Practical Tips

As one of China's "three furnace cities" Chongqing broils all summer with temperatures reaching the high 40°C's. Although the winters rarely get very cold, the fog can be quite heavy at times. Spring is comfortable; it's also when the orange blossoms bloom. Autumn, when the oranges are ripe, create a riot of colors along the riverbanks. The best time for travel is from March to June and from September to November. It's usually 6°C during winter and there's no snow, which makes it a good time to visit. Chongqing's only real tourist area is down by the dock where touts sell maps and offer guided tours or cruise tickets. Although they can be aggressive, they won't follow you for long. The porters or "bang bangs" carry things from the docks to the ships and are notorious for aggressive behavior. Be sure to set a clear price before they pick up your bags, RMB 5 per piece of luggage is more than enough.