Chongqing Chaotianmen Pier: A Journey Through Millennium History and River-City Charm

Chaotianmen Pier, standing at the southeastern tip of Yuzhong Peninsula, is the iconic symbol of Chongqing. As the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, it is not only the starting point of the 3,000-year-old Jiangzhou City but also bears the heavy history of “Ancient Yuzhong Pass” and the vibrant energy of modern Chongqing. Standing in the square, you can witness the turquoise Jialing River merging with the brownish Yellow Yangtze River, forming a natural “hot pot” spectacle—a unique natural wonder that makes every visitor feel the deep connection between the mountain city and its rivers.

Historical Heritage: From “Receiving Emperors and Officials” to the New City Heart

The history of Chaotianmen dates back to 314 BC when Zhang Yi, a general of the Qin Dynasty, built Jiangzhou City, and this place became the core gateway. During the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, Commander Dai Ding built the Ancient City wall of Chongqing based on the “nine open and eight closed” concept of the nine palaces and eight trigrams. Chaotianmen, named for being the place where officials “received emperors and officials”, became the largest among the seventeen ancient city gates of Chongqing. In 1891, Chongqing opened as a port, and a customs office was established near Chaotianmen, making it the gateway for southwest products to the world and witnessing the city’s journey from closure to openness. During the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, it was a key hub for the Yichang Great Evacuation, where tens of thousands of strategic materials and refugees landed, safeguarding the lifeblood of national industry.

In 1998, the newly built Chaotianmen Square was completed. Its overall shape is like a giant sailboat setting sail, magnificent and spectacular, known as “Chongqing’s Titanic”. The “Zero Kilometer” marker stands in the center of the square, the starting point of Chongqing’s highway network. The bronze reliefs and glass curtain walls set off against each other, telling the millennial changes of the city. Today’s Chaotianmen combines the ancient charm of the remains of the Ming Dynasty city wall foundations with the modern edge of Raffles City’s “Sailing to the Sky”, perfectly integrating history and modernity.

Core Highlights: River Confluence Wonder and High-Altitude Feast

1. River Confluence Observation Deck

This is the most unmissable view of Chaotianmen. During the rainy season from May to September, the contrast between the clear and turbid river waters is most obvious before 8 a.m. The turquoise and brownish-yellow river waters are clearly divided, merging here to form the “clipped horse water” spectacle, surging eastward. Standing by the observation deck railing, watching the two rivers collide and spray, the river wind blowing in your face, you can truly feel the unique natural feast of Chongqing.

2. High-Altitude Experience at Raffles City Chongqing

Raffles City Chongqing, connected to Chaotianmen Square, is a modern landmark of Chongqing. The Skywalk Cloud Walk (198 RMB/person) at 250 meters above the ground offers a transparent suspended walkway. Brave visitors can enjoy a 360° panoramic view of the four banks of the two rivers, feeling the shock of “viewing the city from the clouds”. The Observation Deck of the Exploration Cabin (180 RMB/person) is surrounded by full glass curtain walls, where you can clearly watch the Yangtze River Cableway pass through the building. Taking pictures of the sunset interweaving with city lights at dusk is stunning.

3. Riverside Trail

The 2.4-kilometer Riverside Trail, completed at the end of 2025, connects three major landmarks: Chaotianmen, Hongyadong, and Huguang Guild Hall. Along the trail, there are many observation platforms for close-up appreciation of the river confluence. You can also see historical marks such as the “Ancient Yuzhong Pass” stone carvings and Song Dynasty city wall remains. The remains of the restored old Chaotianmen Cable Car evoke full of city memories. The trail is flat and easy to walk, with leisure seats and cultural and creative spaces along the way, suitable for walking, enjoying the scenery and taking photos.

4. Vintage Ferry and Two-River Cruise

One of the best ways to experience Chaotianmen is to take the ferry. For only 5 RMB, you can take the vintage green leather ferry (Chaotianmen → Danzi Stone), crossing the river in 30 minutes. Watching the stilted buildings and skyscrapers on both banks of the river is full of cinematic feeling. For night tours, the Two-River Cruise (starting from 148 RMB) is recommended. Sailing on the two rivers, the bright lights of Hongyadong, Qiansimen Bridge, and Raffles City unfold one by one, and the river wind interweaves with the lights, making you feel like you are in a dreamy galaxy.

