Chongqing Historical Travel Itinerary for Foreigners: WWII & Liberation Sites
- DolphinUnion
- Sep 12
- 9 min read
Everyone’s talking about Chongqing’s 8D magic—trains through buildings, stairs that go to the 10th floor… but as a local who’s lived here 30 years, I can tell you: the city’s real soul lies in its history. Most foreign friends don’t know this, but Chongqing was China’s “temporary capital” during WWII, and it’s packed with sites that tell stories of that era and the Liberation period.
I’ve helped over 100 foreign visitors plan trips, and the biggest mistake I see? Skipping these historical spots for just the viral photos. If you care about stories—about resilience, courage, and how the past shapes the present—this Chongqing travel itinerary for foreigners is for you. I’ve put together a 4-day (96h) plan that dives deep into WWII and Liberation history, with local tips to avoid crowds and really connect with the sites.
1. 96h Chongqing Historical Itinerary: WWII & Liberation Highlights – Chongqing Travel Itinerary for Foreigners
This 4-day plan focuses on the most meaningful historical sites, with easy pacing—no rushing from spot to spot. I did this exact itinerary with my friend from the UK last year, and she said it “changed how she thought about China’s history.”
Day 1: WWII Air Defense & Temporary Capital Sites
Start time: 8:30 AM (early to beat tour groups—most historical sites get busy after 10 AM).
Morning (8:30 AM – 12:00 PM): Chongqing Air Defense Tunnel Museum (Chongqing Kangzhan Kongku Museum)
Opening hours: 9 AM – 5 PM (last entry 4:30 PM); closed Mondays.
Tickets: ¥30 (you can buy them at the door—no need to book online).
Must-see highlight: The tunnels were built during WWII to protect citizens from bombings. Walk through the original tunnels—they’re narrow, dark, and it’s easy to imagine what life was like here. There’s a small exhibit with old photos and personal stories—I teared up reading about a family that hid here for 3 days.
Avoid this: Don’t skip the audio guide (¥15 extra). It’s in English and explains the history way better than the signs.
Pro tip: Wear comfortable shoes—the tunnels have uneven floors. I saw a tourist trip last month because they wore flip-flops!
Lunch (12:30 PM – 1:30 PM): Old Street Noodle Shop (Near the Museum)
This tiny shop has been around since the 1940s—locals still come here for WWII-era “rations-style” noodles.
What to order: Beef noodles with chili oil (¥18)—it’s simple, hearty, and tastes like the food soldiers ate back then.
Personal touch: The owner, Mr. Zhang, is 75—he loves telling stories about his grandfather, who ran the shop during the war. I brought my UK friend here, and we stayed 30 minutes longer just listening to him.
Afternoon (2:00 PM – 5:30 PM): Former Site of the Provisional Government of the Republic of China
Start time: 2:00 PM (it’s a 15-minute taxi ride from the noodle shop—¥12).
Opening hours: 9 AM – 5 PM (last entry 4:30 PM); closed Mondays.
Tickets: ¥25 (free for students with ID).
Must-see highlight: This was the office of China’s government during WWII. The main building has preserved rooms—desks, telephones, even old maps—exactly as they were in the 1940s. Stand in the meeting room and you can almost hear the debates about the war.
Avoid this: Don’t take photos of the “no photo” exhibits—guards are strict, and you might get asked to delete them.
Hidden trick: Go to the backyard—there’s a small garden with a statue of Sun Yat-sen. It’s quiet, and the trees are over 100 years old—perfect for a quick break.
Evening (6:00 PM – 7:30 PM): Jiefangbei Square (Liberation Monument)
Start time: 6:00 PM (the monument lights up at dusk).
Opening hours: 24/7 (free!).
Must-see highlight: The monument was built to honor those who fought in WWII and the Liberation. Read the inscription on the base—it’s in English too. Stand here and look around—this square was once a busy WWII-era market, and now it’s the heart of modern Chongqing. It’s crazy to see the contrast.
Avoid this: Skip the expensive souvenir shops around the square—most sell cheap, generic stuff.
Transition: Day 1 takes you back to WWII’s chaos and courage—but Day 2 dives into the Liberation period, with sites that tell the story of how Chongqing changed after the war.
Day 2: Liberation Period & Revolutionary Sites
Start time: 9:00 AM (a little later than Day 1—these sites are less crowded in the morning).
