Destination Guide
Chongqing
A vertical city in the fog — China's most cinematic urban maze.
Chongqing is a city built into a cliff at the meeting of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers. It's famous for fog, hotpot, vertical streets and a public-transit system that includes trains running through apartment blocks.
Most travellers use it as the start or end of a Yangtze cruise, but the city itself is worth a day or two — especially if you like dense, layered urban landscapes and food that sets your mouth on fire.
Why go
- One of the world's most dramatic cityscapes
- Hotpot and small-restaurant food culture
- Hongya Cave and the riverside at night
- The Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO-listed Buddhist site nearby
- Gateway to the Three Gorges
Best for
Urban photographyFood tripsFirst-time China city stopsNight walksYangtze cruises
Good to know
Chongqing's summer is extremely hot and humid; spring and autumn are far more pleasant. Wear comfortable shoes — the 'flat' street on your map may involve several flights of steps.