Enjoy nightlife in Chongqing, China

Chongqing is one of the largest cities in the western China. It is known as a large and flourishing mountain city, as rows upon rows of buildings are constructed around the mountains. Famous for it rich mouth-watering foods and night scene, Chongqing has become a hot tourist destination around China. Except for doing sightseeing activities to the scenic spots, there are many other things to do at night in Chongqing to maximize your travel time. Here is the nightlife guide in Chongqing for your reference.

Watch Jiefangbei light up at night

The busy downtown area of Chongqing, Jiefangbei, is a hive of activity with shops, restaurants and little street stalls. The central square of Jiefangbei is also known as the “Times Square” of Chongqing. At night, the many tall buildings and malls light up while locals and tourists alike stroll around this buzzing district.

Try out the famous Chongqing Hot Pot

A nice dinner is one of the easiest ways to thank your body after a tiring day of bustles here and there. And one of the all-time classic foods in Chongqing viewed by many as the gourmet local food of the city is the Chongqing Hot Pot.

It is just impossible to consider having a worthy night time in Chongqing without trying out this spicy Sichuan dish. It has an exceptional taste that is uniquely spicy and tingling in the mouth. On the off chance that you have not had it, please do because it is a must do in Chongqing.

Relax yourselves in a pub

How can the rich nightlife in Chongqing miss bar hopping? Pubs or bars in Chongqing are basically concentrated in Yuzhong district, especially near Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street. In addition, The three Gorges Square in Shapingba District, Graffito Street at Huangjueping, Keyuan 4th Road and South Garden at Longxi Town of Chongqing also has various pubs, bars and clubs. And the price in these places is much cheaper than that in Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street.

Take a night Cruise along the Conflux of Yangtze River and Jialing River

This an exemplary classic tour to appreciate Chongqing from the two sides of Jialing River and Yangtze River.  The cruise ships are ordered depending on one’s suits, need and spending plan. The standard daily schedule of the cruise begins from Chaotianmen Dock to Jialing River Bridge. Travelers will have the opportunity to experience Hongyadong, Chongqing Grand Theater, The Jiefangbei, and so on.

Get a dose of culture and history

The Three Gorges Museum is the biggest museum in Chongqing. It is one of the city’s landmark structures and showcases the history, natural environment and cultural heritage of Chongqing and the Three Gorges area. Just opposite the museum is the People’s Hall and a large square where both tourists and locals hang out. With so many things to do and see in this vast city, you definitely will not get bored.

Read more: Top street destinations in Chongqing, China

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Top spiciest dishes in Chongqing you should know

Chongqing is known as one of the famous cites for its spicy dishes. Chongqing dishes often include lots of peppers, garlic, and ginger. If you love spicy and hot dishes, don't forget to visit Chongqing.

Mapo Tofu

This is a big favorite when it comes to Sichuan cuisine. Translated literally as “pock-marked woman’s tofu,” the dish was created in the 19th century by a lady with a pock-marked face, to sell from her family-owned tavern. The principal behind her creativity was to make a tasty and soulful staple from simple and inexpensive ingredients – silken tofu, ground beef or pork, fermented chili bean paste, Sichuan peppercorns, and lots of hot chili oil.

Hongshao Rou

Lots of regions in China have pork dishes similar to this that tend to be sweet in flavour. But the Hunanese version features their love of chillies. Hongshao rou translates as red braised pork, and the Máo shì hóngshāoròu version was reputed to be the favourite of Mao Tse-tung, so much so that the authorities have codified what it should be made from and how it should be made.

Dandan Noodles

This dish gets its name from the long pole people use to carry two baskets, one containing the noodles, and the other the sauce. The latter is made from preserved vegetables, mushroom stems, chilli oil, sichuan pepper, minced pork and spring onions.

Cold Mung Bean Noodles

A refreshing dish in Chongqing’s sometimes oppressive heat and humidity, noodles are strips of cold cornstarch-based strips resembling noodles. Topped with seasonings like soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic, the dish can be found throughout China, especially in Lanzhou where it’s sometimes served stir-fried.

