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Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street: A Must-Visit Destination in Chongqing with Essential Tips

2025-07-12T10:22:44.736-04:00

Hey everyone! If you're planning a trip to Chongqing, you absolutely have to put Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street on your must-visit list! Some people say, "Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street is the heart of Chongqing," and honestly, they're not exaggerating at all. From the vibrant food street filled with local snacks to the bustling fashion landmarks, every inch of this place tells you a story about Chongqing. Whether you're into history or modern trends, this place has it all, and every photo you take looks like a movie scene.

I recently visited Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, and I was literally screaming with excitement the whole time! As someone who's been to Chongqing a few times, this has always been a spot I take my friends to. Next up, I'm going to share my personal experiences and tips about the charm of Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street in detail!


The Collision of History and Modernity: Cultural Memories at Jiefangbei

Jiefangbei isn't just a landmark; it's the only monument in the nation commemorating the victory in the War of Resistance. Standing at the base of Jiefangbei, I suddenly felt this overwhelming respect. The most striking part of the monument for me was the name "Jiefangbei" beautifully written by Liu Bocheng. The weight of those three characters is just mind-blowing.

Even though now Jiefangbei is surrounded by shopping malls and lights, it used to be a silent witness to history. They say it used to be called "War of Resistance Monument" before it was changed to "People's Liberation Monument." Isn't that super historical? And this monument quietly stands at the center of the pedestrian street, watching over Chongqing's past, present, and future. It's a great spot for photos, especially in the morning when there are fewer people, and the sunlight shines down, illuminating the monument and the street beautifully.


Every Moment of Shopping Is a Blissful Delirium

When you stroll along Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, you absolutely need to check out a few big shopping malls nearby. Not only do you have 重庆百货 (Chongqing Department Store), known as "Chongbai" by locals, but there’s also Wangfujing Department Store and Times Square. International brands and local trendy labels all come together, and honestly, your legs might get tired from all the shopping. If you're on a budget, I'd recommend comparing prices before buying anything. Especially during sale events, you can score some great items.

Even though I'm not a huge shopping fanatic, I can't help but pick up a few things every time I'm at Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street. Walking along the street, everywhere you look has beautifully displayed products, plus you often hear street music or brand promotions, creating the perfect shopping atmosphere. And many of Chongqing's trendy apparel really captures the mountain city vibe, so if you're looking for souvenirs, don’t miss out.


A Foodie's Paradise: Get Your Happiness for 20 Yuan

Let me tell you, the food at Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street is seriously “the treasure among treasures.” Walk just a bit from the pedestrian street to 八一路 (Bayi Road), and you'll hit the famous Snacking Street in Chongqing, which is a must-visit for me every time! In simple terms, Bayi Road is a total food paradise packed with the flavors of local life; you can find almost every must-try snack from Chongqing here.

This time, I had chicken dumplings from Wu Chaotou, which were crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside—pure satisfaction in every bite. I also devoured a bunch of spicy skewers for just 30 yuan, and let me tell you, the taste was on point—spicy yet fragrant! Plus, the Chongqing sour and spicy noodles and mountain city glutinous rice balls at the snack street are incredibly local. One of my funniest experiences was waiting in a long line for several bowls of sour and spicy noodles and casually licking the leftover chili oil off my lips because it was just that delicious!

Pro Tip: If you're heading to Bayi Road Snacking Street, be sure to bring cash since some small shops might not support mobile payments right now. A bottle of brown sugar iced jelly to cool off the spice is a summer delight you won’t want to miss!


Nighttime Is the Most Beautiful Moment Here

I loved this place during the day, but Jiefangbei truly captured my heart at night. As the sun sets, the city lights and the warm glow from the tall buildings create such a romantic mountain city vibe. Here’s the highlight! You have to stick around Jiefangbei during the evening, so you can enjoy the lively daytime crowd and not miss out on the magical night-time moment when the lights twinkle like stars.

The square surrounding Jiefangbei looks especially enchanting at night, with every angle you look up proving stunning. My friend took several photos of the night view, and it really felt like stepping into a movie!


Getting There & Transportation Tips

Transportation can seriously impact a travel experience, but getting to Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street is super convenient. Just take the light rail lines 1 or 6 and get off at "Xiaoshizi Station," and you'll be right at Jiefangbei. If you're unsure about the route, just follow the crowd; you definitely won't get lost, since this area is a major hub.

Nearby, you also have the famous Hongya Cave and the Yangtze River Cableway. Don’t worry about getting bored; you can easily plan for a "one-stop mountain city tour." For example, after checking out the pedestrian street, you could head to Hongya Cave for a coffee—it's not too pricey, and you can enjoy stunning views of the Jialing River. Or in the evening, find a good spot to take the cableway for amazing views paired with the Jiefangbei night scene, and you’ll end up with some gorgeous shots!


Tips: Do Your Homework for a Beautiful and Comfortable Trip

Lastly, here are some tips I've gathered from practical experience:

Checking out Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street is super easy. If you're planning a laid-back and fun trip to Chongqing, make sure you don’t miss this spot!