Chongqing pre-trip checklist
What's different about Chongqing: weather, must-book sights, local apps and getting in from the airport.
How we keep this accurateEvery fact here was checked against official sources on the date above. Rules change — if you spot something out of date, tell us and we'll fix it within a day.
Use together with the General Pre-Trip Checklist; this only lists Chongqing-specific items, and does not repeat general items. Chongqing is a 3D, fantastical mountain city, and the way you explore it is very different from other places.
- Climate and Clothing — Spring and autumn are mild and comfortable, and are better seasons to visit. Summer (June-August) is famously furnace-hot, with humid heat around 35-40°C, so be serious about heat protection, hydration, sunscreen, and light breathable clothes. Winter (December-February) is damp, cold, foggy, and short on sunshine, so bring a warm windproof coat. It is foggy and rainy year-round, so always keep an umbrella with you.
- Terrain Tips (3D City, Essential Reading) — The "straight-line distance" on navigation apps is not reliable here. You often need to climb slopes, stairs, and uneven streets, going up and down constantly: wear non-slip comfortable walking shoes, and avoid dragging suitcases over stone-paved slopes. In the same building, "exit from the 1st floor to a road" and "exit from the 20th floor to a road" can both be true, so check floors and exit numbers, and use street-view maps more often. It takes a lot of energy, so do not overpack your itinerary, and carry water and energy snacks.
- Airport and Getting into the City — Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG, north of the city), with direct access into town by Rail Transit Line 3/Line 10, or by airport bus, taxi, or ride-hailing.
- Attractions and Food — Popular spots such as Hongya Cave, Liziba, the Yangtze River Cableway, and Ciqikou are extremely crowded at night, so go off-peak and watch your belongings. Spice warning: Chongqing hotpot is extremely spicy and numbing. If you are worried about spice, order a yuan yang pot, a split hotpot with spicy and non-spicy broths, or say "bu yao la," meaning "no spice." Carry tissues and stomach medicine, and cool the heat with ice jelly or soy milk. Local heavy-flavored foods such as xiaomian noodles, hot and sour noodles, and maoxuewang are worth trying, but if you have a sensitive stomach, take it slowly.