Chongqing Travel Guide

WulongTiansheng Three Bridges is a Unesco World Heritage Site located about 20km away from Wulong County and a filmmaking location for the films “Curse of the Golden Flower” and “Transformers 4”. It is a precious eco-system site which is famous for the karst topography expecially the Tiankeng or natural sinkhole in the world. The site has three stone arch bridges that are deemed as " natural arch bridges in the world". They are namely Tianlong(Sky Dragon) Bridge, Qinglong (Green Dragon) Bridge, and Heilong (Black Dragon) Bridge. It is the largest natural stone bridge group in Asia.

Yangtze River Cableway has developed into a must-visit attraction for tourists in Chongqing. The cableway starts at Chang'an Temple (Xinhua Road) in Yuzhong District and crosses the Yangtze River to Shangxin Street (Longmenhao) in the Nan'an District. As you take the cableway and travel to the other side of the river, you can see the scenery of the skyscrapers, the Yangtze River, and the south bank of the river. There is a saying that “If you don't see the night view, you have not been to Chongqing”. So take the Yangtze River cableway so have a glimpse of Chongqing's night skyline. The Yangtze River cableway has also become a favourite for many filmmakers in Chongqing. Whenever there are cableway footages in domestic film and television dramas, the audience will know that it was shot in Chongqing.

The White Emperor City Qutang Gorge Scenic Spot is located on Baidi Mountain along the northern bank of the Yangtze River at the entrance of Qutang Gorge in Fengjie County, Chongqing. Situated at the western entrance of the Three Gorges, it faces Kuimen to the east, Baiyan Mountain across the river to the south, Fengjie County to the west, and Jigong Mountain to the north, approximately 10 km east of Fengjie County. Covering an area of 6 km², the attraction primarily consists of two major sections—White Emperor City and Qutang Gorge—featuring numerous historical sites that blend nature with culture, poetry with wartime legacy, serving as the starting point to experience the grandeur of the Three Gorges. Officially opened to the public in 1978, it was among China's first batch of nationally opened attractions.

The attraction was originally named White Emperor City Qutang Gorge Scenic Spot. During the late Western Han Dynasty, Gongsun Shu built a fortified city in this strategic location. In 25 AD, he proclaimed himself the White Emperor and renamed the city White Emperor City. In 36 AD, the White Emperor Temple was constructed on White Emperor Mountain to worship Gongsun Shu. During the 12th year of Emperor Jiajing's reign in the Ming Dynasty (1533 AD), the temple began honoring Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang instead. Throughout the Tang and Song dynasties, renowned poets such as Li Bai, Du Fu, Bai Juyi, and Liu Yuxi visited, resided, or served as officials here, leaving behind numerous immortal poems, earning it the reputation as the "City of Poetry." After the Three Gorges Dam project raised the water level to 175 m, the White Emperor City, now surrounded by water on all sides, has become a "green island" in the "high gorge flat lake."

Qutang Gorge, adjacent to Baidi City, spans 8 km and combines grandeur, wonder, danger, and steepness as the shortest, narrowest, and most perilous section of the Three Gorges. On its northern bank at Chijia Mountain, visitors can explore three cultural sites—Laoguanmiao, Daxi, and Wushan Ape Man—along with attractions like the Laoguanmiao signal tower, Chijia Tower, ancient cannon platforms, cliffside plank roads, and hanging coffins in Fengxiang Gorge. The southern Baiyan Mountain features remnants of Mengliang Ladder's ancient path, cliff carvings, Rhinoceros Gazing at the Moon Peak, and Ape Man Peak—showcasing 2 million years of China's human development history.

Kuimen, also known as Qutang Pass, is a spectacular sight within the Qutang Gorge, renowned as "the most majestic under heaven." Located at the western entrance of Qutang Gorge, it has historically been a strategic military stronghold, guarding the passage between Bashu in the west and Jingchu in the east. The towering cliffs on both banks rise steeply like axes and knives, standing upright with the mighty Yangtze River flowing through the middle. The narrow gorge forms a natural gate, locking the river within its embrace—this is Kuimen. Celebrated for its grandeur, Kuimen was praised in ancient times as "the most majestic gate under heaven" and is now honored as "China's gateway of landscapes." It is featured on the background of the CNY 10 note in the fifth series of RMB.

