
Chongqing, the magical metropolis embraced by two rivers, is home to countless captivating sights. From the bustling districts of Jiefangbei and Guanyinqiao to the artful old town of Ciqikou, choosing the right neighbourhood to stay in can greatly enhance your experience in Chongqing. This accommodation guide, carefully tailored to different types of travellers, showcases the city’s most popular areas to stay and helps you plan your trip with ease.
Where to Stay in Chongqing: Tips for Every Traveller
Travel Style | Best neighbourhoods to stay in | Top Activities | Average hotel price per night |
🎒 Backpacker | Jiefangbei, Ciqikou | Stroll through the Old Town, savour coffee/tea, shop for handicrafts | £35 – £60 |
💑 Couples | Hongyadong, Nanbin Road | Enjoy the night-time view, take romantic photos, stroll along the river | £65 – £125 |
👯♀️ Groups of friends | Jiefangbei, Guanyinqiao | Shopping tour, experience the nightlife, try local specialities | £50 – £100 |
👨👩👧👦 Families | Ciqikou, Chongqing Happy Valley | Visit a theme park, enjoy kid-friendly activities, try local snacks | £60 – £110 |
* Prices are for guidance only and may vary by season.
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Jiefangbei (Liberation Monument)

✅ Suitable for: first-time visits, shopping and culinary experiences
🚇 Transport: Metro lines 1, 2 and 6 meet at stations near Jiefangbei (Jiaochangkou and Xiaoshizi), offering convenient connections to the city centre’s top attractions.
🎯 Popular attractions & activities
- Jiefangbei Monument: Visit Chongqing’s iconic landmark and experience where history and modernity meet.
- Ba Yi Food Street: Sample local specialities like Chongqing noodles, hot-and-sour noodles and skewers, and discover the city's culinary diversity.
- Daijia Lane Cliff Walk: Stroll the path along the cliff face and savour the views of the Jialing River and the Old Town.
- Observation deck of the Chongqing World Financial Center: Ascend to the top and marvel at the Yuzhong Peninsula in 360 degrees to experience Chongqing’s three-dimensional urban structure.
🏨 Recommended Stays
- Atour Hotel (Chongqing Jiefangbei): The hotel offers a stylish, culture-rich ambience. The rooms are clean and comfortable, the metro is within easy reach, and there are plenty of restaurants and shopping options nearby.
- The Westin Chongqing Liberation Square: Some rooms offer night-time views of the Jialing River. The hotel has an indoor pool and a gym, ideal for travellers who prioritise comfort and quality.
Hongya Cave ( Hongya Dong)

✅ Ideal for: photography fans, nightlife lovers and culture enthusiasts
🚇 Transport: Take Metro Line 2 (Linjiangmen Station) or Line 1 (Xiaoshizi Station), then walk to your destination.
🎯 Popular attractions & activities
- Hongya Cave Folk Culture Area: Wander among the stilted-house architecture, visit the Bayu Folk Culture Exhibition Centre, and experience the fusion of traditional culture with modern commerce.
- Qiansimen Jialing River Bridge: the best place to photograph Hongyadong’s night-time skyline; in the evening, you can perfectly capture the buildings, lights and their reflections on the Jialing River.
- Jialing River Waterfront Promenade: Stroll along the river and enjoy Hongyadong’s night-time panoramic view up close.
- Hongyadong speciality shops: Shop for Bayu handicrafts and creative products.
- River cruise experience: Enjoy unique views of Hongyadong from the water on a two-river tour along the Yangtze and Jialing rivers.
🏨 Recommended Stays
- ASPERA HIGH-ALTITUDE GARDEN PANORAMIC HOTEL: Enjoy panoramic views of the river and city and experience a romantic, relaxing stay.
- Ascott Raffles City Chongqing: With a central location near Chaotianmen Metro Station, you’re just moments from Two Rivers night cruises and the observation decks.
Guanyinqiao

✅ Ideal for: shopping, trends, culinary delights, a young crowd
🚇 Transport: Metro lines 3 and 9 run directly to Guanyinqiao Station.
🎯 Popular attractions & activities
- Guanyinqiao Pedestrian Zone: Visit 'Guanyinqiao Darongcheng' and 'Beicheng Tianjie', featuring trendy brands, creative shops and occasional street performers.
- Jiu Street: A well-known nightlife district in Chongqing with numerous bars, live music venues and popular restaurants, particularly lively in the evenings.
- Nordlager Creative Quarter: Converted from old warehouses, with cafés, bookshops and workshops, ideal for a leisurely stroll and photography.
- Guanyinqiao Food Street: Local specialities like hot-and-sour noodles, small bowls of soup and grilled skewers—great value and buzzing with life.
🏨 Recommended Stays
- LIZ GRAND ONE Guanyinqiao No. 1 Executive Hotel: The rooms are equipped with a smart home system, and from some floors you can take in views of the river and the city at night.
- Chongqing Empark Grand Hotel: It offers a wide range of dining, conference and banqueting facilities, along with leisure and fitness amenities, and is a reliable choice for both business and family travel.
Ciqikou

