Chongqing Municipality

Chongqing administrative divisions. The orange districts are known as "Central Chongqing". Urban Chongqing consists of the orange and red districts, except for the westernmost red district (Bishan)

Chongqing municipality is in Southwest China. It has of population of over 30 million and covers 82,403 km² (31,816 sq mi).

Cities

• 1 Chongqing urban area, comprising "Central Chongqing" (Yuzhong, Dadukou, Jiangbei, Shapingba, Jiulongpo, and Nan'an Districts) as well as Banan, Yubei, and Beibei Districts.
• 2 Dazu District, famous for the Dazu Rock Carvings
• 3 Qianjiang District
• 4 Qijiang District

Other destinations

• 1 816 Nuclear Military Plant (816地下核工厂), Baitao Town, Fuling District (涪陵区白涛镇) (catch a high-speed train from Chongqing North to Fuling North; from there, take bus no. 101 to Luojia Gardens (罗家花园) and then transfer to bus no. 208A or 208C to get to the destination). 09:00-17:30. An immense underground facility that was intended to be used for the production of nuclear weapons. Construction began in 1966 and was almost completed at the time the project was cancelled in 1984. Since no plutonium or other radioactive materials were actually processed here, it is therefore safe for visitors. Unlike other nuclear sites in China, the 816 Nuclear Military Plant is open to both Chinese and foreign visitors. ¥60. (updated Feb 2018)
• 2 Baiheliang Underwater Museum (White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum; 白鹤梁水下博物馆), 185 Binjiang Avenue 2nd Section, Fuling District (涪陵区滨江大道二段185号) (catch a high-speed train from Chongqing North to Fuling North, then take bus no. 119 to get to the destination), ☏ +86 23 85688882, bhlsxbwg@163.com. 09:00-17:00. This museum preserves an important archaeological site on the Yangtze River, a rock outcrop known as Baiheliang (literally translated as White Crane Ridge), which was used from the Tang Dynasty onward to record the river's water levels, but which is now fully submerged due to the completion of the Three Gorges Dam. ¥60. (updated Feb 2018)
• 3 Dafo Temple (Big Buddha Temple of Tongnan, 潼南大佛寺), Zitong Subdistrict, Tongnan District (潼南区梓潼街道) (Tongnan can be reached by bus in about 1.5 to 2 hours from Chen Jiaping Bus Station and other long-distance bus stations for about ¥43. The temple is 1.7 km from Tongnan Bus Station. To walk there after leaving the bus station, head north down Datong Street (大同街) until you get to Binjiang Road (滨江路) and then follow the river in a westerly direction), ☏ +86 23-4455296. 08:30-17:30. About 108 kilometres northwest of central Chongqing is the district of Tongnan. Just north of the downtown area on the Fuijiang River is the Dafo Temple. It is 30 min outside the downtown area along the winding river banks. The highlight is a large 18-m high Buddha carved into the rock. Tourists are a rare occurrence at the temple and in this town you will be greeted with great interest and excitement on the part of the locals as is common in rural China. ¥50. 
• 4 Diaoyu Fortress (钓鱼城, Diaoyucheng), Diaoyucheng Avenue, Hechuan District (get a long-distance bus to Hechuan from Chenjiaping Bus Station, then get a taxi or catch bus no 687), ☏ +86 23 42822763. 08:30-17:00. One of the best preserved of the more 80 mountain fortresses built during the Song Dynasty to resist the Mongol invaders. The fortress successfully repelled over 200 Mongol attacks before it was overrun in 1279. Mongol leader Möngke Khan was killed here in 1259 during the Siege of Diaoyucheng. ¥60. (updated Sep 2022)