The eye in the clouds stands at a romantic height of 520 m in the core of Chongqing Yuzhong Peninsula, offering a 360° unobstructed panoramic view and a vast visual field of 9000 m. From this god's-eye perspective, it captures the two iconic views of the 8D magical Chongqing—the mountain city and its nightscape. It has served as a filming location for multiple variety shows, including the CCTV Spring Festival Gala and Keep running.

At your feet, the Yangtze River meets the Jialing River; around you, landmark skyscrapers stand tall. By day, the landscape and high-rises complement each other; by night, the dazzling city lights outline the urban skyline. Visit the EYE IN THE CLOUDS and check out the viral suspended red staircase, where a 520 m stroll instantly creates life-highlight photos. Nearby attractions include the Yangtze River Cableway, Liberation Monument, and Hongya Cave, making it the perfect first stop for Chongqing travel to experience the essence of this mountain-river city that never sleeps!



EYE IN THE CLOUDS features a VIP private viewing area, offering a comfortable rest zone at an altitude of 520 m to unlock a unique elevated viewing experience in Chongqing. Above the mountain city, it's the exclusive prime viewing spot just for you.



Standing above the clouds with the city behind. Perched atop Chongqing's skyline, Yuntai offers a panoramic view of the mountain city, capturing the rivers, bridges, and urban landscape from a breathtaking aerial perspective. The project provides customized photo services, allowing travelers to immerse themselves in the 8D magical skyline and unlock a variety of themed photo shoots—from traditional Chinese styles to anime and sci-fi—all in one place.



Ciqikou Town is located beside Chongqing city. It used to serve as a goods unloading dock. The town has more than a dozen streets and it is filled with ancient Ming Dynasty architectures. You can walk along ancient paths, taste local food and snacks, and chill in a teahouse to feel the ambience of old Chongqing. As the town is very close to the urban area, it is a popular attraction for urbanites' recreational activities. Mao Xuewang, Qianzhangpi and salt-and-pepper peanuts are the three specialties in the town. The "Chen Fried Dough Twist" is also a must-try when you are there.

The Dazu Rock Carvings in the Dazu District of Chongqing City is a world cultural heritage site. The Dazu Rock Carvings include Baoding Mountain, Beishan Mountain, Nanshan Mountain and others. Here, you can enjoy seeing the well-preserved stone carving art from the Tang and Song Dynasties. Among the many stone carving groups, the Baoding Mountain and Beishan Stone Carvings are the most famous. Baoding Mountain's “Picture of the six stages of reincarnation” and “Picture of the retribution for the ten deadly sins” are worth savoring in detail. The Buddha statues in Beishan Mountain include both the simplicity of the Tang Dynasty's sculpture and the beauty of the Song Dynasty's sculpture.

