Chongqing Travel Report 2024 – China's Mega City is Twice the Size of Switzerland

In my Chongqing travelogue, I'll introduce you to one of China's megacities, Chongqing. In August, we'll travel from Dubai, the city of superlatives, to a city that in 2024 is exactly 10 times as large. It's even twice as big as Switzerland in terms of area, making it the largest city in the world.

The metropolis is located in southwestern China, surrounded by the Yangtze River and the Jialing. Until March 1997, Chongqing belonged to Sichuan Province and then received the special status of a municipality directly under the central government, similar to Shanghai, Beijing, and Tianjin. Chongqing is pronounced „Chungching“. =)

Chongqing has long been considered a showcase city, supported by the Chinese government with billions of dollars. Almost no house in Chongqing is said to be older than 30 years old, even though the city's history stretches back thousands of years.

It is a traditional city, authentic and yet very modern. Nobody speaks English here, and in just under a week, we only meet a handful of Europeans. Despite being among 33 million locals, we still feel comfortable. Everyone is friendly and helpful.

A special week and a particularly exciting experience for the whole family, but more on that now in my Chongqing travel report.

Travel from Dubai via Hong Kong to Chongqing

We're going from Dubai to Chongqing via Hong Kong in August. That means from about 42 degrees Celsius in the shade to cool China with 35 degrees Celsius. We're used to these temperatures from Malta and can handle them well. In winter, it drops to about 18 degrees Celsius here, and you can even go skiing in the mountains.

Since 2024, Swiss citizens no longer need a visa and are allowed to stay in the country for 15 days. Perfect! Entry was straightforward, and the police officer spoke fluent English. After obtaining our visas on arrival, this should be the last person we can talk to without using our hands and feet in the coming days.

Directly behind customs, the language barrier was a solid 11 on a scale of 1 to 10. But the Great Wall of Language could be easily bypassed thanks to Google Translate and WeChat. And thank God every single Chinese person there was prepared for it. It went off without a hitch, but unfortunately, no real conversations could take place.

Of course, in Chongqing, you also can't pay with the usual bank and credit cards like Visa or Mastercard. I already know that from Thailand. Instead, there's WeChat, which I had, of course, already set up. Read between the lines. 😉

With WhatsApp from China, you can pay anywhere here. From taxis to street vendors, and of course at Louis Vuitton. The latter would probably even accept credit cards.

Chinese people don't like cash at all. We brought about 50 EUR in yuan with us and got by great with it the whole week.

But first, we were ripped off

We arrive in the city in the evening. It's a 20-minute drive from Chongqing-Jiangbei Airport (CKG), which is located northeast of Chongqing. At the airport, a friendly taxi driver waved us over and led us to his car in the underground parking garage, far from any taxi stands. This was convenient because he also helped us with our luggage. Chongqing is an extremely safe city, so we had no concerns there.

The price of 250 Yuan was absolutely fair for us. Later, however, we found out that the ride only costs a meager 45 Yuan. That's practically 30 EUR instead of the usual 6 EUR. Nevertheless, it was still a good price for us for the distance, of course. But still 🤬! However, the taxi driver was the biggest scoundrel (Hochdeutsch: cunning rogue, rascal, sly one, bad Chinese person) we've encountered here.

All other 1,399,999,999 Chinese people are friendly and the locals in Chongqing were so helpful, even though they ours I don't speak the language. 😁 Even the gestures and numbers are different here, but they always made an effort to ensure we understood. I always appreciate something like that and it makes me feel truly welcome. Hospitality is highly valued in China, so I don't want to leave that out of my Chongqing travel report.

Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street in Chongqing

Our apartment is located in the ADBC Bank building, on the 54th floor. The 270° view from up there is fantastic. We look west towards the city and north towards the mountains. It makes us feel right at home. The really great bathtub, which is right by the window, also contributes to this. Bathing with a view of the city is a highlight, especially in the evening after a strenuous day.

