Unlocking Magical Chongqing: A 5-Day Citywalk of History and Nightscapes

Aiden & Mei (25–28 years old), hiking enthusiasts from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Personalized travel needs: Prefer exploring the city on foot, Citywalk as the main focus, with a habit of taking photos and sharing on social media; hope to experience Chongqing’s night views, local cuisine, city landmarks, and authentic culture.

Budget: Excluding airfare, the total 5-day budget is USD 500 for 2 people (including accommodation, dining, city transportation, and tickets/activities).

 

Our Planning Method (Planner’s Notes)

1.    Goal breakdown: Turning “high-intensity Citywalk + budget-friendly” into executable standards:

• Walking as the main mode + metro as supplementary, connect attractions within districts to reduce paid transportation.
• Accommodation not considering high-end hotels, focusing on affordable prices and proximity to Citywalk starting points.
• Attractions prioritized by free or low-cost, with 2–3 “signature paid experiences” as highlights (e.g., Two Rivers Night Cruise, Yangtze River Cableway).
• With a total of 5 days, considering the 4.5-hour direct flight between Kuala Lumpur and Chongqing, three full days of themed routes are designed. The arrival and departure days feature more relaxed night-view sightseeing and shopping.

2.    Route design: Based on 10 classic Citywalk routes, we carefully selected and recombined them into 3 themed walking lines for Aiden & Mei, letting them experience Chongqing’s modern, historical, and natural sides.

l  Chongqing Old Town Citywalk – Measuring the Cyberpunk Charm on Foot

Starting from Raffles City Plaza, take the Yangtze River Cableway to cross the two rivers and enjoy the magnificent scenery, feeling the bold river breeze at Chaotianmen Square. Stroll along Jialing Riverside Road to witness the blend of ancient and modern. At Tongyuan Gate City Wall, sense the layers of time, then explore Mountain City Walkway and Mountain City Alley for hillside charm and artistic vibes. Finally, relive the bustling old Chongqing at Shibati and Baixiang Street, completing a 12 km cyberpunk walking journey.

l  Metro Line 2 Citywalk – From Historical Relics to Adorable Pandas

Starting from Zengjiayan, the root of Bayu culture, stroll along Zhongshan 4th Road to visit former residences of famous figures and feel the echoes of World War II history. Then, take Line 2 to experience the wonder of Liziba’s “train through building,” where trains weave through high-rises like a sci-fi scene. Along the route, the rail crosses mountains and skims past residential blocks, with a three-dimensional cityscape outside the window. At the final stop, Chongqing Zoo, meet the charming giant pandas up close and capture your “heart-melting moment.”

l  Nanshan Loop Citywalk – Unlock Chongqing’s Panoramic Views and Deep History

Start at nostalgic Longmenhao Old Street, then pass through Shangxin Street, which still carries the vibe of old Chongqing life. Continue along the tree-shaded Huangge Ancient Path, pause at Sanmao’s Former Residence and Huangjueya Old Street for a literary atmosphere. Visit the Taoist sanctuary Laojun Cave, then ascend to One Tree Viewing Platform and Nantianmen to take in the breathtaking panorama of the two rivers. Stop at the Anti-Japanese War Relics Museum to recall history, and end at Xiahuli Old Street for a poetic conclusion. This is a strenuous but stunning hike.

3.    Budget Strategy: Choose well-located/value-for-money hotels and guesthouses (2 nights near Jiefangbei/Raffles City + 2 nights near Longmenhao Old Street to reduce travel cost); dining focused on local noodle shops and street snacks, with one hotpot meal reserved.

         

Within a controlled budget, we selected two highly rated hotels—one in bustling Jiefangbei Raffles City and one in tranquil Longmenhao Old Street. The reasons are detailed in the travel handbook, which Aiden & Mei fully endorsed.

 

4.    Pre-departure Preparation: We provide travelers with a multilingual “China Travel Handbook.” Following its guide, visitors can easily activate an Alipay TourCard and link it to an international bank card, solving mobile payment and cross-border communication issues. During the journey, they can also contact our customer service anytime for assistance.

 

Day-by-Day Overview

Day1 :

Arrive in Chongqing in the evening and check into a hotel located at a city landmark. After a short rest, board a cruise ship and begin with the “Two Rivers Night Cruise,” immersing in the “million-dollar” three-dimensional nightscape.

Day2: Yuzhong 8D City Citywalk (Walking approx. 12 km｜Estimated duration 8 hours)

Raffles City → Yangtze River Cableway → Chaotianmen Square → Jialing Riverside Road → Daijia Alley → Kuixing Tower → Tongyuan Gate City Wall → Jintang Street → Consular Alley → Mountain City Walkway → Mountain City Alley → Shibati → Baixiang Street → back to Raffles City

Highlights:

• Chaotianmen Square: See the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, feel the river breeze, and sense the grandeur of Chongqing’s “water dock.”
• Daijia Alley & Kuixing Tower: A narrow alley linking past and present; from the bottom, skyscrapers loom above, while Kuixing Tower offers a bird’s-eye view of the Yuzhong Peninsula—a miniature of “Magical Chongqing.”
• Tongyuan Gate City Wall: Ancient walls and modern high-rises separated by just one street, where time overlaps.
• Mountain City Walkway & Alley: Narrow stone steps and murals; homes embedded into the cliffs, with daily life and art intertwined.
• Shibati & Baixiang Street: The old city texture revived; walking here, you can almost hear the shouts and bustling vibe of old Chongqing.

