Chongqing One-Day Itinerary: How to Explore China’s Most Viral City Without Losing Your Mind

Chongqing was until very recently a relatively unknown city, but a couple of years ago it boomed on social media and went viral as the cyberpunk city.

Chongqing is one of China's four municipality-level cities, along with Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin. These cities have the status of municipalities directly administered by the central government, which means they don't depend on any province and hold key economic and strategic importance for the country.

The entire Chongqing municipality is home to 32 million people, but of those, about 9 million live in the central urban area. So, yes: it's a huge city to try and see in just one day. But if I'm being honest, of all the cities I've visited in China, if there's one that's worth seeing even if you only have 24 hours, it's Chongqing. Many others have their tourist attractions very spread out, and it would be very frustrating to try to see everything in one day, but Chongqing is more about soaking in the city and marveling at its architecture and its beautiful chaos.

Without a doubt, you could probably spend weeks there (on my first visit, I spent four days and felt like I hadn't understood anything about the city) but the main attractions, the ones that will make you fall in love with the city, can be perfectly seen in 24 hours if you know your way around and where to go.

That being said, make sure you spend at least one night, as the most spectacular thing about Chongqing is its nighttime skyline! My recommendation if you're making a brief stop is to arrive in the evening, spend a full day there, and leave early in the morning on the third day.

This would be the itinerary I would follow if I had a day in Chongqing. It doesn't include everything, but it's designed so you can calmly and enjoyably capture the essence of this city, which can be overwhelming. You don't need to check off every item on the must-do list; instead, it's about having the experiences that allow you to understand the nature of Chongqing.

Chongqing in 24h: recommended itinerary

Start the day with a walk along the riverbank on one of the city's old city walls, now full of cute cafes that open at 9:45 AM, where you can enjoy a tea or coffee and a pastry or cake with views of the river and the city skyline. For example, you can try the pastries at Cliff Cafe (address: 重庆市渝中区戴家巷24号1-3).

The wall is very close to Kuixinglou (魁星楼), the internet's most viral square. Spend some quality time there, exploring all its perspectives and being amazed by its height.

Two girls walking along the riverbank, with the Chongqing cityscape in the background.

A man walking across an elevated bridge between different levels of Chongqing, a city known for its

Street vendors at the entrance of Liziba metro station in Chongqing.

Fruit vendors selling produce on the streets of Chongqing.

View of the Yangtze River in Chongqing.

Tall grey building in Chongqing.

Continue your morning by taking Metro Line 2 at the Linjiangmen station, which you'll find right at the entrance to the square. Line 2 is an elevated monorail that will give you some great views of the city. Make a stop at Liziba, another one of the city's viral spots: the famous building that the metro line runs through.

Get off at Liziba, go out, and get back on the subway to go a few more stops, simply to take in the city. I recommend you go all the way to Zoo Station (动物园站), and then turn around and head back towards the city center. This is a calm, comfortable, and above all, fun way to see the city. Some people say this subway line feels like a roller coaster. I'm not sure I'd go that far, but I can tell you it's my favorite subway line in the world.

After lunch downtown, start the afternoon route by visiting the imposing Chongqing Museum of Contemporary Art (重庆当代美术馆). From there, head downtown to Jiefangbei (解放碑). This area is the city's commercial heart, full of skyscrapers, neon lights, and shops. A few minutes' walk away, you'll find Luohan Temple (罗汉寺), a surprisingly peaceful spot in the midst of the frenetic metropolis. Even if you've already seen many temples, I recommend going inside to admire the contrast between its traditional architecture and the starkness of the surrounding skyscrapers.

Then continue walking to Raffles City Chongqing (来福士广场重庆), the most iconic building complex in the city's skyline. It's about a fifteen-minute walk, and it's well worth it!

Traditional rooftops of Luohan Temple contrasting with Chongqing’s modern skyline in the background.

The Chongqing Yangtze River cable car viewed through the window of a bar.

A family walking through the entrance of Luohan Temple in Chongqing.

A Chongqing street scene featuring the Yangtze River cable car and Raffles City skyscrapers

A street vendor selling goods at a metro station in Chongqing.

Night view of Chongqing’s skyline with the illuminated Hongya Cave complex along the river.

When it starts to get late, take a cruise on the Yangtze and Jialing, the two rivers that cross Chongqing, departing from the port near Raffles City Chongqing to see the sunset and watch all the lights of this fascinating city come on. Book it in advance from the hotel and relax in what is, for me at least, the best way to spend the evening if you only have one night in the city. In just one evening, you'll be able to see all the faces of this popular city's magnificent skyline.

After the cruise, take a walk to Hongya Cave (about a twenty-minute walk), Chongqing's landmark, and have dinner at one of its restaurants. This isn't a place for those who don't like crowds, as thousands of local tourists flock there every night to see its spectacular lighting, and it can be overwhelming... but it's also the true Chongqing experience (and you could say for much of China!): people, people, and more people!

Be careful, though, not to get there too late. Although Chongqing is the most vibrant city in China, all the light shows and shopping malls turn off their lights at 11 PM! So, you'll need to see everything and take all your photos before then.

If you're still up for more later, give yourself the chance to get lost in the alleys of the city center, where you'll find street markets and all sorts of local spots. Oh, and if you're feeling adventurous, you can also explore Chongqing's nightlife! I've never had the chance to do it myself, but people who have partied in this city say it's been unforgettable!

What to do if I have extra time in Chongqing?

If you have a second day in Chongqing, I would recommend taking a trip to the Wulong Karst Natural Park. The most common option is to go on an organized bus tour from Chongqing, which stops at the park's main points of interest and handles all the logistics: entrance fees, tickets, transfers, and access.

It's a huge park, and the way to visit it is very different from what we're used to in nature parks back home. The trails are perfectly defined, one-way, and all visitors follow the same route. At the end of each section, a shuttle takes you to the next point on the trail.

Maybe, put that way, it doesn't sound very appealing, but this is the standard operating procedure for many nature parks in China. In a country this vast with such a high volume of visitors, this system makes a lot of sense, as it allows them to manage the large number of tourists, provide a good and safe experience for visitors, while also better protecting the natural environment.

It's worth visiting, as the scenery is truly spectacular, but it's also important to have your expectations properly set.

A traditional wooden building nestled among the dramatic karst formations of Wulong Karst National P

People posing as if they are holding a rock formation that appears like a sword due to perspective.

Bridge crossing an area of karst rock formations in Wulong Karst National Park.

A waterfall cascading between the karst rock formations and lush vegetation of Wulong Karst National

Alternatively, you could use the day to see other, less touristy parts of the city. I really enjoyed visiting City Hall Square, and it's also recommended to go to a park or an elevated spot in the city to enjoy its skyline from different perspectives. A popular spot is Eling Park, but I also recommend improvising and getting lost. I mistakenly went to a temple that wasn't the one I wanted to visit, and it ended up being a spectacular place, full of locals drinking tea and eating peanuts, half-hidden on a hill with great views.

Chongqing is a city that cerainly will never disappoint!

Chongqing City Hall featuring traditional Chinese architecture, with a large plaza in front.

Close-up view of Chongqing City Hall’s facade featuring green and red architectural details.

Daytime view of Chongqing’s skyline from inside a tea room.

Lit candles inside a Buddhist temple in Chongqing.

Local men playing cards on a street in Chongqing.