Planning a trip in Chongqing is not quite like planning a trip in Beijing, Shanghai, or Xi’an. The chongqing metro is fast, affordable, and often the smartest way to move across the city’s rivers, hills, bridges, and dense downtown districts. Many travelers call it the chongqing subway, but in Chongqing it feels more like a mix of underground trains, elevated rail, monorail views, and mountain-city engineering.
For first-time visitors, the biggest challenge is not simply “which line to take.” It is choosing the right exit, understanding transfer stations, avoiding late-night route mistakes, and knowing when a private car or English-speaking guide saves more time than public transport. This guide covers the map, major lines, popular attractions, airport and railway station transfers, ticket tips, and route ideas for a smoother Chongqing trip.
Map Basics
Before reading any route suggestion, look carefully at the chongqing metro map. Chongqing is built on mountains and rivers, so the rail map is not just a flat transport diagram. A station that looks “close” on the map may still involve long stairs, steep roads, underground passages, or exits on completely different levels of the city.
A few local tips make the map much easier to use.
First, pay attention to transfer stations. Important interchange points include Xiaoshizi, Jiaochangkou, Lianglukou, Daping, Shapingba, Ranjiaba, Hongqihegou, Wulidian, Chongqing North Railway Station, and Shangxinjie. These stations help you connect between downtown, airport areas, railway stations, and riverside districts.
Second, do not plan only by station name. Plan by station exit. In Chongqing, one exit may lead you to a main road, while another may bring you to stairs, a bridge, or a lower-level street. This is especially true around Hongya Cave, Jiefangbei, Chaotianmen, Liziba, and the Mountain City Trail.
Third, remember that Line 2 and Line 3 are not just transport lines. They are part of the Chongqing experience. Line 2 is famous for passing through Liziba Station, where the train seems to run through a residential building. For many foreign visitors, this short metro ride becomes one of the most memorable moments in the city.
The official rail map and first/last train information may change with new sections or service adjustments, so late-night travelers should check the latest station notice before travel, especially if using several transfers after dinner or a night cruise.
Lines at a Glance
The table below gives a practical overview of Chongqing’s main rail transit lines. Exact first and last train times vary by station and direction, so treat the schedule as planning guidance rather than a promise for every platform.
| Line | Start – End | First & Last Train Time | Key Transfer Stations | Popular Places & Travel Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loop Line | Circular line around central districts | Usually from around 06:30; last full or partial trains vary by direction | Shapingba, Ranjiaba, Chongqing North Railway Station, Wulidian, Shangxinjie, Sigongli, Xiejiawan, Olympic Sports Center, Chongqing West Railway Station | Useful for cross-city transfers, Chongqing West Railway Station, and connecting multiple districts |
| Line 1 | Chaotianmen – Bishan | Usually around 06:30–23:00 from terminal stations | Xiaoshizi, Jiaochangkou, Qixinggang, Lianglukou, Daping, Shapingba, Ciqikou | Jiefangbei, Chaotianmen, Ciqikou Ancient Town, downtown sightseeing |
| Line 2 | Jiaochangkou – Yudong | Usually around 06:30–23:00 | Jiaochangkou, Zengjiayan, Niujiaotuo, Daping, Xiejiawan, Yudong | Liziba Station, river views, Chongqing Zoo, old urban scenery |
| Line 3 | Yudong – Jiangbei Airport T2 / branch to Jurenba | Usually from around 06:30; last trains vary by branch | Nanping, Lianglukou, Guanyinqiao, Hongqihegou, Jiazhoulu, Chongqing North Railway Station, Bijin | Guanyinqiao, Nanping, Jiangbei Airport T2 |
| Line 4 | Shimahe Lijiao – Huangling | Usually around 06:30–23:00 | Yudaishan, Dashiba, Huahuiyuan, Jiazhoulu, Min’an Avenue, Chongqing North Railway Station, Toutang | Chongqing North Railway Station, northern urban districts |
| Line 5 | Yuegangbeilu – Tiaodeng | Usually around 06:30–23:00 | Ranjiaba, Dalongshan, Dashiba, Hongyancun, Xietaizi, Shiqiaopu, Chongqing West Railway Station, Tiaodeng | Chongqing West Railway Station, Hongyancun Station, western districts |
| Line 6 | Chayuan – Beibei; Chongqing East Railway Station section | Usually around 06:30–23:00 | Shangxinjie, Xiaoshizi, Grand Theater, Jiangbeicheng, Wulidian, Hongtudi, Hongqihegou, Ranjiaba, Lijia | Xiaoshizi, Jiangbeicheng, Grand Theater area, Beibei, Chongqing East Railway Station |
| Guobo Line | Lijia – Shaheba | Usually around 06:30–22:30 from terminal stations | Lijia, Yuelai, Wangjiazhuang | Chongqing International Expo Center, northern exhibition areas |
