Avoid these 3 areas when choosing accommodations in Chongqing | Local testimonials: Don't be fooled by travel guides, these 5 areas are truly the best to stay in.

If you're still eyeing river-view guesthouses near Jiefangbei/Hongyadong on booking apps, I suggest you close them. Locals in Chongqing would never choose those areas to host friends. It's not that those areas are bad, but the guides only show you the lit side, not the noise, traffic jams, and detours at night when the lights are off.

Having lived in Chongqing for seven years and traveled there more than twenty times, my biggest takeaway is that "staying in the right place" is far more important than "staying near tourist attractions." This article won't present you with a generic list; instead, I'll first dissuade you from the three trendy areas that are constantly recommended in travel guides, and then give you five truly convenient local areas that will make your trip less stressful.

Three accommodation areas raved about in travel guides, but locals never stay in them.

The first is Jiefangbei/Hongyadong. During the day it looks close to the attractions, but in reality, many guesthouses are in old residential buildings, and there are night markets and bars downstairs. You can still hear drinking games and motorcycles clattering in the streets at two or three in the morning. You can't take a taxi in, there's nowhere to park if you drive, the subway entrance is crowded, and walking back to the hotel from Hongyadong at night is a long detour, not as close as it looks on the map.

The second option is the riverside guesthouses on Nanbin Road. The river view is real, but the soundproofing is generally terrible. There are many restaurants and bars along the road, and the subwoofers can blast sound for half the night. Plus, the bridges across the river can be jammed for up to twenty minutes during peak hours. You might think that staying by the river makes it convenient to go anywhere, but actually you have to cross the bridge to get to Jiefangbei and Guanyinqiao. It's hard to get a taxi after 10 pm, and some of the walkways are dimly lit, making it unsafe to walk alone.

The third is Ciqikou Ancient Town. Ciqikou is better visited during the day than at night. During the day, the traffic and pedestrian flow are enormous, making it extremely difficult to walk along the cobblestone streets with luggage; at night, once the shops are closed, the alleys are deep and empty, and the streetlights are not bright enough, making the return to the hotel a bit daunting. It's a 30-40 minute taxi ride from the core areas of Jiefangbei and Guanyinqiao, and parking is extremely difficult to find.

Daping Times Square | The top choice for first-time visitors to Chongqing who want to avoid the most popular tourist spots

Suitable for first-time visitors to Chongqing who don't like crowds, and also suitable for solo travelers. Daping is a large commercial district frequented by locals. Staying here offers convenient access to Metro Lines 1 and 2, without the tourist rush that can be experienced at Jiefangbei.

It takes about 20 minutes by subway to Jiefangbei/Hongyadong, and about the same by taxi if there's no traffic. It takes about 30 minutes by subway to Ciqikou, and about 10 minutes by taxi to Eling No. 2 Factory. There are plenty of restaurants nearby, from Times Square to the old Shiyou Road alley, offering everything from noodles and hot pot to skewers and Sichuan cuisine. You can eat very comfortably for a few dozen to a hundred yuan per person.

Returning to the hotel late at night felt safe; there are convenience stores and night buses on the outskirts of the commercial area, but try to avoid venturing deep into the old residential area along Medical College Road. Parking is generally limited; the Times Square underground parking garage has many spaces, but the exit is winding, so be patient when looking for a parking spot on weekend nights.

Ranjiaba/Dalongshan | Families looking to experience local life on a mid-range budget can stay here.

Suitable for families with elderly people and children, or for people who want a quieter stay and want to stay for two or three days. Ranjiaba is a well-established residential area in northern Chongqing, with wide streets, good greenery, and quiet at night. There are supermarkets and pharmacies nearby, making it a very lively place.

The subway has lines 5, 6, and the loop line. It takes about ten minutes to get to Guanyinqiao, about twenty-five to thirty minutes to Jiefangbei/Hongyadong, and about fifteen minutes by taxi to Chongqing North Railway Station. The restaurants nearby aren't the trendy ones, but they are the old-fashioned eateries frequented by locals, such as street-side tofu rice, pig's trotter soup, and community hot pot, all at much more affordable prices than in tourist areas.

Returning to the hotel late at night is safe; the main roads are well-lit, and access to residential complexes is generally strict. Parking is relatively easy; many hotels and guesthouses have surface parking spaces or share spaces with the complex, but be aware of no-parking hours on the roadside and avoid parking on yellow lines for convenience.

