As we hurtle into the last month of 2024, it seems like many are scurrying to get their work done in time to board a China-bound plane for the holidays. Just look to IG, which is plastered with pics of your friends and relatives’ trips to the largest country in East Asia, whether it’s hanging with the pandas in Chengdu or tackling the rides at Universal Studios Beijing.
If your FOMO’s already kicking in, then we’ve got just the destination for you. Chongqing’s probably one of the hottest spots in China right now, and is proving to be a potent tourist magnet with its Cyberpunk-ish architecture that plays around the city’s unique mountainous terrain. As some itinerary inspo for your upcoming visit to the 8D city, here are some things to do in Chongqing.
The current exchange rate is S$1 = ~¥5.42 as of 9th December 2024.
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Chongqing is located in Southwestern China, and much like its other major cities like Shanghai and Beijing, getting there from the Little Red Dot isn’t too much of a hassle.
A couple of airlines have direct, 5-hour flights from Singapore’s Changi Airport to the Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, such as Air China, Chongqing Airlines, and Singapore Airlines. Roundtrip flights from Singapore to Chongqing start from S$444, so the prices aren’t too exorbitant even if you’re planning a last-minute holiday.
Probably the spot which shot Chongqing to the top of everyone’s TikTok FYP earlier this year, Kuixinglou Square is undoubtedly one of the best locations that portrays the city’s peculiar topography.
Image credit: 杰哥的旅行日记 via RED
Known as “the plaza which doesn’t know which floor it is on” by bewildered tourists, you’ll find that it actually sits atop a building which is 22 floors tall, despite looking like it’s on ground level. In fact, quite a number of Chongqing’s buildings are constructed in this fashion, as the city is built on steep gorges and lofty peaks, hence its moniker of the Mountain City.
Image adapted from: 自由行旅行攻略 & Li Chunyu via RED
Once you’re here, there are a couple of buildings styled after those of yesteryear to snap pics of, including 2 glassy pavilions to marvel at. The 2 bridges connecting the plaza to Kuixinglou Building is another picturesque backdrop, and the little zen garden right next to one of them is a hidden alcove with views of the snaking Yangtze River down below.
Image adapted from: 郭小yan & 七月六散心故事 via RED
Back down on the ground floor of the Kuixinglou Building, the massive walls that flank the roads are also peppered with photo ops. Share a moment with an artistic rendition of Studio Ghibli’s Totoro, or share your OOTDs with a pair of eerily cute panda caricatures.
Address: 7 Datang Square, Linjiangmen, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
Opening hours: 24 hours, Daily
Image credit: @capitaland via Instagram
Raffles City Chongqing might ring a bell once you hear its name, but take a look at its design and you’ll see that it bears an uncanny resemblance to our beloved Marina Bay Sands. That’s no coincidence, as this palatial mall was conceived by the same architect who worked on MBS, Moshe Safdie.
Image credit: CapitaLand
It’s smack dab in the middle of the Yuzhong district of Chongqing’s CBD, and within the 5-storey mall you’ll find that it’s filled with big international name brands. Surprisingly, you can also spot familiar homegrown inclusions in its directory, such as Charles & Keith and Bee Cheng Hiang; perhaps because the mall is owned by the Singaporean headquartered real estate group, CapitaLand.
The Crystal skybridge, measuring 300m long, is also dubbed the world’s first “horizontal skyscraper”.
Image credit: @capitaland via Instagram
Don’t forget to head upstairs to the mall’s rooftop observation deck, which is located at one end of the mall’s The Crystal skybridge, for stunning views of Chongqing’s bustling city. If you’re daring enough, try your hand at the SkyWalk (¥180), where you’ll be tethered to a railing as you set foot onto the roof of the building 250m above street level.
Image credit: @capitaland via Instagram
Raffles City Chongqing also plays host to The Private Club, a discreet circle that gives its members exclusive access to certain areas of Raffles City Chongqing. For a hefty annual membership fee of ¥60,000, you can take a dip in a 50m-long infinity pool, or network with other folks living the same high life as you in a member’s-only lounge.