| Line 9 | Gaotanyan – Huashigou | Usually around 06:30–23:00 | Shapingba, Xiaolongkan, Hongyancun, Guanyinqiao, Liyuchi, Jiangbeicheng, Wulidian, Toutang | Guanyinqiao, Jiangbeicheng, Hongyancun Station |
| Line 10 | Lanhualu – Wangjiazhuang | Usually around 06:30–23:00 | Qixinggang, Zengjiayan, Liyuchi, Hongtudi, Chongqing North Railway Station, Jiangbei Airport T3, Jiangbei Airport T2, Yuelai | Jiangbei Airport, Chongqing North Railway Station, People’s Great Hall area |
| Jiangtiao Line | Tiaodeng – Shengquansi | First trains usually around 06:15–06:30; last trains usually around 21:10–21:30 | Tiaodeng | Jiangjin suburban trips, not a typical first-time tourist line |
| Line 18 | Fuhualu – Tiaodengnan | Usually around 06:30–23:00 | Fuhualu, Xietaizi, Olympic Sports Center, Yangjiaping, Huangjueping, Baijusi, Tiaodeng | Huangjueping art area, Yangjiaping, western city districts |
| Bitong Line | Bishan – Tongliang West | First trains usually around 06:10; last trains usually around 21:30 | Bishan | Bishan and Tongliang regional trips |
One practical warning: the last train time of one line does not always mean you can still complete a late transfer on another line. If your plan includes hotpot, Hongya Cave night photos, or a river cruise, check the full route before 10:00 p.m. For families, seniors, or travelers with luggage, a late-night custom China tour with private transfer can be a much calmer choice than rushing through crowded stations.
Top Attraction Routes
Jiefangbei, Hongya Cave, Chaotianmen, and Raffles City
For the classic downtown route, use Xiaoshizi Station or Chaotianmen Station on Line 1 or Line 6. Xiaoshizi is useful for Jiefangbei and Hongya Cave, while Chaotianmen is better for Raffles City and the river confluence area. In real travel, these places look close on the map, but the walking route may involve slopes, stairs, pedestrian bridges, and crowds. At night, Hongya Cave can be extremely busy, so it is better to visit before the peak photo rush or let a local guide arrange the order. Useful travel guide for you: Chongqing at Night and Top 12 Things to Do in Chongqing. Tour packages including Chongqing: Chongqing tours.
Liziba Station
Take Line 2 to Liziba Station. This is one of the easiest attractions to reach by rail and one of the best examples of Chongqing’s three-dimensional city layout. After arriving, follow signs to the viewing platform outside the station. The actual photo stop may only take 20–30 minutes, but it works beautifully when combined with Jiefangbei, Eling Second Factory, or a riverside dinner.
Take Line 1 to Ciqikou Station. The old town is popular for snacks, teahouses, local crafts, and traditional alleys. It is also one of those places where timing matters. Weekends and Chinese holidays can be packed, while weekday mornings feel much more relaxed. For travelers who like culture but dislike tourist crowds, a guide can help you avoid the most commercial lane and focus on quieter alleys. Tour packages including Chongqing: Chongqing tours.
Three Gorges Museum and People’s Great Hall
For the museum and People’s Great Hall area, Line 10 to Zengjiayan or the Dalitang area can be convenient, depending on your starting point. The Three Gorges Museum is one of the best indoor stops in Chongqing, especially for families, cruise travelers, and anyone planning to continue toward the Yangtze River. Tour packages including Chongqing: Chongqing tours.
Mountain City Trail
The Mountain City Trail is close to downtown stations such as Qixinggang or Jiaochangkou, but this is not a simple flat walk. The charm is exactly in its stairs, old neighborhoods, river views, and layered streets. It is wonderful for active travelers, but less suitable if you have knee problems, heavy luggage, or a very tight schedule. Tour packages including Chongqing: Chongqing tours.
Hotpot and Food Areas
Chongqing food is not just “spicy food.” It is part of the city’s identity. After daytime sightseeing, many visitors finish with Chongqing hotpot, Jiugongge hotpot, or small local noodles. If you want to understand what to order before sitting down, this Chongqing food guide is a useful starting point. Tour packages including Chongqing: Chongqing tours.
Airports and Railway Stations
Jiangbei International Airport
Line 10 is usually the clearest rail option for foreign visitors because it serves both Jiangbei Airport T3 and T2. Line 3 also reaches T2, but Line 10 is often easier for connections to Chongqing North Railway Station and central districts.
Chongqing North Railway Station
This is one of the city’s most important high-speed railway hubs. Different rail lines serve different station-square areas, so always check whether your train departs from the North Square or South Square. For first-time travelers, this detail matters more than it sounds. Going to the wrong square with luggage can waste valuable time.
