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Multidimensional, futuristic, spicy hotpot, glittering nocturnal spectacle. Describing Chongqing runs the risk of running out of adjectives. This metropolis of more than 30 million people in Southwest China will never disappoint any visitor from home or abroad with its unique landscape, rich natural resources, long history and delicious food.

A gateway to a vast inland and a major manufacturing hub, it became the fourth municipality of China in 1997 after Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin. As large as Austria and five times larger than Beijing, the city has witnessed rapid development into a modern cosmopolitan area combined with advanced transportation systems, outstanding architecture and eye-catching features. The city looks futuristic with its skyscrapers, while at the same time, with some 3,000 years of history, it still preserves a distinct culture and lifestyle.

Largely built on mountains and surrounded by the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, it is often called the "city of mountains" or "city of rivers". But there is another sobriquet; after building more than 4,500 bridges in recent years, the largest number in China, it is also referred to as the "city of bridges".

The city's subterranean world is also astonishing. There are over 1,600 air-raid shelters built during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), covering 1.1 million square meters. Many of the shelters have been transformed into hotpot restaurants, bookstores, art spaces and other facilities. 

Boasting the largest number of hotpot restaurants in the country, numbering more than 50,000 across the city, Chongqing was named "China's hotpot city" by the China Cuisine Association in 2007. 

The best seasons to visit Chongqing are spring and fall. The city has long been one of the hottest in China due to its geographic features, with summer temperatures passing 40 C.

Day 1: Old Town

Have breakfast at a nearby noodle shop to start the day like a local. Xiaomian, or small noodles, is a traditional spicy, mouth-numbing, aromatic noodle soup that originated in the city.

The Yuzhong Peninsula, or the Old Town, is where the city started to grow over 3,000 years ago. It is perfect for a walking tour.

Start from Chaotianmen Port, the "gate that faces heaven". This is where the Jialing River meets the Yangtze River. Near the port is a giant landmark that looks like a spaceship. Inspired by traditional Chinese sailing vessels and hailed as an engineering marvel, Raffles City Chongqing is designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie and boasts a sky bridge called The Crystal, which is said to be one of the tallest structures of its kind worldwide.

Follow the road and you will pass a Buddhist temple called Luohan Temple, built during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Luohan is the Chinese equivalent of the ancient Sanskrit word Arhat (deserving).

Featuring beautiful architecture and 500 luohan clay figurines, the temple offers a calm and quiet atmosphere despite being located in the city center. There is an endearing coffee shop inside, where you may want to have a break and try the fortune-telling lottery.

A few hundred meters away is Jiefangbei, or Liberation Monument. There is a saying that if you do not visit the site, your trip to Chongqing is incomplete. It is the equivalent of Times Square in New York, surrounded by giant billboards and brand-name retailers.

In the afternoon, explore the 3.9-kilometer Mountain City No 3 Walking Trail that stretches along the ancient city walls and ends at Tongyuan Gate, one of the remaining two city gates from the Song Dynasty and the only gate still in use.

Along the road overlooking the Yangtze River, you can visit several historical sites, pass by the houses of local residents and stop for a cup of tea at a quaint teahouse or cafe.

At night, take a cruise ship to enjoy the spectacular view of the city. The cruises run from 7:30 pm to 10 pm, with each tour lasting about 90 minutes. Some boats also provide dinner and special cabins. Keep warm because the river breeze is surprisingly chilly.

Day 2: South bank

Take the Yangtze River Cableway at the station near Jiefangbei to reach the south bank where the Nanshan Mountain stands. The cable car is a must-do if you want to have a perfect city view from above, especially at night. It was built in 1987 and the 1,166-meter cableway used to be a major means of transportation for residents.

Along the bank, the Chongqing Planning Exhibition Gallery, another city landmark with a silver wavy appearance, is worth a visit if you are interested knowing the past and present of the city.

In the afternoon, walk around the mazelike newly renovated Xiahao Old Street, dating back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), which winds from the river port up to the foot of Nanshan Mountain. This residential community used to be called the last memory of old Chongqing. Now, residents have moved out and their houses have been turned into quaint galleries, bookstores, shops, teahouses, hotels and restaurants. At night, the Landmark Riverside Park, boasting dozens of restaurants and bars, is an ideal place to have a nice dinner and drinks while enjoying the river view.

Day 3: Let's rock

Dazu district is about 100 km west of downtown, and the tour to Dazu Rock Carvings will take a day.

One of the four greatest Buddhist grottoes in China, it has a history of more than 1,000 years and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

What makes the Dazu carvings so special are their aesthetic quality, state of preservation, rich diversity of the subject, both secular and religious, and the light that they shed on daily life in China during ancient times. Many of the carvings are brightly painted and tell religious, moral and historical stories.

If you are interested in Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, Dazu is a must-see destination.

After enjoying the spiritual journey, you can eat at Lotus Garden on your way back to the downtown. The recommended dishes include lotus-themed food — soup, pork and porridge — and also drinks. The restaurant is built on a beautiful lotus lake.

Day 4-5: Natural beauty

Located about 130 km southeast of Chongqing's urban area, Wulong district is renowned for its natural beauty and cultural depth.

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, this location is renowned for its karst landforms and a host of prominent attractions. These include three natural bridges, a gorge valley, the Furong Cave and the Xiannyu (Fairy) Mountain.

The three natural bridges formed stunning backdrops to scenes from Michael Bay's 2014 blockbuster, Transformers: Age of Extinction, and Zhang Yimou's 2006 historical epic, Curse of the Golden Flower.

At night, the live show Impression Wulong is highly recommended. The 70-minute treat is set in a karstformation canyon that echoes the actors' voices.

It is the product of the "golden trio" — Zhang Yimou, Wang Chaoge and Fan Yue, who have become experts at directing open-air live shows at scenic spots nationwide.

The show tells the stories of the boat trackers, ranging from their harsh work conditions to love.

There are hotels and guesthouses of all price ranges in the scenic area. Cook's Club Chongqing Fairy Mountain, opened in 2023, is the newest addition to the place and also the first Cook's Club hotel in China.

Day 6: City chill

Liziba Station on Line 2 of the Chongqing Rail Transit became one of the most famous stations in the world after videos of the metro train passing through a 19-story residential building went viral on social media. Now, it is a must-visit for tourists. A viewing platform was built near the station for tourists to admire the trains.

On the nearby hilly road, many visitors will go to the Flying Tigers Museum and the Chongqing Stilwell Museum, which is dedicated to the US General Joseph Stilwell. The museums house the memories of how Chinese and American people fought together against Japanese invaders during World War II.

If you want to experience the old-time Chinese teahouse vibe, Jiaotong Teahouse is the place to go. Built in 1987, the teahouse offers teas and snacks at very cheap prices.