Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport

Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) is the primary airport serving Chongqing, one of China's largest municipalities and the gateway to southwest China and the Yangtze River region. Located approximately 20 km northeast of downtown Chongqing in Yubei District, the airport is a major hub for domestic and international travel.

The airport operates three terminal buildings plus a new satellite terminal:

• Terminal 2 (T2): Domestic flights for select airlines. Divided into T2A and T2B concourses.
• Terminal 3A (T3A): The main terminal handling all international flights, Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan flights, and most domestic carriers including Air China, China Southern, China Eastern, Sichuan Airlines, and Hainan Airlines.
• Terminal 3B (T3B): Opened in April 2025, this is the world's largest standalone satellite hall. Gates J, K, L, and M are located here.

Critical note: T2 and T3A are located 2.5 km apart. They are connected by Metro Line 10 (13 minutes) or free shuttle bus (15-25 minutes). T3B is connected to T3A via an automated people mover (APM) monorail taking 2-3 minutes.

Chongqing Jiangbei is a hub for Sichuan Airlines, China Southern, and West Air, with growing international routes to Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Chongqing Jiangbei Airport is located 20 km northeast of downtown Chongqing (Jiefangbei area).

Typical travel times:

• Jiefangbei (city center): 30-45 minutes by taxi/DiDi
• Chongqing North Railway Station: 20-30 minutes by taxi, 25-30 minutes by Metro Line 10
• Chaotianmen Dock (Yangtze cruise terminal): 40-50 minutes by taxi

The airport has a Ground Transportation Centre (GTC) in front of T3A providing metro, bus, taxi, and long-distance coach connections.

DiDi (China's Uber)

DiDi Chuxing is the primary rideshare app in China. Uber does not operate in mainland China.

• Pickup location: Designated rideshare zones at T2 and T3 arrivals (follow signs to "网约车")
• App: Download DiDi app before arrival. International version available but may require Chinese payment method.
• Base fare: CNY 15 starting fare + CNY 2.90/km + CNY 0.50/minute

Destination	DiDi Fare	Time
Jiefangbei (city center)	CNY 60-90	30-40 min
Chongqing North Railway Station	CNY 40-60	20-30 min
Hongyadong	CNY 70-100	35-45 min

Note: DiDi app displays fare estimates upfront. Prices surge during holidays and peak hours.

Taxi

Licensed taxis queue outside T2 and T3 arrivals. All taxis are metered.

• Starting fare: CNY 10 (first 2 km)
• Per km rate: Approximately CNY 2/km
• Airport expressway toll: Additional CNY 10-20

Destination	Taxi Fare	Time
Jiefangbei (city center)	CNY 60-80	30-40 min
Chongqing North Railway Station	CNY 40-50	20-25 min
Chaotianmen Dock	CNY 70-90	40-50 min

Tip: Few taxi drivers speak English. Have your destination written in Chinese characters or show the address on your phone.

Metro Line 10

Chongqing Metro Line 10 directly connects both airport terminals to the city.

To Chongqing North Railway Station:

1. Take Metro Line 10 from T3 or T2 station
2. Exit at Chongqing North Railway Station (North Square or South Square)
3. Journey time: 25-30 minutes

To Jiefangbei/City Center:

1. Take Metro Line 10 to Hongtudi Station
2. Transfer to Line 6
3. Exit at Xiaoshizi Station (for Jiefangbei)
4. Total journey: 45-55 minutes

Ticket Type	Price
Single journey	CNY 2-7 (distance-based)
To Chongqing North Station	CNY 4-5
To city center (with transfer)	CNY 5-7

Operating hours: 06:30-23:00 Frequency: Every 10 minutes

Payment: Purchase tickets from machines (cash or mobile payment via Alipay/WeChat). Use "Chongqing Public Transport" QR code in Alipay/WeChat for contactless entry.

Airport Bus

Several airport bus routes connect to key destinations:

Route	Destination	Fare	Journey Time
K01	Jiefangbei	CNY 15	50-60 min
K02	Chongqing North Railway Station	CNY 15	30-40 min
K06	Shapingba (West Railway Station)	CNY 15	60-70 min

Operating hours: Generally 07:00-22:00 (check current schedules)

Both terminals offer parking facilities.

T2 Parking

Duration	Rate
First hour	CNY 5
Each additional hour	CNY 2
Daily maximum	Check on-site

T3 GTC Parking

The Ground Transportation Centre in front of T3A has multi-level parking.

