Chongqing Day 2: Pandas, Ciqikou, Luohan Temple & Hotpot with a Skyline View at Huangyuming BBQ
5 September 2026
Day 2 started with just the two of us, before our third friend joined us later in the day. We had pandas, souvenir shopping, hotpot and a beautiful temple on the itinerary, followed by a café break overlooking its tiled roofs. To end the evening, we headed uphill for barbecue with sunset views and live music. Quite a full day ahead!
CHONGQING ZOO (重庆动物园)
I started Day 2 with a visit to Chongqing Zoo (重庆动物园), together with the first friend I met up with on Day 1 evening! We left SEYA at 8 am, hoping to catch the pandas while they were up and about in the morning, before they settled down for a snooze.
There were so many people livestreaming at the panda enclosures, it really felt like the pandas had their own fan clubs. A little tip from our visit: look out for the crowds! Whenever we spotted a group gathered around an enclosure, there was usually a panda doing something worth watching.
We were really lucky and managed to see lots of pandas, including the famous Yu Ke (渝可) and Yu Ai (渝爱). Yay! The pandas were super cute, especially the way their little bottoms swayed from side to side as they walked. Watching them in person was such a lovely way to start the day.
Hello, Yu Ai (渝爱)! So happy we got to visit this little celebrity at Chongqing Zoo.
Yu Ai just sitting around and munching on bamboo, being ridiculously cute.
The little bottom wobble as it walks! I cannot haha!
Even drinking water looks ridiculously cute when you’re a panda. Just look at this little sweetheart!
Taking it easy on a hammock. These pandas really know how to enjoy life.
Yu Ke’s (渝可) enclosure.
Kungfu panda Yu Ke (渝可) making his way down the wooden climbing frame. He's such a nimble and active little panda!
A very relaxed panda taking a snooze indoors. Doesn't it look like a panda rug?
Look at this panda falling asleep in an instant! So amusing!
A little café break inside Chongqing Zoo, with drinks topped with Yu Ai-shaped chocolates! You will also be able to see the pandas through the café's windows. The sandwich was packed for me by SEYA Hotel after they learnt I’d be heading out early and missing breakfast. Such a thoughtful touch, and it was really, really yummy!
There’s also a souvenir shop inside the zoo, filled with adorable panda goodies! If you love panda-themed things, it’s such a fun place to browse. I spent quite a while looking through everything hahaha.
A whole shelf of cuddly pandas.
More panda souvenirs, from colourful plush toys to illustrated keepsakes.
The panda carrying the piggy bag is so so cute!
The panda version of The Scream! Needless to say, I bought this, along wth other designs for the coaster.
Our second friend landed that morning but didn’t join us at the zoo because she wasn’t interested in pandas. Whattttt! Instead, she headed to a studio for a photoshoot. It’s not really my thing, but I have to say her photos turned out beautifully — the styling, backdrops and photography all came together so well.
If you enjoy dressing up and having proper portraits taken, a studio photoshoot could be a fun addition to your Chongqing trip. Just give yourself plenty of time! From her experience, even one set with a single backdrop and look could take a few hours. If you’re planning several looks or setups, you might need to put aside an entire day.
CIQIKOU ANCIENT TOWN (磁器口古镇)
Our friend was still busy with her photoshoot, so the two of us headed to Ciqikou Ancient Town (磁器口古镇) next. Despite its name, it felt more like a bustling shopping street to me, with shop after shop selling snacks and souvenirs.
Tiled roofs, red lanterns and the iconic teapot sculpture at the entrance of Ciqikou.
Little framed illustrations with pandas to browse while souvenir shopping in Ciqikou. These were super cute. I bought one that says “乐观” (optimism). Such a cheerful little reminder to bring home!
Colourful Chongqing-themed magnets featuring the city’s landmarks and scenery.
Colourful canopies casting patterned shadows along the street.
Painted steps, traditional-style buildings and colourful lanterns in Ciqikou.
Colourful steps spelling out ‘磁器口’ (Ciqikou), with an escalator conveniently beside them.
A little passage filled with red lanterns and wish plaques, carrying visitors’ hopes for love, happiness and good fortune.
It was a nice place to browse for little gifts, and the prices seemed a little lower than those at the shops I’d visited the day before. The souvenirs weren’t particularly unique, though. I personally preferred the little shops in Taping and Beicang, especially those selling the owners’ own artwork. Still, if you’re looking for some casual souvenir shopping, Ciqikou has plenty to keep you occupied!
While wandering around Ciqikou, we were drawn into a teahouse by the live singing. It turned out to be such a lovely place to unwind, with wooden interiors, greenery outside and a cute little resident cat! Sitting there with our drinks and listening to the music was a relaxing break from walking around.
A teahouse tucked among the greenery.
The teahouse’s adorable little cat, looking extra sweet in its frilly collar.
Tea, live singing and a leafy view. It's really a cosy place to slow down for a while.
Our little furry host taking a good look around the teahouse. She fell asleep after a while.
AIR-RAID SHELTER TRADITIONAL HOTPOT (WUYI ROAD BRANCH), 防空洞老火锅（五一路店）
Our friend finally finished her photoshoot, and all three of us reunited for hotpot at air-raid shelter hotpot (防空洞老火锅)!
Our hotpot stop: 防空洞老火锅（五一路店）, with an arched entrance leading into the restaurant.
These shelters are part of Chongqing’s wartime history. During the war against Japan, Chongqing served as China’s wartime capital and endured repeated Japanese air raids. Shelters dug into the city’s hills protected residents during the bombings. Today, some have been given a new life as hotpot restaurants and other public spaces. Such a fascinating connection to the city’s past.
