Chongqing is a city that sparks the senses—its dramatic terrain, shimmering lights, and famously spicy food make it a perfect place to indulge in memorable dining experiences. While the city is renowned for its hot pot and vibrant street food, seeing Chongqing from the water or atop hilltop viewpoints adds an extra layer of excitement. Among the options, we particularly like the Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner for its combination of stunning nighttime views, culture, and a classic hot pot feast — the true taste of Chongqing. The tour’s highlight is crossing the Yangtze River by cable car, offering panoramic cityscapes, and ending with a local hot pot dinner, a must-do for food lovers wanting to experience authentic local flavors.
If you’re after something more futuristic, the Chongqing Cyberpunk City Night Tour Including Dinner showcases the city’s high-tech vibe and illuminated skyline from multiple angles, including a river cruise and a trendy riverside area. For travelers looking for culture, the Qingyu Banquet Experience with Show and Dinner offers a traditional Bayu feast paired with a lively dance and music performance. Each of these experiences provides a different perspective on Chongqing’s dynamic scene, making the city as much a visual feast as it is a culinary one.
1. Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner
At number one, we have the Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner, which stands out for its intimate experience of the city’s most iconic sights and food. This tour includes a private, air-conditioned vehicle, making it comfortable to hop between locations. The highlight is crossing the Yangtze River in a cable car, providing sweeping views of the city’s luminous skyline—a perfect photo opportunity and a memorable start.
The tour then moves to Hongya Cave, a site with over 2300 years of history, where you can enjoy the spectacular confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers at night. Your guide will walk you through lively streets like Zhiyan River bar street and Tiancheng Lane Bayu, immersing you in local culture. The evening concludes with a visit to a Hot Pot restaurant, where locals gather to enjoy their signature spicy flavors. This experience offers a combination of sightseeing, cultural insights, and a delicious meal—all packed into about 3-4 hours.
Bottom Line: This tour offers a personalized, comfortable way to see the illuminated city and taste Chongqing’s famous hot pot—perfect for travelers who want a relaxed, all-in-one evening.
2. Chongqing Cyberpunk City Night Tour Including Dinner
Number two on our list is the Chongqing Cyberpunk City Night Tour Including Dinner. This tour is tailored for those interested in Chongqing’s futuristic skyline and cutting-edge vibe, often dubbed the “8D city” because of its layered, three-dimensional urban landscape. It’s slightly longer, around 4-6 hours, and includes a variety of experiences that explore the city’s high-tech charm.
Your evening begins with a visit to the Jiefang Monument for a taste of authentic Chongqing cuisine, including the city’s beloved spicy hot pot. Afterwards, you’ll hop aboard a river cruise along the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, where illuminated skyscrapers, bridges, and stilted houses create an impressive scene from the water. The cruise lasts about an hour and is a fantastic way to see the city’s architecture from a different angle. The tour continues with a stop at the World Trade Parking Lot, offering panoramic views of Chongqing’s sprawling landscape lit up at night, perfect for photos.
The final stop, Liujia Wharf, is a lively riverside spot packed with trendy restaurants and bars, ideal for soaking in the city’s vibrant nightlife. This tour is best suited for travelers who love modern urban sights and want a comprehensive, comfortable evening exploring Chongqing’s futuristic side.
Bottom Line: For those intrigued by Chongqing’s urban innovation, this tour combines scenic water views, cityscapes, and lively riverside spots—all with dinner included.
$140.00 per person
3. Chongqing: Qingyu Banquet Experience with Show and Dinner
The third option, Qingyu Banquet Experience with Show and Dinner, offers a taste of cultural tradition. Priced affordably at around $51 per person, this experience focuses on Bayu cuisine, a local flavor rooted in Chongqing’s southwestern China origins. The meal is a feast of traditional flavors with a touch of modern innovation, served in an elegant setting.
What sets this experience apart is the dinner show, where you can watch traditional Bayu dance and music performances while enjoying your meal. For an added touch, you’ll get to dress in ancient costumes with help from professional makeup artists, making it a fun, immersive cultural moment. This experience is less about sightseeing and more about engaging with Chongqing’s cultural identity through food and entertainment. It’s ideal for travelers who want a relaxing evening that combines a good meal with a cultural show.
While the reviews aren’t specified, the value lies in its accessibility and authentic flavor profile, making it a good choice for budget-conscious travelers or those interested in local traditions.
Bottom Line: Perfect for culture lovers and those seeking a relaxed evening with traditional music, dance, and regional cuisine.
$51 per person
How to Choose
When deciding between these three experiences, consider your interests, budget, and time. If you want a luxurious, comprehensive night tour with stunning city views and local hot pot, the Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner is ideal. It’s perfect for first-time visitors who want an all-in-one experience.
If you’re after a futuristic vibe and modern waterside scenes, the Cyberpunk City Night Tour offers a longer, more immersive exploration of Chongqing’s innovative side, complete with river cruises and nightlife.
For those on a budget or interested in local culture, the Qingyu Banquet provides an authentic, relaxed way to enjoy regional flavors, dance, and music without breaking the bank.
In each case, booking early is recommended, especially during peak travel seasons. Think about your personal style—whether you prefer scenic, cultural, or modern—and pick the experience that suits your tastes best.
Final thoughts
Chongqing’s diverse dining scenes—from illuminated night views and spicy hot pots to futuristic river cruises and traditional banquets—offer something for every traveler. For a memorable start, the hot pot tour gives a perfect mix of sightseeing and local flavors, while the cyberpunk cruise offers a modern, high-tech perspective. Culture seekers will appreciate the enchanting Qingyu Banquet experience, combining regional food with lively entertainment.
Whatever your choice, these experiences are best booked in advance to ensure a smooth, enjoyable evening. Chongqing’s vibrant nights and delicious flavors await—dive in and enjoy every moment.