Chongqing Highlights One-Day Tour

For foreign friends planning to visit Chongqing, this is an "8D magical city"——maps often fail here, and when you think you are on the 1st floor, you may actually be on the 22nd floor. This one-day tour guide will take you to experience the very essence of the mountain city’s charm.

 Chongqing One-Day Highlights Tour

Morning: A stroll in the sky, traveling through the old city

Itinerary: After breakfast, head to the Yangtze River Cableway, the "aerial bus" connecting Yuzhong District and Nan'an District. It began operation in 1984, and the one-way ride takes about 5 minutes. It is recommended to board at the south station, where there are usually fewer people in line.

Noon: Walk through Shibati, savor authentic local snacks

Itinerary: After getting off the cableway, head to Shibati. This was once the main passage connecting Chongqing’s upper and lower halves of the city. Most of it was demolished in 2015 and renovated in recent years. It retains the style of old streets, lanes, and architecture while incorporating new elements. The narrow alleys are densely spread out, and street snacks can be seen everywhere.

Lunch recommendation: Experience authentic local snacks at the food street near Shibati:

· Hot and sour glass noodles: Queue up for a freshly made bowl, spicy and appetizing

· Cold dressed potatoes: Served cold, mildly spicy at first but with a strong after-kick

· Roast duck pan-fried pancake: Similar to Beijing roast duck pancakes, with a rich sauce flavor

Afternoon: Check in at magical landmarks and feel the charm of the 8D city

First stop: Liziba Light Rail Station

Take Light Rail Line 2 to Liziba Station and watch the train "pass through" a residential building——this is Chongqing’s most famous internet-famous check-in spot. It is recommended to take photos from the viewing platform to capture the moment when the light rail passes through the building.

Second stop: Kuixinglou

Head to Kuixinglou to experience the magical side of Chongqing’s terrain——when you think you are on the 1st floor, you are actually on the 22nd floor. The aerial corridor here connects the square and office buildings, and it was once a pilgrimage site where ancient scholars prayed for success in the imperial examinations.

Third stop: Jiefangbei

As Chongqing’s urban landmark, Jiefangbei was completed in 1947 to commemorate the victory of the Anti-Japanese War. Its official name is the "People’s Liberation Monument". The surrounding area is a bustling commercial district, perfect for strolling along the pedestrian streets.

Dinner recommendation: Try authentic Sichuan cuisine at a restaurant near Jiefangbei. Recommended dishes include mapo tofu （moderately spicy）, sweet and sour pork tenderloin （one of the favorite dishes among foreign tourists）, and scrambled eggs with tomatoes （different from Western-style preparation）.

Dusk/Evening: Dreamlike night views, cyberpunk Chongqing

Itinerary: After dinner, head to Hongyadong to admire Chongqing’s most stunning night view. This 11-story stilted building complex is built against the mountain, and when lit up at night, it looks like a scene straight out of "Spirited Away".

Best photography time: At dusk after sunset, when the traditional stilted buildings glow brilliantly and create beautiful reflections on the Jialing River.

Recommended photo spots:

· Qiansimen Bridge viewing platform: Capture Hongyadong and the Jialing River in the same frame

· The road opposite the 1st floor of Hongyadong: A classic angle, the most crowded but also the most photogenic

· Exotic Style Street on the 9th-10th floors of Hongyadong: Riverside cafés let you sip and shoot at the same time

Optional upgrade: Take a Two Rivers night cruise and enjoy the dazzling city skyline from the confluence of the Jialing River and the Yangtze River, passing by Hongyadong, the Grand Theater, and numerous bridges along the way.

 One-Day Tour Route at a Glance

Time period Attraction Recommended duration

Morning Yangtze River Cableway 1 hour

Noon Shibati+Lunch 2 hours

Afternoon Liziba Light Rail Station+Kuixinglou+Jiefangbei 3 hours

Dusk/Evening Hongyadong+Two Rivers Night Cruise(Optional) 2-3 hours

Welcome to Chongqing! This magical 8D city will surely leave you amazed.