Chongqing
Neon Peaks, Ancient Gorges
4-5 days
City Walk, culinary journey, Hiking, Landscape Wonder
Chongqing is China’s "Mountain City," a vertical 8D metropolis where futuristic monorails glide through apartment blocks and ancient stilt houses cling to river cliffs. While Chengdu is laid-back, Chongqing is high-octane—defined by its bold "old-pot" flavors, neon-lit cyberpunk nights, and the dramatic karst landscapes of Wulong and the Three Gorges.
Vertical Urbanism: Navigate a 3D city where the "ground floor" can be on the 10th or 22nd floor of a building.
Karst Majesty: Home to the world’s largest natural bridge group and deep "tiankeng" (heavenly pits) in Wulong.
Cyberpunk Skyline: Neon-lit skyscrapers and glowing bridges that reflect off the Yangtze and Jialing rivers at night.
The Spice Benchmark: Famous for "Old Hotpot" and street noodles (Xiao Mian) that prioritize numbing heat and rich beef tallow.
Cyberpunk City & River Views
Liziba Station: Watch the monorail pass through a residential building, a prime example of the city’s vertical urbanism.
Hongya Cave: Explore the 11-story stilt houses built into the cliffside, which transform into a glowing "Spirited Away" scene at dusk.
Yangtze River Cableway: Glide across the river in a vintage cabin for panoramic views of the skyline and the intersection of the two rivers.
UNESCO Wulong Karst & Natural Bridges
Three Natural Bridges: Marvel at the massive stone arches and the ancient "Tianfu Post Station" nestled at the bottom of a 280-meter-deep sinkhole.
Longshuixia Gap: Trek through a narrow, primeval fissure featuring vertical cliffs, rushing underground rivers, and spectacular waterfalls.
Glass Observation Deck: Stand on the Wulong glass walkway for a heart-pounding perspective of the karst canyon from hundreds of meters above.
Sanxia Longji (The Dragon’s Backbone)
Yunyang Longgang: Witness the "Dragon Jar," a cylindrical karst pit surrounded by ridges that resemble the spine of a sleeping dragon.
The Cloud Bridge: Walk the world-record glass cantilever bridge extending 26 meters over a 700-meter vertical drop for bird's-eye canyon views.
Sanxia Longji Trails: Hike along the dramatic cliffside paths that follow the "backbone" of the Three Gorges region's unique topography.
Cultural Roots & Urban Pulse
Ciqikou Ancient Town: Stroll the porcelain-paved lanes of this Song-era riverside village, famous for historic tea houses and "Chen Mahua" snacks.
Huguang Guild Hall: Visit the vibrant yellow-walled complex to learn about the "Migration to the West" and the history of the Yangtze River docks.
Jiefangbei CBD: End your journey at the city's commercial heart, surrounded by skyscrapers and the iconic People’s Liberation Monument.
Culinary Journey
The Hotpot Ritual: Unlike Chengdu's lighter oil, Chongqing hotpot uses heavy beef tallow for a richer, more aggressive flavor profile.
Mountain City Noodles: Start your morning with Xiao Mian, a simple yet complex bowl of spicy noodles enjoyed at sidewalk stools.
Jianghu Cuisine: Experience "rustic" riverside cooking, known for its bold use of whole peppers, garlic, and fresh river fish.
