Chongqing 144h Travel Itineraries for Foreigners: Local’s 3 Unique Guides
- DolphinUnion
- Sep 11
- 7 min read
Everyone’s talking about Chongqing’s 8D magic—trains through buildings, stairs that go to the 10th floor, skyscrapers stacked like Legos. But as a local who’s lived here 30 years (and helped over 100 foreign friends plan trips), I can tell you: the real fun isn’t just the viral spots. Most visitors rush through in 2-3 days and miss the heart of Chongqing—local alleyways, quiet heritage sites, and the slow joy of sipping tea with a river view. If you’re a foreign traveler with 6 full days (144h) to dive deep, I’ve got 3 perfect itineraries for you: Local Life, Citywalk, and World Heritage. No more guesswork—just the Chongqing locals love.
1. 144h Chongqing Local Life Itinerary: Chongqing Travel Itinerary for Foreigners
This itinerary lets you live like a local—no tourist traps, just daily life spots I visit with my friends.
Day 1 (Arrival Day): Baicang Tapin Community → Beicheng Tianjie → Jiujie
Start time: 2:00 PM (after checking into your hotel—stay near Jiangbei, it’s central for local spots).
Baicang Tapin Community:
Opening hours: Always open (free!).
Must-see highlight: This old residential area has tiny lanes lined with 1980s-style buildings. Look for the “Grandpa Li’s Tea Stall”—he’s been selling ¥3 jasmine tea here for 20 years. I bring foreign friends here to watch locals play mahjong—they love the chaos!
Avoid this: Don’t take photos of people without asking—locals are friendly, but it’s polite to check first.
Beicheng Tianjie:
Opening hours: 10 AM – 10 PM (free to walk around).
Must-see highlight: It’s a shopping area, but skip the big brands. Head to the underground market for cheap, cute souvenirs—like ¥15 Chongqing skyline keychains.
Avoid this: Don’t eat at the chain restaurants here—save room for Jiujie.
Jiujie:
Start time: 7:00 PM (this is when the night vibe kicks in).
Opening hours: Stalls open 6 PM – 2 AM (free!).
Must-see highlight: Jiujie is where young locals hang out. Grab ¥8 grilled corn from the stall near the entrance—they add chili powder and cheese, it’s addictive. I came here with my friend from Germany last month, and we stayed until 11 PM watching street performers.
Avoid this: Don’t buy overpriced cocktails at the fancy bars—opt for ¥10 beer from a convenience store instead.
Transition: Day 1 gives you a taste of local night life—but Day 2 will take you to the iconic spots, but the local way.
Day 2: Liberation Monument (Jiefangbei) → Luohan Temple → Cathay Art Center → Dongjian Shancheng → Hongyadong → Ferry to Danzishi → Xiahaoli-Longmenhao → Huangge Ancient Road → Laojun Cave → Yangtze Cableway → Shibati → Jiangtan Park
Start time: 8:30 AM (early to beat crowds).
Liberation Monument (Jiefangbei):
Opening hours: 24/7 (free!); shops open 10 AM.
Must-see highlight: Stand on Minquan Road—frame the monument with the skyline. Grab ¥5 osmanthus tea from the old lady’s stall—I’ve been buying from her since I was 15.
Avoid this: Skip chain coffee shops—tea is more local.
Luohan Temple:
Opening hours: 8 AM – 6 PM (¥20).
Must-see highlight: It’s a quiet Buddhist temple in the middle of the city. Watch monks light incense at 9 AM—it’s calming. I came here last Spring Festival to pray, and the orange blossoms were blooming—beautiful!
Avoid this: Don’t wear shorts—cover your knees out of respect.
Lunch: Xiao Yang’s Hot Pot (Jiefangbei Branch) (¥60-80/person)—my go-to for 50+ times. Ask for mild broth!
Afternoon spots (key picks):
Dongjian Shancheng: A hidden “8D” alley—walk up the stairs to the roof for skyline views (free!).
Hongyadong: Take elevator to 11th floor, walk down—skip main street, hit 8th-floor alley for ¥10 laoyoufen (rice noodles).
