Hey LeoSquad! 👋Ready to conquer the mind-bending magic of Chongqing? Crafting the perfect Chongqing itinerary starts with these 7 essential spots you absolutely cannot miss. Get ready for a journey through a city that feels like a real-life anime, where trains burst through skyscrapers, neon skylines glow, and street food sets your taste buds on fire! 🔥 This guide is your first step to an unforgettable adventure.

👉 Your Visual Chongqing Itinerary: See the 7 Can’t-Miss Spots in 60 Seconds!

Guānyīnqiáo: The Street Food Starter for Any Chongqing Itinerary

Guānyīnqiáo Yummy Street Area A

If you’re a foodie, Guānyīnqiáo (观音桥) is your ultimate destination. This local hangout is a mecca for shopping and, more importantly, incredible street food. Head straight to Guānyīnqiáo Yummy Street (观音桥好吃街), divided into Area A and Area B, for an unforgettable culinary experience.

• The Vibe: Imagine a wall of chili oil and charcoal smoke hitting you the second you arrive. 💨 Neon signs blaze above a sea of hungry locals and tourists shuffling between stalls.
• The Food: Sizzling grills, spicy skewers, crispy deep-fried snacks, juicy hand-fried buns… 🤤 And don’t even get me started on the juicy shrimp balls – fresh, springy, and addictive! 🍤
• Area A vs. Area B: Area A is the undisputed champion. Whether you’re craving a tsunami of mala spice or some sweet, chewy treats, this is where your foodie adventure begins. 🚀

Tourist shuffling between stalls at Guānyīnqiáo Yummy Street Area A

Pro-Tip: Come hungry and prepare for a flavor explosion! 💥 This isn’t just dinner; it’s a full-on flavor riot that’ll leave you sweaty, satisfied, and grinning from ear to ear. 😄

Starlight 68 Plaza: A Luxurious Detour on Your Chongqing Itinerary

Starlight 68 Plaza at night

Just a short distance from the street food chaos is Starlight 68 Plaza (星光 68 广场) a surprising dose of luxury. This isn’t your average shopping mall; it features high-end fashion brands and a giant aquarium in Building B, complete with mesmerizing live mermaid shows!

High-End fashion brands in Starlight 68 Plaza

Live Mermaid Show credit: Imagecode (Youtube)

📷 Bonus: Snap a pic at the “Wǒ zài Chóngqìng (我在重庆)” billboard: It’s one of the city’s most Instagrammable spots!

Me and Mom at Wǒ zài Chóngqìng (我在重庆) Billboard

Me posing at Wǒ zài Chóngqìng (我在重庆) Billboard

Jiěfàngbēi: The Essential Downtown Stop in Your Chongqing Itinerary

Jiěfàngbēi (解放碑) at Night

Jiěfàngbēi (解放碑) is the vibrant heart of Chongqing. By day, it’s a business hub with Louis Vuitton and Apple Stores beneath towering skyscrapers. But when the sun sets, Jiěfàngbēi (解放碑) transforms into a cyberpunk dream.

• The Nightlife: Neon billboards explode with electric blues and pinks, turning the Liberation Monument into a futuristic lighthouse.
• New Year’s Eve: If you’re here for New Year’s, prepare to party with half a million people!
• Foodie Alert: Explore Bāyī Food Street (八一美食街) for skewers, spicy noodles, and refreshing cold desserts.

Liberation Monument in Jiěfàngbēi (解放碑)

Bāyī Food Street (八一美食街)

Lǐzǐbà: The Must-See Photo Op for Your Chongqing Itinerary

Train runs through a building in Lǐzǐbà Station (李子坝)

You’ve likely seen the photos, but nothing prepares you for witnessing a monorail glide straight through an apartment building. This is Lǐzǐbà Station (李子坝) , Chongqing’s most mind-bending urban marvel.

The Deets: Rubber tires and zero honking keep things surprisingly quiet.

• Why Tho? Chongqing’s hilly terrain leaves little room for tracks, so engineers got creative.
• The Deets: Rubber tires and zero honking keep things surprisingly quiet.

Mom playing spinning thing in Lǐzǐbà Station (李子坝)

Crowds lining up in Lǐzǐbà Station (李子坝)

Me Posing at Lǐzǐbà Station (李子坝)

Lǐzǐbà Station (李子坝) view from car

Kuíxīnglóu: The Mind-Bending 8D Addition to Your Chongqing Itinerary

Kuíxīnglóu (魁星楼)

Standing before Kuíxīnglóu (魁星楼), you’ll question everything you thought you knew about architecture. This isn’t just a building; it’s Chongqing’s 80s soul carved in concrete and steel.

• The Experience: Every staircase leads to a different dimension.
• The Sky Bridge: Don’t miss the sky bridge suspended 22 stories high.
• Lifafa Hotpot: After soaking in the views, head downstairs to Lifafa Hotpot for an authentic taste of Chongqing.

Sky Bridge in Kuíxīnglóu (魁星楼)

Shíbātī: The Historical Walk Through Your Chongqing Itinerary

Shíbātī (十八梯) signage at night

Time slows down in Shíbātī (十八梯), Chongqing’s living archive of crooked staircases and wooden tea houses.

• Explore: Wander through quiet alleyways lined with traditional homes and weathered tea houses.
• The Vibe: Shíbātī (十八梯) is the ancestral heartbeat of a city that never forgets its roots.

Hóngyá Dòng: The Fairytale Finale of Your Chongqing Itinerary

Hóngyá Dòng (洪崖洞) view at night

If Chongqing had a fairy tale castle, it would be Hóngyá Dòng (洪崖洞). As evening approaches, thousands of golden lanterns flicker to life, transforming the hillside into a magical wonderland.

• How to Experience It: Find the popular photo spot across the riverbank for an epic wide-angle view.

🏮🏮 Jiangbei Zui Riverside Park 江北嘴江滩公园 (Jiāngběi zuǐ jiāng tān gōngyuán)

Credits : XHS 山城小巷 | 照相馆

Credits : XHS 山城小巷 | 照相馆

Credits : XHS 山城小巷 | 照相馆

Credits : XHS 山城小巷 | 照相馆

BONUS: LOOP – Chongqing’s Underground Gay Club

Source: Loop Dance Club (Facebook)

Midnight Chongqing has one last surprise: Loop, the city’s underground gay club.

• The Vibe: From drag queens and shirtless dancers to themed nights that push boundaries, Loop is queer-powered.
• The Magic: For a few hours, this place becomes a sanctuary where tradition gets remixed and queer freedom reigns.

Two male dancing in Loop Dance Club

Loop Dance Club Queer Performance

If you’re looking to dive into the city’s vibrant nightlife scene, don’t miss Discover LOOP Club: The Best Gay Club in Chongqing — a spot that captures the true spirit of freedom and fun after dark.

Chongqing is a city that surprises you at every turn. Which spot was your favorite? Let me know in the comments!

Source: Cake Cat (Pexels)

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That’s it for this blog post! If you found this helpful, give it a thumbs up! See you in the next post! Love you all! Thank you!

Travel Deeper, Eat Bolder, Live the Moments, and Follow the Trails.

Bye Bye!