What is there to do in Chongqing, China at night?

Chongqing, China is one of Asia's most famous tourist cities. Chongqing attracts many tourists because of its ancient charm that has been preserved for thousands of years. In addition, the city is also considered one of the economic centers of the southwest region of China. Chongqing has many "skyscrapers," modern transportation infrastructure, and especially a very vibrant and interesting nightlife. You can say that you have not fully appreciated the beauty of Chongqing if you have not explored Chongqing at night.

In this article, let's explore the exciting nighttime activities in Chongqing, China with Vietjet to experience the full beauty of this city!

You may not have fully appreciated the beauty of Chongqing if you have not explored Chongqing at night.

1. What to do in Chongqing, China at night

1.1 Sightseeing Cruise on the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers

This is a popular tourist experience to enjoy the night scenery of Chongqing on both banks of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. This experience offers a variety of cruise tours. Depending on your needs and budget, you can choose from common to luxury tours that usually last about 70 minutes.

The journey to discover Chongqing at night by cruise will start from Chaotianmen Wharf, following the Yangtze River and reaching the Jialing River Bridge, then turning back. During the cruise, tourists will be able to admire the full beauty of Chongqing at night with colorful lights from high-rise buildings, reflections on the river making the space more majestic and shimmering. The highlights of the journey include the Chongqing Grand Theater with unique architecture and impressive light show, as well as impressive bridges such as the Dongshuimen Bridge, Shimen Bridge, and Caiyuanba Bridge with the closest view.

Cruising on the river, tourists will be able to admire the full beauty of Chongqing at night with shimmering and fanciful lights in front of a vibrant Chongqing.

1.2 People's Liberation Monument

The People's Liberation Monument is a place you must "check-in" when traveling to Chongqing because it is considered a symbol of China. The monument is 27.5m high. At night, when the city "lights up," the monument becomes even more magnificent.

In addition, the People's Liberation Monument is located in the center of the largest shopping district in the Yuzhong district of Chongqing. Therefore, in addition to coming here to visit this historical site, you can also enjoy shopping at many bustling commercial centers.

The People's Liberation Monument is a place you must "check-in" when traveling to Chongqing.

1.3 Hongya Cave - A must-visit destination when traveling to Chongqing at night

Perhaps you have not fully explored Chongqing at night if you have not been to Hongya Cave in the evening. This place has a very unique design. This is an 11-story building, 75 meters high, built on a cliff. Each floor will have different bars, cafes, and restaurants, and tourists can visit each floor of Hongya Cave by elevator.

Interestingly, you can reach the 1st and 11th floors of the building in two different ways. And on the 2nd floor of Hongya Cave, tourists can also see the Hongya Dripping, a symbolic feature of the building. It is a small waterfall that flows down the cliff in a very impressive way.

Especially, the night scenery of Hongya Cave is a highlight and a unique feature of Chongqing, China. Neon lights and warm, cozy lights illuminate the entire area. Along with its reflection on the water, the complex looks like a dreamland amidst the towering skyscrapers. When visiting Chongqing at night, tourists can admire the beautiful night scene from different angles.

1.4 Relaxing at night in Chongqing's bars

In a bustling city like Chongqing, enjoying a vibrant night in the bars here is not to be missed. Most of the popular bars/pubs in Chongqing are concentrated in the Yuzhong district, especially in the Jiefangbei pedestrian street area. You can also choose the area near the Three Gorges Square in the Shapingba district, the Graffito street in Huang Yue Ping to enjoy a relaxing night at the wine bars, bars, and clubs. Since it is farther from the center, the price will be much more expensive.

Some suggestions for tourists to explore Chongqing at night include Soho Bar, Concept 98, Music House, Chongqing Tiandi, Fermentation taproom & cafe, Fermentation taproom & cafe,... Depending on the bar, most will be open from 19h00 to early the next morning.

1.5 Enjoying traditional music at the Chuanju Opera (Sichuan Opera)

An activity to explore Chongqing is enjoying the traditional music of the city. This is an ideal choice for those who like to explore culture and traditional values.

You can enjoy Sichuan Opera (also known as Chuan Opera). This is a unique cultural feature of the Han people in the eastern and central regions of Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan, and Guizhou. In addition to the highlights of costumes, singing, and music, the Chuanju Opera style also impresses audiences with two points: face changing and fire spitting.

Chuanju Opera performances are held at the Chuanju Opera House in Chongqing. The address of the theater is at 76 Jintang Road, Yuzhong District.

2. What to eat in Chongqing, China at night

2.1 Chongqing Hot Pot

To explore Chongqing's cuisine, you must try the city's signature hot pot dish. Chongqing's hot pot is very different from other regions of China. This hot pot is made from beef fat and chili, creating a spicy flavor that is hard to forget.

Chongqing hot pot is usually served in a pot with compartments so that diners can choose the level of spiciness that suits their taste. This hot pot is combined with many rich ingredients such as beef tripe, duck gizzards, pork intestines, or beef, along with fresh vegetables.