Laojun Cave: Climb to the top for sunset (¥25)—Last month, I brought my Australian friend here, and we had the view to ourselves.
Transition 句: Day 2 mixes iconic spots with local tricks—but Day 3 is all about exploring the “hidden Chongqing” only locals know.
Days 3-6: Key Spots & Tips
Day 3: Kuixing Building (free, 8 AM–10 PM—walk the sky bridge for 8D views) → Luzu Temple (¥15, 8 AM–5 PM—quiet, with old trees) → Tongyuanmen (free, 24/7—ancient city gate, great for photos) → 2-Corner Hot Pot (¥70/person, my favorite local hot pot spot).
Day 4: Huangguan Escalator (¥2, 6:30 AM–10:30 PM—longest escalator in Asia, locals use it daily) → Baisha Ancient Town (1.5h by bus, free—old streets with ¥3 sweet potato soup stalls).
Day 5: Jingangbei Hot Spring Old Village (1h by bus, ¥30—soak in hot springs with mountain views, I go here to relax on weekends).
Day 6: Guanghuan Shopping Park (10 AM–10 PM, free—cool glass ceiling with plants) → Lijia Wisdom Park Cable Car (¥20, 9 AM–6 PM—slow ride with river views) → Underground City Hot Pot (¥80/person, spicy broth is a must-try!).
Transition: This local life itinerary lets you feel like a Chongqing resident—but if you love walking and city vibes, the 144h Citywalk itinerary is for you!
2. 144h Chongqing Citywalk Itinerary: Walk Through 8D Charm
I love citywalks—they let you discover small alleys and random street stalls. This itinerary is 6 days of walking (easy pace!) with my favorite routes.
Day 1 (Arrival Day): Nanbin Road Bell Tower Square → Hugui Stone Flower Steps Park → Chongqing Planning Exhibition Hall → Pipayuan Hot Pot
Start time: 2:30 PM.
Nanbin Road Bell Tower Square:
Opening hours: 24/7 (free!).
Must-see highlight: The bell tower lights up at 7 PM—take photos with the Yangtze River behind it. I walk here every Sunday evening with my dog!
Avoid this: Don’t rent electric scooters—walking is better to soak up the vibe.
Pipayuan Hot Pot:
Opening hours: 5 PM–12 AM (¥100/person).
Must-see highlight: It’s the “world’s largest hot pot restaurant”—with outdoor seats overlooking the river. Order beef slices and lotus root—I ate here with my French friend, and she said it’s the best meal in China!
Avoid this: Don’t order too much—portions are big.
Transition 句: Day 1 eases you into Chongqing’s citywalks—but Day 2 is the “iconic route” with my secret spots.
Day 2-6: Key Citywalk Routes
Day 2: Jiefangbei → Luohan Temple → Cathay Art Center → Dongjian Shancheng (hidden alley, free!) → Hongyadong (11th-floor trick) → Ferry to Danzishi (¥15, 30 mins—cheaper than cableway!) → Xiahaoli-Longmenhao (old streets with ¥8 stinky tofu) → Huangge Ancient Road (hike to Laojun Cave, ¥25) → Shibati (night views, free!).
Day 3: Kuixing Building → Liziba Subway Station (viewing platform, free—8:30 AM to beat crowds) → People’s Auditorium (¥10 inside, blue roof is amazing!) → Three Gorges Museum (free, closed Mondays—boat exhibit is cool) → Huangguan Escalator → Caiyuanba Railway Overpass (6 PM for streetlights) → Hong’en Temple (¥15, night views are best).
Day 4: High-speed train to Fengjie (1.5h, ¥80) → Baidi City (¥80, 8 AM–6 PM—ancient town with river views) → Three Gorges Peak (¥120, hike for panoramic views) → Stay in Fengjie.
Day 5: “Little Red Boat” from Fengjie to Wushan (2h, ¥100—small boat, better views than big cruises!) → Wushan Small Three Gorges (¥150, 3h cruise) → High-speed train back to Chongqing.