Chongqing Hotpot

A crock pot with clear broth or spicy broth is kept simmering on the table when varied food and ingredients are added according to personal preference. For social gatherings in Chongqing, a pot with two chambers is often used. This contains a mild broth on one side, and a spicy broth traditionally made from pepper oil sauce and chilies on the other. The pot is placed in the middle of a table on a gas burner and heated, after which the guest boils the food according to taste. Other combinations of savory and sweet sauces are possible, but the locals often ignore the normal broth.

Deep-fried Spicy Chicken

A very delicious delicacy is the deep-fried spicy chicken. In this dish, chicken pieces are deep-fried together with many chilies and finished with pepper. This pepper has a special flavor that is reminiscent of lemon, and the gives the dish a fresh note. A plate of crispy chicken smothered in chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and tons of aromatics to create an electrifyingly hot numbing sensation that’s so addictive. Take the challenge if you can handle the heat.

Read more: Having breakfast like a local in Shanghai, China

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Best things to do in Chongqing, China

Positioned alongside the Yangtze River, Chongqing offers plenty of attractions for travelers, including delicious cuisine, cultural museums, and even UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here’s our guide to the top things to do and see in this booming megacity.

Eat hot pot

Chongqing is known for its boiling temperatures, but the city’s ubiquitous hot pot is even more scorching. This style of cooking has been practiced in China for centuries and has no clear origin, with stories tracing it back to various regions including Mongolia and Southwestern China. The dish is cooked like a communal stew, with diners gathering around a pot of spicy boiling broth and tossing in a variety of ingredients, from thinly sliced meat and quail eggs to vegetables and mushrooms. For the people of Chongqing, hot pot is more than just a meal; it’s an experience and a chance to connect with family and friends. There are countless delicious hot pot eateries around the city, including the renowned Xiao Tian E.

Hike in the Wulong Karst Gelogical Park

Sprawling along the Wu River Southeast of Chongqing, Wulong Karst Geological Park is a breathtaking scenic area named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is home to streams, caves, gorges, and karst limestone formations. Of the numerous natural wonders in this area, Three Natural Bridges, Furong Cave, and Houping Tiankeng, an eroded sinkhole, are particularly popular. The park is an excellent choice for nature lovers, as well as avid hikers. Furthermore, movie-goers may recognize it as a filming location for the movie Transformers: Age of Extinction.

Explore Ciqikou Old Town

For travelers seeking to escape the bustling energy of Chongqing’s city center, the out-of-the-way Ciqikou Old Town is an ideal solution. The quaint town is positioned in Shapingba District and dates back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties when it served as a port town and commercial center for the area. In English, the area is known as Porcelain Town, for its history as a porcelain producer. Today, visitors can still find porcelain pieces sold in the town’s shops, as well as numerous eateries selling beef soup, spicy stir fry, and various pastries. Ciqikou is also famous for being linked to Samuel CC Ting, a recipient of The Nobel Prize in Physics who studied in the small town during his childhood. The classroom where Ting studied has been preserved and is open to visitors.

See giant pandas at the Chongqing Zoo

China has become synonymous with the giant panda, an adorable animal native to the country’s central, southern, and eastern areas. As an endangered species, there are less than 2,000 giant pandas alive in the wild. Travelers itching to catch a glimpse of these bamboo-loving creatures can pay a visit to the Chongqing Zoo. Positioned five miles from the city center, the zoo is home not only to pandas, but to elephants, leopards and kangaroos, as well a variety of sea life housed in the zoo’s aquarium. The zoo’s lush hills, waterfalls, and foliage also make it a refreshing haven from Chongqing’s crowded streets.

Wander through the Three Gorges Museum

Named after the famous Three Gorges area alongside the Yangtze River, the Three Gorges Museum is situated in Chongqing’s busting Yuzhong District. In addition to information related to the Three Gorges, the museum also serves to preserve the history of Chongqing and is home to a variety of cultural artifacts and artistic pieces. Among its vast collection, visitors will find antique porcelain, sculptures from the Han Dynasty, paintings, and calligraphy work. The museum was originally founded as the Chongqing Museum but was later reopened under its current name.

See more: Challenge yourself with top 5 Chongqing spicy dishes

Source: Internet