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July 25, 2025
1 viewsChongqing 3-Day Solo Travel Guide: Explore the Mountain City on a Budget
Discover Chongqing's unique charm with this budget-friendly itinerary featuring hot pot, skyline views, and mountainous landscapes
ChongqingSolo TravelBudget TravelCity Exploration
Quick Overview
Chinese Name: 重庆
Location: Southwestern China
Famous For: Hongyadong,Light Rail Passing Through Buildings,Hot Pot Culture
Daily Cost: $30-40 USD
Best Season: Spring (March-May) / Autumn (September-November)
Introduction: Why Visit Chongqing?
Chongqing Chongqing is China's largest mountain city, famous for its vertigo-inducing architecture, fiery cuisine, and Yangtze River vistas. With its unique urban layout featuring elevators connecting different elevation levels and light rail trains slicing through high-rises, this '8D metropolis' offers solo travelers endless opportunities for exploration without breaking the bank.
Best Time to Visit Chongqing
Ideal Seasons: Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November)
🌱Spring: Mild temperatures (15-25°C) with frequent mist creating magical mountain atmosphere
☀️Summer: Sweltering heat (up to 40°C) but great chance to experience Chongqing's night markets
🍁Autumn: Perfect weather (20-28°C) with clear mountain views and seasonal chestnuts available
❄️Winter: Cool (5-12°C) with rare snowfalls creating picturesque scenes in Nanshan Park
Arriving and Leaving Chongqing
Metro (CNY2-7) connects all attractions. Use Chongqing Metro App for mobile payments. Public buses cost CNY2-3 with transfers
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport [Recommended]
40km from city center with Airport Express Line 3 (CNY10, 45 mins). Taxis cost CNY100-120
Chongqing North Railway Station
Main high-speed rail hub with metro connections (Line 10/3). Taxi to downtown costs CNY30-50
Where to Stay in Chongqing: Best Neighborhood
Jiefangbei
Historical center near Hongyadong, Bayi Food Street, and major attractions. Budget hotels from $20 USD/night
Shapingba
Near Liziba Station's famous light rail view. Mid-range options with easy metro access
Top Things to do in Chongqing
Hongyadong
Maze-like stilted buildings glowing at night, offering souvenir shops, traditional teahouses, and panoramic river views
Liziba Light Rail Station
Watch the monorail train pass through residential building floors. Best viewing time: evening with city lights on
Ciqikou Ancient Town
Preserved Qing Dynasty streets with folk crafts, tea houses, and street performances. Try local snacks like hot dry noodles
Tips
Wear comfortable shoes for steep slopes. Carry poncho for sudden mountain showers
What to Eat: Chongqing Food Guide
Recommended Restaurants
1. Pei Jie Hot Pot
Locals' favorite with authentic flavor. Order 'Three Delicacies Hot Pot' for CNY98. Avoid peak hours for shorter queues
2. Bayi Food Street Vendors
Series of stalls offering steamed dumplings, grilled skewers, and seasonal fruits. Budget meals under CNY20
3. Nanshan Ting
Scenic restaurant with balcony overlooking city lights. Try their 'Chongqing Mixian' rice noodles for CNY45
Signature Dishes
1. Chongqing Hot Pot
Signature spicy broth with marbled beef slices, duck blood, and hand-pulled noodles. Try '9-grid iron pot' tradition
2. Xiao Mian
Chongqing-style small noodles with customizable spice level. Essential breakfast choice served in clay pots
3. Mao Xue Wang
Spicy hot pot with duck blood, tripe, and tofu. Found at street stalls and night markets across Jiefangbei
Chongqing Itinerary: 3 Days & Nights
DAY 1
🍳Breakfast at Bayi Food Street:Try steamed pork dumplings and chili omelet at Chen Xiang Ge
Visit Liberation Monument:Historical WWII memorial surrounded by modern shopping malls
🥗Lunch at Hongyadong:Savor mixed rice dishes at Chao Tian Men restaurant while enjoying river views
Explore Hongyadong:Photograph iconic cliffside architecture and browse folk craft stores
🍽️Dinner at Pei Jie Hot Pot:Experience authentic Chongqing hot pot with recommended 'Spicy Bulls' set
DAY 2
🍳Breakfast at Ci Qikou:Enjoy tea with sesame cakes and preserved tofu at old town teahouse
Visit Ci Qikou Ancient Town:Walk Qing Dynasty era stone streets and watch pottery making demonstrations
🥗Lunch at Lao Sichuan Noodle Shop:Order handmade noodles with crispy pork belly in garlic chili sauce
See Liziba Light Rail Station:Capture the famous train-through-building photo from riverside platform
Explore Eling Second Factory:Artistic complex in former printing factory with murals, indie bookshops, and rooftop bar
🍽️Dinner at Shuang Lake Mansion:Try Chongqing-style barbecue with live music under strings of red lanterns
DAY 3
🍳Breakfast at Jiefangbei:Enjoy soy milk with scallion pancakes at street-side counter
Take Yangtze River Cableway:Soar 116 meters above river for panoramic views. Book tickets online in advance
🥗Lunch at Nanbin Road:Savor river crab with preserved mustard tuber at riverside pavilion restaurant
Visit Nanshan Botanical Garden:Explore camellia collection and enjoy bird's eye view of cityscape from Yikeshu Observation Deck
Final Snacks at Jiefangbei:Try freshly made grilled fish skewers and buy dried chili souvenirs
Chongqing Travel FAQs
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