Stop crowding Yuzhong District! Eight local hidden gems in Nan'an District, Chongqing, offering a full day of romance and amazement

Stop crowding Yuzhong District! Eight local hidden gems in Nan'an District, Chongqing, offering a full day of romance and amazement

When it comes to Chongqing, most people are fixated on Hongya Cave and Jiefangbei in Yuzhong District, but they don’t realize that Nan'an District holds the true "soul" of the mountain city. Here lies 1,300 years of immortal Taoist spirit, an artsy old street favored by Xiao Zhan, night scenes more vibrant than Hongya Cave, and riverside tea gatherings under the starry sky. From dawn till late night, these eight treasure spots connect "history, art, everyday life, and brilliance." This local insider’s guide will help you unlock a different side of Chongqing.

🌄 Morning · Laojundong: The “Emerald Wonderland” in a 1,300-year-old Taoist temple

Recommended time: 8:30-11:00 (avoid crowds, enjoy the ethereal atmosphere)
Admission: 10 RMB (bring your own incense 5 RMB, incense at the entrance 20 RMB, pay as you wish)

Early morning at Laojundong is like stepping into a mist-shrouded world of fantasy. Climbing the damp stone steps, moss spreads a deep green between the cracks. Around the corner, you might encounter a calico cat curled beside the incense burner, rubbing against your hand, just like a spirit pet from "The Untamed." Halfway up the mountain, copper bells at the eaves gently ring in the breeze, the scent of incense mingles with the river wind, and trees hung with red prayer strings shimmer with scattered light in the morning sun.

✅ Must-try experiences

1. Touch the “Luck Stone”: A stone polished shiny by countless worshippers, said to absorb immortal energy. Touch it and it feels like pocketing good luck.

2. Summit view of Yuzhong: From the mountaintop viewing platform, the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers twist like ribbons, while Raffles City and Jiefangbei on the opposite bank shrink into a “block puzzle.” The city’s three-dimensional grandeur unfolds before your eyes.

3. Eat a bowl of vegetarian noodles: For 15 RMB, enjoy noodles topped with fresh mushrooms, giving you energy for the next adventure downhill.

⚠️ Tip: Wear sneakers! The stone steps are steep, and climbing in slippers will make you question your life choices.

🌇 Noon · Xiahaoli + Longmenhao: Double romance of art and everyday life

1. Xiahaoli Old Street: Xiao Zhan’s favorite slow life in old Chongqing

Recommended time: 11:30-13:30 (avoid afternoon crowds)

Stepping into Xiahaoli feels like entering 1980s Chongqing. In the old teahouse where Xiao Zhan once visited, bamboo chairs creak as you sit, and the owner brews a pot of Tuocha tea in an enamel jar, the aroma carrying the scent of time. Yellowed old photos hang on the walls, recording the bustling street life.

Around the corner is a glass-walled café, with a latte cup printed with a map of the old street. Sip the rich latte, then browse the neighboring secondhand bookstore for a copy of "Memories of the Mountain City." Your fingers glide over yellowed pages filled with stories of old Chongqing.

✅ Hidden gems

• 5 RMB handmade cold jelly: A small stall inside a residential building, drizzled with freshly boiled brown sugar syrup, sweet and icy—a summer lifesaver.

• Abandoned railway graffiti wall: Colorful paint splashes create “Xiahaoli’s dream.” Turn on your phone’s flashlight for photos, and the artistic vibe instantly maxes out.

2. Longmenhao Old Street: The perfect blend of river views and vintage charm

Recommended time: 14:00-16:30 (before dusk, catch the golden light on the river)

In the afternoon, Longmenhao hides Chongqing’s “prime river view spot.” The shadow of Dongshuimen Bridge reflects on the water, and the ivy on the foreign-style building walls glows golden-red in the sunlight. Step into a riverside café and order the special “Longmenhao Moon” cocktail. Sitting by the window, watch Hongya Cave transform from “bare-faced” to “dressed up” as the river breeze brushes your face, and time seems to slow down.

🌃 Dusk · Tanzishi Old Street: A glowing three-dimensional alleyway

Recommended time: 16:30-19:30 (arrive before the lights come on to secure a spot)

The bluestone path winds upward, and the lively atmosphere of Tanzishi Old Street drifts from the alley’s end. The red lanterns of Zhao Meili Hotpot light up early. Start with a bowl of Tanzishi night porridge—sticky white rice porridge paired with marinated pork intestines. The savory marinade blends with the rice aroma, a soul-satisfying bite.

