Explore China

Cheapest Time To Visit Chongqing (and Most Expensive)

Chongqing is priciest in spring and fall—especially Golden Week—and cheapest in winter and the steamy rainy months when fewer people visit.

Chongqing costs can swing a lot based on weather and China’s biggest holiday weeks. The city is usually most expensive in spring and fall, when it’s most comfortable to explore. It’s usually cheapest in winter and during the hot, rainy stretch, when fewer travelers plan trips.

Most Expensive Time To Visit Chongqing

March–May (Spring Peak)
Spring is one of the best times for Chongqing—comfortable temps for walking, river views, and day trips. Hotels and tours tend to run higher, especially on weekends.
September–November (Fall Peak)
Fall is another sweet spot—cooler air, better sightseeing conditions, and strong demand. Prices often rise again after summer.
Early October (Golden Week, Dates Fixed)
This is often the biggest price spike of the year. Flights, trains, and hotels can book out fast—and “good deals” disappear early.
Late January–February (Chinese New Year, Dates Vary)
Travel demand across China jumps around this holiday. Prices and availability can shift quickly, especially if you’re moving around the country during your trip.
Early May (Labor Day Holiday, Dates Fixed)
Short-but-intense travel surge—expect higher rates if your dates overlap the holiday window.

Cheapest Time To Visit Chongqing

December–February (Best Value Window, Outside Holidays)
Winter is often the cheapest time for hotels. It can be gray and chilly, but it’s a great season for hotpot, museums, teahouses, and slower city days.
June (Rainy Season Starts, Better Deals)
As humidity and rain ramp up, prices often ease compared to spring and fall—just build your days around weather breaks.
July–August (Hot, Humid Summer—Often Cheaper Than Peak Months)
Chongqing gets seriously hot in midsummer. Because it can feel intense outside, you’ll often see better hotel value than spring/fall—though family travel can still make certain weekends pricier.
Late November (Between Peaks)
A solid “in-between” month—often calmer crowds and better lodging value than October.

Best Time To Visit Chongqing For Good Weather And Decent Prices

Late March–April
You get spring weather before peak crowds hit their stride—great balance for most travelers.
Late September (Before Golden Week Hits Hard)
Comfortable weather returns, and if you time it just before the holiday surge, you can often get better value.

Need help planning your visit? Check our our 14-Day China Travel Itinerary, as well as China's Most Beautiful National Parks To Visit.

Want to go rural? Discover the best towns and villages to explore the Great Wall!

When Is Rainy Season In Chongqing?

Chongqing’s rainiest stretch usually runs late spring through summer, with frequent humid days and bursts of heavy rain. It’s not always nonstop rain all day—but you’ll want flexible plans and indoor options ready.

Quick Ways To Spend Less In Chongqing

Avoid Golden Week and Chinese New Year if saving money is the main goal
Travel midweek—weekends tend to jump in the best-weather months
Visit in winter for the strongest odds of lower hotel rates
In rainy months, keep day trips flexible—pick the clearest forecast day
Build an “indoor list”—museums, markets, malls, and hotpot spots make weather days easy

Is Chongqing Expensive?

Chongqing is not usually expensive, especially compared with China’s tier-one cities like Shanghai and Beijing—most travelers find food, transit, and mid-range hotels pretty budget-friendly.

Where it can feel pricey is hotels during peak weeks (and in the most convenient neighborhoods), plus any trip that overlaps China-wide holiday travel.

A simple way to think about it

Day-to-day costs: Generally affordable—local meals and getting around tend to be cheap compared to big global cities.
Hotels: You can find bargains, but decent 4-star/5-star rooms can jump depending on dates.
All-in daily travel budget: Many travelers land around about $47–$204 per person per day depending on style (budget vs mid-range vs higher-end).

When Chongqing gets more expensive

Major China travel weeks (prices + crowds spike, availability gets tight)
- National Day / Golden Week (early October)
- Lunar New Year (late Jan/Feb—dates change yearly)
Friday–Sunday hotel nights—often the fastest to rise.
Big events/conventions—can push certain hotel zones up.

How to keep it cheap

Go midweek for better hotel odds.
Avoid early October and Lunar New Year windows if saving money is the main goal.
Stay a few metro stops outside the most “central” hotel clusters—Chongqing’s transit is a big help.

Not A Member? ✈️

Save 40%-95% with Jetsetter Alerts - Airline Mistake Fare & Flash Sales Alerts!

Get Personalized Airfare Alerts