Hongya Cave
The most popular attractions in Chongqing travel
Hongya Cave (洪崖洞) is built into the mountain and has 11 floors. Both the first and eleventh floors open up to the street, letting you feel the magic of Chongqing as a mountain city. When night falls, the whole area lights up, creating a beautiful view. Visitors can enjoy Chongqing’s culture, taste local food, and watch the confluence of the two rivers. With nearly 100,000 daily visitors, Hongya Cave is a very popular destination for Chongqing travel.
Hongya Cave has a long history that dates back to the Song Dynasty, when it was a rock-cut temple. Later, during the Ming Dynasty, it became a bustling commercial area, one of Chongqing’s busiest business centers. In the Qing Dynasty, Hongya Cave evolved into a thriving dock and served as a trade hub for Chongqing.
Hongya Cave features attractions like stilt houses, a traditional-style shopping street, and the scenic Hongya Dici. Inside, you’ll find shops offering local cuisine, leisure activities, and Chongqing folk crafts. Additionally, Hongya Cave has a vibrant nightlife scene with bars, teahouses, and cafés, allowing visitors to enjoy the beautiful views while experiencing Chongqing’s nightlife culture.
Many people are drawn to Hongya Cave by its iconic mountain city photos. First, the area across from the first floor is great for taking night shots at an upward angle, but it’s not ideal for portraits. Second, you can take stunning overhead shots from Qiansimen Bridge, capturing the entire complex and the flow of traffic—it looks especially beautiful.
Popular Restaurants Near Hongya Cave
Enjoying authentic Chongqing cuisine during your travel in Chongqing.
Zhou Shixiong Chongqing Hotpot (Hongya Cave Flagship Store) 周师兄重庆火锅(洪崖洞旗舰店)
- This restaurant stays open until midnight, so even when other places are closed, you can still enjoy fresh meat and veggies here. The decor has a strong Chinese style, creating a great atmosphere for hotpot.
Sliced Pig Kidney (Chinese Name: 大刀腰片)
This is Zhou Shixiong’s signature ingredient and a must-try when having Chongqing hotpot. The large slices of pig kidney look incredibly fresh and enticing, with no off-putting smell. Just cook them in the pot for about 20 seconds, dip them in the special chili sauce, and enjoy the rich, savory flavor.
Freshly Sliced Beef 现切黄牛肉
The freshly cut beef is very tender. When you briefly cook it in the pot, it retains its aroma and delicate texture. Dipping it in the sauce brings out its delicious flavor.
Bean Powder Snow Ice 豆粉雪山冰
You have to pair hotpot with some snow ice. It balances the flavors and adds a refreshing touch. Chongqing’s icy treats are also delicious, and with the bean powder, it’s not overly sweet—just a smooth, creamy experience.Address:
Next to the entrance of the parking lot at Jiangjiachang Diwang Plaza (across from Guotai Art Center Plaza)
江家巷地王广场停车厂入口旁（国泰艺术中心广场对面）
Hours:
Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Average Spend:
78 CNY (approximately 11 USD)
Practical Travel Tips
- There are many places selling plums nearby, but I recommend not buying them. They might look tempting, but the taste is average.
- Some people might try to offer you a “fast pass,” but don’t believe it. They’re just taking you to a free elevator. There’s no real fast pass at Hongya Cave! Anyone telling you otherwise is lying!
- Make sure to visit Hongya Cave at night, as it’s only lit up then. The lights are on from 7:30 PM to 11:00 PM.
- Be careful when taking photos with street performers (like those dressed as the Monkey King); they might charge you for it.
- It’s hard to catch a taxi on the first floor of Hongya Cave, so it’s better to go back to the eleventh floor and take the light rail from Xiaoshizi Station (小什字站).
Hours and Fees
Hours
- 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Admission
- No admission fee required.
How to Get to Hongya Cave
By Bus
- You can take buses 108, 111, 112, 114, 120, or 163 to reach Hongya Cave Station (洪崖洞站) directly.
By Subway
- You can take Line 2 of the light rail and get off at Linjiangmen Station (临江门站). After exiting, just walk along the road past one traffic light to reach the eleventh floor of Hongya Cave.
- Alternatively, you can take Line 1 or Line 6 and get off at Xiaoshizi Station (小什字站). Exit from Exit 9 and walk about 500 meters along the road to reach Hongya Cave.
How Visitors Rate the Hongya Cave
International tourists
Local tourists from China
The architecture here is unique, showcasing the “Chinese Cliff City” style with stilt houses that highlight traditional Chongqing and Sichuan designs. This style is not only sturdy but also beautiful, providing a stunning visual and emotional impact. At night, the entire building lights up like a glowing castle, which is truly breathtaking. The dazzling night views are a major highlight of Hongya Cave Scenic Area, drawing countless photographers and tourists.
There’s a wide variety of local Chongqing snacks here. We each ordered a bowl of authentic Chongqing noodles, which were incredibly chewy and delicious! After eating, we took a boat ride to enjoy the night view of Chongqing as a mountain city, which is very different from the views in Shanghai. Overall, Hongya Cave is definitely worth a visit, though it can get quite crowded!
Visiting Hongya Pavilion at night is the best option, and you can also take a boat ride. There are plenty of places to eat, especially hotpot. However, it gets really crowded in the evenings, with people packed closely together. When we left, it was hard to find a taxi due to the traffic jam. We waited about half an hour for a cab to arrive after finally getting one!
