Livin’ in The Chonx

Nan Shan Zhi Wu Yuan 南山植物园
•    Admission 20 RMB

This vast park is actually three or four gardens connected together including an orchid garden, a rose garden, and a camellia garden.   Currently construction is also underway for an exhibition greenhouse in the center of the park, which will house several nationally protected plants like the tallest tropical plant (over 40 meters).  The park changes with every season, but it is definitely at its brightest in the spring—end of March through April.  That is also the time when all the brides and grooms come out of the woodwork to get their wedding photos done in the park, which can be quite a sight in itself.

Bus Tip: 南山公园 or 南坪东路 and change buses

Alternate route: Take the Yangtze River cableway across the river and then taxi up the mountain.

Tu Shan Si 涂山寺
•    Admission 5 RMB

One of the oldest temples in Chongqing.  According to a few sources it dates back to the Western Han dynasty.

Bus Tip: 南山泉水鸡一条街 + a short walk, or 南坪东路 and change buses
Alternate route: Take the Yangtze River cableway across the river and then taxi up the mountain.

Yi Ke Shu 一棵树
•    Admission 20 RMB

On the way up to the top of Nanshan you will pass this lookout point.  Standing upon this platform you have a panoramic view of the Yangtze River and the skyscrapers surrounding Jiefangbei across the river.  It is definitely one of the best lookouts from the mountain since the view is obscured by trees everywhere else.

Bus Tip: 一棵树(老君洞) or 南坪东路 and change buses
Alternate route: Take the Yangtze River cableway across the river and then taxi up the mountain.

Lao Jun Dong 老君洞
• Admission 5 RMB

Originally a Buddhist temple, but converted to a Taoist temple in 1951, this site is down the road from One Tree Hill and nestled away among the trees of Nanshan.

Bus Tip: 一棵树(老君洞) or 南坪东路 and change buses
Alternate route: Take the Yangtze River cableway across the river and then taxi up the mountain.

Yang Ren Jie 洋人街
•    Public Area—Free admission, no opening/closing hours

Located in the fairly remote area between Danzishi and the Yangtze River, this is one of those places you really just have to see for yourself.  It is a cluster of thematic oddities, shops, restaurants, and bars.  Going for a stroll through the area will take you past a crooked house, a Japanese village, a Korean neighborhood, a Western style riverwalk, horse drawn carriages, and even what appears to be a Communist Revolution section, complete with song and dance reenactments.  This also happens to be the location of the world record breaking restroom with more than 1,000 toilets.   See it to believe it.

Bus Tip: 南岸弹子石 another 2 km from here, or 工贸 + 20 RMB taxi

Ci Yun Si 慈云寺
•    Free Admission; 8am-6pm

Located at the foot of Shizi mountain (狮子山), this rather imposing temple looks out onto the Yangtze River.  One of the main attractions is the giant jade statue of Sakyamuni which is believed to have been moved from Burma.

Bus Tip: 市五医院(皮鞋城)
Alternate Route: Take the Yangtze River cableway across the river, then take a bus or taxi

Chongqing You Le Yuan 重庆游乐园
• Admission 10-15 RMB + additional 10-15 RMB/ride (according to Xinhua News it costs 100 RMB to ride all the rides); Hours 9am-5pm

Carnival style rides like bumper cars and twirly cars are scattered across the city, usually in parks, but sometimes also in less obvious places (the Cultural Palace for instance). However, this is the official place to get your carnival kicks. At night you can see the massive lit-up carousel from across the river. The rides go higher and faster than their counterparts across the city–think State Fair. Ride at your own risk, the last recorded fatal accident happened in June of 2006.

Bus Tip: 国际会展中心(南桥头) or 工贸