We picked an underground hotpot restaurant near my friend's photoshoot studio rather than travelling to the famous one I’d originally wanted to try. A little compromise comes with travelling in a group! We hadn’t planned this particular stop, but the hotpot turned out to be really good! Sometimes choosing somewhere convenient works out beautifully too.
Hotpot beneath a curved tunnel ceiling. Such an unusual setting for a meal!
All three of us finally together over a bubbling hotpot and a table full of ingredients. We chose this place on a whim, and it turned out to be really yummy. My mouth is watering just looking at this photo!
Air-Raid Shelter Traditional Hotpot (Wuyi Road Branch), 防空洞老火锅（五一路店）
Address: 198 Wuyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
重庆市渝中区五一路198号
LUOHAN TEMPLE (罗汉寺)
After hotpot, we headed to Luohan Temple (罗汉寺). I thought the architecture was beautiful, and spent some time taking in the details as we wandered through the temple.
Ornate wooden façades, gold details and sweeping tiled roofs at Luohan Temple.
Traditional temple roofs against a modern glass building.
Layers of curved rooftops surrounding the courtyard. So many beautiful details to take in!
Rows of orange-red offering lamps beneath a little pavilion in the temple courtyard.
A view framed by the wooden corridor, looking across tiled roofs to an intricately decorated hall.
Looking down over the temple roofs and courtyard, with the busy city rising beyond its walls.
An elevated view of Luohan Temple’s ornate halls and overlapping rooftops.
A “佛” character, meaning Buddha, against a vivid blue background.
Gold lettering from the Heart Sutra《心经》against a striking blue wall.
After visiting Luohan Temple, we stopped for drinks and dessert at Wadingding Café (瓦顶顶), on the fifth floor of the neighbouring mall, S95超次元中心. Its floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the temple’s beautiful tiled roofs — a lovely setting for a café break and some photos! We had to wait a little for a table, but I really enjoyed the place.
A closer look at Luohan Temple’s beautiful rooftops from the café window.
A refreshing drink with Luohan Temple’s tiled roofs right outside the window.
HUANGYUMING BBQ (黄玉明烤肉)
Then we made our way to Huang Yuming BBQ (黄玉明烤肉) for an evening of barbecue, sunset views and live music. Getting there involved an uphill walk, which took us around 10 minutes. I didn’t find it too strenuous, but the climb could be challenging for anyone with mobility difficulties. At the bottom, there were motorcyclists offering rides up for a fee, though I didn’t check the price.
We arrived close to sunset, and the skyline view was beautiful! I’d read that you should arrive early to get a good seat, but thankfully there were still tables available. The back rows facing the live singer were already taken, so we ended up right at the front. It wasn’t quite the angle I’d hoped for to enjoy the bubbles and sparkling effects, but we still had a lovely view of the city and managed to catch the sunset.
We arrived just in time to catch the sun setting behind Chongqing’s skyline, with golden light reflected on the river.
What a sky! Sunbeams spreading behind the clouds as Chongqing’s skyline slips into silhouette.
The sky turning pastel pink as we settled in for our evening barbecue.
Drinks with a sunset view.
Our hillside barbecue setup, with the city stretching out beyond the table.
Watching the city lights come on, including a glowing “我爱重庆” (“I love Chongqing”).
Spark fountains lighting up the evening at Huang Yuming BBQ. Dinner came with quite an atmosphere!
I’d seen mixed comments about the food online, but I actually thought the barbecue was quite nice. Maybe it helped that I’m not a huge barbecue person. For me, the view and atmosphere were a big part of the experience.
We also caught a drone show at around 8.30 pm that evening. From where we were sitting, it looked quite distant and small, so it didn’t have the same wow factor as the close-up videos I’d seen online. Still, it was lovely to watch while enjoying dinner. The live singer performed plenty of familiar Chinese and English songs too. By the end, I was very much in the mood for a KTV session!
A glowing lotus taking shape above the bridge during the drone show. Distant from our seats, but still lovely to watch!
A girl holding a watermelon. This is my favourite drone formation for the night!
REVIA SKYLINE RIVER VIEW HOTEL CHONGQING, ReVia全江景高空酒店（重庆解放碑云端之眼店）
For the rest of my stay in Chongqing, I moved to ReVia Skyline River View Hotel Chongqing. As much as I enjoyed SEYA, it was relatively expensive compared with other hotels in the area, so I chose a more affordable option for the remaining nights.
ReVia turned out to be a comfortable stay too! My room was spacious and had a lovely view of Chongqing’s skyline too. The receptionist also added me on WeChat, so I could simply message whenever I needed anything.
My room at ReVia, with bold colours, striped walls and a little window nook overlooking Chongqing.
Room is really spacious.
Chongqing’s glittering skyscrapers and river views from my room at ReVia.
Ending the day in my pyjamas, with a little cake and Chongqing’s sparkling skyline outside the window.
The only slightly troublesome part was getting to the hotel on the 64th floor. You will have to change lifts along the way. I almost couldn’t find it when I first arrived! Once I figured that out, though, I was happy with my stay.
ReVia Skyline River View Hotel Chongqing, ReVia全江景高空酒店（重庆解放碑云端之眼店）
Address: 64th Floor, Lianhe International Building, 201 Xinhua Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
重庆市渝中区新华路201号联合国际64楼
Room Type: Stylish River View King Room
Price: S$327.15 for 4 nights
BY THE END OF DAY 2...
all three of us were finally together! The pandas’ little waddles were definitely a highlight for me, and it was lovely to finish the day watching the skyline turn from sunset to city lights over barbecue. The drone show looked smaller than I’d imagined from our seats, but the view and familiar songs made it such an enjoyable evening. I was already look forward to a day of adventure tomorrow!
Love,
Shu
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