Top 15 Things to Do in Chongqing & Must-Visit Attractions
Fun Things to Do in Chongqing
1.Go to Liziba Station to Watch the Train Pass Through a Building
Liziba Station on Chongqing’s Light Rail Line 2 is the city’s only rail station embedded within a residential building, occupying floors 6 to 8 of a 19-story structure. Visiting there is one of the best things to do in Chongqing, as you'll see the surreal sight of trains piercing through the building, which is truly astonishing. Want the full experience? Hop on the train first for the moment when the train is traveling through the building, then move to the viewing spot to take some epic pictures.
2. Ride the Chongqing Yangtze River Cableway to Fly Over the River
- Xinhua Road Cableway Station: Take Metro Line 1 or 6 to Xiaoshizi Station, exit from 5B;
- Shangxinjie Cableway Station: Take Metro Line 6 to Shangxinjie Station, exit from Gate 2
Free Things to Do in Chongqing
3. Step Back in Time at Ciqikou Ancient Town
When it comes to what to see and do in Chongqing, Ciqikou Ancient Town should be mentioned. It began in the Song Dynasty as a porcelain market. Ming-Qing era buildings with intricate woodwork still line its cobbled lanes, where the echoes of bustling trade and cultural fusion linger in every carved eave and wooden balcony. Take a stroll along the ancient street, and you'll find the air is filled with the irresistible fragrance of crispy mahua (savory fried twists).
4. Pay a Visit to the Three Gorges Museum
Exploring the Three Gorges Museum should be listed among the top 10 things to do in Chongqing. The museum houses over 100,000 cool old things, including bronze artifacts from ancient Sichuan, Han Dynasty sculptures, and more. The "Majestic Three Gorges" section exhibits real objects from the flooded areas. A highlight is the Wuyang Han Que, a 5.4-meter-tall stone tower from 2,000 years ago—the best-preserved of its kind in China.
>> Recommended 1-day classic Chongqing city tour
5. Explore Chongqing People’s Liberation Monument
The Liberation Monument is China's only national memorial for winning the War Against Japan. This famous landmark of Chongqing remembers both the war victory and the city's freedom. Admiring it is one of the best things to do in Chongqing, China, and you can't say you've been to Chongqing without seeing it! By day, it presents to be serious and impressive, and you can really feel its history. At night, it turns totally different. The area lights up and gets busy with shops, restaurants, and bars everywhere.
Unique Things to Do in Chongqing
6. Take a Three Gorges Cruise Starting from Chongqing
Embarking on a China Yangtze River cruise is one of the unique things to do in Chongqing. It is a good way to discover the grandeur of the Three Gorges, namely Wu Gorge, Qutang Gorge, and Xiling Gorge. Starting from Chongqing, you’ll glide past jade-green waters, sheer cliffs, and ancient hanging coffins—a breathtaking panorama that has inspired poets for centuries. Beyond admiring the scenery from the deck, you can also disembark to explore Fengdu Ghost City's supernatural lore and Baidi City's ancient history.
>> Recommended 4 Days Yangtze River cruise tour from Chongqing
7. Embark on a Chongqing Street Food Tour at Bayi Food Street
Bayi Food Street is one of the most famous food streets in Chongqing, offering food specialties like tangy hot and sour noodles, tasty Chongqing xiaomian, and refreshing ice tangyuan, all are mouth-watering. No Chongqing travel would be complete without sampling the city's legendary hot pot, one of the most popular Chinese foods. You can experience authentic Chongqing hot pot at Gege Jiugongge Old Hot Pot or Zaiyuli Old Chongqing Hot Pot.
>> Read more about Chongqing cuisine, food, and restaurants
Cool Things to Do in Chongqing
8. Discover the Natural Wonders of Wulong Karst National Geology Park
As for what to do in Chongqing, Wulong Karst National Geology Park is waiting for your exploration. It is a must-visit attraction in Chongqing. The scenic area includes not only the world's largest natural bridge cluster—the Three Natural Bridges, but also Furong Cave, known as "the most beautiful underground art palace". You can also explore the Fairy Mountain, which is called "Eden on earth" and "the first grassland in southern China."