✅ Suitable for: Cultural experiences, sightseeing, culinary experiences, photography
🚇 Transport: The destination is directly accessible by Metro Line 1 (Ciqikou Station).
🎯 Popular attractions & activities
- Ciqikou Main Street: The old town’s central thoroughfare, lined with distinctive shops, teahouses and snack stalls.
- Baolun Temple: A historic temple founded during the Song dynasty, featuring simple yet elegant architecture. From the upper temple terrace, you can look out over the entire Old Town.
- Folk Culture Zone: Here you can experience traditional Ba-Yu performances live, from the face-changing performance of Sichuan opera to shadow play.
- Jialing River riverside promenade: Stroll along the riverbank and savour the blend of river scenery and the Old Town.
🏨 Recommended Stays
- Chongqing Huafang Hotel: Set right in the heart of the Old Town, the hotel features a playground as well as a swimming pool, making it particularly suitable for families.
- Yue Yin Resort Hotel: The hotel boasts extensive amenities, including a gym, a water park and a garden, and also offers hot spring rooms along with opportunities to wear traditional Hanfu attire.
Nanbin Road

✅ Suitable for: Night views, Cuisine, Romance
🚇 Transport: Take metro line 3 or 6 to Nanping Station, then hop on a bus to reach Nanbin Road.
🎯 Popular attractions & activities
- Bell Tower Square on Nanbin Road: A popular vantage point with views of the confluence of the rivers and the Yuzhong Peninsula’s night-time skyline.
- Danzishi Old Street: A historic street that blends intangible cultural heritage with culinary specialities; from the viewing platform, you can take in a panoramic view of the river.
- Longmenhao Old Street: a cultural quarter with buildings from the Republican era, creative shops and cafés, ideal for strolling and taking photos.
- Riverside restaurants along Nanbin Road: plenty of hotpot, Chongqing specialities and seafood, perfect for dining with views of the illuminated riverscape and vibrant city life.
🏨 Recommended Stays
- Wanda Amber Hotel: Set in the heart of the Wanda business district, its extensive facilities, comfortable rooms and attentive service create the perfect conditions for both business and leisure travellers.
- Sheraton Chongqing Hotel: This striking twin-tower hotel blends Chinese elements with European style, and some rooms boast views over the Yangtze River.
Happy Valley Chongqing

✅ Suitable for: family and kids' holidays, adrenaline-fuelled entertainment
🚇 Transport: Take Metro Line 6 (Guobo branch line) to Happy Valley Station and take Exit 4; from there, it's only a few minutes' walk to the park.
🎯 Popular attractions & activities
- Action and adrenaline: The wooden roller coaster “Jungle Dragon”, the Wing-Fly roller coaster, the giant pendulum and Twin Heroes offer thrills, weightlessness and speed.
- For families and children: The Super Wings themed area includes the cinema „Ledi Mountain Chase“, the climbing park „Dodo Camp“, as well as gentle attractions such as carousels and the Flying Fish Fleet.
- Photo-worthy highlights: The "Chongqing Eye" Ferris wheel offers panoramic views over the mountain city and is especially atmospheric at night when illuminated.
- Special shows: The "Super Wings Grand Tour" parade and the immersive spectacle "Shancheng Fengyun" deliver special-effects entertainment. At special festivals, look out for limited-time highlights such as drone fireworks displays and the Halloween Festival.
🏨 Recommended Stays
- JI Hotel (Chongqing Happy Valley Longhu Lijia Tianjie): Conveniently located near Chongqing Happy Valley and the Botanical Garden, equipped with a gym, self-service laundry and a delivery robot, it offers a comfortable stay in the mid-price range.
- MOUNT WELL RESORT HOTEL Light Luxury Hotel: Situated near Chongqing Happy Valley and Halo Shopping Park, it combines elegant design with a convenient location for a stylish and relaxing stay.
Staying overnight at Chongqing Airport

✅ Ideal for: connecting passengers as well as travellers with early or late flights
🚇 Transport: The airport is conveniently connected to the city centre, either by Metro Line 3, which runs directly to destinations such as Guanyinqiao and Jiefangbei, by shuttle buses or by taxis. Many hotels in the area also offer a convenient pick-up and drop-off service.
🏨 Recommended Stays
- Bogang Hotel: Conveniently located near the food street and the metro in Yubei District, about 900 metres from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, and offering a complimentary shuttle service to the airport.
- NOVOTEL Chongqing Airport: The T3 terminal at Jiangbei Airport is roughly a 10-minute stroll away. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, and two restaurants offer a wide range of dishes.
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Top hotels in Chongqing
5 star
Business travel
Family friendly
Swimming pool
Breakfast
Frequently Asked Questions
Where's the best area to stay in Chongqing for a first-time visitor?
For first-time visitors, staying in the city centre around Jiefangbei or in the Jiangbei District (Guanyinqiao) is ideal. Jiefangbei is highly central—within walking distance to Hongyadong and the Yangtze River Cable Car, with metro lines 1, 2, and 6 all nearby. Guanyinqiao offers better value for money, direct access via metro lines 3 and 9, and plenty of authentic local eateries.Which neighbourhoods in Chongqing are best for night views?
Nanbin Road along the southern bank of the Yangtze River offers the most spectacular views of the Yuzhong Peninsula, Hongyadong, and Raffles City. Rooms on higher floors are highly recommended. Alternatively, the riverside areas around Jiefangbei combine dazzling cityscapes with riverside charm.Where can I find affordable accommodation in a convenient location?
The Guanyinqiao business district offers excellent value with great transport and amenities. Another good option is Shapingba near Three Gorges Square—close to Ciqikou Ancient Town and several universities, with plenty of budget-friendly hotels and guesthouses.

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