3 Days Chongqing Travel Itinerary, Plan a 3-Day Trip in Chongqing
3 Days Chongqing Travel Itinerary
Chongqing, a city brimming with magic and the warmth of everyday life, has captured the hearts of countless travelers with its uniquely layered 8D terrain, bold and flavorful culinary feasts, rich and enduring Bayu culture, and profound, distinctive historical heritage, making it a dream destination for many. If you only have three days to explore Chongqing, how can you make the most of your time and fully experience its allure? This guide will provide you with a detailed itinerary for an unforgettable three-day trip, ensuring that you can explore Chongqing to the fullest without missing out on its wonders.
3 Days Chongqing Itinerary for Family with Kids
Day 1: Explore the charm of Chongqing
After arriving in Chongqing, head to Chaotianmen, take the Yangtze River Cableway to admire the confluence of the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers, and experience the Crown Grand Escalator. Then, stroll through the Liberation Monument Pedestrian Street and Eighteen Stairs Traditional Style District, feeling the charm of the mountain city. At dinner, have an authentic Chongqing Hotpot at Hongya Cave, and as night falls, you can take the subway or cross the Qiansimen Bridge to the other side of the river to enjoy the dazzling night views of Hongya Cave and the Jialing River.
Day 2: Visit internet-famous attractions
In the morning, experience Chongqing's unique rail trains, enjoying the city’s staggered and layered urban scenery along the way. You can get off at Liziba Station to witness the amazing sight of the train passing through a building. Continue to take the rail train to reach Ciqikou Ancient Town, enjoying local snacks and ancient buildings. In the afternoon, head to Chongqing Happy Valley, where you and your children can enjoy carefree, joyful moments together. In the evening, you can cruise on the rivers to enjoy the Chongqing nightscape.
Day 3: Feel the unique Chongqing culture
In the morning, head to Chongqing Zoo, one of the zoos in China with the largest number of giant pandas, where you can see these adorable creatures up close. In the afternoon, visit the People's Auditorium and the Three Gorges Museum to learn about Chongqing’s rich history and culture. Afterwards, make your way to TESTBED 2, a creative cultural park filled with artistic vibes, featuring creative stores and graffiti walls, a perfect spot to experience Chongqing’s unique cultural imprint.
3 Days Chongqing Itinerary for Seniors with Slow Travel Pace
Day 1: Visit the Chongqing center district
Upon arriving in Chongqing, check up your hotel and rest, enjoying a local delicacy for lunch on the way. In the afternoon, visit Chaotianmen Wharf and take a tour of Raffles Square, then leisurely stroll to Liberation Monument Pedestrian Street, experiencing the charm of Chongqing’s busiest commercial area. For dinner, try authentic Jianghu cuisine, and if you’re in the mood for Chongqing hotpot, it’s recommended to go for a two-flavor hotpot. In the evening, enjoy the stunning night views at Hongya Cave, then take a river cruise along the Jialing River, feeling the cool breeze as you take in the sights.
Day 2: Enjoy your Chongqing leisure tour
In the morning, start your day with an authentic bowl of Chongqing noodles. Then, head to the Chongqing Three Gorges Museum to learn about the city's fascinating geography and stunning natural landscapes. After that, visit the Liziba Station and its iconic monorail passing through a building, a unique scene in Chongqing. After lunch and a short rest, take the rail train to Ciqikou Ancient Town, where you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon exploring the ancient architecture and vibrant delicacy. In the evening, take a taxi to the Nanshan One Tree Viewing Platform to overlook the magnificent night view of Chongqing in the gentle breeze.
Day 3: Stroll through the historic old city
In the morning, take the Yangtze River Cableway to get a bird’s-eye view of the terraced cityscape and the magnificent confluence of the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers. After crossing the river, you can explore Longmenhao Old Street, then take a taxi to Danzishi Old Street. These historic streets are perfect for a leisurely-paced visit, offering a glimpse of a different side of Chongqing beyond its bustling cityscape. If you’re feeling tired, head to Eling Park to relax amid lush greenery and serene waters.