At exactly 7:00 PM, the street’s string lights flick on, and the layered stilt houses instantly glow, more textured than Hongya Cave, without the crowds.

✅ Best night view spots

• Riverside boardwalk: From here, “stilt houses + Raffles City” frame the shot, with lights reflecting on the river like the bathhouse in "Spirited Away," dreamlike and speechless.

• Rooftop viewing platform: The evening breeze carries hotpot aromas. Hold up your phone’s camera and capture “cyberpunk” style shots, with the mountain city’s brilliance fully in view.

✨ Late night · Nanbin Road + Mountain City Little Island: Romantic finale of river views and starry skies

1. Nanbin Road: The “prime spot” for Chongqing night views

Recommended time: 20:00-21:00 (peak lighting moment)

At Haitang Yanyu Park on Nanbin Road, skyscrapers on Yuzhong Peninsula light up together. The light strip on Dongshuimen Bridge glows like a shining ribbon, and the river breeze carries the scent of hotpot from afar, making the ice jelly in your hand taste even sweeter.

A little secret: Bring a bottle of beer, sit by the river, watch cruise ships cut through golden waves, and listen to the river breeze whisper. This is the true way to enjoy Chongqing nights.

2. Mountain City Little Island: Riverside tea gatherings under the stars

Recommended time: 21:00-22:30 (full atmosphere)

Climb onto Mountain City Little Island, where the smoke from riverside tea gatherings drifts over the water and barbecue sizzles on charcoal. Sitting in a camping chair, the Yuzhong Peninsula across the river looks like a giant LED screen, even the light rail passing through buildings is clearly visible. Snap a photo for your social feed, and your likes will definitely “explode.”

📜 Bonus check-ins: The clash of history and youth

1. Opening Port Ruins Park: A sense of time displacement

Recommended time: 10:00-11:00 (few people, perfect for cultural photography)

The old pier’s stones still bear century-old tide marks. Follow the mountain city trail upward; the history exhibition hall holds stories of Chongqing’s opening as a port. Outside the glass curtain wall flows the rushing Yangtze River. Old photos overlap with new river views, and even your shadow carries the weight of history in photos.

2. Yangtze International: A star-chasing girl’s youthful memory

Recommended time: 12:00-13:00 (afternoon light ideal for photos)

For star-chasing girls, Yangtze International is a must-visit spot. Hold your camera waiting for the perfect angle. The coffee shop nearby prints “Nanbin Road’s breeze” on its cup sleeves. Sip coffee and stroll along the river, realizing the scenery across the river is even more moving than through the lens—turns out the “wind at Yangtze International” blows not only youth but also the romance of Nan'an District.

🍢 Nan'an Food Map: A carb and flavor explosion

• Zhao Meili Hotpot (Tanzishi main store): Beef brisket cooked until it falls off the bone, spicy and addictive, the true taste of old Chongqing hotpot.

• Xiahaoli Old Teahouse: 5 RMB per cup of Tuocha tea, paired with marinated dried tofu. Spend an afternoon here and let the relaxed vibe of old Chongqing sink into your bones.

• Tanzishi Night Porridge: Marinated pork intestines + mashed peas, even plain porridge feels ceremonial. About 15 RMB per person to eat until full.

• Nanbin Road Night Market: 5 RMB per skewer of grilled sweet potato skin, wrapped with pickled radish and fish mint. One bite bursts with juice, the true flavor of Chongqing nights.

🚫 Pitfall Avoidance Guide · Life-saving Edition

1. Laojundong and old streets have many steps; wear flat shoes or sneakers throughout. Don’t wear heels just for looks!

2. Tanzishi Old Street lights up at 7:00 PM. Arrive 10 minutes early at the riverside boardwalk to secure a spot, or you’ll only see heads.

3. Nanbin Road is very sunny at noon. The best time is from dusk to 9:00 PM to enjoy both sunset and night views.

4. Xiahaoli is crowded on weekends. For empty shots, visit Monday to Friday. The old teahouse is least crowded and most atmospheric at 2:00 PM.

5. Mountain City Little Island’s tea gatherings must be booked in advance. Barbecue drinks are recommended to bring yourself, as prices on-site are a bit high.

A day in Nan'an District is filled with Laojundong’s ethereal aura, the old streets’ lively spirit, and the river views’ brilliance. It blends Chongqing’s “strength and softness” into every scene. Next time you visit Chongqing, don’t just stick to Yuzhong District—come to Nan'an District and let the river breeze blow you into the city’s most captivating “soul.”