Day 6: Chongqing Zoo (¥25, 8 AM–6 PM—see pandas, I take all foreign friends here!) → Jiulong Peninsula Yangtze Lighthouse (free, sunset views) → Longfeng Temple (¥10, quiet temple with river views) → Guanghuan Shopping Park → Ziwei Road (cafés, ¥20 latte with city views).
Transition: Citywalks are great for feeling the city’s energy—but if you love history and nature, the 144h World Heritage itinerary is unbeatable!
3. 144h Chongqing World Heritage Itinerary: History & Nature
This itinerary mixes Chongqing’s urban charm with UNESCO-worthy spots—I did this with my American friend last year, and she called it “life-changing.”
Day 1 (Arrival Day): Daijia Lane → Hongyadong
Start time: 3:00 PM.
Daijia Lane:
Opening hours: 24/7 (free!).
Must-see highlight: A quiet alley next to Hongyadong—no crowds! Grab ¥6 sweet potato soup from the stall here. I came here last rainy day, and it was so peaceful.
Avoid this: Don’t confuse it with Hongyadong’s main street—this is the “secret side.”
Hongyadong:
Opening hours: 10 AM–11 PM (free main area).
Must-see highlight: 8th-floor alley for ¥10 ma la tang (spicy skewers)—better than main street food.
Avoid this: Skip the observation deck—Daijia Lane has better views.
Transition 句: Day 1 is a warm-up—Day 2-3 are all about world-class heritage sites.
Days 2-6: World Heritage & Key Spots
Day 2: Jiefangbei → Luohan Temple → Cathay Art Center → Dongjian Shancheng → Hongyadong → Ferry to Danzishi → Xiahaoli-Longmenhao → Huangge Ancient Road → Laojun Cave → Yangtze Cableway (avoid peak hours!) → Shibati → Jiangtan Park (sunset, free!).
Day 3: Tourist bus to Dazu (2h, ¥30) → Baoding Mountain Grottoes (¥135, 8:30 AM–6 PM—hire ¥50 guide to hear stories about the 1,000-year-old carvings) → Night tour of Beishan Grottoes (¥80, less crowded, lights make carvings look magical) → Stay in Dazu.
Pro tip: I went to Baoding Mountain last March—go at 8:30 AM, and you’ll have the first hour to yourself!
Day 4: Bus back to Chongqing (2h, ¥30) → Chongqing Zoo (¥25, see pandas—my friend cried when she saw them!) → Mountain City Trail (free, walk up for city views) → Hong’en Temple (¥15, night views).
Day 5: Bus to Wulong (2.5h, ¥60) → Tiankeng Three Bridges (¥140, 8:30 AM–5:30 PM—hike down to the sinkhole, where Transformers 4 was filmed) → Furong River Cruise (¥120, clear water and karst mountains) → Stay in Wulong.
Day 6: Bus to Nanchuan (1.5h, ¥40) → Jinfo Mountain (¥70, 8 AM–6 PM—cable car ¥80 round-trip, top has “four seasons in one day” views) → Bus back to Chongqing → Guanghuan Shopping Park (relax with a coffee).
Transition: 144 hours lets you see the best of Chongqing—from 8D streets to world heritage sites. But if you want to skip the stress of remembering all these tips, I’ve got something for you!
Final Recommendation: My Go-To Guide for Foreign Friends
I spent 2 months helping put together DolphinUnion’s Chongqing guide—even I use it when my foreign friends visit, because it has all the little details I can’t fit in this blog. The guide has hidden photo spots (like the quiet alley near Hongyadong I told you about earlier) and a step-by-step high-speed train booking tutorial (with photos, so you won’t get stuck at the station—trust me, I’ve seen friends struggle with this!).
Last week, a reader from Canada messaged me saying our guide’s train tutorial saved him from missing his Dazu Grottoes trip—he’d been stuck trying to book online for 2 hours before finding it. If you don’t want to scribble down notes from this blog, or worry about missing those hidden spots, grab our DolphinUnion guide—it’s like having a local friend with you the whole time.（Chongqing travel itinerary for foreigners）
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