After spending five days in Shanghai, a city I would honestly rate 10 out of 10, I didn’t expect another place in China to become one of my favourites quite so quickly.
Then I arrived in Chongqing a month later during a very spontaneous second China trip.
Built across steep hills, with roads on completely different levels, metro lines running through buildings and skyscrapers lighting up after dark, Chongqing feels unlike anywhere else I’ve ever visited. The city is often described as China’s “8D Magic City”, and once you start trying to work out whether you’re on the ground floor or the 22nd floor, you’ll understand why.
But what is Chongqing like for a woman travelling alone? Is it safe? Is the metro easy to use? Can you get around without speaking Mandarin? And how many days do you actually need?
After spending five nights exploring Chongqing on my own, I can honestly say that it is an incredibly safe and fun destination for solo female travellers. It was one of the biggest surprises of my trip to China, and I would return without hesitation.
In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about solo female travel in Chongqing, including safety, transport, where to stay, the best things to do and the apps you should download before your trip.
If you’re planning a longer trip around China, you may also want to read my solo female travel guides to Shanghai and solo female travel in Beijing.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Is Chongqing Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
I found Chongqing to be incredibly safe as a solo female traveller. In fact, China in general is one of the places where I have felt safest travelling alone.
I explored Chongqing by myself, used the metro every day, took Didi taxis and spent plenty of time walking around the city. Safety was honestly never something I thought much about while I was there.
Like in the other Chinese cities I have visited, you’ll notice security cameras almost everywhere. There are also bag checks before entering metro stations, although these are usually very quick and soon become a completely normal part of getting around.
Chongqing is also a city that really comes alive in the evening. Buildings across the city light up and areas such as Jiefangbei and Hongyadong get incredibly busy. Being out after dark never felt like something I needed to avoid just because I was travelling alone.
Of course, Chongqing is still an enormous city, so the usual common sense applies. Keep an eye on your belongings in particularly crowded places and make sure you have mobile data so you can access maps, translation apps and Alipay when you need them.
But overall, I felt extremely safe travelling alone in Chongqing, and that has been my experience in every Chinese city I have visited so far. As a solo female traveller, safety is one of the things I worry about least when travelling in China.
Get an eSIM Before You Arrive
Having mobile data is essential when travelling around Chongqing, as you’ll need your phone for Alipay, directions, translation apps and ordering Didi taxis. I recommend setting up a Nomad eSIM for China before your trip so you’re connected as soon as you arrive. With this eSIM, you also don’t need to set up a separate VPN to be able to access apps like Instagram, TikTok or Google.
Getting Around Chongqing Alone
Getting around Chongqing in general is very easy, as the metro system is super efficient and can take you everywhere. But here are a few things that might be good to know:
The metro is easy to use
Chongqing’s metro system is clean, affordable and well connected. Station names and signs are displayed in both Chinese and English, so I found it surprisingly easy to navigate without speaking Mandarin.
There is a quick security check before entering every station. Put your bag through the scanner, walk through and continue to the ticket gates. That is very normal for Chinese metro stations.
I always felt completely safe using the metro.
If you’re flying into the city, I have a complete step-by-step guide on how to get from Chongqing Airport to Jiefangbei by metro. The journey takes around an hour and costs only ¥7.
Use Alipay for public transport
The easiest way to pay for the metro is through Alipay.
Once you’ve activated the Chongqing transport card inside the app, you’ll receive a QR code. Scan it when entering and leaving the metro, and the correct fare will be charged automatically to the bank card connected to your account.
I would definitely set up Alipay before arriving in China. You’ll use it for public transport, taxis, restaurants, shops and almost every other payment during your trip.
Walking around Chongqing
Many of Chongqing’s main attractions are concentrated around Jiefangbei, and I walked between quite a few places in this part of the city. Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, Kuixinglou Square, Hongyadong and the surrounding shopping areas are all relatively close together.
However, walking in Chongqing can be confusing.
The city is built across very steep hills and on multiple levels. A road that looks close on a map may be far above or below you, and what appears to be the ground floor on one side of a building can be more than 20 floors up on the other.
You will probably get a little lost at some point, but that’s also part of the experience. Wear comfortable shoes, leave extra time and expect plenty of stairs and hills.
