Chongqing Travel Itinerary for Foreigners: Local’s 24h-144h Guide
- DolphinUnion
- Sep 11
- 8 min read
Everyone’s talking about Chongqing’s 8D magic—trains through buildings, stairs that go straight 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 try to cram everything into 1 day and miss the good stuff—like hidden alleyways with the best hot pot, or sunrise views at Laojun Cave with no crowds. That’s why I made these 4 itineraries (24h/48h/96h/144h) to fit your time. No more guesswork, just the Chongqing locals love.
1. 24-Hour Chongqing Check-In Tour: Chongqing Travel Itinerary for Foreigners
If you’re here for a layover or short stop, focus on the iconic spots—but do them right. Start early, or you’ll be stuck in tour group crowds.
Morning (8:30 AM – 12:30 PM): Liberation Monument (Jiefangbei)
Start time: 8:30 AM—this is the only hour you’ll have Jiefangbei Square almost to yourself. By 10 AM, busloads of tourists show up.
Opening hours & tickets: The square is open 24/7 (free!), but shops around it start at 10 AM.
Must-see highlight: Stand on the corner of Minquan Road and Bayi Road—this spot lets you frame the Liberation Monument with the skyline behind it, no random people in your photo. I took my friend from Australia here last month, and she said it’s her favorite China photo.
Avoid this: Skip the big chain coffee shops. Grab a ¥5 cup of osmanthus tea from the old lady’s stall near the monument—it’s sweet, warm, and way more local.
Lunch (12:30 PM – 2:00 PM): Xiao Yang’s Hot Pot (Jiefangbei Branch)
I’ve eaten here 50+ times—this is where locals go, not tourists.
What to order: Spicy broth (ask for “mild” if you can’t handle heat—they don’t water it down, just cut the chili a little), beef slices, and lotus root. Dip everything in their sesame oil + garlic sauce—it’s life-changing.
Price: ¥60–80 per person.
Afternoon (2:30 PM – 6:00 PM): Nanbin Road
Start time: 2:30 PM—walk from Jiefangbei (20 mins) or take Line 6 to Shangxinjie Station.
Opening hours & tickets: Open 24/7 (free!), but the best light is 4–5 PM for photos.
Must-see highlight: Walk to the old stone stairs near the music fountain. You’ll get a view of the skyline across the Yangtze River, and the stairs add a cool “8D” vibe to your photos. I hate crowded viewpoints, so this is my go-to spot.
Avoid this: Don’t rent electric scooters—they cost ¥30/hour, and the road is short enough to walk. Use that money for a snack instead.
Evening (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM): Hongyadong
Start time: 6:00 PM—get here before the lights turn on at 7 PM to find a good spot.
Opening hours & tickets: 10 AM – 11 PM (free for the main area; ¥30 for the observation deck—worth it!).
Must-see highlight: Take the elevator to the 11th floor first, then walk down. You’ll avoid the up-stair crowds, and you can peek into the tiny alleys on the 8th floor—they have the best ma la tang (spicy skewers) stalls.
Avoid this: Skip the main street restaurants—they’re overpriced and not tasty. Grab ¥10 laoyoufen (rice noodles) from the stall near the 5th-floor exit.
After 3 hours at Hongyadong, your feet will hurt—but this 24-hour tour gives you the “viral Chongqing” vibe. If you have an extra day, let’s add the spots locals actually love!
2. 48-Hour Chongqing Experience Tour: More 8D Fun
With 2 days, you can skip the “just for photos” rush and add spots that show off Chongqing’s real 3D charm.
Day 2 Morning (8:30 AM – 11:30 AM): Liziba Subway Station
Start time: 8:30 AM—take Line 2 to Liziba Station. The viewing platform opens at 8 AM, so you’ll beat the crowds.
Opening hours & tickets: Platform open 8 AM – 10 PM (free!); subway runs 6:30 AM – 11 PM.
Must-see highlight: Watch the train pop out of the residential building—everyone gasps the first time! Stand on the left side of the platform for the best photo. Last summer, I brought my Japanese friend here, and she filmed 10 trains in a row because she couldn’t believe it.
