Chongqing is China's vast mountain megacity — a dramatic, fog-wreathed sprawl of skyscrapers stacked on cliffs above the meeting of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers. Famous for its tongue-numbing hotpot, its dizzying multi-level streets and a near cyberpunk skyline where monorails glide through tower blocks, it is one of the most jaw-dropping and fast-growing cities on Earth, yet still remarkably affordable to live in.
Chongqing has a humid subtropical climate and is one of China's "furnace cities," with long, intensely hot summers, mild winters and plenty of mist. It is home to a growing international community, with English used in its universities and international schools. Mandarin (and the local dialect) is the language of daily life, but a very low cost of living, an enormous metro that climbs through the hills, and high-speed rail across the southwest make this spectacular city surprisingly easy to settle into.
Location Info
- Vast, fast-growing megacity with a low cost of living and a growing expat scene
- Very safe, with low street crime even late at night
- An enormous metro that scales the hills, plus high-speed trains across the region
Top Experiences
Hongya Cave
A towering, multi-storey stilt complex of shops, restaurants and bars that lights up like a scene from a fantasy film at night, cascading down the cliff above the river — Chongqing's most photographed sight.
The Liziba Monorail
Watch — or ride — the light-rail train that famously threads straight through the middle of a residential tower block, an only-in-Chongqing feat of mountain-city engineering.
Ciqikou Ancient Town
Wander the flagstone lanes of this restored Ming and Qing riverside town, packed with teahouses, craft stalls and the smell of sizzling street snacks.
Chongqing Hotpot
The spiritual home of mala hotpot. Gather round a bubbling cauldron of chillies and Sichuan peppercorns and cook your own feast — fiery, social and utterly addictive.
A Yangtze River Cruise
Board a boat from the city to sail through the magnificent Three Gorges, one of China's great journeys, past sheer cliffs, ancient towns and the colossal Three Gorges Dam.
Dazu Rock Carvings
Take a day trip to these UNESCO-listed cliffside Buddhist sculptures — thousands of intricate, brightly painted figures carved over 800 years ago.
Getting Around
Chongqing's mountainous, multi-level layout looks daunting but is brilliantly served by transport. Its huge metro climbs, tunnels and even flies between tower blocks, backed by buses, cross-river cable cars and ferries, while Didi (China's ride-hailing app) and metered taxis are cheap. High-speed trains link Chengdu and beyond in around an hour. Almost everything is paid for by phone with WeChat Pay or Alipay, so it's worth setting these up soon after you arrive.
When to Go
Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the most comfortable, with mild, pleasant days. Summers are famously hot and humid, often topping 38°C, while winters are cool, grey and misty rather than cold — making the shoulder seasons by far the best time to explore.
Good to Know
- The Chinese yuan (CNY/RMB) is the currency, and Chongqing is very affordable to live in.
- Mandarin is the official language and everyday English is limited, so a translation app is invaluable.
- Almost all payments are by phone — set up WeChat Pay or Alipay early.
- A VPN is needed for many Western sites and apps, so arrange one before you arrive.
- Chongqing is extremely safe, with very low rates of street crime.
- The whole country runs on China Standard Time (GMT+8).
