Located in Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China, Chaotianmen stands at the confluence of the Yangtze River and Jialing River. As one of the seventeen ancient city gates of Chongqing, it is a key portal among the nine riverside gates and the largest waterway passenger terminal in Chongqing, serving as a hub for the two rivers. The Chaotianmen Square has 4 floors, covering an area of 37,000 square meters, with a top-level viewing square of 15,117 square meters. A 25-square-meter "zero-kilometer" marker at the center of the square symbolizes the starting point of Chongqing's highway network. As a landmark of Yuzhong Peninsula, its unique geographical position has earned it the reputation of "Golden Triangle," making it a core urban area integrating culture, landscape, and transportation.
History and Culture
Chaotianmen derives its name from the historical practice of officials receiving imperial edicts here, making it the largest gate among Chongqing's seventeen gates (nine open and eight closed). When building the city in the Ming Dynasty, Dai Ding followed the imagery of the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams to establish the gates; Chaotianmen was named for facing Nanjing, the capital at the time. Historically, it served as a transportation hub and core commercial area, with docks and land posts outside the gate witnessing the prosperity of ancient water and land transport. During the 2015-2016 archaeological excavation of the city wall ruins from Xishuimen to Chaotianmen, various historical wall remains and cultural relics were discovered, confirming its significance as a hub for docking, commerce, and water transport. In May 2016, Chaotianmen was selected as one of the "Top Ten Cultural Symbols of Chongqing," becoming an important symbol of the city's history and culture.
Main Attractions
Chaotianmen Square
Covering 37,000 square meters, Chaotianmen Square is shaped like a giant sailing ship, known as Chongqing's "Titanic." The "zero-kilometer" marker at its center symbolizes the starting point of Chongqing's highways. A marble monument on the square features inscriptions of Chaotianmen Square on the south side and Chongqing Chaotianmen Square Chronicles, Chongqing Old City Map, and Ode to Chongqing Chaotianmen Square on the north side. The middle floors house the Chongqing Urban Planning Exhibition Hall and Chongqing Historical Celebrities Hall, with the latter displaying 200 local and non-local historical figures, showcasing Chongqing's cultural heritage.
Raffles City
Designed by international architect Moshe Safdie, the eight towers of Raffles City stand along the river, resembling sails and symbolizing "Sailing Toward the Sky." The complex includes high-end residences, a shopping mall, office buildings, a five-star hotel, and serviced apartments. Its highlight is the "Crystal Corridor," a 300-meter-long skybridge connecting four towers on the 60th floor, offering visitors a 360° panoramic view of the rivers and mountains of Chongqing.
Chaotianmen Bridge
Also known as the Chaotianmen Yangtze River Bridge, it was built in December 2004 and opened to traffic in April 2009. Connecting Wulidian in Jiangbei District to Danzi Stone in Nan'an District, the bridge has a main body length of 1,741 meters. Upon completion, it was the world's largest span arch bridge and is praised as the "First Bridge at the Yangtze River Gateway of Mountain City," serving as a key transportation hub in Chongqing.
Chaotianmen Spiritual Stone
Also known as the Fengnian Stele, Yongxi Stele, or Yixi Stele, this stone is hidden on the rock bed beneath the Jialing River at Chaotianmen, only visible during extreme low water levels. As a historical relic, it carries memories of ancient hydrological observations and folk culture, serving as important physical evidence for studying Chongqing's river history.
Cuisine
Chongqing Hot Pot
Near Chaotianmen, several time-honored hot pot restaurants offer dishes featuring a base of beef tallow blended with chili, Sichuan pepper, and other spices, creating a uniquely spicy and savory flavor. Classic ingredients include tripe, duck intestines, and aorta, which become crispy after boiling. Paired with a sesame oil dip to reduce spiciness, it is a must-try for experiencing Chongqing's food culture.
Chongqing Small Noodles
A characteristic Chongqing noodle dish, it uses alkaline water noodles as the base, with a soup base boiled from pork bones and chicken frames, mixed with chili oil, Sichuan pepper, and soy sauce for a rich, spicy flavor. Toppings include scallions, coriander, pickled mustard, and sprouts, with optional additions like beef, intestines, or chicken offal. With an average cost of 10-15 RMB, it is a classic street breakfast.
Hot and Sour Noodles
This traditional snack features sweet potato noodles paired with bean sprouts, celery, and soybeans, topped with a tangy and spicy soup made from vinegar, chili, and Sichuan pepper. Sold at snack stalls and restaurants around Chaotianmen, it costs about 8-12 RMB per bowl and is a perfect snack for sightseeing.
Yundou Cake
A traditional pastry hidden in the alleys of Chaodong Road, it is baked in a special copper mold, resulting in a crispy exterior and soft interior with a rich rice aroma. Sold at 1 RMB per piece, its slightly sweet and non-greasy taste carries the memories of old Chongqing, recommended as a breakfast or afternoon snack.
