-Asia.China.Chongqing-
How easy it is to get around sightseeing and exploring new places very much impacts the experience of the city. Especially for Chongqing China where almost everything uses app and where I speak minimal Mandarin – I put in the extra effort to check my options for getting around. To save you time, I am sharing my findings here for you to use as well.
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Table of Contents
Getting around Chongqing
Choosing your base hotel will determine how easy it is to get around. I chose a Hotel which is around the corner from a Metro station as well as within walking distances to some sights. So of course these were the 2 main methods we used to get to the places we ended up visiting.
Let’s first talk about the options available :
Covered by the Day Pass:
Metro Lines: All standard underground metro lines (e.g., Line 1, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, and the Loop Line).
Monorail Lines: All light rail lines, including the famous elevated monorail lines (Line 2 and Line 3) that navigate the mountains and pass through buildings.
Not covered by Day Pass
🚌 Buses: The day pass is not valid for unlimited travel on public city buses. For buses, you must use either a separate Single-Journey Fare (cash/QR code) or the Chongqing T-Pass (Yikatong) rechargeable card, which gives a small discount on the bus fare.
🚡 Yangtze River Cableway: This is considered a tourist attraction and requires a separate ticket (or payment by cash/mobile pay/T-Pass).
🚕 Taxis/Ride-Sharing: These operate on separate metered or fixed fares.
🛥️ Ferries/River Cruises: These require separate ticketing.
What is the Day Pass and is it available ?
I have read about offer of a day pass transport ticket costing ¥18 and valid for unlimited rides for 24-hours. However when we checked with the metro station ticket counters, there was none. It apparently is no longer valid in December 2025. Still I leave it in here that it might be available again and worth checking on its availability.
| Ticket Type | Cost | Details | Best For |
| One-Day Travel Pass | ¥18 | Unlimited rides on all metro lines for 24 hours from the first use. | A day of frequent sightseeing (4 or more rides) where you don’t want to worry about distance or transfers. |
| Single-Journey Ticket | ¥2 to ¥10 (distance-based) | The cost varies depending on the distance you travel. | Days with very few trips (3 or fewer) or very short journeys. |
Our experience using the Metro in Chongqing
As mentioned earlier , we ended up using the Metro only, besides walking. I had wanted to get day passes for both of us but since that is not available : we bought physical tickets each time. We tried the ticket machine but it was difficult to use with mainly language in Chinese. Each time, we went to the manned counter. People were helpful there , even though the first counter when I tried paying with Alipay the system was down and I paid with credit card. And on the second counter, the credit card didn’t work but Alipay did!
It’s helpful to know where you are heading to – best if you have the destination in Chinese. Otherwise use the metro map to first check which station to stop at.
Using Alipay to pay for Metro / Bus ride in Chongqing
I did not try using this method because only one of us has Alipay app and I felt that it would be too confusing to use one app for both persons. However if each person in your group has Alipay app , then this is a convenient way to pay.
Complete the initial setup to activate the Chongqing Public Transport QR Code (the digital transit card).
Here is how the system works for a round trip or continuous use:
1. One Code, Two Scans, Infinite Rides
Entry (Scan 1): You open Alipay, go to the “Transport” section, and scan the unique, dynamic QR code at the turnstile when you enter the station. This registers your starting point.
Exit (Scan 2): When you arrive at your destination, you open Alipay, pull up the same QR code, and scan it again at the exit turnstile. This registers your end point.
Fare Deduction: The system calculates the distance-based fare and automatically deducts the payment from your linked international card after you exit the station. This is known as the “Ride First, Pay Later” model.
2. Repeated Use
For your next trip, you simply repeat the process: Scan to enter, scan to exit. The same QR code is used every time you ride the Chongqing Metro (and often the public buses, too).
The code itself is dynamic (it changes every few seconds), which is a key security feature, but the activation process only needs to be done once per city/transport system.
In short, the hardest part is the initial setup; after that, it becomes your convenient digital transit pass!
Buying tickets for the Yangtze River Cableway
The Yangtze River Cableway is one of Chongqing’s most iconic experiences, originally built as a commuter shortcut and now a major tourist attraction. Using it effectively requires some planning due to its immense popularity.
Ticketing and Reservations
Securing a ticket is the most important step, as you cannot simply walk up and board without a digital queue number.
