Quick Summary:
💰 Luxury Budget: $180+ per night
👍 Mid-Range: $80-180 per night
🏠 Budget: Under $80 per night
🌟 Our Top Pick: InterContinental Raffles City Chongqing
📍 Best Area: Jiefangbei CBD
👨👩👧👦 Family Pick: Ascott Raffles City Chongqing
In a mega city like Chongqing, where you stay matters a lot — it can make or break your stay.
Pick right — you have easy access to all major attractions and delicious food, pick wrong — you add 1 hour of commute every time you want to go somewhere interesting.
Chongqing actually has plenty of incredible hotels that check all the boxes — including relatively affordable prices.
Here is your guide to picking best area to stay in and an option for every budget.
Table of Contents
Best Areas to Stay in Chongqing
Jiefangbei CBD - Best for First-Time Visitors
- Perfect for: First-time visitors, food lovers, shoppers
- Nearby attractions:
- Hongyadong Ancient Town
- Liberation Monument
- Jiefangbei Walking Street
- Madame Tong's Former Residence
- Transport:
- Lines 1, 2, and 6
- Multiple bus routes
- Easy taxi access
- Average hotel price: $150 per night
For me this is by far the best area you can stay in. It is a lively, central neighbourhood, with many high-rise hotels for every budget that allow you to admire city panorama by day and night.
Our Top Hotel Picks in Jiefangbei:
- Ascott Raffles City Chongqing
- Why we love it: Excellent views for reasonable price
- Best for: Families,
- Notable amenities: Swimming pool, suites with kitchen
- 🏨 Check rates and availability
- InterContinental Raffles City Chongqing
- Why we love it: Luxurious experience
- Best for: Travellers with high budget who want to be spoiled
- Notable amenities: Amazing big windows and a great restaurant
- 🏨 Check rates and availability
- ISEYA HOTEL Chongqing Jiefangbei Flagship
- Why we love it: Giant windows and private bathtub with a view of the famous Raffles building
- Best for: Instagram-saavy travellers, one night stays
- Notable amenities: Bath tubs with views inside the rooms
- 🏨 Check rates and availability
Other locations
Nanping (南坪) - Located in Nan'an District, this area offers:
- More modern and spacious accommodation options
- Great views of the peninsula and rivers
- Relatively quieter than the city center but still convenient
- Close to Nanshan Mountain for outdoor activities
Shapingba (沙坪坝) - A university district that features:
- More local and authentic atmosphere
- Generally lower prices
- Good street food scene
- Popular with younger crowds and students
Guanyinqiao (观音桥) - A modern commercial district offering:
- High-end shopping and entertainment
- Contemporary urban lifestyle
- Good metro connections
- Popular among young professionals
Beibei (北碚) - If you prefer a more relaxed pace:
- Beautiful natural surroundings
- Hot springs
- Universities and cultural sites
- Cooler temperatures in summer
Our Top Hotel Pick in Beibei - Bolian Resorts and Spa Chongqing
Best Hotels for Families in Chongqing
1. Ascott Raffles City Chongqing
Perfect for families with kids of all ages
Family-Friendly Features:
- Family themed-rooms
- Swimming pool
- Suites with separate bedrooms and kitchen amenities
- Room service robot
- Great views
- Small kids indoor playground
This is the hotel we stayed in and it was recommended by my Chinese teacher that is originally from Chongqing.
We stayed in a one-bedroom themed family suite and both us and kids absolutely loved it.
🏨 Check family room availability
Tips for booking hotels in Chongqing
Location Considerations
- Elevation Matters
- Check actual walking routes (maps can be deceiving)
- Consider covered walkways for rainy season
- Look for hotels with shuttle services
- View Considerations
- River-facing rooms: Best skyline views
- Higher floors: Better air quality
- North-facing rooms: City views
- South-facing rooms: River views
Best Time to Book
- Peak Season (May-September):
- Book 2-3 months ahead
- Expect higher rates
- Look for air-conditioned rooms
- Consider hotels with pools
- Low Season (November-March):
- Better deals available
- More room choice
- Check heating systems
- Consider indoor facilities
Money-Saving Tips
- Book during shoulder season (March-April, October)
- Look for hotels offering free airport shuttle
- Consider hotels with included breakfast
- Check for metro proximity to save on taxis
Special Considerations
- Families:
- Look for hotels with connecting rooms
- Check pool access rules for children
- Consider apartment-style options for longer stays
- Business Travelers:
- CBD locations recommended
- Check WiFi quality reviews
- Consider executive floor benefits
FAQs
Q: Which area is safest in Chongqing?
A: All major tourist areas are quite safe, but Jiefangbei CBD and Nanbin Road are particularly well-monitored and family-friendly.
Q: How far is Jiefangbei from the airport?
A: Jiangbei International Airport is about 45-60 minutes by car from Jiefangbei, depending on traffic. The airport express bus takes around 70-80 minutes.
Q: Is it better to stay near Chongqing North Railway Station?
A: Only if you're making a quick transit. For tourism, staying in central areas offers a better experience, and the metro connects easily to the station.
Q: Which area has the best food options?
A: Jiefangbei and surrounding areas offer the widest variety of local food, from street snacks to high-end restaurants.
Q: How difficult is it to get taxis in Chongqing?
A: Taxis are readily available in all major areas, but using DiDi (Chinese Uber) is recommended. Having your hotel's name in Chinese is essential for taxis, in DiDi everything, including location and payment, is handled through the app.
Ready to Plan Your Chongqing Adventure?
✈️ Book your flights
🏨 Find family-friendly hotels
🚂 Reserve train tickets
🎫 Book kid-friendly activities
🚌 Book a tour
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Magda Sawyer
Last updated: January 2025
Note: Prices mentioned are approximate and may vary based on season and availability. Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend hotels we trust and believe offer good value for our readers.
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