>> Recommended Chongqing to Wulong Karst Day Tour
9. Visit Dazu Rock Carvings to Admire Ancient Sculptures
Dazu Rock Carvings is one of the best places to visit in Chongqing for a cultural trip. Here at this UNESCO-listed site, you can admire the largest grotto sculptures from China’s late Tang Dynasty. The Baodingshan cliff carvings began in the Southern Song Dynasty, with Buddhist statues covering the surrounding 500-meter rock faces. The most famous works include the Grand Treasure Pavilion, the Huayan Twin Saints, and the Thousand-Hand Guanyin.
>> Recommended Chongqing Day Tour to Dazu Rock Carvings
Things to Do in Chongqing at Night
10. Enjoy Chongqing Night Views from Nanshan Tree Viewing Platform
Regarding what to see in Chongqing, the city’s night views cannot be missed. Nanshan Tree Viewing Platform is a perfect spot to enjoy Chongqing's night views. From there, you can take in the entire Yuzhong Peninsula. At night, the city lights twinkle like brilliant pearls, where the two rivers meet with shimmering reflections. Skyscrapers glow magnificently, the rainbow-like bridges buzz with traffic, and countless household lights at varying heights resemble a sky full of stars, creating a dazzling masterpiece.
11. Marvel at the Lantern-Lit Architecture of Hongya Cave
Appreciating the night views of Hongya Cave is also one of the cool things to do in Chongqing. Clinging to the hillside, its cascading stilt houses blend traditional Bayu charm with contemporary flair. At night, it transforms into a magical fantasy world. When the lights illuminate, the entire Hongyadong becomes brilliantly lit, as if emerging straight from Hayao Miyazaki's anime "Spirited Away."
Things to Do in Chongqing Airport
12. Admire the Unique Design of Terminal 3B
If you plan a layover tour in Chongqing, exploring the Jiangbei International Airport is also one of the top things to do in Chongqing. The T3B satellite hall of the airport is the world's largest single-building satellite terminal. Within this architectural marvel, you'll encounter the "Flying Phoenix of Chongqing" installation, alongside a metro exhibition hall designed to emulate Karst cave landscapes.
13. Take Photos with the Yellow Ferrari at the Airport
Besides the light rail, the taxis nicknamed "Yellow Ferraris" are another important symbol of Chongqing. At Jiangbei Airport Terminal 3's arrival level footbridge, hundreds of the city's famous "Yellow Ferraris" queue in perfect formation, creating a striking visual contrast against the dark black road surface. Don't hesitate, press your shutter and capture this quintessential moment on your Chongqing trip.
Things to Do in Chongqing with Kids
14. Watch a Traditional Sichuan Opera Face-Changing Show
Watching a traditional Sichuan Opera Face-Changing show in Luzu Temple Republic-era Teahouse must be a memorable experience and one of the best things to do in Chongqing with kids. Here, your children will gasp at Sichuan Opera's UNESCO-recognized face-changing magic, daring fire performances, and graceful long-spout tea ceremonies, while you all sip tea from traditional covered bowls.
15. Visit Chongqing Zoo to See Giant Pandas
Visiting Chongqing Zoo is also one of the top things to do in Chongqing City for a family tour. It is home to 22 giant pandas, one of the largest collections in any Chinese city zoo. Here, you can witness the internet-famous "Four Happiness Meatballs" (four pandas appearing to play mahjong). By the way, pandas tend to be more active in the morning, so make sure to visit them before 10:00 AM.
Looking forward to seeing more pandas? You can go on a China Panda Tour.
Plan a Chongqing Tour with ETC
With so many things to do in Chongqing, planning a trip there may be mind-blowing. To make your trip stress-free, consider traveling with Easy Tour China, a trusted local travel agency with more than 20 years of experience in tailor-made China tours. Contact us and customize your Chongqing tours now! Prefer instant ideas? Take a look at our top-rated Chongqing tour packages below.