Chaotian Gate (朝天门) is situated at the confluence of the Yangtze River and Jialing River in the northeast of Chongqing. During the early Ming Dynasty, the city of Chongqing underwent expansion under the leadership of Dai Ding, who constructed 17 city gates based on the principles of the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams. Among these, Chaotian Gate is the largest. The gate was originally inscribed with the four prominent characters “古渝雄关” (Ancient Chongqing Heroic Pass). It earned its name because it served as the place where imperial edicts were received from various dynasties.
In 1891, Chongqing was designated as a commercial port, and the customs office was established at Chaotian Gate. However, in 1927, the original city gate was removed to facilitate the construction of the Chaotian Gate Wharf. A significant fire in 1949, known as the “September Second Fire,” devastated an area of about 2,000 meters around Chaotian Gate, leaving only the base walls of the gate standing.
Today, the Chaotian Gate Passenger Terminal, along with the newly constructed and grand Chaotian Gate Square, offers an exceptional vantage point for overlooking the convergence of the two rivers and enjoying the scenic beauty along the riverbanks.
Travel Information about Chaotian Gate Area
Ticket Information and Opening Hours
Admission Fee: Free. The Chongqing Urban Planning Exhibition Hall charges 5 RMB.
Opening Hours: Open all day. The Chongqing Urban Planning Exhibition Hall is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM). Closed on Mondays.
Access and Transportation
Location: At the confluence of the Jialing River and the Yangtze River in the Yuzhong District of Chongqing.
Transportation: Take Metro Line 1 and get off at Xiaoshizi Station, then walk to the site.
Attraction Ratings
- Features: ★★★★★
- Cultural Significance: ★★★★★
- Leisure: ★★★★
- Beauty: ★★★★
- Romance: ★★
- Excitement: ★
Highlights of Chaotian Gate Area
Chaotian Gate Square
Chaotian Gate Square is located next to the Chaotian Gate Pier in Chongqing. The square consists of four main areas: a viewing platform, a riverside stairway, a transportation area, and surrounding facilities, covering an area of 80,000 square meters and accommodating up to 270 vehicles.
The main viewing platform has a construction area of 60,000 square meters and stands 21.8 meters tall, featuring four cascading levels. The top-level plaza spans 17,000 square meters, making it the largest rooftop public square in China. The lowest level of the square has three “gate openings,” allowing direct access to the top of the viewing platform at Chaotian Gate.
The riverside stairway, extending 700 meters, features 128 steps and is paved with 80,000 concrete bricks. The entire stairway has a fan-shaped design along the river, complementing the grandeur of the square.
Chaotian Gate Pier
Chaotian Gate Pier is located at a crucial juncture of the golden waterway, making it one of Chongqing’s main transportation hubs. After 1949, the pier underwent continuous expansions, stretching along both rivers. The passenger terminal rose dramatically, while separate cargo and passenger cable cars provided direct access to the riverbank. The Yangtze River Cableway soars above, weaving between the two banks, while passenger boats and cargo ships fill the river, creating a vibrant scene of both stillness and movement. The prosperity of Chongqing is notably reflected in this waterway gateway – Chaotian Gate.
As the largest water terminal in Chongqing, Chaotian Gate Pier serves as a hub for the two rivers. Historically, the river was dotted with sails and bustling with boats, with piers densely packed along the banks. The area outside the pier features many streets and alleys, characterized by shanties and stilt houses, contributing to its lively atmosphere and flourishing commerce. Inside, the streets are intricately laid out, with transportation options readily available in all directions. Today, this area remains one of the most vibrant commercial wholesale and retail districts in the city.
Night Cruise:
Experience the enchanting night view of Chongqing from a cruise boat. As you enjoy the gentle breeze of the river, your eyes will be drawn to the vibrant Longbin Road and Jiabin Road, which wrap around the city like a magnificent belt. The colorful lights reflect on the water, creating a dazzling spectacle, while the thousands of lights along the riverbanks twinkle like stars in the night sky. The varying heights of the buildings, illuminated by the lights, create a harmonious and picturesque scene, showcasing the breathtaking sea of lights across the mountain city.
Cruises depart from Chaotian Gate Pier daily between 7:30 PM and 10:20 PM, with boats leaving approximately every 35 minutes. Boarding requires real-name registration, so be sure to bring a valid ID when collecting your tickets. The tickets are valid for a series of cruises, categorized into two groups: the Chaotian Series (which includes the Chaotian Gate and Chaotian Palace boats) and the Jinbi Series (which includes the Jinbi Palace and Jinbi Queen boats). The cruise lasts about 45 minutes. To ride a specific series, simply wait at the designated pier for the boat to arrive.
Chongqing Urban Planning Exhibition Hall
The Chongqing Urban Planning Exhibition Hall is located near Chaotian Gate Square. Utilizing high-tech methods, it showcases the past, present, and future of Chongqing to both residents and visitors, making it one of the largest urban planning exhibition halls in China.
