Last updated: March 2026. Fares and operating hours—confirm with operator or on site.
The Jialing and Yangtze meet at Chaotianmen; the water widens and the two rivers keep a slight color line. From the riverside walkway you can see that divide. A short way off, the Yangtze cable car crosses the river—cabins sliding from Yuzhong to Nan’an in a few minutes, both commute and sightseeing. Ride it in the evening, or walk the Chaotianmen waterfront first then join the queue. The two spots together are Chongqing’s “river city” identity in one stretch.
What Makes it Worth It
Chaotianmen is the two-rivers landmark: free, open, good for a walk and photos. The cable car is a rare “cross-river transit + view” combo that’s hard to find elsewhere. For anyone who wants to understand why Chongqing is both mountain and river city, these two in one afternoon-to-dusk run work well: see the rivers first, then the view from above. The cable car is best in the evening but queues are longest then; book ahead or go on a weekday off-peak.
What to Expect
Don't Miss
Practical Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Chaotianmen | Open areas free; partial closure during works—confirm on site |
| Booking/Tickets | Chaotianmen free; cable car—operator site or Trip.com (confirm on venue); book a slot if possible |
| Cable car | Paid; one-way/return fares on operator site or on site; book a slot if possible |
| Operating hours | Roughly 7:30–22:30 (seasonal; confirm with operator); suspended in wind or for maintenance |
| Recommended time | Chaotianmen 0.5–1 hr; cable car including queue 1–2 hrs |
| Metro | Chaotianmen: Line 1 or 6, Xiaoshizi, then walk. Cable car Yuzhong stop near Xiaoshizi; south stop near Shangxinjie |
Fares, booking, and suspensions: check the operator or Trip.com. Many locals book via WeChat; if you don’t use it, use Trip.com or ask your hotel to help. Without a booking, queue on site—wait can be long at peak times.
Getting There
A common mistake is arriving at dusk without a cable-car booking—the queue can be very long. If you want an evening ride, book a time slot in advance or be ready to wait.
Chaotianmen for the two rivers and the cable car for the crossing are the core “river city” combo. Best in evening light when the lights come on. The two are close; do them together. Book the cable car or go off-peak so you don’t spend all your time in line.
If you only pick one, the cable car gives the more unique "above the river" view. If you have time, Chaotianmen Square + cable car + Hongyadong can fill half an evening to a full evening.
- Chongqing City Guide — Complete city guide
