Zen Meets Cyberpunk! Chongqing’s Most Magical One-Day Tour, 5 Secret Spots to Explore Without Getting Lost

【Chongqing Artsy Stroll One-Day Tour】Encounter the Ancient and Modern Charm of the Mountain City

Stop 1: Luohan Temple
At dawn, step into the millennium-old Luohan Temple. The vermilion walls and green tiles create a fascinating contrast with the surrounding skyscrapers. The five hundred Arhat sculptures are lifelike, and amidst the incense smoke, feel the Zen hidden within the bustling city. It’s recommended to visit before 8 AM to avoid crowds, quietly listen to the morning bell, and capture the same shot as in the movie "Crazy Stone."

Stop 2: Guotai Art Center
A 15-minute walk from the ancient temple brings you to the red “inscribed” building—Guotai Art Center. The steel structure resembles a blazing torch, housing a drama theater and an art gallery inside. Check the day’s exhibitions in advance to experience Chongqing’s artistic pulse through avant-garde art and traditional Sichuan opera face-changing performances.

Stop 3: Grand Theatre Station
Take Metro Line 6 across the river and get off at Grand Theatre Station. During the day, admire the futuristic “solitary skylight” station design; at night, be sure to visit the Chongqing Grand Theatre observation deck. Facing Hongya Cave across the river, it’s a prime spot for capturing the dazzling night view of Yuzhong Peninsula.

Stop 4: Huguang Guild Hall
Travel back 300 years and enter the Ming-yellow walled Huguang Guild Hall. The carved coiled dragons on the Yuwang Palace opera stage remain vivid. Sit under the ancient stage sipping a lidded bowl tea while listening to the poignant history of immigrants. Traditional opera performances often take place at 3 PM. Don’t forget to touch the immigrant map relief to feel the traces of the “Huguang fills Sichuan” era.

Stop 5: Riverside Park
At dusk, descend the steps from Huguang Guild Hall to Riverside Park. Wait on the pebble beach for the sunset where the two rivers meet, watching the Yangtze River cable cars glide across the rosy sky. In winter, you might encounter the limited “Tetris” floating stone formation; in summer nights, join the locals at open-air concerts.

Travel Tips

· Transportation: Metro Lines 1 and 6 connect all spots; a one-day ticket costs about 15 RMB
· Food: The “Vegetarian House” near Luohan Temple offers mock meat dishes; Riverside Park night market has iced jelly and cold shrimp
· Best Route: Luohan Temple → Guotai Art Center → Grand Theatre Station → Huguang Guild Hall → Riverside Park (downriver route without detours)

Experience Zen, art, history, and nature all in one day, collecting unique memories of the mountain city through the collision of tradition and modernity.