The Chongqing Huguang Guild Hall is located on the banks of the Yangtze River in Yuzhong District, Chongqing, beside the ancient East Water Gate. It consists of three grand halls: the Yu King Palace, the Qian Guildhall, and the Guangdong Guildhall, all surrounded by high walls. The Chongqing Huguang Guild Hall was first built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. Through continuous renovations and expansions from Qianlong to Guangxu, it reached its current scale, with a history of nearly 300 years. At the end of 2003, the governments of Chongqing and Yuzhong District invested nearly 200 million yuan to carry out protective restoration of the core area of the Chongqing Huguang Guild Hall, which was completed in September 2005. The central area of the guild hall covers an area of 18,418㎡. As a business institution based in Chongqing (Chongqing) funded by foreign officials, gentry, and merchants during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, it is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient guild hall complexes still existing in China. Three hundred years ago, represented by the "Huguang Filling Sichuan" campaign, which involved more than a dozen provinces, the large-scale migration movement forged the broad-mindedness of Chongqing people characterized by tolerance, openness, unity, and progress, as well as their resolute, brave, enthusiastic, and straightforward character. The Chongqing Huguang Guild Hall not only preserves the material culture of the guild hall's architecture but also embodies the intangible culture of immigrant spirit. In the past, present, and future, the Chongqing Huguang Guild Hall has been an important cultural symbol that Chongqing people are proud of. The guild hall is grand in scale, with a staggered layout, majestic halls, and a simple and elegant design. It is remarkable that it has survived in a bustling city area filled with skyscrapers, and holds significant historical, artistic, and scientific value. The Chongqing Huguang Guild Hall, also known as the Yu King Temple, Yu King Palace, or Chu Temple, worships the Great Yu King to ward off floods; Qian Gongshou is also known as the Emperor's Palace, dedicated to the Emperor (also called the Lucky Lord) to pray for happiness, good fortune, and safety; The Guangdong Administrative Office is also called Nanhua Palace, dedicated to the ancestor Huineng of Nanhua. Immigrants from various provinces, mainly from Huguang, settled in Bashu, and local beliefs followed the migrants into Sichuan, thus forming a unique folk belief pattern in Sichuan during the Qing dynasty. During this period, the belief in Dayu in the Bashu region also exhibited the unique phenomenon of 'Shu originating from Shu and worshipped by Chu.' Since its opening, the Chongqing Huguang Guild Hall has welcomed over ten million visitors from home and abroad, becoming a calling card of Chongqing and a monument of Chinese immigrant culture, enjoying great prestige both at home and abroad; It embodies the reverence and pride of the Bashu ancestors for Chinese culture, serves as an important carrier and proof of the inheritance of Chinese civilization on the land of Bashu, and serves as a premium stage where brilliant history and modern culture shine together. The guild hall currently houses over ten thousand sculptural artworks such as wood, stone, and brick carvings, all meticulously carved and breathtaking. Before restoration, the guild hall preserved a large number of Ming and Qing dynasty carvings, mainly featuring motifs from Journey to the West, Romance of the Western Chamber, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Investiture of the Gods, and the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars, as well as dragons, phoenixes, animals, and various exotic flowers and plants. These were likely a form of reverence for the totems of the hometown by immigrants and are outstanding representatives of southern Chinese sculptural art during the Ming and Qing periods. In 2003, with the support of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, the Tourism Bureau, and other departments, experts and teams from across the country spent nearly two years restoring and restoring the sculptural art preserved in the guild hall, bringing it back to life. The museum features a wide variety of sculptures, beautiful forms, and vibrant gilding and vivid colors. The antique charm offers a beautiful experience, reflecting the refined aesthetic cultivation and superb craftsmanship of the ancients. As one of China's earliest immigrant museums, the Huguang Filling Sichuan Immigration Museum uses 'Huguang Fills Sichuan' as its backdrop, showcasing the historical background, economic factors, and routes of migration to Sichuan from various perspectives. It vividly and comprehensively reflects the history of 'Huguang Fills Sichuan,' and holds significant value for research and education on folk customs, guild hall culture, architecture, and garden culture. By drawing on the strengths of many and innovating, using modern multimedia technology, combining sound, light, and electrical technology, and a series of interactive experiences, visitors can immerse themselves in retraced the migration path and experience the hardships of their ancestors' entrepreneurship. It recreates scenes of people from provinces such as Hunan, Hubei, and Guangxi traveling by water and land into Sichuan, systematically introducing the influx of commercial immigrants and gradually turning Chongqing into a commercial and commercial city. The East Water Gate city wall was first built during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, with a history of over 600 years. Facing the Yangtze River, it stands alone in the middle of the river, naturally formidable and imposing, presenting a typical ancient city wall with mountain city characteristics and possessing high architectural scientific and artistic value. The long history of the East Water Gate and its city wall being established and evolved records the vicissitudes of the water wharf and Chongqing's mother city, reflecting Chongqing's long history and rich culture. In 2000, it was announced by the Chongqing Municipal People's Government as one of the first batch of municipal-level cultural relic protection units after direct administration, and in 2013, it was designated as a national key cultural relic protection unit. The rich historical and cultural heritage and ingenious ancient architectural forms of Chongqing Huguang Guild Hall have attracted numerous film and television production companies to shoot locations, becoming a popular location for film and television shoots. Since its restoration and opening, it has provided outdoor filming and location locations for numerous film, variety show, and photography programs, including "Smart Battle at Shajiabang," "Drunken Paper," "Spy War," "Chongqing 1950," "Quality Bodyguard," "Lu Zuofu," "Eight Minutes of Warmth," "The Lie Detector," "Go Fighting!", "Twelve Flavors," and "New Year."