Use Amap instead of Google Maps
Google Maps isn’t particularly reliable in China, even if you can access it, so I recommend downloading Amap before your trip instead.
I used it for walking directions, metro routes and finding attractions. It worked much better than Google Maps, although Chongqing’s unusual levels can still make navigation a little confusing.
Taking Didi taxis
When the metro or walking isn’t convenient, order a Didi through Alipay. It works similarly to Uber, and you don’t need to download a separate Didi app.
I used Didi several times in Chongqing and found it affordable and easy. Because you enter your destination in the app, you also don’t have to explain the address to the driver in Mandarin.
Best Things to Do in Chongqing as a Solo Traveller
There is a lot to do in Chongqing, and most attractions are very easy to visit alone.
For the full list, read my guide to the 12 best things to do in Chongqing. These were my personal highlights.
Watch the Chongqing 1949 theatre show
If there is one experience I would tell you not to miss, it is Chongqing 1949 Theatre.
This ended up being my favourite thing I did in Chongqing and one of the most unique experiences from my entire trip to China. The enormous sets move, parts of the seating area rotate and the performance takes place all around you.
The show is in Mandarin, but you can borrow an English translation device at the theatre. I paid a refundable deposit through Alipay and received it back after returning the device.
I would book Chongqing 1949 tickets in advance, especially if you want to sit in one of the rotating sections. I sat in one of the cheaper fixed areas and still had an incredible view.
The theatre is next to Ciqikou Ancient Town, so it is easy to combine both in one half-day trip.
Walk across the Raffles City Skywalk
My other major highlight was the Chongqing Exploration Deck and Skywalk at Raffles City.
The indoor observation deck offers amazing views over the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. If you add the Skywalk, you can walk across the rooftop of the horizontal skyscraper while attached to a safety harness.
It looks quite intimidating in photos, but I didn’t find it overwhelmingly scary. You’re securely clipped in, and once you have made your first steps, you become a lot more comfortable.
I recommend booking the combined Exploration Deck and Skywalk ticket and arriving before sunset. You’ll see the city in daylight and then watch the skyline light up after dark.
See Hongyadong after dark
Hongyadong is one of Chongqing’s most famous sights. The multi-level complex is built into the cliffs and is filled with shops, restaurants and food stalls.
It is at its most impressive after sunset, when the entire building lights up. It also becomes extremely busy in the evening, so be prepared for crowds.
Explore Jiefangbei and Chongqing’s different levels
Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street is one of the city’s main shopping and entertainment areas and a convenient place to start exploring.
From here, you can walk to shopping malls, food streets and several of Chongqing’s most famous sights. Kuixinglou Square is particularly fun because the square appears to be at street level, but one side is actually more than 20 floors above the road below.
Longmenhao Old Street is another lovely area to explore, especially in the late afternoon. The traditional-style buildings, cafés and views across the river make it a relaxing contrast to the busiest parts of central Chongqing.
Visit the Firefly Cat Sanctuary
If you love cats, add the Firefly Cat Sanctuary to your itinerary.
The sanctuary is home to hundreds of rescued cats and is one of the most unusual things I did in Chongqing. You can walk around the outdoor space, spend time with the cats, buy some snacks at the location to feed them and stop for a drink overlooking the river.
It is a little outside the city centre, but you can reach it by metro followed by either a 30-minute walk or a short Didi ride. Entry cost ¥19.90 when I visited, and there was no need to prebook.
Join a walking tour
A walking tour of Chongqing is a great activity for your first day. A local guide can help make sense of the city’s unusual layout, show you some of its hidden streets and give you recommendations for the rest of your stay.
It is also one of the easiest ways to meet other travellers when you’re visiting alone.
Take a day trip to Wulong
If you have an extra day, one of the most popular trips from Chongqing is Wulong Karst National Geology Park.
The area is known for its dramatic limestone scenery and natural bridges, and parts of Transformers: Age of Extinction were filmed there. I didn’t have time to visit on my trip, but it is high on my list for next time.
Where to Stay as a Solo Traveller in Chongqing
I stayed at the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Chongqing Jiefangbei, and I would happily stay there again.
