your travel plans. It’s just another way we help create the kind of travel memories that endure long after you arrive home