Magical Chongqing: Mountains, Streets & Fiery Flavours

Welcome to Chongqing, the city famed as China’s “8D Magical Metropolis”! If you arrive early, take some time to wander the streets and soak up the lively river‑port atmosphere before the tour begins. At 2 pm, we’ll meet at the hotel for a welcome briefing — a chance to meet your fellow travellers and get an overview of the adventure ahead. Then, your Chongqing journey officially kicks off. Our first stop is the Yangtze River Cableway, the city’s “aerial bus,” giving us a bird’s-eye view of Chongqing’s dramatic rivers and hills. Next, we’ll head to the real‑life Spirited Away — Hongya Cave. As night falls and the lights come on, watch this cliff‑hanging stilt‑house complex illuminate the riverbank in a dazzling display. For dinner, we’ll dive into authentic Chongqing Jianghu cuisine. Expect fiery dishes like Lazi Chicken, where the fun is in picking the chicken out from a sea of chillies, and Mao Xue Wang, a bubbling, numbing‑spicy stew of blood, offal and vegetables. With that first mouthful of Sichuan heat, your taste buds will officially step into Chongqing’s legendary spicy culinary underworld.

Today, we dive headfirst into Chongqing’s one-of-a-kind mountain-city character. We start the day like a local, with breakfast at a humble street-side eatery, tucking into a bowl of Chongqing xiaomian. Slicked with chilli oil and topped with peas and minced pork, this punchy, aromatic noodle dish is how Chongqing locals kick off their mornings. Then it’s time to explore on foot. Our walk begins along the Mountain City Trail, where cliff-hugging paths wind between rushing rivers and houses stacked against the hillsides — every step revealing another layer of the city’s story. From here, we naturally arrive at Shibati, a traditional neighbourhood of stone stairways and narrow lanes, where history is etched into every worn step. Next, we head to Liziba Station to witness one of Chongqing’s most surreal sights: a train passing straight through a residential building — not just public transport, but a world-class feat of urban engineering. Dinner dives straight into local life with residential-block hotpot — the purest expression of Chongqing’s food culture. Forget fancy décor; this is all about a bubbling nine-grid pot of rich, beef-tallow broth, roaring over open flames. Each bite delivers bold, unapologetic heat, making this less a meal and more a fiery ritual. 

Today, we leave Chongqing’s urban spectacle behind and head into the dramatic landscapes of Wulong Karst, often hailed as a natural treasure of the planet. Walk along the floor of vast sinkholes and look up as three colossal natural stone bridges soar overhead — a jaw-dropping display of nature’s raw power and craftsmanship. You might recognise the scenery too; this otherworldly setting featured in Transformers. Next, we make our way to Fairy Mountain National Forest Park. Known as the “Switzerland of the East,” its cool-climate alpine meadows offer a refreshing contrast to the city. Take a gentle walk across open grasslands, hop on the sightseeing train and soak up the crisp air and wide-open views. In the evening, we return to Chongqing for street-side barbecue — the heartbeat of the city’s nightlife and a must-do experience beyond hotpot and Jianghu cuisine. Chillies, Sichuan peppercorns, and a blend of spices infuse the skewers over open flames. Bite into smoky, fragrant sticks — especially grilled pig brain and grilled sweet potato skin (shao pi) — and wash it down with an ice-cold beer, capping off an action-packed day with fiery, satisfying flair.

Before we know it, our Chongqing journey is coming to an end. This morning, we visit the Three Gorges Museum, where precious artefacts and compelling stories bring the city’s geography and human history vividly to life. This deep dive into Chongqing’s past adds rich layers and context to the sensory experiences of the past few days, giving everything you’ve seen, tasted and felt an even fuller meaning. The rest of the day is entirely yours to explore. Treat your taste buds to a final culinary flourish at a time-honoured local restaurant near the museum — order a bubbling, aromatic shuizhu yu (spicy poached fish) and let the numbing, spicy flavours complete your Chongqing food adventure. Or venture to the legendary Baixiangju, a residential building without elevators, and lose yourself in its 24-storey maze to experience the city’s magical, vertical charm. For a breathtaking farewell, head to the Yikeshu (“One Tree”) Viewpoint on Nanshan. As night falls and the city lights ignite, take in the dazzling two-river panorama and the layered skyline — a sparkling exclamation point to your mountain-city adventure.