Chongqing Chaotianmen Dock - Square, Wharfs, Map & How to Get There

• Opening Hours: Throughout the day
• Fee: Free of Charge
• Wharfs: 1-17
• Address: Chaotianmen Wharf, Changjiang Binjiang Rd, Yuzhong Dist., Chongqing, 400064, China （重庆市渝中区长滨路17号，朝天门码头）

Chaotianmen Dock does not refer to one wharf, but a group of altogether 17 wharfs. The wharfs from number 1 to 11 share the same entrance, and Chaotianmen Wharf 13, 15 and 17 are out of the entrance. Usually, the wharf number starts at the central area of the dock, to the left are the even-numbered wharfs (2, 4, 6, 8, 10) and to the right are the odd-numbered wharfs (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17).

Chaotianmen Square is built next to the wharfs. In the late 2019, a newly-built Raffles City on the square opened to public, allowing tourist to do shopping, dining and have fun there.

Important: During the flood season (July, August) and dry season (March, April), the Yangtze River cruise ships may cannot dock at Chaotianmen Dock. Chongqing Grand Theater (重庆大剧院) or Huguang Guild (湖广会馆) will then be the vital assembling points, rather than Chaotianmen Dock. For downstream cruises guests, you will catch a bus arranged by the cruise companies at Chongqing Grand Theater (重庆大剧院) or Huguang Guild (湖广会馆) to Fengdu to board your ship. Upstream cruise guests will end up your trip at Chongqing Grand Theater (重庆大剧院) or Huguang Guild (湖广会馆) too.

Chaotianmen Port is located at the confluence of the Yangtze River and Jialing River in the Peninsula of Yuzhong District in Chongqing. It is about 28km away from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. You can take a light rail transit line 1 to get off at Chaotianmen Station and then walk for 5 minutes (390m) to get there, or you can take a taxi. For more convenience to get off and visit attractions and admire scenery you like, a licensed private car will be a better choice.

• From Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport: 28km / about 0.5-1 hour’ drive by car. Know more about Chongqing Airport to Chaotianmen Dock >>
• From Chongqing Train Station: 6km/ about 20 minutes’ drive by car
• From Chongqing West Train Station: 21km/ about 0.5-1 hour’ drive by car
• From Chongqing North Train Station (North Square): 11km/ about 0.5h’ drive by car
• From Chongqing North Train Station (South Square): 10km/ about 20 minutes’ drive by car

Warm tip: Traffic jams appear a lot in Chongqing city, especially during the rush hours (8-9am and 5-6pm). Try to hop on a taxi as early as possible.

Know more about Chongqing Train Stations to Chaotianmen Dock >>

All the taxis, buses and cars are not allowed to get inside Chaotianmen Dock. You should get off the taxi at the entrance, and then walk to the pointed wharf with your luggage. Walking from the entrance to your wharf needs about 3-13 minutes. The walking time is determined by the distance from entrance to your wharf. There are altogether 17 wharfs there (Chaotianmen 1-17 Wharfs). The even-numbered wharfs are the farthest from the entrance, so it takes more time to get to these wharfs. Chaotianmen 13 wharf, 15 wharf and 17 wharf are located outside the entrance. There is no need to go inside if you are going to board your ship at one of these wharfs.

Important: Many tourists still feel trouble about boarding their ship at Chaotianmen Dock even with the help of an in-hand map. If you also feel nerves about that or you are going to visit Chaotianmen for the first time, you can ask our local guide and driver for help. After booking such a service, your English-speaking tour guide will be waiting for you at your arrival airport or train station and escort you directly to your wharf. Tell us your group size, arriving time and place, and let us take care of the rest.

Boarding Yangtze River Cruises Ships at Chaotianmen Dock:

1. Get off the taxi at the entrance of Chaotianmen Dock and then walk to your appointed wharf with your luggage;
2. Show your passport to the staff waiting at the wharf;
3. Go downstairs and then follow the floating bridge to board the ship;
4. Security checking;
5. Check in.

Disembarking from Yangtze River Cruises Ships at Chaotianmen Dock:

1. Send your luggage to the appointed place (usually near the reception desk) if you have booked a porter service;
2. Check out;
3. Follow the floating bridge to disembark from your ship (take your luggage with you if you haven’t book a porter service);
4. Walk to the Chaotianmen Dock’s entrance with your luggage and ask a taxi or take your private car for leaving.

Important: There are many stone steps when boarding or disembarking at Chaotianmen Dock. If you feel tough to walk on those steps with your luggage, you can ask for a porter service. The service is offered by the cruise company and needs extra charge of about 15~25RMB for each piece of luggage. Tell your travel consultant in advance if you need such a service.

Top Things to See & Do at Chongqing Chaotianmen Dock

1. Catch/Get off Your Yangtze River Cruise Ships

Chaotianmen Dock is vital starting and ending stop of almost all Yangtze River cruise ships. Here, you can catch downstream cruises to explore the longest and most picturesque river in China - Yangtze River. Upstream Yangtze River cruise ships also ends their trip at Chaotianmen Dock. There are many ship companies for you to choose, such as the most popular Victoria Cruises and Century Cruises.