• 5 Fengdu Ghost Town (丰都鬼城), Mingshan Subdistrict, Fengdu County (丰都县名山街道) (Bus service to Fengdu is provided via the Chaotianmen Bus Station, the Sigongli Transport Hub and several other bus stations. Trains depart from the Chongqing North Station. Yangtze River cruise boats also stop here.), ☏ +86 23-70613323. 07:00-17:20. Fengdu's county seat is a river town on the banks of the Yangtze (Chang Jiang) River, about two hours by bus or one hour by train from Chongqing City. Across the river from the town is the Ghost Town which can be reached by ferry. Highlights include the authentic Buddhist Temple on Mt. Ming. April–November: ¥100, December–March: ¥60.  
• 6 Jinfo Mountain (Gold Buddha Mountain; Mount Jinfo; JInfoshan; 金佛山), Nancheng Sub-District, Nanchuan District (南川区南城街道) (Direct buses to Jinfo Mountain depart daily at 07:30 from the InterContinental Chongqing. The fare is ¥40 one-way or ¥78 return and the journey time is probably about two hours.), toll-free: +86 400 023-9157. 08:00-17:00. Large scenic mountain that is part of the South China Karst World Heritage Site and also a popular skiing destination. ¥190 (including cable car and sightseeing bus), extra charges apply for use of the ski field. (updated Feb 2018)
• 7 Qixia Temple (Qixia Palace, 栖霞宫), Yunyang County (云阳县) (Catch a long distance bus to Yunyang County. The journey will probably take about 4 hours. After arriving at the county seat, you will need to catch a taxi or motorized pedicab to get to the temple), ☏ +86 23 55128228. The original name of this temple was Yunsheng Palace (云升宫). It is 5 km northwest of Yunyang Town. It was built in the Han Dynasty, but repaired many times in the Northern and Southern Dynasties. ¥10. (updated Jun 2018)
• 8 Three Natural Bridges (天生三桥) (Direct buses to the Xiannüshan Tourist Reception Center (仙女山镇游客接待中心) are available from both the Sigongli Tourist Transportation Center (四公里旅游集散中心) and the Longtou Temple Tourist Transportation Center (龙头寺旅游集散中心). The Xiannüshan Tourist Reception Center is the departure point for buses to the Three Natural Bridges and other destinations within the park.), ☏ +86 23 77721248. 08:00-17:00. A series of natural limestone bridges in Xiannüshan Town (仙女山镇), Wulong County. They lie within the Wulong Karst National Geology Park, itself a part of the South China Karst-Wulong Karst UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Chinese, the bridges are all named after dragons, namely the Tianglong (天龙桥, Sky Dragon), Qinglong (Azure Dragon) and Heilong (黑龙桥, Black Dragon) bridges. Among others attractions, there is an adrenaline via ferrata along a water channel embedded in a rock cliff (nearby "Pulled Rock Village"). ¥95 during low season (November to March), ¥135 during peak season (April to October).  
• 9 Wanzhou Grand Falls (万州大瀑布), Ganning Town, Wanzhou District (万州区甘宁镇) (It takes about 4 hours to get from central Chongqing to Wanzhou by bus but you can get there in less than 100 minutes by high-speed train. Trains depart from the Chonqing North Station and arrive at Wanzhou North Station. From there, it's another 50km to the waterfall by taxi or local bus. Buses depart from Wanzhou's Xishan Bus Station (西山汽车站)), toll-free: +86 400-023-8686. 08:30-17:00. In the middle of Wanzhou District. Formerly known as Qinglong Falls (青龙瀑布), the waterfall has a width of 115 m and a height of 64.5 m. Because it is wider than Guizhou's Huangguoshu Waterfall, Chinese people call it the No. 1 waterfall in Asia. The waterfall flows year-round. Behind the waterfall, there are two natural grottos. ¥98. 

