A Night Tour Guide to Chongqing's Jiefangbei and Local Food Recommendations

On my first night in Chongqing, I headed straight to Jiefangbei to dive into the “mountain city nightlife,” but mainly for one thing—food! I focused on restaurants with super low “risk of disappointment” based on their good reputation, and took a pretty relaxed route. So, this article is all about my real experience, and I hope it helps you plan a similar nighttime adventure!

Arriving in Chongqing: Choose Your Hotel

As soon as I landed, I made a beeline for my hotel. This time I chose the Chongqing Jiefangbei Center Mercure Hotel, which is super convenient in terms of transport and location. You can basically get around on foot; just a few steps and you’re at Jiefangbei, with food streets nearby. If you plan to stay there too, make sure not to get mixed up, because there are old and new Mercure hotels in the area. When booking, it’s best to check real photos to avoid any surprises with the old branch!

After dropping my bags at the hotel, the first big thing was definitely to fill my belly! But I had a little unexpected discovery on the way.

Chayan Yue Se: A Surprise at the Metro Exit

Not far from the hotel’s metro exit, I spotted a Chayan Yue Se! This was a total surprise for me, because I couldn’t even find this store on the map (probably because it’s newly opened). I grabbed a signature drink as soon as I stepped out of the metro, sipping it while I walked. It was super relaxing! The tea and milk flavors were spot on, so I highly recommend it if you’re looking to cool down!

Food Tour: Bayi Street Food

The main dinner spot was Bayi Food Street, which is really close to how locals live. Although there were plenty of tourists, you could really feel the local vibe. Here’s what I tried, along with my real experiences↓↓

He Xing Ji Tiao Pi Dou Gan

Everyone knows how famous Chongqing snacks are, and the first place I want to mention is this one. I found it on the map, and the sign says it's the main store, which is super easy to find. Their Tiao Pi Dou Gan is pretty standard, but I was really impressed by how fast they operate. They can whip up several servings in no time—it’s perfect for when you're hungry but don’t want to wait long.

Li Ruo Tao

This place is right next to “He Xing Ji Tiao Pi Dou Gan.” It might not be super flashy, but ordering was super easy. I casually tried it as I passed by. To me, it tasted like a light snack, kind of dessert-like, so it pairs really well with drinks.

Gui Bao Zi

You can find these buns everywhere on the street; just take a few steps and you’ll see one. They sell them by the steamer, not individually, but if it’s not crowded, you can join someone for a shared order. I ordered the sauerkraut with fatty pork, and it was super tasty! If you’re out with friends, sharing a plate of buns feels really satisfying.

Tian Bang Lao Hotpot: Street-style Hotpot Experience

For dinner, I chose Tian Bang Lao Hotpot—it’s not exaggerating to call it a trendy spot. What left a deeper impression on me is that not only tourists flock here, but even locals love to dine here, especially for family gatherings or casual nights out with friends. They focus on a down-to-earth street-style hotpot, and you can actually see people lining up outside for a table. The seasoning is incredibly flavorful, especially the spiciness—it's really addictive, and you can’t help but keep eating. If you come especially hungry at night, make sure to grab a drink first, or else the spicy kick might get to you!

Lao Qiu Qiu: A Local's Choice

The saying “a full hotpot is the end” doesn’t quite apply to Chongqing, because the nightlife here is super rich, with all kinds of snacks and desserts waiting for you. “Lao Qiu Qiu” is said to be a beloved local eatery, but I was too full at that point to order much. Still, I could see plenty of locals enjoying their meals inside, which felt really authentic. If you want to try a local late-night snack spot, you should definitely check this one out!

Jiang Tan Park: Perfect Night View Conclusion

After filling up, I originally just planned to stroll around a bit, but somehow I ended up at Jiang Tan Park. The night view here is basically one of the souls of Chongqing at night, with the riverside lights and the unique layout of the mountain city—definitely worth soaking in, especially by the river, where the cool air feels so refreshing.

Before finally wrapping up my night, I quickly stopped at a fruit stall selling watermelon and bought a couple of slices to top off my meal. It was a nice, refreshing finish that made me super happy! My first day in Chongqing was filled to the brim!

If you’re not planning to rush off to other activities at night, I recommend combining Bayi Food Street and Jiang Tan Park for a perfect night tour duo. It satisfies your belly and your eyes—a win-win!