Duration	Rate
Short-term	CNY 5-10/hour
Daily rate	CNY 50-80

Tips:

• Accessible parking spaces available near terminal entrances
• Electric vehicle charging stations available
• Pay via mobile payment (WeChat/Alipay) or cash at exit

Chongqing Airport offers Chinese and international dining options, with a strong emphasis on Sichuan and Chongqing specialties.

Terminal 3A

Chinese Cuisine:

• Chongqing Xiaomian: Authentic spicy noodles, Chongqing's signature breakfast dish (from CNY 25-40)
• Zhong Dumplings: Fresh dumplings with spicy sauce (Area A, 4th Floor, ~CNY 35)
• Mountain City Noodles: Traditional noodles with red chili oil (Area B, 3rd Floor, from CNY 15)

International & Fast Food:

• Starbucks: Multiple locations throughout T3
• McDonald's: Landside and airside
• KFC: Familiar option for international travelers
• Burger King: Quick meals before departure

Terminal 2

• Fast food options and Chinese restaurants
• 7-Eleven convenience stores for snacks and drinks

Budget tip: Convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart) offer affordable meals and snacks. Prices at sit-down restaurants are 20-30% higher than city prices.

Free WiFi is available throughout all terminals.

Detail	Information
Network name	CKG-Free-WiFi or cqairport-free-wifi
Registration	Chinese phone number typically required
Time limit	Unlimited

Important for international travelers: WiFi registration usually requires a Chinese phone number for SMS verification. Alternatives:

• Ask airport staff about passport verification options
• Purchase a local SIM card at the airport
• Use mobile data roaming or an international eSIM purchased before arrival
• Access WiFi in airport lounges (no phone verification needed)

SIM card kiosks may be available in T3 arrivals, though availability varies.

Major Carriers

Provider	Tourist SIM Price	Data
China Mobile	From CNY 100-200	10-20 GB
China Unicom	From CNY 80-150	10-20 GB
China Telecom	From CNY 80-150	10-20 GB

Requirements: Passport required for registration (Chinese law requires real-name registration for all SIM cards).

Recommendations:

• China Unicom is often recommended for tourists due to better compatibility with foreign phones
• Consider pre-ordering a tourist SIM online (Trip.com, Klook) for airport pickup or hotel delivery
• eSIM options are increasingly available for supported phones
• City carrier stores typically offer better prices than airport kiosks

Note: Standard Chinese SIM cards do not bypass the "Great Firewall." Access to Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and many Western services requires a VPN.

Currency

• Chinese Yuan (CNY/RMB): The only accepted currency in mainland China
• Exchange rate: Approximately 1 USD = 7.2 CNY (check current rates)

ATMs

ATMs from major Chinese banks (Bank of China, ICBC, China Construction Bank, Agricultural Bank of China) are located throughout T2 and T3 arrivals and departures.

• Most ATMs accept international cards (Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay)
• Withdrawal limits: Typically CNY 2,500-10,000 per transaction
• Fees: Your home bank may charge international withdrawal fees

Currency Exchange

Bank of China Automatic Currency Exchange Machine:

• Location: Near Gate 9, 1st floor of T3A
• Accepts: USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, KRW, SGD, THB, and others
• Small amounts accepted

Currency Exchange Counter:

• Location: Near 3B check-in counter
• Minimum exchange: USD 200 or equivalent
• Accepts: Cards, WeChat, Alipay, and cash

Tips:

• Airport exchange rates are unfavorable; exchange only what you need for immediate expenses
• China is increasingly cashless; WeChat Pay and Alipay are ubiquitous but require Chinese bank account linking for full functionality
• International visitors can now use Alipay/WeChat with international credit cards for limited functions
• Keep some cash for small purchases and emergencies

Duty-Free (T3A International)

Duty-free shopping is available in T3A for international departures:

Luxury Brands (DFS Group):

• Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Cartier, Valentino, Moncler
• Cartier boutique (~190 sqm)

Beauty & Fragrances (Dufry):

• Estee Lauder, Lancome, Guerlain, Shiseido
• "House of Scents" multi-brand concept store
• Perfumes and cosmetics typically 15-20% cheaper than city prices

General Duty-Free:

• Alcohol, tobacco, confectionery
• Located on 2nd floor of International Terminal and in arrivals baggage claim area

General Shopping

• Chinese souvenirs and local products
• Electronics and accessories
• Convenience stores (snacks, drinks, travel essentials)

DFS "Cloud Shopping": Pre-browse products online before arrival for collection at the airport.

Tax refund: International visitors can claim VAT refunds on eligible purchases over CNY 500 made in the city.

Chongqing Airport has several lounge options, with Priority Pass access available in both terminals.