Address: 18 Xinyi Street, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: Raffles City Chongqing website
Image credit: @rh_jalanjalan via Instagram
Another “attraction” that has made its rounds on social media is Liziba Station, AKA that one building-tunnelling train in Chongqing. No clickbait here; the station which is part of Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2 sees trains passing through a block of flats daily. In fact, it takes up Levels 6 to 8 of a 19-storey tall residential building, and boy is it a bizarre sight indeed.
The view from inside the train as it stops at Liziba station.
Fun fact: the building and Liziba Station were built simultaneously, and the flats were built with special materials to minimise sounds and vibrations emanating from the chugging trains. Today, hoards of people flock to the station’s vicinity, phones in hand, to catch trains arriving and departing the station, turning it into somewhat of a tourist attraction.
If you’d like to experience this bizarre commute yourself, taking a ride on the Chongqing Rail Transit (CRT) is surprisingly cheap. It’s the most efficient way of getting around the city; you can get one-way, single use tickets that start from just ¥2 at ticket booths in train stations.
Image credit: Wikiwand
In case you’ve got tons of places to hit up, do consider getting an IC Transportation card (¥20), which is essentially like an EZ-Link card which you can top up with money for fuss-free travels on the CRT or public buses.
Address: No. 119, Liziba Street, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
Opening hours: 6.30am-11.30pm, Daily
Many have noticed that Hongya Cave bears a resemblance to the iconic bathhouse from Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, especially when it lights up beautifully at night.
Image credit: 冉冉玩不嗨 via RED
Hongya Cave is another one of Chongqing’s architectural marvels which definitely warrants a visit for both foodies and shopaholics alike. This 11-storey tall shopping complex is built on stilts into a hillside, resulting in its unique, multi-tiered layout that’s not the easiest to navigate. Heck, most visitors enter the complex from the 11th floor which is miraculously on street level, and work their way downwards.
But, getting lost within Hongya Cave is all part of the experience, as you won’t know what’s around every corner in this eclectic mash of shops that you can’t really find anywhere else.
Image adapted from: 春风 & 爱吃肉的小柠檬 via RED
Food fanatics will want to make a stop on Level 4, as it houses restaurants serving Chongqing hotpot which is known to be pretty dang spicy. 1 level up, you’ll find all sorts of cuisine ranging from Japanese to Italian, along with great views of the Jialing and Yangtze rivers converging beneath your feet.
Image credit: 威震天 via RED
Level 2’s the place if you’d like a taste of the city’s nightlife, as it’s crowded with various bars and nightclubs. Up on Level 8, visitors can bring home Chongqing specialties and souvenirs such as coveted bottles of Chongqing chilli sauce. Before you leave, don’t forget to swing by Hongyadicui on Level 10, which is a small waterfall which flows straight from the mountaintops above.
Address: No. 88 Binjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
Opening hours: 24 hours, Daily
Image credit: @xylicuidi via Instagram
Equally as fascinating as Chongqing’s interestingly-built buildings is the renowned Ciqikou Ancient Town. This archaic shopping district is ingrained in Chongqing’s culture with more than a millennium of history, as the city used to be an important economic and transport hub of China.
Image credit: 小叶 via RED
If you need further proof of Chongqing’s historical importance to its nation, pay a visit to the Ying Long Gate in Ciqikou Ancient Town, as it was dubbed the throat into Southwest China way back in the day. In modern times, it proves to be quite a scenic spot overlooking Jialing River, which beckons many to patronise the district’s 12 bustling shopping streets.
Image adapted from: 爆炒为朝 & 罗嘎嘎GAGA via RED
Of course, you can’t miss out on the street snacks here; some to taste-test include fried dough twists, spicy chicken giblets, and glutinous rice cakes. The famous Baolun Temple is also located within the ancient town, which used to be the abode of a Ming Dynasty emperor who lived here in seclusion, or so the legend goes.
