Chongqing TripsFOR TRAVELLERS

Streets and old quarters

Ciqikou Ancient Town

磁器口古镇

Also known as Ciqikou Old Town

A preserved riverside trading town on the west side of the city, now given over almost entirely to narrow shopping lanes and food stalls.

Walking difficulty: ModerateSome stairsShapingba & Ciqikou
By Chongqing Trips teamLast updated 1 Oct 2026
Planning guidance
Traditional teahouses and red lanterns at Ciqikou

Why visit

It is the most complete surviving old street fabric in the Chongqing area, and the food is genuine even where the shops are not. Come early or on a weekday, and walk past the main lane into the side alleys.

Terrain warning

The main lane is stepped in places and narrow. Side alleys are steeper and often have no handrail.

What to expect

This is the most crowded of Chongqing's old streets on weekends. Before about 09:30 the main lane is walkable; by midday it is not.

The main lane is stepped in places and narrow. Side alleys are steeper and often have no handrail.

The wider Shapingba & Ciqikou area behaves like this: Ciqikou itself is stepped and narrow. The surrounding Shapingba streets are comparatively flat and easy.

Best time to visit

  • Morning
  • Afternoon

This is the most crowded of Chongqing's old streets on weekends. Before about 09:30 the main lane is walkable; by midday it is not.

How long to allow

Between 1 hr 30 min and 3 hr, depending on how much you stop. The planner uses 1 hr 30 min as a minimum.

How to get there

Nearest metro

Ciqikou磁器口(Line 1)

The station is close to the main entrance, which makes this one of the easier old towns to reach without a taxi.

Walking the last stretch

The main lane is stepped in places and narrow. Side alleys are steeper and often have no handrail.

Why this matters in Chongqing

Show this to a taxi driver

磁器口古镇

重庆市沙坪坝区磁器口古镇

Ciqikou Ancient Town

What to combine with this

Compare the route and entrance level before combining nearby places. Doing them together is the difference between a day of travel and a day of sightseeing.

  • Trees and shopping buildings around Guanyinqiao pedestrian square

    Food Area

    Guanyinqiao

    观音桥

    The main commercial and eating district of the north bank, with the city's largest concentration of everyday restaurants and street food.

    Best time
    Afternoon, Evening
    Allow
    3 hr
    EasyConfirm practical details
  • Stepped courtyards and tiled roofs at Danzishi Old Street

    Street

    Danzishi Old Street

    弹子石老街

    A rebuilt hillside street on the south bank where the two rivers converge, arranged as a stepped run of courtyards above the water.

    Best time
    Afternoon, Sunset
    Allow
    2 hr
    ModerateConfirm practical details
  • Chongqing skyline and river seen from Eling Park, near the Eling neighbourhood
    Eling Park · nearby skyline

    Street

    Eling Second Factory

    鹅岭二厂

    A printing factory converted into a small hillside district of studios, cafes and rooftop terraces, sitting just below Eling Park.

    Best time
    Afternoon, Sunset
    Allow
    2 hr
    ModerateConfirm practical details

Suggested next stop

  1. GuanyinqiaoAfternoon
  2. Danzishi Old StreetAfternoon
  3. Eling Second FactoryAfternoon

Practical information

Operational details

Luggage friendly
No — leave bags at your hotel
Step-free access
No — stairs are unavoidable on the main route
Chinese address
重庆市沙坪坝区磁器口古镇

Opening hours, ticket prices and reservation rules for this place have not been verified by our editors, so they are not shown. That is deliberate — a confident wrong opening time costs you a wasted morning. Check the official listing before you go, and treat the timing advice above as a sequence rather than a schedule.

Nearby

On these itineraries

Before you go

Last checked:
1 Oct 2026

Check current opening, booking and access arrangements with the venue before your visit.

About this information

Terrain, timing and sequencing for this place have been reviewed editorially. Operational detail has not.

    Plan