Understand

Chongqing is one of the four municipalities in China, the largest cities that are not part of a province but report directly to the national government; it is the only municipality not located on the east coast, (the others are Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin).

While administered separately since 1997, it is historically and culturally part of Southeast Sichuan and shares the same love for hot and spicy food dishes.

Neighbouring provinces: Hubei (East), Hunan (East), Guizhou (South), Sichuan (West), Shaanxi (North)

Located on the edge of the Yungui Plateau, and surrounded by small green capped mountains, Chongqing City is intersected by the Jialing River and the upper reaches of the Yangtze. The municipality includes Daba Shan in the North, Wu Shan in the East, Wuling Shan in the Southeast, and Dalou Mountain to the South.

Get in

By plane

• 1 Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG ^IATA) (about 21 km northeast of Chongqing in Lianglu Town, Yubei District). It is served by international flights from Asia, Middle East, Europe, Oceania and North America. It also serves most main domestic cities. It has two terminals (a third much larger terminal under construction, and a fourth is set for construction shortly after completion of the third).  
• Terminal 1 - Closed for renovation. The re-opening date has not been announced.
• Terminal 2 - Serves four domestic airlines: China West Air, China Express Airlines, Sichuan Airlines and China Spring Airlines. Metro Line 3 and Line 10 connects this terminal to downtown Chongqing. Bus service is also available from the ground level of the terminal. Taxi to downtown Chongqing costs about ¥80.
• Terminal 3 - Serves domestic airlines and international airlines, connecting Chongqing to major international cities. Metro Line 10 runs through the transportation hub of T3. There is free airport shuttle service between T3 and T2, which takes approximately 15 minutes for each trip.

There are several ways to get from the airport to the city:

• Chongqing Metro Line 3 connects the airport to the city centre. The station is accessible from both terminals.
• The Airport shuttle bus departs from the ground level of Terminal 2 to 2 Shangqisi Lu airport bus stop in central Chongqing. There are two stops, so when you stand in line, look carefully.
• A taxi to downtown Chongqing would cost about ¥40-80.

By train

There are three major train stations in Chongqing:

• 3 Chongqing Station (Chongqing Zhan - Caiyuanba 重庆站), Cai Yuan Ba Li Jiao Qiao, Yuzhong (CRT Line 1 & 3 Lianglukou Metro Station). Original station closest to the centre of Chongqing. Used to handle long distance trains from many destinations across China. As of June 2022, all train services have been suspended due to ongoing redevelopment of the station, which will probably be completed in 2024. (updated Mar 2024)

• 4 Chongqing North Station (Chongqing Bei Zhan 重庆北站), Kunlun Avenue, Yubei District (渝北区昆仑大道) (CRT Line 3 Chongqing North Station South Square Metro Station and CRT Line 10 Chongqing North Station North Square Metro Station. Buses are also available to the North Square Terminal from the Longtousi Metro Station on Line 3). There are two terminals at the Chongqing North Station. The newer North Square (北广场) terminal handles high-speed services to/from Chengdu. Many long-distance high-speed trains to other cities in China also depart and arrive here. The slower K and T series trains continue to depart from the South Square (南广场) terminal. The two terminals are linked via bus no. 663. (updated Jul 2016)

By bus

Long distance buses travel to Chongqing from almost anywhere. There are numerous buses into Chongqing, most notably is the hourly service to and from Chengdu, Nanchong, and Xi'an. From the west Chengdu is 2½ hours and to the east Wanzhou is 3 hours, both on good highways and good buses. Avoid the "sleeper" buses as they must be the most uncomfortable way to travel ever invented.

• 5 Chongqing Long-Distance Bus Station (重庆长途汽车站, colloquially known as Caiyuanba Bus Station 菜园坝汽车站), 3 Caiyuan Road, Yuzhong District (渝中区菜袁路3号) (Next to the Chongqing Railway Station). This is Chongqing's main bus station. It is complete mayhem most of the time - people in Chongqing do not queue. (updated Sep 2018)
• 6 Chongqing North Railway Station South Plaza Bus Station (重庆北站南广场汽车站, previously known as Longtousi South Bus Station 龙头寺汽车南站), 46 Kunlun Avenue, Yubei District (渝北区中铁二院昆仑大道46号). (updated Sep 2018)
• 7 Chenjiaping Bus Station (陈家坪汽车站), 39 Shiyang Road, Jiulongpo District (九龙坡区石杨路39号). Serves buses headed to the west and in particular towards Sichuan Province. (updated Sep 2018)
• 8 Sigongli Transport Interchange (四公里交通换乘枢纽), 61 Sigongli Street, Nan'an District (南岸区四公里街61号). (updated Sep 2018)

See

• 10 Youyang Taohuayuan, No. 232, Taohuayuan Road, Youyang Miao and Tujia Autonomous County, Chongqing, China.