Tickets
Chaotianmen Square and surrounding outdoor areas are free to visit. Separate reservations or tickets may be required for indoor venues like the Chongqing Urban Planning Exhibition Hall and Chongqing Historical Celebrities Hall, with specific prices subject to venue announcements. Two-River cruise tickets must be purchased separately, with regular cruises costing approximately 100-150 RMB per person and luxury cruises 200-300 RMB per person, depending on demand.
Opening Hours
Chaotianmen Square is open 24 hours daily. The Chongqing Urban Planning Exhibition Hall is typically open from 9:00-17:00 (closed Mondays), and the Chongqing Historical Celebrities Hall from 9:00-18:00. The Raffles City shopping mall operates from 10:00-22:00, with the "Crystal Corridor" observation deck open from 10:00-21:00. Two-River cruise schedules vary by season: summer departures are mostly from 19:30-21:00, while winter departures are earlier at 18:30-20:00, subject to daily announcements.
Itinerary Recommendations
Morning: Arrive at Chaotianmen Square to visit the "zero-kilometer" marker and marble monument, then climb the viewing platform to overlook the spectacular "Jiamashui" (confluence of the two rivers); next, enter the Chongqing Urban Planning Exhibition Hall to learn about the city's development through sand tables and multimedia displays. Lunch: Taste Chongqing hot pot or small noodles at nearby restaurants. Afternoon: Walk to Raffles City to explore the shopping mall and climb the "Crystal Corridor" observation deck for a panoramic view of the mountain city; then visit the Chaotianmen Bridge viewing platform to photograph the bridge and river scenery. Evening: Take a Two-River cruise at the dock, a roughly 1-hour journey to admire night landmarks like Hongya Cave and Qiansimen Bridge, and experience the charm of Chongqing's "city that never sleeps."
Transportation
- Metro: Take Line 1 or Line 6 to Xiaoshizi Station, exit from Gate 5, and walk about 800 meters (10 minutes) to reach the square.
- Bus: Take routes 466, 0492, 866, etc., to Chaotianmen Bus Station, or routes 382, 414 to Chaotianmen Square Station.
- Self-driving: Navigate to "Chaotianmen Square." Surrounding parking lots include Raffles City Parking and Changbin Road Parking, with limited spaces on weekdays; it is recommended to arrive before 10:00.
- Walking/Cycling: Walk about 1.5 kilometers (20 minutes) from Jiefangbei along Minzu Road, passing through historical blocks like Shancheng Lane.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Chaotianmen Square: A landmark of Chongqing and the best viewing spot for the confluence of the two rivers. The "zero-kilometer" marker and square architecture are highly symbolic, ideal for photo-taking and learning about the city's history.
- Raffles Crystal Corridor: A 300-meter-high observation deck offering 360° views of Yuzhong Peninsula, Nanshan, and the river channels. Visit during sunny mornings (10-12 AM) or evenings (5-7 PM) for soft lighting, with tickets priced at approximately 180 RMB per person.
- Two-River Night Cruise: Sail through the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers to closely admire night views of Hongya Cave and Huguang Guild Hall. Regular tickets include commentary; choose the 19:30-20:30 departure to experience the stunning "Chongqing night view, second to none."
Travel Tips
- Best Seasons: Spring and autumn (March-May, September-November) offer mild weather. Summer (June-August) is hot and rainy, requiring sun protection and rain gear; winter (December-February) brings strong river winds, so wear a down jacket.
- Avoid Crowds: Visit indoor venues on weekdays to avoid weekend and holiday crowds. Arrive at the dock 1 hour early in the evening to purchase tickets and choose seats.
- Viewing Tips: For the Raffles "Crystal Corridor," opt for sunny mornings or evenings for optimal photography lighting. On cruises, select seats on the right side of the second deck for better views.
- Cultural Experience: Download the "Chongqing Historical Celebrities Hall" app in advance to scan QR codes for exhibit explanations and deeply explore Bayu culture.
Notes
- Safety: The riverfront guardrails are low; do not climb over or approach fast-flowing areas. Follow staff instructions on cruises and avoid chasing or playing on deck.
- Civilized Tourism: Smoking and spitting are prohibited in the square and exhibition halls. Protect cultural relics and do not touch public facilities like the "zero-kilometer" marker.
- Ticket Information: Purchase Two-River cruise tickets through the official WeChat account of "Chongqing Jiaoyun Group" to avoid scalpers. Check weather forecasts before traveling, as cruises may be suspended in rainy conditions.
- Traffic: Changbin Road is prone to congestion on weekends from 11:00-16:00; prefer public transportation. Allow extra time for transfers at Xiaoshizi Metro Station due to high passenger flow.