In our National Day holiday this year in 2017, I took a 3 days short Chongqing tour from Oct 2 to 4. Chongqing, built on mountains and partially surrounded by the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, it is known as a “mountain city” and a “city on rivers“. It is also one of China’s four direct-controlled municipalities (the other three are Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin), and the only such municipality in China located far away from the coast.
China Discovery’s Travel Expert Vivien visited Chongqing City
Day 1: Chengdu bullet train to Chongqing – Chaotianmen port – Dinner Hot pot.
In the morning, I took a 2 hours bullet train from Chengdu to Chongqing. It is near noon when we arrived in Chongqing north railway station.
Chongqing North Railway Station – North Square
(Tips: There is a South Square and a North Square in Chongqing North Railway station. Generally, north square is for the bullet trains; south square is for the regular trains)
We booked a hotel in the Chongqing Jiefangbei area, which is also close to the Chongqing Chaotianmen Port. After check in hotel, we left our luggage in hotel and go walk nearby.
Chongqing Chaotianmen Port, which is the general pier name, it is consisted of several sub-piers. If you take Yangtze River Cruise trip, you will board from here.
Chongqing Chaotianmen Port for a downstream Yangtze River Cruise
Map of Chongqing Chaotianmen Port for your Boarding
Followed, we took a short visit to Hongya Cave before we have a famous Chongqing Hot pot. Because it is in the National Day holiday, it is very crowded everywhere. Hongya Cave, it’s an attraction for Chongqing visitors. The mid-levels house food courts with a wide variety of inexpensive snacks and meals while the upper floors contain upscale restaurants and a Starbucks. We wait for one hour before our turn for the hot pot. There are so many visitors in the National Day holiday.
Day 2: Eling Park – Ciqikou Old Town – Stilwell Museum – Tongyuanmen city wall
Today, we first visited the Eling Park, which is a great place to overlook the whole city. We took a taxi from hotel to the park, it seems like our car was climbing the mountain, driving on road circle by circle to the top of the mountain. Actually, it seems the scenic places in Chongqing are all not large; the Eling Park is not big also. We climb the tower in the park which I could overlook the whole city from there. It is great!
Vivien Enojyed a Hotpot in Chongqing
Followed, coming to the famous Ciqikou Old Town. It has some similarity with the Jinli Street in Chengdu, both are full of traditional way of life, local famous snacks and food. But there are many steps in Ciqikou, all building are built on the mountain, which is just like the words-“city of mountain”.
Our Travel Consultant visited Eling Park in Chongqing
Then, Stilwell Museum, it is start to rain upon we arrive in there. It has a special feeling to walk leisurely in the rainy day. Not a very large museum, we just take around 40 minutes in there. Our last stay today is the Tongyuanmen city wall. This city wall not like the wall in Beijing and Xian, it just a short section. People now, mostly just take a walk, or have a tea to enjoy a relax time in there.
Our Travel Consultant Vivien visited Stilwell Museum in Chongqing
Day 3: Chongqing Departure
My Chongqing short tour is about to end, it is great that travel when you are young. Travelling is a good way to experience life!
Chongqing Mountain City Panoramic View
Travel with Vivien: recommended similar Chongqing trips
If you are interested in more Chongqing tours or Yangtze River cruises, you can head to our Chongqing Tours with different experiences. Feel free to select yours to explore the beauty of Chongqing City!
>> 1 Day Chongqing City Short Break (Chongqing)
>> 4 Days Chongqing Essence Tour with Yangtze River Cruise (Chongqing / Three Gorges / Yichang)
Want to know more about the experienced travel expert Vivien’s trip? You could just contact her directly or continue to read more about her travelogues.