Peak of Three Gorges is located at the summit of Chijia Mountain, above Kuimen. The attraction stretches over 10 km, starting from Zuofangcao in the north, overlooking Baiyan Mountain in the south, facing Baidi Poetry City in the west, and bordering Wushan Airport in the east. Named after Du Fu's poem "Kuizhou Songs: Ten Quatrains" which describes "Chijia and Baiyan piercing the sky, with winding paths reaching the mountain peak," it officially opened on May 1, 2020, and was rated as a National AAAA-level tourist attraction in October 2020.

Located in one of the birthplaces of ancient Kuile music from over 4,000 years ago, this attraction honors Kui, a legendary musician and the originator of ceremonial music in Chinese history. It seamlessly blends lush landscapes with cultural roots, music, and dance, vividly portraying the timeless beauty of "green mountains as an eternal painting, clear waters as an ageless zither." The site features sacred music landmarks including the Kuile Drum Altar, Siwang Music Platform, Statue of the Music Ancestor, Kuile Gate, Bamboo Rhythm Pavilion, and Welcoming Dragon Terrace.

The highest point of the attraction stands at an elevation of 1,388m, representing the pinnacle of the Yangtze River Three Gorges in physical form, the most breathtaking view, the highest cultural significance, the supreme spiritual level, and the ultimate in green development. Ascending to this spot, you'll find yourself surrounded by swirling clouds and radiant sunsets. Gazing into the distance, you'll see endless mountain ranges and towering peaks. Looking down from above, the Yangtze River winds like a jade ribbon. Step onto the glass walkway to experience the unparalleled sensation of "standing atop the highest peak and surveying all smaller mountains below," taking in a panoramic landscape painting that intertwines suspension, thrill, awe, and wonder.

The 816 Project Scenic Spot is located in Baitao Street, Fuling District, Chongqing City. It is a nuclear raw material production base independently designed and constructed by the People's Republic of China and deployed in a cave. It has the top-secret code name "816". The construction was approved by the Central Military Commission in 1966. Its full name is the "Third-line Construction Atomic Energy Reactor and Chemical Reprocessing Project." It is a typical representative of more than 1,100 projects in the "Third Line Construction" of New China. That year, more than 60,000 construction troops from across the country were mobilized to Baitao to start the 18-year project construction. The project has gone through three stages: emergency construction, delayed construction, and construction suspension. The total excavation area is 104,000 square meters. The tunnel consists of 18 large holes and more than 130 pilot tunnels, branch tunnels, tunnels and shafts. The main cavern is as high as 79 . 6 meters. By 1984, 85% of the construction work had been completed, and about 60% of the installation work had been completed. The total investment reached 746 million yuan (price in that year). Due to the complexity and arduousness of the engineering design and construction, it is known as the "Three Gorges in the Cave, the Underground Great Wall" and the "Heshi Bi buried deep in the mountains". It also has the characteristics of the "Three Gods" of magic, mystery and sacredness.

102 component storage pool

The location where CCTV's “Going to the Grassroots” special report “Remember” column covers an area of 1,326 square meters. Its main function is to accept components and non-working blocks removed from the reactor, as well as store and classify non-working blocks. The 102 factory building is divided into two parts: the operation room and the pool. Each pool is equipped with water gates (9 sets in total) for the pool to be filled and drained in turn. There are 400 bucket positions with poles in the entire pool for long-term storage of original parts and non-working blocks. After the components are stored for one year, they will be cleaned by special water. Send it down the corridor to Factory 818.

