Written by Ruqin
July 26, 2026

Every time I return to Chongqing, I feel like I have stepped into a three-dimensional maze. One road runs above another. You stand on the first floor, look down, and realize there are many more levels below. This city does not sit on the ground. It climbs the mountains, hangs over the rivers, and surprises you around every corner.

Many first-time visitors find themselves completely disoriented in this famous “8D city.” That is perfectly normal. Chongqing has its own rhythm, and it takes a little time to understand it.

So, I put together this practical survival guide based on the common mistakes I see travelers make again and again. Avoid these seven common traps, and you will spend less time feeling lost and more time enjoying one of China’s most unforgettable cities.

1. Trusting Google Maps Too Much and Getting Even More Lost

I have watched many visitors stand in Jiefangbei with their phones raised, following a blue navigation line that never seems to make sense.

The arrow says “go straight.” A few minutes later, it tells you to turn around. Then it points somewhere above your head. Eventually, you realize you are standing on the right street, just on the wrong level.

That is Chongqing.

The city is built into steep hills. Roads cross above each other, buildings have entrances on different floors, and what looks like the ground floor may actually be the eighth floor from another street.

I once met a German traveler who laughed after an hour of walking. “You call this a road?” she asked. She had spent most of that hour following her map in circles.

When I lose my way in Chongqing, I usually stop looking at my phone and ask someone nearby.

Locals rarely say, “Walk 300 meters east.” Instead, they point to landmarks. “See that teahouse? Turn left there, walk downhill, then climb the next slope.”

It sounds less precise. However, it usually gets you there faster.

Meanwhile, wear comfortable walking shoes. Chongqing is full of staircases and steep streets. High heels quickly become a mistake.

Travel light, too. Pulling a large suitcase up endless steps is one experience you can happily skip.

2. Ordering “Mild Spice” at Hot Pot and Instantly Regretting It

The first time you sit down at a traditional hot pot restaurant near Hongyadong, “mild spicy” sounds like the safe choice.

Then the pot arrives.

The red broth bubbles gently, covered with dried chilies and peppercorns. You dip a slice of beef tripe for a few seconds, take one bite, and suddenly your eyes start watering.

That is when many visitors discover what “mild” means in Chongqing.

To locals, it often means, “This isn’t very spicy anymore.”

I have had friends from other parts of China order the mild broth with confidence. Ten minutes later, they quietly moved all their food into the clear broth in the middle of the pot.

Since then, I always suggest ordering a yuanyang pot instead.

Half is the classic spicy broth. The other half is clear and much gentler. You can enjoy the famous Chongqing flavor without spending the whole meal reaching for tissues.

Meanwhile, mix a little extra vinegar and sesame oil into your dipping sauce. It helps soften the heat. Later, finish your meal with a bowl of iced brown sugar jelly or chilled tofu pudding. They cool your mouth far better than ice water.

If it is your first Chongqing hot pot, don’t miss the beef tripe and duck intestines. Locals often say “seven up, eight down” when cooking tripe. In other words, swish it through the broth for about ten seconds. It stays wonderfully crisp.

One more thing I have learned over the years. Some of the best hot pot restaurants are hidden under apartment buildings, with simple signs and plastic stools outside. Meanwhile, the famous internet spots often have the longest lines, but not always the best flavor. In Chongqing, I trust the neighborhood places long before I trust social media.

3. Paying for a “Fast Entrance” at Hongyadong That Doesn’t Exist

The first time you arrive at Hongyadong, the crowds can feel overwhelming.

Just as you reach the entrance, someone steps over and says, “Ten yuan. I’ll take you through the fast entrance. No waiting.”

After a long day of walking, it sounds tempting.

So you hand over the money. Then the person leads you around the corner, down a staircase, and into the building.

A few minutes later, you realize you have entered through the same public entrance everyone else uses.

There is no special shortcut.

Hongyadong is free to enter. All entrances, elevators, escalators, and stairways between the different levels are open to everyone without charge. The lines are simply part of visiting one of Chongqing’s busiest attractions.

Meanwhile, don’t rush inside as soon as the lights come on. I often find the best view is actually across the river. From the riverside park on the opposite bank, you can see the entire hillside glowing above the water. It is one of my favorite views of Chongqing, and your photos will look much better there.

As you walk around Hongyadong, you will also notice people dressed as the Monkey King or Zhu Bajie inviting visitors to take photos. They usually charge afterward, even if the picture only takes a few seconds. Later, you may also see stalls selling bright red fruit on sticks. They look eye-catching, but they are often heavily colored, expensive, and disappointing.

At Hongyadong, the best rule is surprisingly simple. If someone promises a secret entrance or a special shortcut, smile, say no, and keep walking. The real experience does not need one.

4. Buying a Two Rivers Cruise Ticket but Going to the Wrong Pier

An evening cruise on the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers is one of Chongqing’s classic experiences.

However, I have seen visitors make one small mistake that ruins the evening.

They book a 7 p.m. cruise, arrive at Chaotianmen Pier, and finally look at the ticket. Only then do they notice the boarding point is Hongyadong Pier instead.

