Chengdu and Chongqing are 65 minutes apart by train. The Chongqing Metro connects Chongqing North station to the city center. They feel like different countries. Chengdu is flat, laid-back, full of tea houses and panda references. Chongqing is vertical, loud, stacked on cliffs above two rivers, and produces the most aggressively spiced food in China. On a day trip from Chengdu you can experience one of the most dramatic urban landscapes in Asia and be back for a Sichuan hotpot dinner the same evening. Full rail context: China High-Speed Rail Guide.
Key Takeaways
- 65 to 80 minutes on G-train. ¥112 to ¥134 second class.
- Departs Chengdu East (metro Line 2/7). Arrives Chongqing North.
- Frequent departures. Trains every 15 to 30 minutes. No need to book far ahead.
- Compare with driving: the road between cities takes 3 to 4 hours. Train wins easily.
- What to see in Chongqing: Hongyadong, the Yangtze cableway, Jiefangbei area.
- Book on Trip.com or 12306: 12306 guide.
Timetable
| Train | Departs Chengdu East | Arrives Chongqing North | Duration |
| G8502 | 07:22 | 08:27 | 1h 05m |
| G8502 | 08:00 | 09:05 | 1h 05m |
| G8508 | 09:30 | 10:37 | 1h 07m |
| G8514 | 11:00 | 12:05 | 1h 05m |
| G8520 | 13:30 | 14:37 | 1h 07m |
| G8528 | 16:00 | 17:05 | 1h 05m |
| G8534 | 18:00 | 19:05 | 1h 05m |
More than 30 trains run this route daily in each direction. No need to book more than a day or two ahead for most travel. Exception: Chinese national holidays.
From Chongqing North to the City
Chongqing North station is on metro Lines 3 and 10. For Jiefangbei (the central business district and main sightseeing area), take Line 6 from Chongqing North directly. About 25 minutes. For Hongyadong (the stacked riverside complex), Jiefangbei is the nearest station. Chongqing’s metro system is modern and reliable. The {ext(‘https://www.cqmetro.cn’, ‘Chongqing Metro’)} operates until midnight.
What to See in a Day
Hongyadong (洪崖洞)
An 11-storey complex of traditional-style architecture built into a riverside cliff. The night view from across the river is the most photographed scene in Chongqing. Arrive at sunset. The building fills with food stalls, restaurants, and shops. The outside view from the pedestrian bridge over the Jialing River is free.
Yangtze River cableway (长江索道)
A commuter gondola that crosses the Yangtze River between Xinhua Road and Haianguo Road stations. One of the few remaining urban cable cars in China. ¥10 each way. The view of the city rising from both riverbanks is extraordinary.
Jiefangbei area
The pedestrian commercial center. Most notable for the enormous Liberation Monument at its center and the dense urban energy around it. The Raffles City mall here has a dramatic glass bridge between its two towers that is open to the public for a fee.
The food
Chongqing hotpot is not the same as Sichuan hotpot despite being geographically adjacent. It is spicier, oilier, and uses more tallow in the broth. Xiaolong (小龙) is the classic local experience: a broth at the table, raw ingredients chosen from a trolley, cooked at your seat. For context on eating in Chongqing: {url(‘chinese-food-guide’, ‘Ultimate Chinese Food Guide’)}.
Getting Back
Return trains from Chongqing North to Chengdu East run until around 9:30 PM. Same frequency as the outbound direction. No need to book return in advance. Buy at Chongqing North station on your return or book same-day on 12306.
Frequently Asked Questions
For full China rail booking: China High-Speed Rail Guide. For comparing Chengdu and Chongqing: Chongqing vs Chengdu.