Ring Road 8

Located in the post-processing area of ​​the entire project. It is huge in size, majestic in surroundings, and the beautiful lights perfectly outline the majesty of the cave. You might as well come here to explore the mystery and magic of the original ecological cave.

Reactor pot bottom

Located on the third floor of the main reactor. There are many pipe corridors above the bottom of the pot, which is spectacular. The construction of the glass corridor allows visitors to have a better experience, walk quietly under the pot, and overlook the long nuclear light.

central control room

Located on the ninth floor of the reactor. The most advanced computer body in the country at that time was housed here, which was the "heart" of the entire military industry cave and the central hub for coordinating the entire nuclear fuel manufacturing process.

The 104 Nuclear Power Plant is 31.2 meters high and 25 meters wide. The reactor is a dual-purpose reactor for production and power generation. It uses its nuclear waste heat to generate electricity in accordance with the principle of "focusing on nuclear production and supplementing power generation, producing first and then generating electricity".

Wushan Lesser Three Gorges refers to the collective name of Longmen Gorge, Bawu Gorge, and Dicui Gorge along the lower reaches of the Daning River in Wushan County, spanning 45 kilometers. It is one of the first AAAAA-rated attractions in China. Recognized as one of "China's Top 40 Tourist Destinations," a "National Scenic Area," and a "Chongqing Civilized Attraction," it has been praised by notable figures as a "Chinese Wonder," "World-Class Spectacle," "Not the Three Gorges, Yet Surpassing Them," and the "World's Most Extraordinary Gorge." The saying goes: "After witnessing the vast sea, other waters pale in comparison; after visiting the Daning River, no other gorge can impress. Having seen the Five Great Mountains, no other peaks are worth seeing; after experiencing the Daning River, no other gorge can compare."

Exploring the Little Three Gorges by boat offers a scenic journey lasting about 4 hours. The attraction features diverse towering peaks, ever-changing misty clouds, serene waterfalls and clear springs, mysterious ancient caves on cliffs, and lush forests and bamboo groves, forming a delicate natural landscape. Visitors can spot playful monkeys climbing trees and cliffs, pairs of mandarin ducks, various waterbirds in flight, and fish swimming in crystal-clear waters, with birdsongs echoing through the woods—a true wildlife paradise. The area also preserves ancient Ba people's cliff coffins, boat coffins, and historic villages, serving as precious historical relics. This unique gorge scenery blends natural beauty with cultural heritage, shining as a brilliant gem along the Yangtze River's Golden Tourism Route.

The main attractions of Little Three Gorges include: Dragon Gate Gorge, Dragon Gate Bridge, Ancient Dragon Gate Village, Calligraphy Rock, Green Lion Guarding the Gate, Lingzhi Peak, Fairy Tossing the Embroidered Ball, Immortal Peach Peak, Lion Peak, Guanyin Sitting on Lotus Throne, Hanging Coffins, White Snake Entering the Cave, Emerald Green Gorge, Ox Liver and Horse Lungs Rock, Cliff Carved Buddha Statues, Heavenly Spring Flying Rain, Luo Family Village, Madu River, Sky-reaching Peak, Golden Monkey Peak, Red Cliff Touching the Sky, Boat Coffins, Twin Eagles Playing on Screen, and Flying Cloud Cave.

The Mini Three Gorges is the sister gorge of the Little Three Gorges, named for being even smaller than its counterpart. It consists of three sections: Sancheng Gorge, Qinwang Gorge, and Changtan Gorge, stretching 15 km in total.

Wushan County's Little Three Gorges earned its name from its exceptionally narrow waterways, strikingly steep mountains, and deep canyons. Within Little Three Gorges, peculiar peaks, mirrored landscapes, and breathtaking scenery create a mesmerizing view. Sheer cliffs stand face-to-face on both sides, with towering rock walls and a narrow river channel that reveals just a sliver of sky, exuding an irresistible wild allure. The oddly shaped stalactites hanging from the cliffs emit an ancient, primitive charm. Drifting through on a boat, one is surrounded by endless greenery and stunning vistas, evoking a pure return to nature and an embrace of its untouched beauty.