We therefore plan our excursions from home, from above, so to speak. There we can see Raffles City, the city's flagship building, which we look down on. Two of the eight towers are even taller than our building. We can also see a large part of the city center. Directly in front of our building is a small shopping mall. So our first excursion goes directly to Downtown Chongqing. We want to go to the main shopping street, Jiefangbei. This is only about a 20-minute walk away. We use the escalators in the small shopping mall to save a few meters in altitude.

In Chongqing, it goes up and down because the city is located in the mountains. It's convenient to know a few shortcuts. On the main shopping street, besides a few traditional shops, you'll find all the well-known big chains and also luxury brands. From Rolex to Cartier, but also H&M and Zara. First impression of the city: Wow, it's clean here. Of course, Mr. Rolex regularly sweeps in front of his door, logically. But even in the small alleys to the left and right of it, you don't see any trash lying around.

We stroll through the city, and since it's about 35 degrees Celsius outside, we eat at a „Chinese Restaurant“ in the Guotai Park 108 Mall. The food court there is quite large, so we are initially overwhelmed by the offerings. We decide on a couple of noodle soups. I'm the one in the family who likes to eat spicy food and therefore always tries everything. The flavor and spiciness in Chongqing come from its past, when it still belonged to Sichuan province. Therefore, they don't skimp on the local Sichuan pepper. Yummy! 🌶️🌶️🌶️

In Jiefangbei, written in the local language as 解放碑中央商务, stands the nearly 30m high „Monument to the People's Heroes,“ with which the Chinese commemorate China's victory in World War II. This is where locals and tourists mingle, especially in the evening, with everyone trying to take the best photo. We notice that we are the only Europeans here all day. Four Europeans among 33 million Chinese, plus the countless other Asian tourists. Nevertheless, we feel perfectly comfortable here.

In the evening, we'll go to a night market and try all sorts of delicacies. You order by pointing at the food. *laughs* We can only eat where the food is also shown in photos. But we won't go hungry, and culinarily speaking, this trip is definitely top-notch.

We're winding down the day in our bathtub with a fantastic view of the illuminated city. Although Chongqing is wonderfully green, I really like the city's lighting concept. I'll read at the museum in a few days that the city was already known for this back in the 70s. So, my Chongqing travelogue is looking into the future at this point.

The Ring – A Shopping Mall and Botanical Garden in One

Since I always work while traveling, it's important to have stable internet and a place where the kids can let off steam. Shopping malls usually help me with that, because each one has at least a small indoor playground. This is especially helpful in countries like China, where it's relatively hot this time of year. The kids are already a well-oiled team when it comes to indoor playgrounds. The Ring has a nice supervised playground. Armed with grip socks, we head straight there. The temptation to go shopping afterward is great, but the work also needs to get done.

After a successful gaming session, during which our youngest even found an ally despite the language barrier, we head to the Botanical Garden in The Ring. The shopping mall is known for housing one of the largest indoor gardens in China. Amidst Chanel, Lacoste, and Hilfiger, plants from all over the world bloom here. It's a very special feeling, and we like it because the air in the garden is super fresh.

In the afternoon, we'll head to the Jinzhou Business District, located around The Ring. There are countless restaurants and smaller shops there. We'll stroll through the night market, which will already be open. In addition to all sorts of delicacies, many handmade accessories will also be sold.

Next to it, we see a stall selling fish, frogs, and crayfish, live. In small preserving jars, which are beautifully arranged. But no thank you. I explain to the saleswoman that we can't really take the fish with us in our suitcases. She doesn't understand English anyway, but she's still happy with my answer. 😁

Three Gorges Museum Chongqing – Chongqing Travelogue

China's megacity Chongqing is large for a reason. There is practically unlimited energy here, generated from hydropower. With turbines from Switzerland, the Chinese produce so much energy here that half of Europe could be supplied, and it's green energy too. Exemplary. That's why the air here is also clean everywhere, and you can even breathe freely in the city center.