The room was modern, spacious and comfortable, and the hotel had everything I needed. The location was also excellent: Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, Hongyadong, shopping malls, restaurants and several metro stations were all nearby.
For a first visit to Chongqing, I think Jiefangbei is one of the most convenient areas to stay. You can walk to several major sights, and the metro makes it easy to reach places further away.
Hotels in Chongqing are also very affordable compared with many other large Asian cities. I found that you can get a genuinely lovely room in China for a relatively low price, particularly compared with accommodation in Hong Kong, Macau or Taipei.
If meeting people is your priority, you can also browse hostels in Chongqing. Personally, I enjoyed having my own hotel room to return to after long days of sightseeing.
For hotels, trains and many attractions in China, I recommend booking through Trip.com. I found a great selection of hotels that accept international guests, and keeping my bookings in one app made travelling around China much easier.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Chongqing?
If possible, I would avoid visiting Chongqing in the middle of summer.
I visited in August, when the temperature reached around 39°C every day. Chongqing is already a very hilly city, so walking up stairs and exploring outside in that heat was exhausting.
It was still somewhat manageable because the metro, shopping malls, restaurants and indoor attractions all had air conditioning. Activities such as Chongqing 1949 also give you a welcome break from the heat during the day.
However, I travelled to Zhangjiajie on the same trip, and hiking in temperatures close to 39°C was much tougher because there were fewer opportunities to cool down.
For more comfortable sightseeing, I would choose early spring or late autumn. You’ll still want comfortable shoes for Chongqing’s hills and stairs, but exploring the city should be much more enjoyable when it isn’t quite so hot.
I would also avoid China’s major public holidays if you can, as popular attractions and transport can become extremely busy.
Apps You’ll Need for Travelling Chongqing Alone
You do need to prepare a little more for China than for some other destinations, but once the main apps are installed, travelling independently is much easier than it initially sounds.
I have a complete guide to the essential apps you need before travelling to China, but these are the ones I used most often.
Alipay
You’ll use Alipay for payments, the metro and ordering Didi taxis. It’s very important to set this up and connect it to your bank account before your trip, as you will need it for everything!
Amap
Amap is much more reliable than Google Maps in China. Use it for walking directions, metro routes and finding attractions.
A translation app
English isn’t widely spoken in Chongqing, so keep Google Translate or another translation app ready. Photographing menus or showing a picture of what you want also works very well.
Trip.com
Trip.com is useful for hotels, trains and attraction tickets. I used it throughout my trip around China and pretty much booked every single attraction or transportation on there. I also really enjoy using this app, as when booking accommodation and writing reviews, you can collect Trip.com coins that you can use as discounts for your next booking.
WeChat is useful for messaging and is sometimes needed to open restaurant menus or mini programmes. Often hotels will also ask you to add them on WeChat.
Didi
Didi is China’s main taxi app. You can download the separate app or access it directly through Alipay. I just accessed it via Alipay and had no issues with that, but it might still be good to download the main app as a backup.
An eSIM
Mobile data is essential for using Alipay, Amap, Didi and translation apps. Set up a Nomad eSIM for China before your trip so you’re connected as soon as you arrive. New users can also try Nomad eSIM’s free 1GB trial eSIM.
How to Meet People in Chongqing as a Solo Female Traveller
Chongqing isn’t the easiest place in the world to meet other travellers. English isn’t widely spoken, and it feels less international than many of the typical backpacking destinations in Southeast Asia for example.
That doesn’t mean you have to spend the entire trip alone.
Staying in a hostel is probably the easiest option if meeting people is a priority. Even if you dont want to stay in a hotel but have access to the Hostelworld chat, then Hostelworld’s Social Pass can help you connect with travellers and join hostel activities.
Walking tours are another good way to meet people, especially when you first arrive. A group day trip to Wulong can also be a more social option than visiting independently.
You can also try apps such as Nomadtable or TripBFF to find other travellers who will be in Chongqing at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solo Female Travel in Chongqing
Is Chongqing safe for solo female travellers?
Yes. Chongqing felt incredibly safe to me. I used public transport, took Didi taxis and walked around busy areas alone, including in the evening, and never once felt uncomfortable. So far I have visited about 7 Chinese cities alone, and all of them have felt incredibly safe!