Image adapted from: 番茄炒鸡蛋 & 冬日驴火烧 via RED
For a breather, take a break at one of the many teahouses that line the streets of Ciqikou Ancient Town. As you gobble down pastries and desserts along with your delightful brews, you’ll be able to pair your meals with live entertainment too. Many of these teahouses will also enthrall guests with traditional performances such as Chinese opera and storytelling sessions, so you might be inclined to stay for quite a bit.
Address: No.1, Cinan Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing
Opening hours: 24 hours, Daily
When you’ve got time to spare, taking a day trip or 2 out of Chongqing is another great way to really soak in everything the city has to offer. To start you off, Chiyou Jiuli City is one place you can consider setting your sights for.
Image credit: @yang_guangqing via Instagram
Located about a 3.5-hour drive from Chongqing’s city centre, it’s a small settlement that’s roughly about 10sqkm, brimming with Miao people culture. They’re one of the 56 official ethnic groups in China, and you’ll be surprised at how friendly their people can be. Besides, the city is bathed in the warm glow of lights once night falls, making it quite the spectacle.
Image adapted from: 7ang. & 肖你妹 via RED
The main attraction here is the Chiyou Jiuli Palace, where you have to walk through a total of 9 grandiose gates to reach. Once you’ve made your way past the gates, you can opt to rent traditional Miao costumes (from ¥30/hour) and silver jewellery (from ¥20/hour) for your own photoshoots with the palace in the background.
The Miao people have an interesting way of welcoming guests with rice wine too. Called the High Mountain and Flowing Water ritual, the drinks are poured from 4 different wine jars mimicking a rushing river. We’re hoping you’re not a lightweight, as you’re supposed to chug as much as you’re given.
Image adapted from: Tingtingbutingting & 羽甜 via RED
Other sites of interest include the 24m-tall Jiuli stone totem pole, which bears carvings of the various deities and demons of the Miao people’s culture. Those looking for keepsakes such as ornate jewellery and intricate handcrafts can buy some at a small shopping street nearby; it even doubles as a charming photo spot with its colourful lanterns dangling overhead.
Address: 4A Scenic Area, Pengshui District, Chongqing
Admission: ¥81/pax
Opening hours: 9am-6pm, Daily
Most people know Chongqing for its skyscraping buildings and bustling CBD, but the city does have its fair share of natural wonders if you know where to look. So, we’re pointing you in the direction of Wulong Karst National Geology Park, whose stunning landscape is about a 4-hour drive away from the main city.
If you’d like to skip out on the hike, you can traverse the karst quickly by hopping into an elevator.
Image adapted from: 雪糕爸妈去探店 via RED
As you approach Wulong Karst National Geology Park, you might find it strange that a huge Bumblebee statue is standing guard at its entrance. The Autobot hasn’t wandered into the park by mistake; the park was used to film certain sequences in Transformers 4 so expect to bump into more of his buddies on your tour.
Image credit: 夏九九 via RED
Robots aside, what you’re really here for are the 3 Natural Bridges of Wulong Karst. They are a series of towering, naturally-formed limestone bridges within the park, and you’ll be able to catch all of them on a short 2km hike. The Tianlong Bridge is the first of the 3; try to spot its famed “thumbs-up” shape that’s framed within the underside of the bridge.
Image adapted from: 夏九九 & 爱笑的薇薇安 via RED
Along your hike, you can also make a pit stop at a clearing amongst the valleys, overlooking an old Chinese courtyard which dates back to the Tang Dynasty, over 1,400 years ago. Should the weather permit, you can even go on a hot air balloon ride for views of the karst from above.
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This post was brought to you by Changi Recommends.
Photography by Eldora Chong.
Cover image adapted from: 杰哥的旅行日记 & 冉冉玩不嗨 via RED
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