The Three Gorges Dam makes this possible, and an entire museum has been dedicated to it. It is located right in the city, next to the „Great Hall of the People.“ Since 2005, artifacts found in the area around the dam have been exhibited here. Special exhibitions showcase the culture and geography of the Three Gorges region, the construction of the dam, as well as the history of Chongqing and its surroundings, from prehistoric times to the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945).

The only downside to the museum is that hardly anything is written in English. While we can translate a lot with Google Translate, it's not that much fun in the long run. Therefore, we only touch two of the four floors and leave the museum after about an hour. However, you can easily spend three to four hours here if you look at everything.

Chongqing Zoo

After the museum, we're heading to the zoo. A Chongqing travelogue wouldn't be complete without a visit to the zoo. Here at the municipal zoo, you'll find a Panda House in addition to 200 animal species and over 1000 bird species. The pandas are kept in a relatively natural habitat here. The Panda House is the main attraction for many tourists, which is why many leave the zoo after just a few minutes. We spend half a day here and are thrilled with the biodiversity.

The enclosures and cages are also generously laid out, especially for a city zoo. We found it amusing and interesting that many aquariums are simply placed outdoors. With a temperate climate, this is probably not a problem. Besides kangaroos and alpacas, we also saw many reptiles, snakes, and poisonous frogs. Right next to the reptile house is a pond with giant goldfish. They are not koi, but classic goldfish. Directly next to it, goldfish with oversized eyes stare at us. The kids were roaring with laughter. In fact, there are several types of goldfish here, all of which look completely different. Some have oversized eyes, are perfectly round, or have sacs hanging under their eyes that flutter in the water. Strange, somehow.

On the way back to the city center, we'll make a brief stop at the Chongqing Light Rail Station Liziba. Here, Line 2 runs through a residential building. It looks spectacular, and indeed, we see a train leaving the building. This station has existed since 2005 and connects residents to the city from the 6th to the 8th floors of the 19-story building. The station is now very heavily used. Special technologies are employed here to make living in the building possible. The building and the station were built together, by the way, not retrofitted.

Raffles City Chongqing

Oh yeah, also for those of you who love nature but also find cities great, will like Raffles City. It's one of the top sights here in my Chongqing travel report. It's an architectural masterpiece and an absolute must-see for any visitor to the city. This impressive structure is located in the heart of Chongqing, right at the confluence of the Jialing and Yangtze rivers, and offers not only breathtaking views but also a blend of modern luxury and cultural depth. From our apartment, we look out at the illuminated buildings every evening.

The landmark of Chongqing consists of eight distinctive towers connected by a spectacular glass bridge. The so-called „Crystal“ is a skybridge that towers above the city rooftops at a dizzying height. We visit the café up there and enjoy an amazing panoramic view.

In the shopping mall, you'll find shops with all sorts of luxurious items from around the world, first-class restaurants, and cozy cafes. The combination of modern design and the integration of traditional elements makes this place a unique experience that perfectly reflects Chongqing's dynamic development and cultural diversity. Therefore, we visit Raffles City on two consecutive days.

A visit to Raffles City is like a trip into the future. Locals and tourists alike flock here. The Intercontinental Hotel ensures that we even find a few Europeans here. A „Watch out children, please let the gentleman pass“ is met with a friendly „Thank you.“ The only German word we heard in a week in China. So, if you come to Chongqing, Raffles City should be at the very top of your list. Just like „The Ring,“ this shopping mall belongs in my Chongqing travel report.

We're concluding this beautiful day with a boat trip on the two rivers. There, we've booked the VIP area, which means we can sit at the very front and have an all-you-can-eat buffet. Indulge and enjoy the view, what more could one want.

Nanshan Botanical Garden Chongqing Travelogue

Nanshan Mountain, located in the southeast of Chongqing, is known for its observation deck and the oversized golden statue that you can even see from the city center. It is covered with 24kt gold. Besides these two attractions, there is also a botanical garden, which we are more interested in this time. We'll skip the statue and the observation deck and head to the garden.