Avoid this: Don’t take photos from inside the subway—windows are dirty, and you’ll block other passengers. The platform is way better.
Lunch (11:30 AM – 1:00 PM): Grandma Wang’s Noodles (Liziba Branch)
This tiny shop is my after-school spot from when I was 16. Grandma Wang still asks about my foreign visitors!
What to order: Hand-pulled beef noodles with chili oil—she makes the noodles fresh every morning. Add a small bowl of dan dan noodles if you’re hungry (they’re spicy but addictive).
Price: ¥20–30 per person.
Afternoon (1:30 PM – 4:30 PM): Chongqing People’s Auditorium & Three Gorges Museum
Start time: 1:30 PM—take Line 2 to People’s Auditorium Station.
Opening hours & tickets: Auditorium: 9 AM – 5 PM (¥10, last entry 4:30 PM); Museum: 9 AM – 5 PM (free, closed Mondays—book 1 day early via WeChat).
Must-see highlight: Go inside the Auditorium! The blue-tiled roof looks even more amazing from the grand hall—it’s like a mini palace. At the museum, don’t miss the Three Gorges boat exhibit—I brought my French friend here, and she spent 40 minutes just looking at the old boat details.
Avoid this: Don’t skip the museum to take more photos of the Auditorium. The museum tells you why Chongqing is special, not just what it looks like.
Evening (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM): Caiyuanba Railway Station Overpass
Start time: 5:00 PM—take Line 1 to Caiyuanba Station. Go around 6 PM for the streetlights.
Opening hours & tickets: Open 24/7 (free!).
Must-see highlight: Look down—you’ll see a highway, railway track, and river all stacked. Wait for a train to pass under the overpass—it’s like a real-life puzzle. I come here when I’m stressed—it’s weirdly calming to watch the traffic.
Avoid this: Don’t stand too close to the edge—no barriers, and it gets windy.
48 hours lets you see Chongqing’s “3D magic”—but if you stay 4 days, you’ll get to know the city like a local, not a tourist.
3. 96-Hour Chongqing Deep Dive: Local Life & Nature
96 hours means you can leave the downtown crowds and explore spots locals visit on weekends.
Day 3 Morning (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM): Nanshan Laojun Cave
Start time: 8:00 AM—take a taxi from downtown (¥30–40) or Line 6 to Shangxinjie Station + bus.
Opening hours & tickets: 8 AM – 6 PM (¥25).
Must-see highlight: Climb to the top viewpoint—Last Spring Festival, I brought my foreign friend here at 7 AM, and we had the sunrise over the city all to ourselves. The Taoist statues along the stairs are cool too, but the view is the real star.
Avoid this: Don’t wear flip-flops! The stairs are steep and slippery, especially after rain. I saw a tourist fall last month—wear sneakers.
Lunch (12:30 PM – 2:00 PM): Nanshan Old Street Food Market
Right at the cave’s foot—this is where locals get snacks on weekend hikes.
What to order: Grilled squid (¥10 per stick—ask for extra garlic), spicy tofu skin, and bing tang hu lu (candied hawthorns). Wash it down with ¥5 ice powder—sweet, cold, and perfect for post-hike heat. I ate here 3 times last month with different friends.
Price: ¥30–50 per person.
Afternoon (2:30 PM – 5:30 PM): Jiangbeizui
Start time: 2:30 PM—take Line 6 to Jiangbeizui Station.
Opening hours & tickets: Open 24/7 (free!).
Must-see highlight: Walk to the riverside park—you’ll see the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers meet (they’re different colors!). Sit on a bench and watch ferries go by—locals love doing this on weekends. I bring a book here sometimes; it’s quiet even though it’s a business district.
Avoid this: Don’t go during rush hour (5 PM – 7 PM). Office workers flood the streets, and it’s hard to walk.
Evening (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM): Guanyinqiao Pedestrian Street
Start time: 6:00 PM—take Line 3 to Guanyinqiao Station.
Opening hours & tickets: Shops 10 AM – 10 PM, stalls until midnight (free!).
