Chongqing Travel Diary Part 1 - Food, Culture, and Hidden Gems

It took me quite some time to finally sit down and write about my trip to Chongqing, and here it is! Since we managed to cover quite a number of places, I’ll be splitting this travelogue into two parts.

We stayed in Chongqing for several days, exploring some of its most popular attractions. Along the way, we checked into two different hotels—both offered great service, though they could be a little tricky to navigate as the reception lobbies weren’t on the ground floor. A little bit of asking around usually did the trick!

Because Chongqing is such a sprawling city with countless things to see and do, we planned our trip strategically. For the first three days, we based ourselves in Guanyinqiao (观音桥), a lively commercial district, and explored attractions in and around the area.

Day 1
After checking in, we headed straight to the famous Guanyinqiao Food Street for dinner. The place is massive, buzzing with energy, and lined with stalls selling local specialities—from xiao long bao to chuan chuan (串串), all unmistakably Chongqing-style with that signature mala (麻辣) flavour.

After dinner, we wandered around the district and stumbled upon one of the city’s most recognisable sights: the “I Am At Chongqing” sign flashing across a huge screen for just three seconds at a time. It’s a viral Douyin (TikTok) spot, and naturally, we joined the crowd in trying to snap that perfect photo.

Day 2
The next morning, we visited a vintage café (which I’ve shared in a previous post). Chongqing is full of these hidden gems where you can step away from the bustle of the city and simply chill.
Later, we explored Beichang Cultural Park (北仓文创园)—a former industrial warehouse area that has been transformed into a creative hub. Today, it’s filled with murals, installations, and an artistic vibe that reflects the modern, youthful side of Chongqing.

For dinner, we went up to the rooftop of a shopping centre near Guanyinqiao, to a restaurant-bar called Saltimbocca. The night view of the city from there was stunning—Chongqing truly glitters after dark.

Day 3
We started early and made our way to Qicai Xiang (七彩巷), literally “Colourful Alley.” Located in Mafangwan, it’s a renovated old neighbourhood where traditional houses have been repainted in bright colours and decorated with street art. Once an ordinary residential area, it has now become a lively attraction showcasing Chongqing’s efforts to preserve heritage while adding a modern, playful twist. Each narrow alley has its own charm, and it’s the kind of place you just want to wander and take photos in.

From there, we continued to Ciqikou Ancient Town (磁器口古镇), one of Chongqing’s most famous historical attractions. Dating back to the late Ming and early Qing dynasties (roughly the 14th–17th centuries), Ciqikou was once a bustling porcelain production hub and a key trading port along the Jialing River. Today, its grey-bricked houses, old tea houses, and streets filled with souvenir shops still retain much of their traditional character. You could easily spend half a day here soaking up the atmosphere.

In the evening, we capped the day with a performance of “1949”, an epic stage play that dramatises events from China’s modern history. While the storyline itself leans heavily on propaganda, what truly blew me away was the stage design—the entire platform rotates 360 degrees, and the actors continue performing seamlessly as the set shifts around them. It was unlike anything I’ve ever seen before!