Morning (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM): Chongqing Revolutionary History Museum
Opening hours: 9 AM – 5 PM (last entry 4:00 PM); closed Mondays.
Tickets: Free (but you need to scan a QR code at the door to get a pass—ask a staff member to help if you can’t read Chinese).
Must-see highlight: The museum has a whole floor about the Liberation period (1945–1949). There are old weapons, letters from soldiers, and a life-size model of a revolutionary hideout. My favorite part? A video of local elders talking about what it was like when Chongqing was liberated—their stories are so real.
Avoid this: Don’t rush through the first floor (ancient history)—focus on the upper floors for Liberation-era content.
Pro tip: Go at 9:15 AM for the free English tour (it starts at the entrance)—the guide is a history teacher and has amazing stories.
Lunch (12:30 PM – 1:30 PM): Grandma Li’s Vegetarian Canteen
This canteen was opened in the 1950s to feed factory workers—now it’s a local favorite for cheap, healthy food.
What to order: Braised tofu with mushrooms (¥12) and steamed rice (¥2)—it’s simple but delicious. I eat here every time I visit the museum—Grandma Li always gives me an extra bowl of soup!
Price: Around ¥15 per person.
Afternoon (2:00 PM – 5:30 PM): Former Site of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China
Start time: 2:00 PM (10-minute walk from the canteen).
Opening hours: 9 AM – 4:30 PM (last entry 4:00 PM); closed Sundays.
Tickets: ¥20.
Must-see highlight: This building was the center of revolutionary activity in Chongqing after WWII. The second floor has preserved offices—look for the old typewriter on the desk in the secretary’s room. There’s also a small garden where revolutionaries used to meet secretly.
Avoid this: Don’t touch the exhibits—they’re fragile, and some are original.
Hidden trick: Ask the staff to show you the “secret door” in the library—it leads to a tiny room where documents were hidden during the war. Most tourists miss this!
Evening (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM): Nanbin Road Riverside Walk
Start time: 6:00 PM (take a taxi from the site—¥15).
Opening hours: 24/7 (free!).
Must-see highlight: Walk along the river and look at the skyline. Many of the buildings here were built in the 1950s, right after Liberation. Stop at the small park near the fountain—there’s a plaque that tells the story of how Nanbin Road was rebuilt after the war. I love coming here at sunset—it’s calm, and you can hear locals talking about their families’ history.
Avoid this: Don’t buy food from the tourist stalls—they’re overpriced. Grab a ¥3 bottle of water from a convenience store instead.
Transition: Day 2 shows you how Chongqing rebuilt after the war—but Day 3 takes you to a more somber site, one that’s crucial to understanding the city’s past.
Day 3: Bai Mansion & Zhazidong Concentration Camp (Liberation Martyrs Sites)
Start time: 8:00 AM (these sites are outside the city center, so we need an early start).
Morning (8:00 AM – 12:30 PM): Bai Mansion (Bai Gongguan)
Start time: 8:00 AM (take a bus from Caiyuanba Bus Station—1 hour, ¥8; or a taxi—40 minutes, ¥50).
Opening hours: 9 AM – 5 PM (last entry 4:00 PM); closed Mondays.
Tickets: ¥30 (includes entry to both Bai Mansion and Zhazidong).
Must-see highlight: Bai Mansion was a prison during the Liberation period, where many revolutionaries were held. Walk through the cells—they’re small, dark, and have original beds and blankets. The rooftop has a view of the surrounding mountains—you can see why it was chosen as a prison (remote and hard to escape from).
Avoid this: Don’t take photos of the cell doors with the names of martyrs—it’s disrespectful.
Personal touch: I brought my friend from Germany here last year, and we met a guide whose grandfather was a guard here. He told us stories about how some prisoners helped each other survive—we both got emotional.
Lunch (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM): Mountain Village Restaurant (Near Bai Mansion)
This small restaurant is run by a local family—they serve home-style food that’s popular with museum staff.
What to order: Braised pork ribs with potatoes (¥28) and stir-fried greens (¥12)—the ribs are tender, and the greens are picked fresh from the family’s garden.
Price: Around ¥40 per person.
Afternoon (2:30 PM – 5:30 PM): Zhazidong Concentration Camp
Start time: 2:30 PM (15-minute walk from the restaurant—follow the signs).
Opening hours: 9 AM – 5 PM (last entry 4:00 PM); closed Mondays.
Tickets: Included in the Bai Mansion ticket (¥30 total).
