Hongyadong Night Photography Secret Spots Revealed

Experience Chongqing with 5,000 RMB! Four Days and Three Nights In-Depth Guide｜Tested by a Veteran Blogger, Featuring Magical 8D, Riverside Fireworks, and Romantic River Views

As a seasoned travel blogger who visits Chongqing six times a year, I must say: the real Chongqing isn’t on the confusing overpasses where GPS fails, but in the thousands of lights that come on at dusk in Hongyadong, in the roar of the light rail rushing through Liziba building, in the fragrant aroma of beef tallow from old air-raid shelter hotpot, and under the dazzling starry river confluence viewed from Nanshan Yikeshu.
This time, I’ve customized a high-quality four-day, three-night mountain city tour plan with a 5,000 RMB budget—no staying in overpriced internet-famous river view rooms, no low-cost shopping tours, just showing you how locals “eat spicy, climb hills, and have fun.”

Day 1: Arrive in Chongqing → Unlock Hongyadong Night View + Check in at Qiansimen Bridge Photo Spots
Recommended to travel by high-speed train (round trip from Chengdu/Guiyang/Wuhan about 700 RMB). After arriving at Chongqing North Station, take a taxi to a boutique guesthouse near Jiefangbei (about 1,300 RMB for three nights, recommended around Xiaotian’e Hotel or Raffles Ascott).
In the evening, walk to Hongyadong (free), shoot the 11-story stilted buildings and the reflection of the Jialing River in one frame.
✅ Best to arrive before 7:30 PM to avoid crowds
✅ Must-visit spots: Qiansimen Bridge pedestrian walkway, Grand Theatre riverside, Cangbai Road viewing platform

For dinner, head straight to “Guaxixi Hotpot” or “Yibiaochang Hotpot,” about 80 RMB per person, to experience authentic nine-grid beef tallow spicy hotpot. Must order tripe, aorta, and duck blood.

Day 2: Magical City Exploration → Liziba + E’ling No. 2 Factory + Guanyin Bridge + Jiangbeizui Night Shots
Early morning check-in at Liziba light rail passing through the building (Metro Line 2), shoot the stunning moment from the ground floor looking up.
✅ Visit the Stilwell Museum or the San Ceng Ma Lu old street nearby to feel the mountain city texture

In the afternoon, head to E’ling No. 2 Factory Creative Park:
✔️ Industrial-style stairs, terrace river views, vintage graffiti walls, perfect for photos
✔️ Have a special mountain city coffee at “Wilderness Theater Café”

In the evening, stroll Guanyin Bridge pedestrian street, feel Chongqing’s busiest commercial district.
The highlight is a night visit to Jiangbeizui Grand Theatre riverside:
✔️ Capture panoramic views of Hongyadong across the river + Raffles skyline, with dreamy light and shadow

Day 3: Wulong Tian Sheng San Qiao or Dazu Rock Carvings Half-Day Tour + Return for Jianghu Cuisine
Choose one day tour (pick one based on interest):
✅ Wulong Tian Sheng San Qiao (group tour about 280 RMB/person): filming location for “Curse of the Golden Flower” and “Transformers,” magnificent canyon, elevator for easy access
✅ Or the closer Dazu Rock Carvings (30 minutes by high-speed train to Dazu South Station, ticket 115 RMB): World Cultural Heritage, pinnacle of millennium Buddhist sculpture art

Return to the city in the afternoon, dinner recommended at “Yangji Longfu” or “Fanbatuo”:
✔️ Must order spicy chicken, taro chicken, braised pork intestines, about 70 RMB per person for authentic “Jianghu flavor”

Day 4: Nostalgic Ciqikou + Yangtze River Cableway + Take Home Mountain City Flavors
Morning stroll in Ciqikou Ancient Town (free):
✔️ Walk old bluestone steps, watch Sichuan opera face-changing, try Chen Mahua, spicy blood stew, and sour spicy noodles
✔️ Recommended farewell breakfast at “Changqing Tangyuan” or “Wu Chaoshou”

Take the Yangtze River Cableway (20 RMB one way) from Xinhua Road to Shangxin Street, crossing the river in the air, overlooking both banks.

Before departure, shop for souvenirs at Chongqing North Station/Raffles City Mall:
✔️ Qiaotou hotpot base, Zhang Fei beef, Chen Changyin Mahua, Jiangjin rice flower candy

Take the high-speed train back, ending a spicy and heartfelt journey.

💰 Budget Breakdown:
✅ Round-trip high-speed train: 700 RMB
✅ Accommodation for three nights: 1,300 RMB
✅ Food and snacks: 800 RMB
✅ Tickets, transportation, cableway: 900 RMB (including Wulong/Dazu round trip)
✅ Shopping and souvenirs: 1,300 RMB

Total: 4,980 RMB, a well-paced trip satisfying visual, taste, and cultural experiences!

📌 Tips:
✔️ Chongqing has many slopes and hills, wear comfortable sports shoes
✔️ Metro supports “Chongqing Public Transport Ride Code” mini program
✔️ Hotpot spiciness is adjustable; for outsiders, start with mild spicy

The real Chongqing is the psychedelic feel of a 3D city, the local passion in a hotpot meal, and the warmth and authenticity of a city you thought you came to eat spicy but ended up loving its heat and soul.

I am a seasoned travel blogger focused on authentic, in-depth, and heartfelt travel sharing.
Follow me, next time I’ll take you deep into the hidden gems of Qianjiang and the stunning landscapes of Wujiang Gallery!