2. Enjoy the Stunning City View of Chongqing City

Chongqing enjoys the reputation of “Little Hong Kong”, because the city has splendid nigh views like Hong Kong does. Standing at Chaotianmen Dock, you can take all the outstanding items of Chongqing Night View into your eyes, including the glittering rivers, moving cruises, soaring skyscrapers, spectacular bridges, surrounding mountains, odd-shaped Grand Theater…

3. Try a Short Chongqing City Cruising Trip

If you do not have that many days to cruise Yangtze River, then how about have a short cruising trip in Chongqing? Such a short cruise trip needs less than 1 hour and can make you have a short explore of both Jialing River and Yangtze River in Chongqing downtown area. Night cruises are more recommended, as you can enjoy the standout night view while cruising.

4. Do Shopping & Dining at Raffles City

Having a short shopping and dining time at Raffles City in steps away from Chaotianmen Dock is the best choice for tourists who have only several hours left before boarding the cruises in the dock. It is also recommended for tourists coming to Chaotianmen Dock to appreciate the stunning night view. This newly-created Shopping mall offers much to buy, eat and have fun!

5. Chongqing City Planning Exhibition Center

If you are curious of how Chongqing was built on mountains and cliffs by river, you can have a leisure time in Chongqing City Planning Exhibition Center in the dock. Everyone can have a free visit the Exhibition Center except Monday. It will be closed every Monday.

Best Chongqing City Tours:

☛ 2 Days Chongqing Highlights Tour with Dazu Rock Carvings

☛ 3 Days Chongqing & Wulong Karst Landscape Exploration Tour

Since Chaotianmen Dock is settled at the city enter area, you can travel from the dock to many other attractive spots in Chongqing, such as the notable Hongya Cave, Chongqing Grand Theater, Liziba Metro Station, Jiefangbei, Three Gorges Museum, Ciqikou Ancient Town, etc. Check the Chaotianmen Dock Location Map below to know its surrounding Chongqing attractions.

Hongya Cave

• Distance from Chaotianmen Dock: 3km / about 10 minutes’ drive
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 2 hours

If there is only one picture can be used to show the amazing Chongqing City. Hongya Cave must be the most competitive option. The large-scale of stilt houses there are all incedibly carved to the cliffs at the riverside. When the night falls, magnificent warm-toned lamps and lanterns brightly light up the stilt houses. making it a fairy-tale world.

Liziba Metro Station

• Distance from Chaotianmen Dock: 3km / about 10 minutes’ drive
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 1 hour

Liziba Metro Station (李子坝轻轨站) has become one of the most famous photography sites in Chongqing because of the amazing house-crossing metro trains. It is now always on the top of visitors’ Chongqing-must-visit list. There are plenty of reviews, hashtags and social media posts to prove that.

Chongqing Grand Theater

• Distance from Chaotianmen Dock: 5km/ about 15 minutes’ drive
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 1-2 hours

Chongqing Grand Theater and Chaotianmen Dock face each other across the Jialing River. It is mainly famed for its unique “glass spaceship” appearance in the daytime and colorful and changeful appearance at night. If you are interested, you can also enjoy international operas, ballets, symphonies, ballets, musicals, and other performances there.

Chongqing Jiefangbei Business District (Jiefangbei CBD)

• Distance from Chaotianmen Dock: 3km / about 10 minutes’ drive
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 1-2 hours

When it comes to where to do shopping in Chongqing, Jiefangbei is usually on the top of the answer list. Tourists usually come to Jiefangbei to seek for local snacks and souvenirs. If you have time, you can also join their team.

Three Gorges Museum

• Distance from Chaotianmen Dock: 4km/ about 10minutes’s drive
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 1-2 hours

For history and culture lovers, you may want a visit to Three Gorges Museum. It is not only a typical museum of the Yangtze Three Gorges but also a comprehensive museum of history and arts. There is no admission fee charges of the museum.

Landmark Riverside Park

• Distance from Chaotianmen Dock: 10km / about 20 minutes’ drive
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 1-2 hours

If you are looking for a place with fewer tourists and can have a panorama view of Chaotianmen Dock and Chaotianmen Square, Landmark Riverside Park opposite to the dock is a good choice. And some tourists believe the view from the park is as fantastic as they can see by cruising.

Ciqikou Ancient Town

• Distance from Chaotianmen Dock: 18km / about 0.5 hours’ drive
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 1-2 hours

Ciqikou Ancient Town is such a tourist site that can give you a glimpse of Chongqing in old days. The history of Ciqikou can be traced back for more than 1,700 years. Leaving yourself for about 1-2 hours to stroll around the ancient streets there can be a unique experience of stepping into past.

Know more about Chongqing Attractions >>

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