Major city · China
Chongqing重庆
Give Chongqing 2–3 nights: one for Jiefangbei and Hongyadong after dark, one for Ciqikou and the river, and one spare for a Yangtze or Dazu run.
Chongqing is China's only western coast municipality, a hilly river city of about 8.8 million in the urban core and the launch point for Three Gorges cruises and the Dazu Rock Carvings. Its centre is vertical, not flat: the ground floor of one building can sit level with the 20th floor of the next. Most travellers use it as a 2–3 night stop between Chengdu and the Yangtze, not as a long stay.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Oct–Mar (smog)
- Airport
- CKG
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Chongqing110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Chongqing, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyChongqing is generally safe for tourists; the real risks are summer heat and humidity, smog from October to March…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCKG Chongqing Jiangbei International (About 21 km (13 mi) northeast of the centre; Metro Line 3 and Line 10 link the terminals to town.).CKG Chongqing Jiangbei International (About 13 mi (21 km) northeast of the centre; Metro Line 3 and Line 10 link the terminals to town.).
- Getting aroundMetro is the default: cheap, air-conditioned, English announcements, and it reaches the airport, both main rail stations and the sights.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6)
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup (xiaomian)¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, 5 km (3.1 mi)Taxi, 3.1 mi (5 km)Meter starts at ¥8; higher after midnight.¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4)
- Metro or bus rideMetro ride¥2–7 (≈ under US$1)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥100–200 (≈ US$14–30)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥60 (≈ US$9)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥350 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥700 (≈ US$100)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥250 (≈ US$35) · Mid CN¥500 (≈ US$70) · High CN¥1,100 (≈ US$160)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CKG Chongqing Jiangbei International (About 21 km (13 mi) northeast of the centre; Metro Line 3 and Line 10 link the terminals to town.)CKG Chongqing Jiangbei International (About 13 mi (21 km) northeast of the centre; Metro Line 3 and Line 10 link the terminals to town.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
10°C (51°F)51°F (10°C)
Feb
Avoid
14°C (56°F)56°F (14°C)
Mar
Care
19°C (65°F)65°F (19°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (83°F)83°F (29°C)
Oct
Care
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Care
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
Avoid
12°C (53°F)53°F (12°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep. Mixed: Mar, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (6°C (44°F)44°F (6°C) low), wettest May (15 rain days), driest Dec (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chongqing: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (51°F)51°F (10°C)
6°C (44°F)44°F (6°C)
10 rd
Feb
14°C (56°F)56°F (14°C)
8°C (47°F)47°F (8°C)
10 rd
Mar
19°C (65°F)65°F (19°C)
12°C (53°F)53°F (12°C)
12 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
14 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (67°F)67°F (19°C)
15 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (78°F)78°F (25°C)
13 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (78°F)78°F (25°C)
11 rd
Sep
29°C (83°F)83°F (29°C)
22°C (71°F)71°F (22°C)
13 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
17°C (62°F)62°F (17°C)
14 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Dec
12°C (53°F)53°F (12°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Metro is the default: cheap, air-conditioned, English announcements, and it reaches the airport, both main rail stations and the sights. Line 2 is a monorail. Buses are frequent but need Chinese route reading. Taxis start at ¥8 and are metered; few drivers speak English, so show your destination in Chinese. Walking means stairs and steep lanes — plan short hops, not long walks.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Dazu Rock Carvings
goDoor to door: About 3 h each way
High-speed train or bus west, then a local bus or taxi to the carvings
UNESCO-listed Buddhist carvings; a full day, leave early.
Wulong
overnightDoor to door: 3–4 h each way
Train or bus southeast, then shuttle to the karst park
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep one night.
Fuling
goDoor to door: About 1 h
High-speed train down the Yangtze
River town and the 816 nuclear plant site.
Wanzhou
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
High-speed train east along the Yangtze
Gateway to the Three Gorges; pairs with a cruise.
Tongnan
cautionDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Train or bus northwest
Best in spring for the rapeseed fields; check the season.
Qianjiang
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Train southeast into the municipality
Useful as a stop on the way to Wulong or Zhangjiajie.
Qijiang
skipDoor to door: About 1 h
Train south from Chongqing West
Little for a short trip unless you have a specific reason.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Jiefangbei / Yuzhong
Downtown core: walk to Hongyadong, the monument and the riverfront; most expensive beds.
Guanyinqiao / Jiangbei
North-bank shopping and nightlife; Metro Line 3, good mid-range hotels.
Shapingba
University district; Metro Line 1 to Ciqikou and the centre, cheaper rooms.
Nan'an / Nanping
South bank with skyline views across the river; Metro Loop Line and Line 3.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥250–450 (≈ US$35–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥450–900 (≈ US$65–130) excl. bed
- High
- ¥900 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 3 nights × CN¥350 | CN¥1,050 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × CN¥500 | CN¥3,000 |
| Airport metro to the centre, one way2 × CN¥10 · check | CN¥20 |
| Taxi CKG to downtown1 × CN¥80 · check | CN¥80 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥150 | CN¥300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥445 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥816 per person per day, bed included | CN¥4,895≈ US$700 |
2026 estimate in yuan; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Noodle soup (xiaomian) | ¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Hotpot, per person | ¥60–120 (≈ US$9–17) |
| Metro ride | ¥2–7 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi, 5 kmMeter starts at ¥8; higher after midnight. | ¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Raffles City observation deckcheck | ¥180 (≈ US$30) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥100–200 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat and humidity (Jun–Sep) plus smog from Oct–Mar; people with respiratory problems should plan around it.
- The city is built on hills and two rivers: a 500 m walk on the map can mean several flights of stairs.
- Empty taxis are hard to find on very hot days; use the metro instead.
- Biking is not a practical way to see the centre.
- Terminal 1 at CKG is closed for renovation; check which terminal your flight uses.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Chongqing重庆
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
The US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have embassies in Beijing and consulates-general in Chengdu or Shanghai; check the nearest for your passport.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- CKG → downtown, metro: about ¥10 (≈ US$2), 40–60 min (check)
- CKG → downtown, taxi: ¥40–80 (≈ US$6–12)
- Chongqing North → Chengdu, high-speed: about 1.5 h (check)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxie)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshǎo qián)
- 可以刷卡吗？ — Can I pay by card? (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ)
- 不要辣 — Not spicy, please (bù yào là)
Metro and most sights take Alipay or WeChat Pay; carry some cash for small shops.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Chongqing. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Oct–Mar (smog) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CKG: last metro departures, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Jiefangbei and Hongyadong, Chaotianmen and Raffles City, Ciqikou, Shibati and the south bank.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Hongyadong, Raffles City deck, Great Hall, Ciqikou) and eat pages with last orders.
- Yangtze cruise and Dazu fixtures so gates A–D can go green.