Practical Guide: Transportation and Travel Tips

Transportation Guide

• Metro: Take Metro Line 1 or Line 6 to Xiaoshizi Station, exit 4A or 8, and walk 8-10 minutes to reach Chaotianmen Square.
• Bus: Take Bus 111, 114, 141, 382, etc., to “Chaotianmen Hub Station”, and walk to the square.
• Self-driving: Navigate to Exit 7 of the Parking lot of Raffles City Chongqing, which directly connects to Chaotianmen Square. It is recommended to travel during off-peak hours on holidays.

Recommended Travel Routes

1. Classic Half-Day Tour: Chaotianmen Square → River Confluence Observation Deck → Raffles City Exploration Cabin → Riverside Trail → Hongyadong Night View. You can check in the core landscapes in 2-3 hours.
2. In-Depth One-Day Tour: Chaotianmen Square → Remains of Ming Dynasty City Wall Foundations → Huguang Guild Hall (10-minute walk) → Baixiangju → Mountain City Trail. Immerse yourself in the history and local life of Chongqing.

Avoiding Pitfalls and Practical Tips

• The elevator queue at Hongyadong often exceeds 1 hour on holidays. You can go straight to the 11th floor via Kui Xinglou Pingceng → Dai Jia Lane Trail, saving 90% of time.
• Reject “10-yuan scalper tickets” for Two-River Tours on the roadside. Book in advance through official channels to avoid safety hazards and long queues.
• Best viewing time: around 19:00 in the evening from May to October. The sunset dyes the river red, and the night view is the most beautiful when the lights are on.
• The square and riverside trail are open to the public for free. High-altitude projects and cruises require separate tickets. It is recommended to book online in advance to save time.

Taste Experience: The River Pier Memory of Chongqing Flavor

Chaotianmen is surrounded by the most authentic Chongqing food, and you can enjoy a delicious meal with a per capita of 50 RMB.

• Ironed Rice Cakes: Look for 1 RMB/piece ironed rice cakes in the alleys of Chaodong Road. The rice cakes are crispy outside and waxy inside, with red bean paste flowing like lava, a childhood taste of old Chongqing.
• Jiuyuan Buns: The braised pork buns with oil tea at the Raffles City store unlock the old Chongqing breakfast CP with 10 RMB, super salty and fragrant.
• Hao You Lai Spicy and Sour Noodles: Mixed sauce spicy and sour noodles with rose ice powder, three hits of spicy, sour, sweet and salty. A set of 15 RMB can experience the soul of Chongqing snacks.
• Yuwei Xiaoyu Hot Pot: The authentic butter hot pot with fresh tripe, paired with river pier tofu flower rice, feels the spiciness and freshness of Chongqing hot pot.

Nearby Check-Ins: Unlock More Chongqing Customs

• Huguang Guild Hall: A 10-minute walk away. This largest existing ancient guild hall complex in China is a testimony to the immigration movement of “Huguang filling Sichuan”. Between the yellow walls and black tiles, you can listen to Sichuan opera, and scan the code to listen to the immigration history for free.
• Yangtze River Cableway: Reach it by taxi for 8 minutes from Chaotianmen. Take the cableway across the Yangtze River to enjoy a panoramic view of Yuzhong Peninsula and the two rivers. It is a must-choice project to experience Chongqing’s “air corridor”.
• Baixiangju: A free check-in spot. In the old residential building, you can take the classic picture of the Yangtze River Cableway passing through the building, and also feel the local life of old Chongqing.

Chaotianmen is the cover of Chongqing and a microcosm of the mountain city spirit. Here, you can not only touch the historical temperature of the millennium pier but also feel the vitality of the modern city; you can appreciate the natural wonder of the two rivers converging and taste the spicy and fresh flavor of Chongqing. Whether walking alone on the riverside trail or taking a cruise with friends to enjoy the night view, Chaotianmen can give you a unique Chongqing experience.