Opened in October 2005, the exhibition hall underwent a comprehensive update in 2015. The main exhibition area was condensed from two floors to one, featuring twelve themed halls. These include: Entrance Hall, Main Model Hall, Five Major Functional Areas Development Strategy Hall, Urban and Town System Hall, Main Urban Area Hall, Recent Construction Hall, Inland Open High Ground and Two Rivers New Area Hall, Metropolitan Area Hall, Northeast Chongqing Hall, Southeast Chongqing Hall, Historical Context Hall, and Beautiful Mountain and Water City Hall.
Features of the Exhibition Hall:
- Free Guided Tours: The hall offers four free guided tours daily at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 4:00 PM.
- Light Rail Experience: Within the exhibition hall, there is a 1:1 scale model of a subway carriage, designed based on the Jiao Chang Kou subway station. Visitors can step inside the carriage and enjoy scenic views along the subway lines (Lines 2 and 3) from the driver’s perspective through a video display.
- Three Gorges Micro Film: An interactive area features a body-sensing capture system. When visitors place their palms close to a large screen displaying the Yangtze River Three Gorges, various promotional videos, documentaries, and film clips related to the Three Gorges will pop up based on the hand’s position.
- Beautiful Mountain and Water Image Experience: In the Beautiful Mountain and Water City Hall, a 10-meter-long screen combines actual scenic displays with video content. As dynamic films play, visitors can participate by waving their hands to light up caves, make peach blossoms bloom, and illuminate sky lanterns against the backdrop of the two rivers at night.
Chongqing Museum of Historical Figures
The Chongqing Museum of Historical Figures covers an area of approximately 3,757 square meters. The exhibition hall consists of several sections, including “Famous Figures in the Stars,” “Prologue,” “Chronicles of Heroes,” “Chronicles of Time and Change,” “Anti-Japanese War Flames,” “Struggles of Fate,” and “Chongqing Moving Forward.” It also features a holographic cinema dedicated to the “Battle of Diaoyu City” and a materials screening hall for “Memories of the Wartime Capital.”
The museum showcases over 200 historical figures, employing a variety of artistic expressions such as sculptures, oil paintings, prints, and multimedia films. These methods vividly illustrate the life stories of these notable individuals and the historical changes and events that have shaped Chongqing over the past 3,000 years.
Chaotianmen Bridge
Chaotianmen Bridge, located at the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Jialing River, is an iconic structure in Chongqing. Despite its name, the bridge is situated 1.7 kilometers away from the famous Chaotianmen area, specifically at the Gaolanxi Qingcaoping.
The bridge stretches a total length of 1,741 meters and features a dual-level design for both road and rail traffic. The upper deck consists of a six-lane roadway, while the lower deck accommodates a double-track light rail system in the center, flanked by two lanes for one-way vehicular traffic on either side.
Notably, the bridge boasts a main span of 552 meters, surpassing the main span of the globally renowned Sydney Harbour Bridge, earning it the title of “the world’s first arch bridge.” Today, Chaotianmen Bridge stands as a significant landmark in Chongqing, symbolizing the city’s rapid development and modern infrastructure.
Visitor Guide for Chaotian Gate Area
Local Delicacies around Chaotian Gate
- Eyeglass Noodle (眼镜小面)
Located in the Qiansimen area near Chaotianmen, Eyeglass Noodle is a well-known noodle shop. The menu features a variety of noodle dishes, including Xiaomian (小面) (a type of Chongqing noodle), Pea Noodles (豌豆面), Fried Sauce Noodles (炸酱面), Pea Mixed Noodles (豌杂面), Beef Noodles (牛肉面), and Beef Offal Noodles (牛杂面). The Pea Mixed Noodles and Beef Offal Noodles are the restaurant’s specialties and are highly recommended.
Address: No. 15, Chaoqian Road, Yuzhong District (渝中区朝千路15号). - Li Bandeng Noodle (李板凳面 )
Li Bandeng Noodle is renowned for being one of the best places to enjoy Chongqing Xiaomian. The small shop often fills up quickly, and during peak hours, you might find yourself sitting on the stairs or standing by the roadside to enjoy your meal. The Pea Mixed Noodles (豌杂面) are a must-try, featuring rich sauce paired with perfectly cooked peas, delivering a deliciously spicy and savory experience.
Address: No. 41, Chaoqian Road, Yuzhong District (渝中区朝千路41号). - Jiujiu Douhua Restaurant (九九豆花馆)
This small restaurant has been operating for over thirty years. All dishes are served in uniform earthenware bowls, offering a variety of meat and vegetarian options at reasonable prices. The signature dish, Douhua (豆花) (tofu pudding), is incredibly tender and delicate, complemented by the chef’s special seasoning. Other dishes, such as Braised Eggplant (茄子) and Soybeans with Fatty Intestines (黄豆烧肥肠), are also worth trying.
Address: No. 5, Xinhua Road, Dao Men 09, Yuzhong District (渝中区新华路道门09号附5号).
Chaotianmen Clothing Market (朝天门服装市场)
Located at the southeastern end of Yuzhong District, where the Yangtze River meets the Jialing River, the Chaotianmen Wholesale Market features a unique layout of five streets running vertically and seven alleys running horizontally, interconnected by roads, bridges, and buildings.
This market is the largest wholesale market for daily-use industrial products in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. The goods primarily focus on mid- to low-end products, and the market’s operational model is gradually shifting from a mixed retail and wholesale approach to a predominantly wholesale focus.