The two piers are only a few kilometers apart. Even so, that distance feels much longer during the evening rush. Families start hurrying through the crowds, hoping to make it before departure. Sometimes, the boat leaves first.

I once heard about overseas visitors who arrived at the wrong pier with only minutes to spare. They opened a translation app and asked for help. Fortunately, the service staff helped them change to a later sailing.

Since then, I always check the boarding pier as soon as I buy my ticket.

Meanwhile, buy your cruise through an official booking channel. Ignore anyone offering cheap tickets outside the attractions. The Two Rivers Cruise uses real-name registration, and your passport works perfectly for foreign visitors.

If you do arrive at the wrong pier or run into another problem, don’t panic. The cruise service staff can often help with ticket changes or other issues. A quick question is much better than rushing across the city and hoping for the best.

5. Waiting an Hour at Liziba Just for One Photo

The Liziba Monorail is one of Chongqing’s most famous sights.

A train on Line 2 glides straight through the eighth floor of an apartment building. The first time you see it, it hardly feels real.

Of course, everyone wants the same photo.

By mid-morning, the official viewing platform becomes crowded. Phones fill the air, people squeeze toward the railings, and every train disappears behind dozens of raised arms. You wait for one train, then another. Later, you check your photos and find more heads than monorails.

I usually arrive before 9 a.m.

The light is softer, the platform is quieter, and you have much more space to enjoy the view. Meanwhile, don’t feel tied to the main platform. There are several interesting angles nearby, including the small library beneath the building and viewpoints across the river.

Another thing many visitors overlook is the ride itself.

Line 2 trains arrive every few minutes, so there is no need to wait anxiously for the next one. Instead, buy a ticket and ride through the building yourself. Watching the apartment block appear through the train window is surprisingly memorable.

Sometimes, the best way to experience Chongqing is to put the camera down for a few minutes and simply enjoy the ride.

6. Spending Two Hours in Line for a Three-Minute Cable Car Ride

The Yangtze River Cableway is one of Chongqing’s best-known landmarks.

It was built as public transportation, not as a tourist attraction. Today, however, many visitors come just for the view.

During holidays, the line can stretch much longer than people expect.

You stand under the sun, surrounded by hundreds of others. The queue moves a little, then stops again. Two hours later, you finally step into the cabin. A few minutes after that, the ride is over.

Many people walk away wondering if the wait was really worth it.

I still enjoy the cable car, but I never arrive without a reservation.

Book your ticket online and choose a time slot before you go. Then arrive about ten minutes early instead of joining the long standby line. Meanwhile, consider boarding at Shangxin Street Station on the south bank. It is often much quieter than the Xiaoshizi Station side.

I also suggest buying a one-way ticket instead of a round trip. You still enjoy the view, but you avoid standing in another long line. Finally, check the operating status before you leave your hotel. The cableway closes for maintenance from time to time, and it is much better to know that before you make the journey.

7. Going Up to Nanshan for the Night View but Forgetting How to Get Back

The view from Nanshan One Tree Observatory is one of my favorites in Chongqing.

From the top, you can see both the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers winding through the city. As the lights slowly come on, the whole skyline begins to glow.

It is a beautiful place to end the day.

However, many first-time visitors only plan the trip up the mountain.

They take a taxi in the late afternoon, enjoy the view, and stay until around 9 p.m. Then they open their ride-hailing app and see dozens of people already waiting ahead of them. Meanwhile, the last bus has already left. Taxis pass by, but they are all full.

That is when the evening suddenly becomes much less relaxing.

After seeing this happen more than once, I always plan my way down before I go up.

If you take a taxi, ask the driver whether they can return later to pick you up. Paying a little extra is often much better than waiting on the roadside for an hour. Meanwhile, if you drive yourself, expect slow traffic when everyone leaves at the same time, especially on holidays.

Try to arrive before sunset. You will have more time to explore the different viewpoints and choose a good spot before the crowds gather. Later, bring a light jacket because the breeze can feel surprisingly cool after dark.

And if getting back sounds like too much trouble, don’t worry. Chongqing’s riverside promenades also offer wonderful night views. Sometimes, staying by the water is just as memorable, with far less waiting at the end of the evening.

A Note from Ruqin

Chongqing is not a city you can fully understand with a map. You discover it on steep streets, beside the rivers, and around a steaming hot pot. The more you hurry, the more the city seems to hide. However, once you slow down, everything begins to make sense.

So, wear comfortable shoes, leave a little room in your schedule, and don’t worry if you lose your way now and then. Some of my favorite Chongqing memories came from taking the long way around. Perhaps one day, we’ll sit by the river together and watch the city lights come on.

About the Author

 Ruqin is the founder of Ruqintravel.com and has spent more than four decades working in China’s travel industry. Drawing on hands-on experience in cities like Beijing and Hangzhou, he personally researches and updates each guide to help international travelers navigate China with confidence.

Further Reading

10 Common Mistakes to Avoid on Your First Trip to China
10 Common Mistakes to Avoid on Your First Trip to Beijing
7 Common Mistakes to Avoid on Your First Trip to Shanghai
9 Common Mistakes to Avoid on Your First Trip to Xi’an