Is Chongqing good for first-time solo travellers?
Chongqing is safe and completely doable alone, but it probably wouldn’t be my first choice for someone taking their very first solo trip.
The language barrier is significant, you need to set up several apps before arriving and it can be harder to meet people than in more international destinations.
If you’re comfortable solving small problems by yourself and using translation and navigation apps, you should be absolutely fine. But if you’re brand new to solo travel, I might start somewhere with more English speakers and a bigger backpacking scene, then visit China once you have a little more confidence.
Can I visit Chongqing without speaking Mandarin?
Yes. I don’t speak Mandarin and managed perfectly well with Alipay, Amap and a translation app.
English isn’t widely spoken, so expect to use your phone regularly. I often found it easiest to show a picture of what I wanted when ordering food.
How many days should I spend in Chongqing?
I would recommend at least three full days.
I spent five nights in Chongqing, which felt perfect because I could explore at a more relaxed pace and didn’t need to fit every attraction into the same day. If you also want to take a day trip to Wulong, four or five days would be even better.
Is Chongqing expensive?
No, I found Chongqing very affordable. Especially when it comes to food, drinks and public transportation.
The metro, Didi taxis and local food are inexpensive, and accommodation is generally cheaper than in Beijing or Shanghai. China is particularly good value for hotels: you can often get a very nice room without spending much compared with places such as in Hong Kong, Macau or Taipei.
Do I need cash in Chongqing?
I paid for almost everything with Alipay and rarely needed cash.
Make sure the app is installed, connected to your bank card and working before your trip. I have never needed any cash in China, and a lof of places also don’t even accept cash as but mobile payments are the standard option.
What should women wear in Chongqing?
Chongqing is a modern city, and I didn’t feel that people paid much attention to what I wore. Wear whatever makes you comfortable.
The most important thing is comfortable footwear because you’ll walk a lot and encounter plenty of stairs and hills. In summer, choose light, breathable clothing because the heat and humidity can be intense. If you visit in spring or autumn, bring a light layer for cooler mornings or evenings.
What apps should I download before visiting Chongqing?
At a minimum, I recommend Alipay, Amap, a translation app, Trip.com, WeChat, Didi and an eSIM. My China travel apps guide explains what each one does and what to set up before you leave.
Travelling From Chongqing to Zhangjiajie
Chongqing is very easy to combine with Zhangjiajie and the famous Avatar Mountains.
The fastest high-speed trains travel from Chongqing East Railway Station to Zhangjiajie West in just over two hours, while most journeys take around two to three hours. I booked my ticket through Trip.com, and the journey was much more straightforward than I expected.
Read my complete guide on how to travel from Chongqing to Zhangjiajie by train before you go. It explains which stations to use, how to book and what to expect at Chongqing East.
Zhangjiajie also felt very safe and easy to navigate as a solo female traveller. The main complication is deciding whether to base yourself in Zhangjiajie City or Wulingyuan, so have a look at my guide on where to stay in Zhangjiajie before booking your hotel.
And if you have a free evening, don’t miss the colourful 72 Wonder Tower. It is much more impressive after dark, when the entire complex is lit up.
You can also book your Zhangjiajie National Forest Park ticket and Tianmen Mountain ticket through Trip.com.
Final Thoughts on Solo Female Travel in Chongqing
Chongqing very quickly became one of my new favourite places in China and also probably one of my favourite cities overall.
I had already loved Shanghai and thought it would be very difficult for another city to compete with it, but Chongqing was just so much fun. The lights, rivers, skyscrapers and completely confusing layers make it one of the most unique cities I have ever visited.
It also works very well for a solo trip. The metro is easy to use, Didi is affordable, there is plenty to do, and I felt incredibly safe throughout my stay.
It may not be the easiest destination for meeting people, and the language barrier means you need to prepare the right apps in advance. But once those are set up, travelling around Chongqing alone is very manageable.
Stay for at least three full days, go out after dark to see the city light up, book Chongqing 1949 and the Raffles City Skywalk, and leave a little extra time for getting lost between all those different levels.
Let me know if you have any questions about travelling to Chongqing alone!