 

Day3: Yuzhong 8D City Citywalk (Walking approx. 12 km｜Estimated duration 8 hours)

Light Rail Section (Linjiangmen → Zengjiayan Station) + Zhongshan 4th Road Citywalk + Light Rail Section (Niujiaotuo Station → Zoo)

    

Light Rail Line 2 (Linjiangmen → Zengjiayan):

• Zengjiayan (Three Gorges Museum & Chongqing People’s Hall): Free entry, English-friendly, covering Bayu culture, Three Gorges culture, and wartime history—an ideal “starting point” for understanding Chongqing.

Citywalk Section (Starting from the Three Gorges Museum → board at Niujiaotuo Station):

• Zhongshan 4th Road Historic Buildings: During WWII, when Chongqing served as the wartime capital, this area gathered residences of leaders and famous figures (e.g., Zhou Mansion, Guiyuan, Dai Mansion, Garden of Friendship). Quiet, shaded, and perfect for Citywalk.
• Zengjiayan Cliffside Walkway: A scenic riverside trail with excellent views of the Jialing River.
• Niujiaotuo Station: A “magic cube node” where terrain and railway intersect, perfect for shifting into light rail exploration.

Light Rail Line 2 (Niujiaotuo → Zoo):

• Niujiaotuo → Liziba → Fotuguan → Daping → Yuanjiagang → Yangjiaping → Zoo
• Liziba Station: The world’s only “light rail through building.” From the viewing platform, see trains run right through apartments—a defining symbol of “8D Chongqing.”
• Fotuguan to Daping: The rail winds through hills, crosses bridges, and passes residential blocks—the window view looks like a “three-dimensional city exhibition.”
• Final Stop: Zoo Station: Visit the giant pandas. They often nap lazily in bamboo groves or roll around playfully, a guaranteed “heart-melting moment.”

 

Day4: Nanshan Loop (Approx. 15 km｜Elevation ≈800 m｜Estimated duration 10 hours, high intensity, optional exit points available):

Longmenhao Old Street → Shangxin Street → Huangge Ancient Path → Sanmao’s Former Residence → Huangjueya Old Street → Laojun Cave → One Tree Viewing Platform → Nantianmen → Anti-Japanese War Relics Museum → Xiahuli Old Street

• Longmenhao Old Street: A 19th-century treaty port trading hub, featuring a mix of Chinese and Western architecture.
• Shangxin Street: Old Chongqing’s lifestyle continues here, with humble shops and relaxed elderly residents evoking alleyway memories.
• Huangge Ancient Path: A stone-paved mountain trail shaded by ancient trees, loved by hikers.
• Sanmao’s Former Residence & Huangjueya Old Street: Pause in a literary courtyard to hear the romantic tales of this writer, then rest in teahouses along the old street.
• Laojun Cave: A Taoist sanctuary carved into the mountain, filled with incense, solemn and ancient.
• One Tree Viewing Platform: The best spot to view the whole city and the confluence of the two rivers.
• Anti-Japanese War Relics Museum: Displays Chongqing’s history as China’s wartime capital (1937–1945).
• Xiahuli Old Street: Blue-stone alleys, weathered doors, and warm lantern light—a poetic ending to the long trek.

Tip: If stamina runs low, you can take a taxi downhill from One Tree or Nantianmen.

 

Day5:

Enjoy a leisurely local breakfast before boarding your return flight.

 

Traveler Feedback:

We are Aiden and Mei, and we just finished our Citywalk trip in Chongqing. We can’t wait to share our feelings!

From the moment we landed, Chongqing surprised us! The first night’s Hongyadong night view and the Two Rivers Cruise were the perfect way to start this journey—we were blown away by the three-dimensional nightscape of this “mountain-and-water city.”

The next three days of Citywalk took us through every aspect of Chongqing. We explored old alleys and felt the pulse of history; we rode the “train through building” and experienced the magic and vitality of the city; finally, we hiked Nanshan and ended the trip with the most beautiful night view along Nanbin Road.

Special mention goes to your customer service! At Longmenhao Old Street, the taxi couldn’t reach the hotel directly, but your team contacted the hotel staff to pick us up at the drop-off point. Thanks to your timely help, we enjoyed the trip smoothly.

This Chongqing journey was filled with surprises every day—from historic neighborhoods to modern cityscapes to magnificent natural scenery. Your route planning was amazing. Thank you, welcome2china, for giving us such a perfect experience. We are already looking forward to our next trip to China!

Best wishes,
Aiden & Mei