Admission for the whole family costs approximately 12 EUR in 2024, and in return, we get access to the garden itself, as well as the main house, which in turn consists of several buildings. There, you will find not only all native plant species but also a desert house with cacti, as well as a house with subalpine plants. There we find many well-known flower and tree species from Germany and Switzerland. So that's what it's like to visit a botanical garden so far from home.

Outside the greenhouses, there are many small paths we walk along. We stop by a frog pond and see many toads that bark like dogs. A great and interesting spectacle. For my Chongqing travel report, this excursion is a great experience, especially for families, and you should definitely include the Chongqing Botanical Garden.

Tips for traveling well in China

It would be very selfish to assume that everything we use and are accustomed to in Western countries works everywhere in the world. Day in and day out, we casually pay with our mobile phones, communicate with WhatsApp, and use Meta to show everyone what great meal we're having. Emails pour in by the second via Gmail, and even if we know the way, Google Maps runs in the background to avoid traffic jams and prevent a five-minute delay.

As a traveler in China, I faced three problems from the very beginning that needed to be solved as quickly as possible:

1. Language
2. Pay
3. Internet

Chinese in China – English outside China

I Chongqing Airport I would have had an important client call. That was a bit naive and short-sighted on my part. My inquiry about a food court was met with incomprehension. Food, grub, eating, meal, McDonald's, yummy yummy, none of it was understood. Only with a food gesture was the lady at the information desk able to stammer out a „Level 2.“ She then immediately wanted to take a photo with us and even put on a red banner for it. I have no idea what was written on it. I already know about taking photos from Indonesia and Malaysia. So, smile and wave, and then off to my call. I'm not late yet.

I wanted to order a coffee before the call. Cappuccino? Café Latte? Latte Macchiato? I have no idea what those are. Of course, in China, you drink tea. But I was finally at Luckin Coffee, the Chinese Starbucks and a place I've been following with great interest for years. Unfortunately, I didn't get my coffee. No chance.

However, I've already learned one thing in the past. In Asian countries, it's clever to always have addresses in the local language. That way, at least a taxi could take us directly to our apartment.

Upon arriving at the reception, I greeted the two women with a friendly „Good afternoon.“ There was hearty laughter and giggling, and then a few words of Chinese were thrown at me. Okay, we're downtown, in a mega skyscraper that houses several hotels. But no luck. Even the simplest words didn't get through. However, the ladies were prepared and used a translator app. With that, we were able to communicate well. After I got the WiFi code, I could also use Google Translate.

Quickly went upstairs to the apartment and first sent the client a message. It had already been several hours after the call, so it wasn't great. That's life, basically messed up.

Tips and To-Dos Before Your Trip to China (Language)

• Set up a translator app for yourself. Preferably one that works offline.
• Yes, I will save addresses in Simplified Chinese for you. I can also save a few phrases you like, such as „One cafe latte, please.“.

Paying in China – Not with card, not willingly with cash

After managing to order a refreshing hot drink at Luckin Coffee at the airport with gestures and much effort, I failed at paying. My customer call was approaching, and I wanted only one thing: a delicious coffee after the flight. Yes, that kind of thing is important to me. But it didn't happen. Cash would have solved my problem here, as it would have worked, but I hadn't seen or paid attention to any ATMs. My Google Wallet and Apple Pay didn't work. VISA and Mastercard are also not accepted.

Before I looked for a taxi, I first looked for an ATM. After 10 minutes, there was a machine there that looked similar. I managed to withdraw about 50 EUR in Yuan at a great exchange rate and without any fees, thanks to my credit card.

I paid for the taxi in cash afterwards, but otherwise we didn't need any more cash in China. WeChat is the solution. In China, you don't just communicate with the Chinese WhatsApp, you also pay everywhere with it. And that really means everywhere. Another alternative is Alipay. Both apps always work and without any fees. I simply linked them to my credit card from Switzerland and set the currency to Yuan there. (RMB = Renminbi Yuan)

Thanks to WeChat, you only need your phone and you can pay for% 100 things anywhere with it. That's quite convenient. The only drawback with WeChat is that you need someone to invite you. The nice lady at the hotel reception did that for me.

