One of the “4 furnaces” in China. Yes, you heard correctly. Chongqing is notorious for its heat, and the scorching kind. Don’t let that scare you from visiting, it’s a city of many wonders. I visited in June during Dragon Boat Festival and the streets and city were full of people celebrating and enjoying the festivities.
For the short getaway that it was, it was worth the refreshment. Here’s a simple yet sweet guide to everything I indulged in during my time in Chongqing. Enjoy!
About Chongqing
Chongqing is a major city located in southwest China. It is one of the four municipalities in China with a population of over 30 million people, making it one of the most populous cities in the world. Chongqing is also a rapidly developing city and has seen significant economic growth over the past decade.
If you’re a spice fanatic, you’ll be in luck because Chongqing is known for its spicy cuisine, particularly hot pot.
Chongqing is known as the “Mountain City” because it is surrounded by mountains and has a rugged terrain. It is also called the “Fog City” because of how thick the fog can be during the winter months.
Best time to visit
Chongqing has a subtropical climate and is best during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons when the temperature is mild and comfortable.
During spring, the temperature is around 15°C to 25°C and in autumn temperatures will range from 15°C to 28°C, making it perfect for outdoor activities.
Chongqing is considered one of the “four furnaces” in China, meaning it’s scorching and sweat-dripping hot during the summer months (June to August). Temperatures go above 30°C, making it uncomfortable for sightseeing. However, if you can handle the heat, you can take advantage of the water parks and other outdoor activities the city has to offer during this season.
Winter (December to February) can be quite chilly, with temperatures dropping to as low as 5°C. However, if you’re a fan of hot pot (Chongqing’s famous local dish), the winter season is the best time to enjoy it.
How to get around
One thing I will always make clear in all my blogs about traveling within Chinese cities is, transportation will never be an issue. If you’re in close proximity to the city center, you will always have access to a variety of transportation systems.
In Chongqing, I mostly got around by foot and by DiDi. I was close enough to walk to and from places from my hostel, and would occasionally take a taxi or DiDi when my destination was further than 30 minutes.
One thing about Chongqing, it has lots of hills, and depending on when you plan your visit, it can get very hot. You’ll have to factor in walking in the heat if you plan your visit during the hotter months.
Where to stay ~ Chongqing July Youth Hostel
I really enjoyed my quiet and comfortable stay at this hostel. I booked myself a private room and took full advantage of the solitude and relaxation time during my stay. The location was also a perk, with the hostel being a 2-minute walk from Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street and a walking distance from many other attractions nearby.
For more on how to book your stay, check it out here or via the link above.
Where to eat
Halal food in Chongqing wasn’t the most plentiful from my experience, although a 20-minute walk from my hostel was the Chongqing Mosque, with a couple of halal restaurants surrounding the area. Note that anywhere you travel in China, if there is a mosque, you will most likely or always find halal restaurants, food, and/or snack shops nearby.
Mosque Address: No.5, Zhongxing Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 重庆渝中区中兴路5号 (copy and paste into maps).
Note that Chongqing is also known for its spicy cuisine. It’s an excellent place for you to test your spice tolerance. If you’re anything like me, who unfortunately gets heartburn, you’ll have to be cautious.
Food Street on Bayi Road
Another option would be the food street of course. I spent most of my time on this street in search of food, exploring, and shopping. You’ll have a range of food choices, although they’ll mostly be sweet and savory hearty snacks.
The best time to walk around is of course during the evening when the entire street really comes to life. When I visited, it was Dragon Boat Festival, and many of the vendors were selling traditional Chinese delicacies like sticky rice dumplings (zongzi) and all the Chinese sweets and savory snacks you can think of.
What to see and do
My time in Chongqing was short, although enjoyable with the minimal places and things I was able to see and do. Here were the highlights of my trip!
Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street
The wonderful shopping street in Chongqing ~ aka the pedestrian street! In every city in China, I’ve been to a pedestrian street and I’ve always enjoyed strolling through the rows of shops. You’ll find everything from high-end designer brands to street fashion. Jiefangbei Street is a nice area to explore if you’re interested in doing some shopping, or just looking to pass some time walking.
Huguang Guild Hall
The Huguang Guild Hall was recommended to me by a Muslim sister I met at a restaurant near the mosque, who also happened to be touring the city.
The guild hall was originally built in the late 1700s during the Qing Dynasty and was used as a place for business and socializing for merchants. It was later rebuilt in the early 1900s and became an important cultural center in Chongqing, hosting events such as opera performances, poetry readings, and art exhibitions.
It was an enjoyable and very simple experience walking around the attraction and reading snippets of historical notes. I also met a couple who were touring the place and both studied in Hohhot, which was a special surprise.
Opens from 9-5 pm, with an entrance fee of 30 RMB.
Yangtze River Cruise
Another great recommendation from a local, and an experience I’m glad I took the advice to do.
Taking a cruise along the Yangtze River is a popular way to see more of the city. I took a 40-minute night cruise and it was enough time to enjoy the night scenery and the lit-up bridges and buildings. Chinese cities are notorious for their beautiful and creative light shows, I must say.
If you’re planning a Yangtze River cruise, you have the option of booking your ticket in advance from a travel website or locating a tour agency near the attraction and booking it on the spot.
I found a tour agency near the attraction and booked my ticket that way. I had a few hiccups locating the docking area and was fortunate to find a crowd of tourists who were walking in the same direction and on their way to take the cruise as well.
Ticket prices will depend on the tour agency and the itinerary of the trip. I purchased my ticket for 150 RMB, so expect to pay somewhere in that range or more if your cruise itinerary is longer.
More info can be found here.
Hongyadong
After taking the Yangtze River cruise, I walked towards the Hongydong Cave to see what the hype was all about. The sidewalks to and from the attraction were completely packed and there was no other way to navigate the place.
To see the actual attraction up close was beautiful with all the vibrant lights. You can find numerous shops, restaurants, cafes, a theater, a museum, and a hotel when touring the place.
Recommendations from a local
Here are a couple more attractions I didn’t get the chance to visit but will be noted for next time. All are wonderful places to experience the culture of Chongqing.
LuZhu Temple Teahouse: Where you can see traditional shows like a face-changing show while enjoying tea.
E’ling Park: The oldest private gardens in Chongqing and one of the best places to get a great view of the whole city.
Qiansimen Bridge: A walk across the bridge to get a panoramic view of the scenic area.
Longmenhao Old Street: A newly-rebuilt ancient street.
