Chongqing Travel Diary Part 2 - Food, Culture, and Hidden Gems

Day 4
On our fourth day, we moved hotels and stayed in the Jiefangbei (解放碑) area, right in the heart of Chongqing. Our hotel offered an excellent view of the river and the bridge—the night scenery here is simply breathtaking.

After checking in, we walked to Shibati (十八梯), one of Chongqing’s most historic neighbourhoods. Once a bustling hillside community of narrow stairways and traditional stilted houses, Shibati dates back to the late Qing dynasty and was known for its lively markets and everyday street life. Although much of it has been redeveloped in recent years, the area still retains a nostalgic charm. There are plenty of small shops and cafés where you can sit, relax, and people-watch.

In the evening, we took a cab to the trendy Yi Yan Chongqing hotpot restaurant. Hotpot is a quintessential part of Chongqing’s food culture, and Yi Yan is particularly famous for combining the fiery mala broth with spectacular views. We were lucky to arrive early and managed to get a table near the edge—the panorama of the city at dusk made the meal even more memorable.


Day 5
We started early with a visit to Eling Second Factory (鹅岭二厂), once an old printing factory that has since been transformed into a creative cultural park. It now houses a mix of indie shops, art studios, and quirky cafés, making it a favourite hangout spot for the younger crowd. The creative vibe is infectious, and it’s easy to spend a few hours here browsing unique trinkets and soaking in the atmosphere.

From there, we walked to Liziba (李子坝) to see one of Chongqing’s most iconic sights—the train line that literally passes through a residential building. It was crowded and sweltering, so I’d recommend coming just to snap a quick photo and then moving on.

We hopped on the train at Liziba and continued to Changjiang Suodao (长江索道), the famous Yangtze River Cableway. It’s more of a tourist attraction, and while it was crowded, the aerial view of the city and river was well worth the experience.

In the evening, we headed to Hongyadong (洪崖洞), perhaps Chongqing’s most photographed spot. Built against the cliffside, this multi-level complex is inspired by traditional stilt houses and looks magical when lit up at night. We managed to grab a table at a restaurant-bar overlooking the river—an ideal place to enjoy the glittering skyline.

Day 6
On our final day, we visited Xiahaoli (下浩里), another old neighbourhood that has recently gained popularity. Once a quiet residential area, it has been revitalised into a cultural and creative district, while still retaining traces of its past with narrow alleys and historic buildings. It’s a great place to wander, stop for coffee or tea, and experience a slower pace of local life.

To wrap up our trip, we had dinner at yet another Chongqing hotpot restaurant—this time with a view overlooking the bridge and river. There’s truly nothing like savouring spicy hotpot while watching the city lights shimmer over the Yangtze.

Post by Journeywithfit | Aug 24, 2025