Tips and To-Dos Before Your Trip to China (Payment)

• Install WeChat and link it to your credit card. In forums and groups, you'll always find people who can invite you. With that, you can already register in Europe.
• Install and set up Alipay
• You don't actually need cash, but a few Yuan in your pocket won't hurt.

Internet, yes, and also fast – Google? Meta? Huh?

The problems started at the airport. I couldn't find an ATM or use Google Translate to translate because I couldn't get online. WiFi wasn't working, and my eSIM from England didn't work either. I normally use it everywhere. Ultimately, my customer call failed because of this. I was simply offline! No internet! Not even a little bit!

However, the hotel did have Wi-Fi. Finally! But no emails or WhatsApp messages came through. Google and other protocols simply don't work in China. At least not in the province, and Chongqing definitely belongs to that category, even if the city is so huge. I could neither receive nor send an email.

A VPN is usually the solution for that. However, even my VPNs, which I've been using for decades, didn't work. Thankfully, Bing worked, and I could use it to Google 😊. That's how I found out I needed a different eSIM. To save you the whole long story, Numero ended up working, as did GLOBAL YO. Since I already had Numero on my phone, I ended up getting an eSIM for China through them. That then made the VPN work, and therefore WhatsApp, Meta, and Google. Even Google Maps worked, but only in map view. For the satellite data, Chongqing was in the middle of the river.

Baidu and WeChat are simply the alternatives when you are on WiFi and local mobile networks. Baidu is almost as big as Google and contains data for all companies, restaurants, etc. But the display is completely in Chinese and therefore unusable. I didn't manage to get the VPN solution. But with it, I could work in the end and also keep all further appointments.

Tips and To-Dos Before Your Trip to China (Internet)

• Install and set up a VPN (NordVPN, VPN Unlimited, etc.)
• Register the eSIM, at least set up the app. I recommend Numero or GLOBAL YO for China.
• If you are using Gmail, set up forwarding to GMX or Yahoo. These protocols work and you can at least receive emails.

Conclusion Chongqing Travel Report – China with Family

Amazing! I had planned this trip to Chongqing for a long time. But I couldn't have imagined that the city would be so astonishing and surprising. Yes, at first, we had a few problems, and that put a damper on the mood a bit. But after the first night, which I spent awake anyway due to jet lag, everything was resolved. Chongqing is such a modern city (with different internet protocols 😊), and yet we got a good impression of life here in the region.

Rich and poor meet here, but coexistence works. The city is spotlessly clean, even outside the center. We immediately felt comfortable in China's megacity. We are not city people, but despite the multitude of high-rise buildings and the fact that 33 million people live here in an area twice the size of Switzerland, we always had enough space to breathe everywhere. A feeling of confinement like in some places in the Switzerland didn't come here.

The people were all friendly and helpful. Even the grumpy taxi driver was nice. He just wanted to make a business. People tried to explain their city, their culture, their traditions to us with hands and feet. One taxi driver even stopped in the middle of the street for us so we could take pictures. He asked us via an app what the heck we were doing in Chongqing if we didn't understand a word. It was still great!

If there's one thing that was a bit uncomfortable, it was the fact that we had to take countless photos with locals every day. Especially our girls. They're not used to that. I was always at the front, laughing and waving directly at them, but it wasn't easy for the kids. We explained it to them and how happy people were to see us. After the first few days, it became a bit easier for them. So there are always things on trips that you don't think about. Ultimately, that's what travel is all about.

I would like to conclude my Chongqing travel report with a few impressive impressions from this megacity and also inspire you to add this great city to your bucket list.

Have fun looking at the photos and let me know in the comments below if you've ever been to Chongqing or if my Chongqing travel report is now making you plan to fly there soon.

Chongqing Travelogue Photo Gallery