Must-see highlight: Zhazidong was another prison, smaller than Bai Mansion but more brutal. The cells are carved into the mountain, and there’s an exhibit with personal items from prisoners—letters, clothes, even a small toy one prisoner made for his child. It’s a somber place, but important to visit—these stories shouldn’t be forgotten.
Avoid this: Don’t make loud noises—this is a memorial site, and people come to pay their respects.
Pro tip: Stay until 4:30 PM—most tour groups leave by then, and you can walk around quietly. It’s a more meaningful experience when it’s not crowded.
Evening (6:30 PM – 8:30 PM): Return to Downtown & Dinner at Old Town Hot Pot
Take a taxi back to downtown (¥50, 40 minutes).
Old Town Hot Pot: This restaurant has been around since the 1950s—locals say it’s the “taste of post-war Chongqing.”
What to order: Mild broth (if you can’t handle spice) with beef slices and lotus root (¥70 total for two people).
Personal touch: The owner always gives a small bowl of sweet soup after the meal—it’s a tradition from the post-war era, when sugar was scarce and considered a treat. I love this little nod to history.
Transition: Day 3 is heavy, but it’s the most important part of this historical itinerary—it helps you understand the sacrifices that shaped modern Chongqing. Day 4 will wrap up with a mix of history and local culture, so you leave with a full picture of the city.
Day 4: History & Local Culture Mix
Start time: 9:00 AM (a relaxed start to end the trip).
Morning (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM): Chongqing Museum of Modern History
Opening hours: 9 AM – 5 PM (last entry 4:00 PM); closed Mondays.
Tickets: Free (scan QR code at door for entry pass).
Must-see highlight: This museum ties together WWII, Liberation, and modern Chongqing. The last exhibit has photos of the city from the 1940s to now—you can see how much it’s changed, but also how some traditions (like hot pot, street food) have stayed the same. There’s a interactive map where you can compare old and new Chongqing—it’s fun to spot the historical sites you visited earlier.
Avoid this: Don’t skip the gift shop—they sell small books of WWII and Liberation stories in English (¥25)—great souvenirs.
Pro tip: Ask the staff for the “historical walking map” (free)—it marks all the sites from this itinerary, so you can revisit any you loved.
Lunch (12:30 PM – 1:30 PM): Street Food Tour at Shibati Old Street
Shibati is a restored old street with food stalls that sell snacks from the WWII and Liberation eras.
What to try:
Spicy tofu skin (¥5)—a popular WWII-era street food.
Candied hawthorns (¥8)—sold by vendors who push carts, just like in the 1950s.
Soy milk (¥3)—hot, sweet, and perfect for a cool morning.
Personal touch: I take all my foreign friends here—last month, my friend from Australia tried the candied hawthorns and said they were “the best sweet snack she’d ever had.”
Afternoon (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM): Ciqikou Ancient Town (Historical Shopping & Culture)
Start time: 2:00 PM (take Line 1 to Ciqikou Station—30 minutes).
Opening hours: 9 AM – 6 PM (free!).
Must-see highlight: This town was a busy port during WWII—now it’s a pedestrian street with old shops. Look for the “WWII Post Office” shop—they sell old-style postcards, and you can write one to yourself (they’ll mail it anywhere in the world). There’s also a small temple where locals prayed for peace during the war—light a stick of incense if you want (¥5).
Avoid this: Skip the big souvenir shops—look for small stalls that sell hand-made crafts, like bamboo baskets (¥30) or clay figurines (¥20).
Hidden trick: Walk to the back of the town—there’s a quiet alley with a tea house. Sit and drink jasmine tea (¥10) while watching locals play chess—it’s a perfect way to end the trip, mixing history with local life.
Transition: Day 4 wraps up your historical journey with a mix of stories and relaxation—and now you’ll leave Chongqing not just with photos of 8D streets, but with a deep understanding of its past.
Final Recommendation: My Go-To Guide for Historical Travelers
I spent 3 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 tea house in Ciqikou I told you about earlier) and a step-by-step bus/taxi booking tutorial (with photos, so you won’t get lost on the way to Bai Mansion—trust me, I’ve seen friends struggle with this!).
Last week, a reader from Canada messaged me saying our guide’s museum entry tips saved him—he didn’t know you needed a QR code for free sites, and he almost missed the Revolutionary History Museum. 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, sharing all the history and hacks.
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