Must-see highlight: Walk through the underground mall—it’s huge, with cheap clothes and phone cases. Grab ¥8 stinky tofu from the stall near the exit—Chongqing’s version is milder than other cities, so even if you hate stinky tofu elsewhere, try this. I eat it every time I’m here.
Avoid this: Don’t eat at McDonald’s or KFC. The street food is way better and cheaper—why waste money on something you can get at home?
96 hours makes you feel like you “know” Chongqing—but if you have 6 days, let’s add the big ones: UNESCO heritage sites you can’t miss.
4. 144-Hour Chongqing World Heritage Tour: Nature & History
144 hours (6 days) lets you take day trips to spots that put Chongqing on the UNESCO map.
Day 4: Dazu Rock Carvings (Day Trip)
Start time: 7:30 AM—take high-speed train from Chongqing North Station to Dazu South Station (1 hour, ¥36) + bus (30 mins, ¥5).
Opening hours & tickets: 8:30 AM – 6 PM (¥135, last entry 4:30 PM).
Must-see highlight: The “Sitting Buddha”—it’s as tall as a 5-story building, and its smile seems to change when you walk around. Hire a ¥50 local guide—last year, my American friend skipped the guide and missed that the Buddha’s hands have hidden carvings.
Avoid this: Don’t buy “souvenir carvings” outside—they’re fake and overpriced. Spend that money on the guide instead.
Lunch: Eat at the entrance restaurant—try Dazu braised pork. It’s tender and sweet, nothing like the city’s version.
After the carvings, take the train back by 4 PM. You’ll be tired, but it’s worth it—I still talk about my first visit here when I was 10!
Day 5: Wulong Karst & Furong River (Day Trip)
Start time: 7:00 AM—bus from Chongqing Bus Station to Wulong (2.5 hours, ¥60) + local bus (20 mins, ¥3).
Opening hours & tickets: Karst: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (¥140); Furong River Cruise: 9 AM – 5 PM (¥120).
Must-see highlight: Hike down to the karst sinkhole bottom—you’ll feel tiny next to the rocks, and it’s where Transformers 4 was filmed. Most tourists skip the hike, so you’ll have photos to yourself. The cruise is nice too—clear water and karst mountains look like a painting.
Avoid this: Don’t take the “fast boat” on Furong River—it’s ¥20 more and only lasts 20 mins. The regular boat is slower but lets you enjoy the views.
Lunch: Small restaurant near the karst—try mountain chicken soup. Warm and comforting after hiking.
Take the bus back by 6 PM.
Day 6: Jinfo Mountain (Day Trip)
Start time: 7:30 AM—bus from Chongqing Bus Station to Jinfo Mountain (2 hours, ¥50) + cable car (20 mins, ¥80 round-trip).
Opening hours & tickets: 8 AM – 6 PM (¥70).
Must-see highlight: The “Golden Buddha” rock formation—it looks like a Buddha when the sun hits it. Jinfo has “four seasons in one day”—last month, I went in a T-shirt but needed a jacket at the top. Hike the waterfall trail too; it’s quiet and has great photo spots.
Avoid this: Don’t hike alone—some trails are narrow and hard to follow. Stick to the main paths, or bring a local friend.
Lunch: Mountain top restaurant—try wild mushroom hot pot. Fresh and earthy, perfect for the cold.
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.
My Go-To Tool for Foreign Friends: DolphinUnion’s Chongqing Guide
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. It’s not like those generic travel books; it’s the exact tips I give my own friends.
Here’s the best part: It 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—last week, a reader from Canada messaged me saying this tutorial saved him from missing his Dazu trip; he’d been stuck booking online for 2 hours before finding it).
I hate when my friends stress about missing spots or getting lost—this guide takes that worry away. It’s like having a local friend with you the whole time, without me having to tag along! If you don’t want to scribble down notes from this blog, or worry about forgetting the “8 AM start time” for Laojun Cave, grab this guide. It’ll make your Chongqing trip way smoother. (Chongqing travel itinerary for foreigners)
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