Nanping Shanghai City/Wanda Plaza | A must-see for those who enjoy in-depth tours of Nan'an District and late-night snacks.

This area is suitable for those planning to visit Nanbin Road, Yikeshu, Danzishi, or Xiahaoli, or those specifically looking for late-night snacks in Nan'an. Nanping is the local center of Nan'an, more down-to-earth than Nanbin Road, with more accommodation options and more reasonable prices compared to river-view rooms in scenic areas.

It takes about 20 minutes by subway line 3 to Jiefangbei/Jiaochangkou and about 25 minutes to Guanyinqiao; a taxi ride to Nanbin Road takes 10 to 15 minutes, and a taxi ride to Yikeshu (One Tree) for the night view takes about 20 minutes. There are tons of food options nearby. The area around Wanda Plaza and Shanghai City is full of late-night food stalls, with barbecue, grilled fish, and pig's trotter noodles open until the early hours of the morning. You can eat to your heart's content for just a few dozen yuan per person.

Be a little careful when returning to the hotel late at night. The main street of the commercial area is lively and safe, but the alleys behind it are old residential areas, so try to take the main roads after midnight. Parking is limited; the entrance to the mall's parking garage is hard to find at night, so it's recommended to ask the hotel in advance if there are any reserved parking spaces.

Yangjiaping/Xiejiawan | People going to Eling No. 2 Factory, Liziba, and the Zoo can stay here without taking a detour.

Suitable for those planning to visit Eling No. 2 Factory, Liziba Light Rail, Chongqing Zoo, and Huangjueping Graffiti Street. Yangjiaping is an old commercial district in Jiulongpo, while Xiejiawan is being redeveloped near MixC, so staying here means you're less likely to be swept up in the tourist rush.

Taking Metro Line 2 to Liziba takes about 15 minutes, to Jiefangbei/Hongyadong about 25 minutes, and to Ciqikou requires a transfer and takes about 40 minutes. There's a wide variety of food options nearby. The Yangjiaping Pedestrian Street area has many long-established restaurants, and the MixC shopping mall in Xiejiawan also offers quality dining options, mostly mid-range in price.

Safety is higher in Xiejiawan late at night, especially near shopping malls and subway entrances; Yangjiaping Old Pedestrian Street is also lively at night, but some back streets are dimly lit. Parking is generally limited; MixC has many parking spaces but the fees are mid-to-high range, while roadside parking is scarce. Those driving are advised to choose hotels with parking facilities.

Longtousi/North Square of Chongqing North Railway Station | The most reliable transit point for landing at Chongqing North Railway Station, early morning trains, and airport transfers.

This area is suitable for people taking the high-speed rail to Chongqing North Station and needing to catch an early train or go to Jiangbei Airport the next day. The area around Longtousi North Square is much newer than the old station area of South Square, with hotels concentrated in one area, so you don't have to go through the hassle of going into the city and then out again with your luggage.

Metro Line 10 takes about 20 minutes to Jiangbei Airport, 15 minutes to Guanyinqiao, and 25 to 30 minutes to Jiefangbei. The surrounding area mainly offers local noodle shops, fast food, and neighborhood eateries. While not a gourmet destination, it's quick and convenient, and you can eat well and be full for just a few dozen yuan per person.

Returning to the hotel late at night felt relatively safe, as there are patrols around the station. However, avoid staying in the alleyways with a concentration of old, run-down hotels near the South Square just to save money. Parking is very convenient; most hotels around the North Square have parking lots or underground garages, making it suitable for those who want to rent a car upon arrival.

In conclusion

Don't ask the locals if I didn't tell you: First, there are no accommodation areas in Chongqing that are "close to all attractions," so ignore any such advertisements; second, for river view rooms, make sure they are not facing the street and that the floor is soundproof, don't just look at the view from the window.

Third, if you're driving, avoid staying in the old city's trendy areas; parking will make you question your existence. Fourth, when returning to your hotel late at night, try to take main roads; Chongqing's old alleys have many ups and downs, and the straight-line distance on the map can be misleading.

Fifth, if you're staying a couple more days, prioritize locations near subway transfer stations. This is more practical than staying near tourist attractions and allows you to better experience the local lifestyle, making it especially suitable for families traveling together.