Yuzhong 渝中区 — The Historic Peninsula — Heart of Mountain City
Yuzhong is Chongqing's core district, sitting on a peninsula at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers. As the old city center, it packs centuries of history into a remarkably compact area — from ancient Ba Kingdom settlements to wartime Republican-era buildings.
This is where Chongqing's iconic skyline, stilted buildings (吊脚楼), and dramatic elevation changes are most concentrated. Walking from the riverfront at the bottom to Liberation Monument at the top can involve climbing the equivalent of 10+ stories. The city's famous "8D" terrain is on full display here.
Yuzhong is also Chongqing's nightlife and food capital. The streets around Jiefangbei buzz until midnight with hotpot restaurants, craft beer bars, and street vendors selling spicy snacks. Hongyadong's illuminated stilt houses overlooking the river are one of China's most photographed night scenes.
An 11-story stilt-house complex clinging to a cliff face, inspired by traditional Diaojiaolou architecture. At night, the golden-lit wooden buildings cascading down the hillside resemble a real-life Spirited Away. The complex contains restaurants, tea houses, souvenir shops, and observation decks. Levels 1F and 11F both open to street level — a perfect illustration of Chongqing's vertical cityscape.
Hours: Shops 11:00–23:00
Admission: Free entry
A 27.5-meter monument erected in 1940 and rebuilt in 1947 to commemorate China's victory over Japan. Today it anchors Chongqing's premier shopping and pedestrian district. The surrounding CBD is packed with malls, international brands, and flagship stores. The square hosts seasonal events and is beautifully illuminated at night.
Hours: Open 24h, shops ~10:00–22:00
Admission: Free
One of China's best regional museums, covering the natural history, ancient cultures, and modern development of the Three Gorges region. Highlights include Ba-Shu bronze artifacts, dinosaur fossils from the area, and a detailed exhibition on the Three Gorges Dam relocation project. The building itself is striking — designed to resemble a massive dam.
Hours: 9:00–17:00 (closed Mon)
Admission: Free (bring ID/passport)
A 1,166-meter cable car crossing the Yangtze River connecting Yuzhong with Nan'an District. Originally built in 1987 as public transport, it's now one of Chongqing's most popular tourist experiences. The 4-minute ride offers spectacular aerial views of the river, bridges, and layered cityscape. Go at sunset or after dark for the best photos.
Hours: 7:30–22:30 (summer) / 7:30–21:30 (winter)
Admission: ¥20 single / ¥30 round trip
Eling Park sits on Chongqing's highest peninsula point with panoramic views of both rivers. A short walk away is the famous Liziba Station, where the monorail passes straight through a residential apartment building — one of Chongqing's most viral sights. The park itself features Qing Dynasty pavilions, bonsai gardens, and a quiet escape from the city bustle.
Hours: Park 6:00–22:00, Monorail runs 6:30–23:00
Admission: Park free, Monorail ¥2-7