Pricing: Tickets are approximately ¥20 for a one-way trip and ¥30 for a round trip.
Booking Methods: You can easily get it from Klook or book via the “Yangtze River Cableway” (长江索道) WeChat mini-program up to 7 days in advance.
The Queue System: After purchasing your ticket, you must use the on-site ticket machines or the mini-program to get a queue number. You then wait until your number range is called to enter the boarding hall. During peak hours, wait times can exceed 1–2 hours.
Passport Required: Foreign visitors must present their original passport (or a clear photo of it) to purchase or verify tickets.
Boarding Stations
The cableway runs between two stations on opposite sides of the Yangtze River.
North Station (Xinhua Road): Located at 151 Xinhua Road in the Yuzhong District. This station is the most popular as it is near Jiefangbei and Hongya Cave. To get here, take Metro Line 1 or 6 to Xiaoshizi Station and use Exit 5B.
South Station (Shangxin Street): Located in the Nan’an District. This station typically has significantly shorter queues. To get here, take Metro Line 6 or the Loop Line to Shangxinjie Station and use Exit 2.
Pro Tip: To save time, take a taxi or the metro to the South Station and ride the cableway toward the city skyline (North Station) instead.
Experience and Tips
Ride Duration: The crossing takes about 4–5 minutes. There are no seats in the cabin, so be prepared to stand.
Best Time to Visit: Sunset (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM) offers the most beautiful transition from daylight to the city’s famous neon nightscape. However, evening queues are the longest.
One-Way vs. Round Trip: Most travelers recommend a one-way ticket. Once you cross the river, it is often more enjoyable to explore the new area and return via the metro or a ferry rather than re-queuing for the return trip.
Photography: For the best photos, try to secure a spot right next to the windows. If you are starting from the North Station, the right side of the cabin offers a better view of the Raffles City complex and the confluence of the rivers.
Buying tickets for the Chongqing Ferry
In Chongqing, there are two distinct ways to experience the river by boat: the commuter ferry (Chongqing XiaoDu) and the Two Rivers Sightseeing Cruise. For a more local and budget-friendly experience, you likely want the ferry.
1. The Local Ferry (Chongqing XiaoDu)
This is a nostalgic, public-transit-style ferry. It is much cheaper and offers a more authentic “old Chongqing” feel compared to the neon-lit tourist cruises.
Main Route: The most popular route is between Hongya Cave Pier (Yuzhong District) and Danzishi Pier (Nan’an District).
Cost: Approximately ¥10–¥15 per person.
Operating Hours: Generally 09:00 to 18:00, with departures every 30–60 minutes.
How to Ride:
Ticketing: You can buy tickets directly at the pier using a self-service machine or at the ticket window. You will need your passport to purchase or register.
Online-Booking: You can buy online from Klook or search for the WeChat mini-program “Chongqing XiaoDu” (重庆小渡) to check real-time schedules and buy digital tickets.
Pro Tip: Take the ferry from Danzishi to Hongya Cave just before sunset. You’ll get a spectacular view of the Hongya Cave stilt houses as they begin to light up, without the massive crowds found on the Jialing River bridge.
2. The Two Rivers Night Cruise (Sightseeing)
If you want the full “Cyberpunk Chongqing” experience with bright neon lights and luxury decks, this is the one shown in most travel vlogs.
Main Route: A circular loop starting and ending at Chaotianmen Pier or Hongya Cave Pier, passing the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers.
Cost: ¥120–¥180 depending on the deck level and boat quality.
Operating Hours: 19:00 to 22:30 (Peak lighting hours).
How to Ride: * Buy tickets at the Chaotianmen Docks (朝天门码头 or via apps like Trip.com
Passport is mandatory for boarding.
Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | Local Ferry (XiaoDu) | Two Rivers Night Cruise |
| Best For | Budget, quick crossing, photos | Luxury, night lights, comfort |
| Vibe | Nostalgic, local commuter | High-end tourist experience |
| Duration | 15–20 minutes | 45–60 minutes |
| Price | ~¥10 | ~¥150 |
Getting to the Docks
Hongya Cave Pier: Take Metro Line 6 to Xiaoshizi Station (Exit 9) and walk down to the river level.
Chaotianmen Pier: Take Metro Line 1 or 6 to Xiaoshizi Station or the newer Chaotianmen Station. Follow signs for the “Raffles City” or “Docks” (码头).
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