5 Days Chongqing Travel Itinerary, Plan a 5-Day Trip in Chongqing

5 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 five 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 five-day trip, ensuring that you can explore Chongqing to the fullest without missing out on its wonders.

5 Days Chongqing Itinerary for Family with Kids

Day 1: Feel the charm of Chongqing

After arriving in Chongqing, head to Chaotianmen, you can 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 walk among the Hongya Cave to enjoy the dazzling night views of Spirited Away style architecture.

Day 2: Immerse in the mountain city

Start your second day with a bowl of locals’ favorite, Chongqing noodles. Reach Ciqikou Ancient Town, a place brimming not only with dazzling arrays of specialty goods but also countless authentic snacks, enjoying the local snacks and ancient buildings. In the afternoon, head to Chongqing Zoo, where you can see these adorable giant pandas up close. In the evening, take the Yangtze River Cableway to the Nanshan One Tree Viewing Platform, one of the premier vantage points for admiring Chongqing's nightscape. As night falls, the Yuzhong Peninsula reveals its extraordinary charm.

Day 3: Experience the artistic palace

In the morning, proceed to Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in Jiulongpo District, an artistic hub featuring the Graffiti Street, perfect for photos. In the afternoon, make your way to TESTBED 2, a creative cultural park filled with artistic vibes, also featuring creative stores and graffiti walls. Then experience Chongqing's rail trains, enjoying the city’s staggered and layered urban scenery, witnessing the amazing sight of the train passing through a building at Liziba Station. In the evening, take a cruise along the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers to take in the mesmerizing night views of the mountain city on both shores.

Day 4: Explore the beautiful nature

Drive to Wulong in the morning, where the karst landscape of the Three Natural Bridges is truly breathtaking, and at Tianfu Posthouse you can even try on traditional costumes for photos. In the afternoon, head to Fairy Mountain, where you can run freely across the grasslands, go horseback riding, and take pictures. In winter, you can play and frolic in the snowy woods. As evening falls, soak in a hot spring to wash away the day’s fatigue.

Day 5: Explore the beautiful nature

Continue exploring the Furong River Scenic Area in Wulong, a "magnificent underground art palace". Take a boat tour through Furong Cave, one of the world’s top three caves, where countless breathtaking formations await in its multi-layered chambers. The Furong River, a tributary of the Wu River, is flanked by lush greenery and picturesque landscapes. The area offers river cruises, cable cars, and even adventurous options like high-altitude ziplining for thrill-seekers. In the afternoon, return to Yuzhong District to wrap up your journey.

5 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 nearby. 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 walking in Hongya Cave.

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. After lunch and a short rest, take the rail train to Ciqikou Ancient Town, enjoying a relaxing afternoon exploring the ancient architecture and vibrant delicacy. In the evening, after having the Nanshan Spring Chicken, take a taxi to Nanshan One Tree Viewing Platform to overlook the magnificent night view of Chongqing in the gentle breeze.

Day 3: Admire the thousand-year artworks

Spend the day exploring the Dazu Rock Carvings. Each of the “Five Mountains” grottoes offers something unique: North Mountain Grotto is known as the “Gallery of Guanyin Statues in China”, Baoding Mountain Grotto is the only large-scale grotto complex in the country with a unified layout and concept, and Shizhuan Mountain Grotto is a rare site showcasing the integration of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. If you get tired, take a break at the Dazu Rock Carvings Museum, where you can also learn about the thousand-year history of this artistic heritage. In the evening, return to the city center.

Day 4: Immerse in Wulong karst landscapes

Head to the Fairy Mountain Tourist Resort and take the small train into the vast alpine meadow. This meadow is the core attraction of Fairy Mountain, a large stretch of undulating grassland atop the mountain, surrounded by tall, dense pine forests and set against a backdrop of blue skies and white clouds. It’s an ideal place for taking photos, picnicking, and leisurely strolls. In the evening, enjoy the open-air performance Impression Wulong, a stunning show staged amidst the karst landscape that vividly brings Bayu culture to life.

Day 5: 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.

5 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 a ride on the Crown Grand Escalator and the Yangtze River Cableway will also make your trip worthwhile. Take the rail train to the Liziba Station and take the photos of the trains pass through the building, experiencing the unique mountain city transportation. In the evening, enjoy authentic Chongqing hotpot at Hongya Cave and take in the stunning night views of Hongya Cave and Chaotianmen.

Day 2: Enjoy Chongqing's nature and culture

In the morning, head to the Jinfo (Gold Buddha) Mountain Scenic Area and take the cableway with an altitude of 2,000 meters. Beneath your feet lies a sheer abyss, while rolling mountains stretch endlessly on either side. After lunch, visit TESTBED 2 to admire Chongqing’s avant-garde art, then stroll through Eighteen Stairs to feel the city’s mountainside charm. In the evening, explore Guanyinqiao Pedestrian Street to savor the local delicacy, encounter handsome and pretty men or women, and dive into the vibrant nightlife of this city.

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, witnessing 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. In the evening, return to the central area.

Day 4: Continue to discover the city's charm

Spend the morning enjoying endless fun at Chongqing Happy Valley, which offers over a hundred amusement attractions, and there is bound to be one that captures your heart. After an exciting afternoon, unwind with a relaxing hot spring soak to ease your fatigue. After that, head to Kuixing Building, built into the mountainside with dramatic elevation changes, what appears as the first floor on one side is actually the 20th floor on the other. In the evening, take a cruise from Chaotianmen Wharf, sailing along the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers while admiring the dazzling city lights on both banks.

Day 5: Have fun in the marvel mountain city

In the morning, embark on an “underground adventure” in Shuirongdong Village, Yubei District. This is the newest, closest, and largest underground exploration destination in central Chongqing. Inside the caves and hidden rivers, you'll be amazed by the dazzling interplay of colorful lights and uniquely shaped stalactites. In the afternoon, head to Chongqing Zoo, where the adorable giant pandas will surely warm your heart.

5 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: Understand Chongqing more in depth

Take the rail train to Liziba Station to witness the unique sight of the train passing through a building, an iconic representation of Chongqing’s distinctive mountainous transportation. Then continue by train to Ciqikou Ancient Town, where the strong Bayu folk atmosphere and a dazzling array of local snacks await. In the afternoon, head back to Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street to experience the modern urban landscape of Chongqing. Visit Hongya Cave again during the day to see another side of the stilted houses. In the evening, Chongqing 1949 will make you deepen your understanding of the city's history.

Day 3: 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 4: Explore the various ethnic customs

Head to Chiyou Jiuli City in Pengshui to explore the legends of the Chiyou’s tribe and witness a vivid recreation of the ancient Jiuli city. Then, make your way to Gongtan Ancient Town, where you’ll find the picturesque Wu River stretching for miles and a collection of uniquely shaped Tujia stilted houses preserved in their original form. If time allows, continue on to Youyang Taohuayuan, a place that encapsulates the most stunning natural pastoral scenery of Wuling mountain region, preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Tujia and Miao ethnic groups and home to the only remaining ancient Qin-era village still in existence.

Day 5: 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

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