Qiansimen Bridge

Chongqing’s most popular bridge for photography.

Qiansimen Bridge is the most famous river crossing bridge in downtown Chongqing. With its unique design and location, it has become one of the city’s iconic structures. The bridge attracts many visitors during the day, but its nighttime views are also a key part of Chongqing’s night scene. It draws countless photographers and tourists eager to capture its beauty.

The full view of Qiansimen Bridge in Chongqing.

From the bridge, visitors can overlook Chongqing’s mountainous landscape and urban scenery, experiencing the unique charm of this mountain city. As an important transportation hub, Qiansimen Jialing River Bridge connects both sides of the Yangtze River. It is also a dual-purpose bridge, with vehicles traveling above and light rail running below. This design not only enhances traffic efficiency but also provides tourists with more ways and angles to enjoy the beautiful views.

At night, Qiansimen Bridge in Chongqing lights up.
Qiansimen Bridge is located right next to the popular attraction, Hongya Cave, in Chongqing.

The best way to explore Qiansimen Bridge is by walking or driving across it to appreciate its beauty from different angles. Entering from the Jiangbei District offers a broader perspective, allowing visitors to fully experience the grandeur and vibrancy of Hongya Cave. Moreover, the riverside beach on the north bank of the Jialing River, beneath the bridge, is the perfect spot to view Hongya Cave and the night scene of Chongqing. The views are expansive, the scenery is stunning, and the lights create a dazzling display, making it a picturesque experience.

There are many vehicles and walking tourists on Qiansimen Bridge in Chongqing.

Practical Travel Tips

  1. The Qiansimen Bridge is lit from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM, and the lights are on for only two hours.
  2. It’s recommended to approach Qiansimen Yangtze River Bridge from the direction of the Grand Theater. Most tourists crowd around Hongya Cave, making it feel congested. Walking from the Grand Theater to the bridge means encountering far fewer people, enhancing your experience.
  3. The area near the bridge that’s close to Hongya Cave is great for photography. You can capture the traffic and Hongya Cave in one shot—it’s perfect for stunning photos!

Hours and Fees

Hours

  • Open all day.

Admission

  • No admission fee required.

How Visitors Rate the Qiansimen Bridge

Local tourists from China

Around 6 PM, Qiansimen Bridge is closed to traffic. The bridge is packed with visitors taking photos of Hongya Cave, and there are more people below enjoying the view. You can see Hongya Cave clearly, but it was so crowded that I only managed to snap a shot from one corner.
Fudistar
The evening breeze by the Jialing River under Qiansimen Bridge in Chongqing feels great. If you plan to shoot the full view of the bridge, I recommend going after 8 PM. It gets dark later in Chongqing, so if you go too early, the lighting won’t be ideal. Wear dark-colored clothes for better photos, and try to avoid high heels since the riverbank is rocky and hard to walk on. If you can, bring some mosquito repellent; there are quite a few bugs by the river at night.
Flowerqueen
Qiansimen Jialing River Bridge is right next to the famous Hongya Cave in Chongqing. The entrance to the bridge is along the road at the top of Hongya Cave. If you walk a short way up, you can get a beautiful full view of the cave from the bridge. Plus, the bridge itself is a stunning sight. The only thing is, if you’re afraid of heights, walking on the bridge might make your legs feel a bit shaky. When the subway passes below, the whole bridge shakes—it's quite a unique experience, haha!
KUMO
Chongqing has many river-crossing bridges, but Qiansimen Bridge is definitely the most popular because it's so close to Hongya Cave. The night view is unbeatable! We thought the lights turned on at 6:30, so we got there early to wait, but they actually light up at 7:30—so we waited an hour! Once on the bridge, you can feel the strong breeze from the Jialing River; it’s really refreshing up there in the summer. The only downside is that it gets super crowded. I feel like there are millions of people traveling to Chongqing every day, but it’s totally worth it!
DoDoLady