China

Chongqing Travel Guide

In Chongqing, trains pass through buildings, streets climb steep hills and rivers meet beneath a skyline that glows after dark.

HongyadongPhoto: Youyiy33 · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Before you go

When to go and how long to stay

Allow at least three days if Dazu is on your list. Leave a separate day for the carvings, and split central sightseeing between the peninsula and the opposite riverbanks.

Entry documents

Check your passport’s eligibility with China’s National Immigration Administration before booking. A tourist visa, ordinary visa-free entry and visa-free transit are different options. Transit eligibility depends on your passport, approved ports, permitted area and confirmed travel onward to a third country or region. Save your first hotel’s address in Chinese and keep your onward itinerary handy for the arrival form.

Getting to the city

At Jiangbei Airport (CKG), check your terminal before following rail signs. Line 10 serves the airport terminals and connects with Chongqing North Railway Station; choose the interchange for your lodging before boarding.

Chongqing North and Chongqing West are different railway stations. For Chongqing North, check the entrance or square named in your directions and leave time to walk inside the terminal.

Getting around

Distances on the map hide steep climbs and different street levels. Save your hotel’s entrance pin and look for lifts or escalators when walking. Line 2 is useful for Liziba, and a taxi can save an uphill walk on the return.

Payments and mobile data

Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay and link an eligible international card before flying. Keep some small RMB notes and a backup card, and save your hotel and station names offline. Check whether your phone supports roaming or a travel eSIM. When booking intercity rail through 12306, enter your passport name exactly and bring the same original document to the station.

Where to stay

Jiefangbei is convenient for first visits and evening landmarks. Choose a hotel near a named rail entrance if you want to minimize steep luggage walks.