Chongqing is a sprawling municipality in southwest China built on hills and cliffs at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers. Often called a '3D city' for its stacked roads, sky bridges, and buildings that appear to grow directly out of cliffsides, Chongqing is famous for its spicy hotpot, dramatic river views, and a public transit network that runs through the middle of an apartment tower at Liziba Station. As one of China's four direct-administered municipalities, it functions as both a city and a province-level region covering a vast, mostly mountainous territory.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Chongqing Hotpot Base (huoguo dipiao)
Vacuum-packed blocks of the city's signature mala hotpot base, made with beef tallow, Sichuan peppercorn, and dried chili, sold in travel-friendly sealed packs for recreating hotpot at home
Price: CNY 15-40 per pack (approx $2.10-5.60)
Where: Ciqikou Ancient Town shops, Chaotianmen supermarkets, Jiefangbei specialty food stores
Chongqing Xiaomian Seasoning Kits
Bagged dried noodles and pre-mixed chili-oil seasoning packets for Chongqing's other famous dish, spicy xiaomian noodles
Price: CNY 20-45 (approx $2.80-6.30)
Where: Supermarkets in Guanyinqiao and Jiefangbei, Ciqikou souvenir stalls
Strange-Flavor Crunchy Beans (guaiwei huadou)
A savory-sweet-spicy fried broad bean snack that originated in Ciqikou and is now sold across the city in decorative gift boxes
Price: CNY 10-25 per bag (approx $1.40-3.50)
Where: Ciqikou Ancient Town food stalls
Fried Dough Twist (mahua)
Crisp braided fried dough twists sold plain, sesame-coated, or spiced, a signature Ciqikou street snack that travels well
Price: CNY 8-20 (approx $1.10-2.80)
Where: Ciqikou Ancient Town bakeries
Yongchuan Xiu Cha and Sichuan-style Tea
Loose-leaf green and dark tea from the surrounding Sichuan basin, often sold in tins alongside teahouse-style gaiwan (lidded tea bowls)
Price: CNY 40-200 (approx $5.60-28.20)
Where: Ciqikou tea shops, Jiaotong Teahouse gift counter
Bamboo and Wood Handicrafts
Small carved wooden and bamboo items - combs, fans, tea utensils, and folk figurines - reflecting Ciqikou's history as a Qing-dynasty river port and craft town
Price: CNY 15-150 (approx $2.10-21.10)
Where: Ciqikou Ancient Town artisan stalls
Porcelain and Ceramic Tableware
Ciqikou's name means 'Porcelain Port,' and small shops still sell hand-painted bowls, teapots, and decorative ceramic pieces tied to that river-trade heritage
Price: CNY 20-300 (approx $2.80-42.20)
Where: Ciqikou Ancient Town porcelain shops
Wholesale Clothing and Accessories
Budget clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories bought in bulk-friendly wholesale conditions, popular with domestic small traders but open to individual retail buyers
Price: CNY 20-150 per item (approx $2.80-21.10)
Where: Chaotianmen Wholesale Market
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street
Department stores, international fashion brands, the Liberation Monument landmark
Where: Yuzhong District, Chongqing
Hours: Pedestrian street always open; shops generally 10:00 AM-10:00 PM
Raffles City Chongqing
High-rise vertical mall with international retail, dining, and the 47th-floor Crystal Sky Bridge over the river confluence
Where: Chaotianmen, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM-10:00 PM
Chongqing IFS (Jiangbeizui)
Upscale mall anchoring the Jiangbeizui financial district, with luxury and premium fashion retail beneath the Niccolo Chongqing hotel tower
Where: Jiangbeizui CBD, Jiangbei District, Chongqing
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM-10:00 PM
Longfor Paradise Walk
One of western China's largest shopping centers, with a wide mix of mid-range and international fashion, dining, and entertainment
Where: Yubei District, Chongqing (near the airport)
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM-10:00 PM
Guanyinqiao Pedestrian Street
Dense youth-oriented shopping district with malls, street fashion, and evening food stalls
Where: Jiangbei District, Chongqing
Hours: Pedestrian street always open; shops generally 10:00 AM-10:00 PM, liveliest after 6:00 PM
Ciqikou Ancient Town
Over 1,000-year-old river port town known as 'Porcelain Port,' with porcelain, snacks, tea, and handicraft shops along preserved Ming and Qing-era lanes
Where: Shapingba District, Chongqing
Hours: Streets open 24 hours; shops generally 9:00 AM-9:00 PM
Chaotianmen Wholesale Market
One of southwest China's largest wholesale markets, spanning 26 trading zones and over 15,000 stalls selling clothing, footwear, and daily goods
Where: Yuzhong District, Chongqing
Hours: Early morning to mid-afternoon; many stalls close by 3:00-4:00 PM
Shibati Old Street
Redeveloped historic stepped-street neighborhood near Jiefangbei with local food stalls, teahouses, and small craft and clothing shops built into the old cliffside terraces
Where: Yuzhong District, Chongqing
Hours: Streets open 24 hours; shops and eateries generally 10:00 AM-11:00 PM
Sanxia Square
Shapingba's main pedestrian shopping and entertainment square, popular with students from the surrounding university district
Where: Shapingba District, Chongqing
Hours: Pedestrian street always open; shops generally 10:00 AM-10:00 PM