3 Days Chongqing Itinerary for Young Travelers
Day 1: Experience the cityscape of Chongqing
The first stop in Chongqing is Liberation Monument, one of the city's most bustling commercial districts. Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street is full of a fashionable atmosphere, and the stylish people of Chongqing are also a distinctive feature of the city. Take the photos at Liziba Station, then take Line 2 back to Liberation Monument, experiencing the unique mountain city transportation. A ride on the Crown Grand Escalator and the Yangtze River Cableway will make your trip worthwhile. In the evening, enjoy authentic Chongqing hotpot at Hongya Cave and take in the stunning night views of Hongya Cave and Chaotianmen.
Day 2: Take adventure in the ghost city Fengdu
In the morning, after having authentic Chongqing noodles, then take the high-speed rail or a bus to the Ghost City, Fengdu. Fengdu Ghost City, the only theme park in China dedicated to "ghost culture", blends traditional beliefs with modern technology to create a uniquely Chinese underworld-themed attraction. If you’re brave enough, you can stay and explore the ghost city at night. Alternatively, if you're more interested in experiencing Chongqing’s vibrant nightlife, you can return to the central area.
Day 3: Explore the Chongqing karst landscape
In the morning, head to Wulong to explore the fascinating karst landscapes. The unique peaks and rocks in the Wulong Three Nature Bridges will make you marvel at the incredible work of nature. After visiting the Three Bridges, you can head straight to the Longshui Gorge, where you'll encounter more stunning scenes of bizarre rocks and cascading waterfalls. If you're lucky enough to visit in winter, you can enjoy the beauty of the snow and have fun playing in the snow in Fairy Mountain.
3 Days Chongqing cultural Immersion Itinerary and Leisure
Day 1: Learn Chongqing’s history and culture
Start by heading to the Chongqing Three Gorges Museum. The Three Gorges is one of Chongqing’s cultural icons, and the museum is the perfect place to learn about the city’s rich history and culture. Then, make your way to the Yuzhong Eighteen Stairs Traditional Style District, where you can stroll along quaint streets, admiring the historic buildings on either side. Be sure to visit the Mountain City Memory Hall, where recreates the look and feel of old Chongqing. As night falls, don’t miss the iconic night views of Hongya Cave and Chaotianmen, a must-see feature of this mountain city.
Day 2: Immerse in the exquisite Buddhist art
Head to the Dazu Rock Carvings, with the most famous sites being the Baoding Mountain and North Mountain carvings. Baoding Mountain is considered the essence of the Dazu Rock Carvings, with its statues over a dozen surrounding sites. North Mountain is known for its numerous, exquisitely detailed statues, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and artistry. If time permits, you can continue on to visit the rock carvings at South Mountain, Shimen Mountain, and Shizhuan Mountain to fully experience the “Five Mountains” of Dazu. In the evening, return to the central area and experience the nightlife in Chongqing.
Day 3: Visit historical and cultural monuments
Take a high-speed train or bus to Fengjie, and first visit the Baidi Fortress Scenic Area. As a significant site in Three Kingdoms history, the story of Liu Bei entrusting his son to Zhuge Liang here fills the area with a profound historical atmosphere. Then, take a cruise ride to admire the spectacular scenery of Qutang Gorge, experiencing the grandeur of the Three Gorges. In the afternoon, drive up to the "Summit of the Three Gorges", where famous Chinese poets like Du Fu and Su Shi once composed poems, resonating with the spirit of literary masters.
Customize Your Mountain City Chongqing Tour

If you are interested in the Chongqing itineraries mentioned above, please contact us, and we will be happy to customize it and provide a quote tailored to your preferences.
Alternatively, if you would like to customize your Chongqing Tour, please visit our Chongqing Tour Customized Center. We assure you that you will receive a reply within 24 working hours.
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GREAT FAMILY CHINA TOUR
JULY 2024 We wanted to thank Grace at China Culture tour for organizing a great tour of China. We enjoyed our Beijing - Xian-Chengdu -Guilin -Yangshuo - Shanghai trip. Our local guides Bruce in Beijing, Susan in Xian, Jane in Chengdu, Mike in Guilin and Mary in Shanghai took care of us…read more details »
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