A tip for travelers who can't eat too spicy food is to ask the restaurant to serve a two- or four-compartment hot pot when eating hot pot so that you can experience the spicy food of Chongqing and also enjoy other flavors. In addition, you should order milk or cold drinks during the meal.

2.2 Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken, also known as Gong Bao or Kung Pao, is a spicy stir-fry dish from China. The main ingredient is chicken, combined with chili peppers, peanuts, vegetables, and garlic, mixed with Sichuan peppercorns. When finished, the dish will have a golden-yellow color, with the spicy flavor of Sichuan peppercorns, chicken meat blending with the sauce, and a rich, delicious taste. The crunchy texture of peanuts adds to the appeal of the dish.

This is a very "approachable" dish for tourists because the spiciness is not too strong and it can be easily found at street food stalls.

When visiting Chongqing at night, you also cannot miss exploring the cuisine here. Famous dishes include hot pot, Kung Pao chicken, sweet potato noodles, and various noodle dishes...

2.3 Sweet Potato Noodles with Spicy Sauce

This is a very popular street food dish in Chongqing. You can enjoy it in many places, from shopping areas to night markets... The main ingredient of this noodle dish is, of course, sweet potatoes and also includes black beans. The soft noodles, sweet taste of potatoes and beans combined with the spicy and sour taste of the sauce create a delicious and irresistible flavor.

2.4 Dan Dan Noodles

Dan Dan Noodles are a traditional noodle dish originating from the Sichuan region of China. Dan Dan means "pole," originating from street vendors carrying noodles on poles around the city. The ingredients of Dan Dan Noodles include egg noodles, ground meat, fresh garlic, scallions, and a spicy sauce unique to Sichuan cuisine.

This dish has become a part of the lives of the people living in this city. In the past, Dan Dan Noodles were sold on shoulder poles, now they are sold in stores or stalls. You will definitely not miss this dish when exploring Chongqing at night.

3. Getting around Chongqing at night

When traveling to Chongqing, China at night, you can get around by subway, bus, or taxi. Specifically:

Subway: The subway system in Chongqing has 6 lines, and the fare will be calculated based on the distance you travel.
Bus: This is the most economical means of transportation for tourists, about 2 yuan/person (about 6-7 thousand VND). In Chongqing, China, there are more than 500 bus routes, serving a variety of travel needs of tourists.
Taxi: Compared to the bus, this is a very comfortable and convenient means of transportation, but the cost will be higher.

4. Notes when traveling to Chongqing, China at night

4.1 Do not rent a car to explore Chongqing at night

Chongqing is built on a mountain with complex road conditions. If you are a new visitor, getting around by car will definitely be very difficult. Unless you have a special need for a self-driving car, it's best to use public transportation.

In addition, due to the hilly terrain, getting around by bicycle can also be a "nightmare" for many people. If you plan to explore Chongqing at night by bicycle, you should reconsider.

The transportation system in Chongqing is quite complex, so exploring Chongqing at night by renting a car may not be an ideal choice.

4.2 Pay attention to the weather in Chongqing

Chongqing is a city with high humidity, also known as the "foggy city." You should bring some medicine and appropriate skincare products to avoid skin allergies. In addition, Chongqing often has sudden rain. When exploring Chongqing at night, you should also check the weather forecast and prepare an umbrella or raincoat before going out.

4.3 How to get from Vietnam to Chongqing, China

From Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, you can buy airline tickets to Chongqing, China, or you can travel by air from other cities in China to Chongqing.

If you are planning to go to Chongqing and want to optimize costs, don't forget to "hunt" for cheap airline tickets from Vietnam to China as soon as possible. In addition, you can also choose flights with multiple stops to save on airfare costs.

See more: Chongqing China Self-Sufficient Travel Experience

Currently, Vietjet operates many flights from Vietnam to various provinces and cities in China with extremely low fares and many promotional policies. Don't forget to hunt for 0 VND airline tickets to China every Friday of the week.

You can update flight schedules and promotional programs for one-way and round-trip airline tickets from Vietnam to China on Vietjet's official information channels:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vietjetvietnam
Instagram: https://instagram.com/vietjet
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/VietjetOfficial
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vietjetvietnam
Zalo: https://oa.zalo.me/vietjet

Discover Chongqing

Chongqing is a magnificent mountain city, situated among rolling hills and winding rivers, creating a unique landscape of "mountains embracing rivers." At night, the shimmering lights shine down on the riverbank, reflecting in the water like a vibrant painting. The narrow alleys, steep staircases, and chimneys rising in the mist… carry a blend of both ancient and modern vibes. The bridges spanning the Yangtze River and Jialing River form a striking architectural highlight in the heart of the city. Combined with the spicy local cuisine, humid climate, and steamy atmosphere, Chongqing has a very unique allure, both diverse and captivating.