Chongqing West Railway Station
Chongqing West Railway Station is connected by the Loop Line and Line 5. It is an important station for many high-speed rail journeys, but it is not as central as Jiefangbei. If you have an early train, a private transfer is often more comfortable than changing lines with luggage.
Chongqing East Railway Station
The Chongqing East Railway Station area is served by the Line 6 East Station section. It is especially important for travelers whose train ticket clearly shows Chongqing East rather than Chongqing North or Chongqing West.
For station details, train boarding tips, and how to avoid wrong-terminal mistakes, read our Chongqing railway stations guide and China high-speed train guide.
Ticket and Payment Tips
For foreign visitors, chongqing metro ticketing is easier than it used to be, but you should still prepare before arrival.
At staffed ticket windows, foreign travelers can usually buy single-journey tickets, one-day passes, and three-day passes. In many stations, major international bank cards may be accepted at staffed counters, while ticket machines are not always as convenient for foreign card users.
For daily use, many travelers also use Alipay or WeChat Pay transit functions after setting up mobile payment in China. This is convenient, but it can still fail if your phone has no internet, your bank verification does not work, or your account has not been properly activated. That is why we usually suggest foreign travelers carry a backup payment method.
A few practical tips:
- Arrive earlier during morning and evening rush hours. Chongqing stations can be busy, and security checks are required.
- Keep your single-journey ticket or QR code ready until you exit. Do not throw it away after entering.
- Use the staffed counter if the ticket machine does not accept your card. This is often faster than struggling with the machine interface.
- Check the last train time before dinner if you plan to return by rail after visiting Hongya Cave or taking a night cruise.
For step-by-step instructions, see our guide on how to use metro in China as a foreign traveler.
Recommended Chongqing Routes
A good Chongqing trip should not simply chase stations. It should balance rail convenience, walking difficulty, food timing, night views, and comfort. This is where private planning becomes valuable.
One-day classic city route
Start with Liziba Station, continue to Jiefangbei and Hongya Cave, visit Chaotianmen or Raffles City, then finish with hotpot or a night view. The rail system works well during the day, but after dinner, private transfer can make the night much easier. Tour packages including Chongqing: Chongqing tours.
Two-day culture and food route
Day one can focus on Jiefangbei, Hongya Cave, Liziba, and local hotpot. Day two can include Ciqikou, the Three Gorges Museum, and the Mountain City Trail. This route is ideal for travelers who want both iconic photos and real city texture. Tour packages including Chongqing: Chongqing tours.
Three- or four-day Chongqing and Wulong route
Wulong is not a simple downtown rail trip, but it is one of the best nature extensions from Chongqing. Travelers who want dramatic karst landscapes can add the Chongqing to Wulong Natural Journey One-Day Tour or read more about the Tiansheng Three Bridges. Tour packages including Chongqing: Chongqing tours.
Yangtze River cruise route
Many travelers use Chongqing as the starting or ending point for a Yangtze River cruise. If you are planning this, combine one or two city days with a cruise departure. Useful travel guide for you: Yangtze River Three Gorges Cruise and Three Gorges Yangtze River Guide. Tour packages including Chongqing: Chongqing tours.
FoyoChinaTrip can design a route around your hotel, arrival station, walking ability, food preferences, and travel pace. Our services include tailor-made itineraries, private car arrangements, English-speaking guides, attraction planning, and local dining suggestions. For a personalized plan, explore our custom China tours or contact us.
FAQ
Yes, but it is easier if you prepare. Station signs usually include English names, and major interchanges are clearly marked. The difficult part is not reading the line number; it is choosing the correct exit and understanding Chongqing’s vertical streets. The chongqing metro is excellent for downtown travel, but a private car is still useful for night views, Wulong, Dazu, airport transfers with luggage, and family trips.
You can buy single-journey tickets at machines or staffed counters. Mobile payment through Alipay or WeChat Pay is also common once your account is set up. For more help, read our guide on how to use metro in China as a foreign traveler.
Hongyancun Station is widely known as one of the deepest metro stations in China, with very long vertical movement between the street and platform levels. It serves Line 5 and Line 9, and travelers should allow extra time because reaching the platform can take longer than expected.
Take Line 2 to Liziba Station. After exiting, follow the signs to the viewing platform. The train-through-building view is outside the station, not from inside the platform.
You can reach many downtown highlights by rail, including Jiefangbei, Hongya Cave, Chaotianmen, Liziba, Ciqikou, and the Three Gorges Museum area. However, attractions such as Wulong, Dazu Rock Carvings, Nanshan night viewpoints, and some cruise docks are easier with a private car or guided arrangement. For a smoother trip, combine rail for the fun urban sections and private service for the parts where comfort, timing, and local knowledge matter most.