Priority Pass Lounges

Plaza Premium Lounge (T3A):

• Location: Landside, 5th floor near 3C Check-in Counter
• Hours: 06:00-23:00
• Amenities: Buffet meals, beverages, showers, WiFi
• Access: Priority Pass, day pass purchase

Comfort Zone (T3A):

• Location: Airside, Schengen area
• Hours: Check current hours
• Amenities: Seating, snacks, WiFi
• Access: Priority Pass

China Southern First/Business Class Lounge (T3A):

• Location: Airside
• Access: Priority Pass, China Southern Business/First Class, SkyTeam Elite Plus

First Class Lounge (T2A):

• Location: Airside
• Access: Priority Pass, eligible airline passengers

Airline Lounges

Air China Lounge (T3):

• Access: Air China Business/First Class, Star Alliance Gold
• Amenities: Comfortable seating, WiFi, complimentary snacks and drinks

China Eastern Lounge (T3):

• Access: China Eastern Business/First Class, SkyTeam Elite Plus

Pay-Per-Entry

Most lounges offer day passes for CNY 200-400. Priority Pass members should verify current access rules before travel.

At/Near the Airport

Holiday Inn Express Chongqing Airport Zone:

• 10-15 minutes from terminals
• Shuttle service available
• From CNY 300-400/night

Home2 Suites by Hilton Chongqing Yubei:

• 10 minutes from airport
• 5 minutes from Chongqing Central Park
• In-suite kitchens, fitness center
• From CNY 400-600/night

Hilton Garden Inn Chongqing Yubei Central Park:

• Near the airport area
• Standard Hilton Garden Inn amenities
• From CNY 400-500/night

In the City (Recommended)

Chongqing Marriott Hotel:

• Located on Nanbin Road with Yangtze River views
• 30 minutes from airport
• From CNY 600-900/night

Hilton Chongqing Liangjiang New Area:

• Near Chongqing North Railway Station
• From CNY 500-700/night

Budget Options

Numerous budget hotels are available near the airport and throughout the city, from CNY 150-300/night on Booking.com, Trip.com, or Chinese platforms like Ctrip.

Transit/Rest Options

• Rest areas and seating available throughout terminals
• Some lounges offer day-use rates for resting between flights

Chongqing is a sprawling mountain city of over 30 million people, famous for its dramatic hillside terrain, fiery cuisine, and role as the gateway to Yangtze River cruises. The city center is approximately 30-45 minutes from the airport.

Must-See Attractions

Destination	Travel Time from Airport	Highlights
Hongyadong	40-50 min	11-story stilt building complex, stunning night illumination, "Spirited Away" vibes
Ciqikou Ancient Town	45-55 min	Ming Dynasty old town, traditional crafts, street food
Jiefangbei	30-40 min	Central business district, shopping, dining
Yangtze River Cableway	35-45 min	Iconic aerial crossing of the Yangtze River
Chaotianmen	40-50 min	Confluence of Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, cruise departure point

Chongqing Hotpot

Chongqing hotpot is the city's signature culinary experience:

• What it is: A bubbling pot of fiery red chili oil and Sichuan peppercorns at your table
• How to eat: Order raw ingredients (sliced beef, tripe, tofu, mushrooms, vegetables) and cook them in the pot
• Spice level: Extremely spicy by default. Request a "yuanyang" (half-and-half) pot with one spicy and one mild broth side
• Cost: CNY 80-150 per person at typical restaurants
• Famous chains: Dezhuang, Qinma, Xiaolongkan

Yangtze River Cruises

Chongqing is the starting point for Three Gorges cruises:

• Route: Chongqing to Yichang (downstream) or reverse
• Duration: 3-5 days
• Highlights: Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, Xiling Gorge, Three Gorges Dam
• Departure point: Chaotianmen Dock

Layover Recommendations

• 4-hour layover: Not recommended (insufficient time after immigration and transport)
• 8-hour layover: Quick visit to Hongyadong or Ciqikou Ancient Town
• Full day (12+ hours): Explore Jiefangbei, ride the Yangtze Cableway, try authentic hotpot

Best Time to Visit

• Spring (March-May): Pleasant weather, comfortable for sightseeing
• Autumn (September-November): Best season, mild temperatures, less fog
• Summer (June-August): Very hot and humid (one of China's "Three Furnaces")
• Winter (December-February): Mild but foggy, great for hotpot

Practical Tips

• Language: Very little English spoken. Download a translation app (Google Translate works offline)
• Payment: WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate. Keep some cash for small vendors
• Internet: VPN required for Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and many Western services
• Navigation: Chongqing's hilly terrain makes distances deceptive. Use ride-hailing apps
• Stairs: The city is built on steep hills with many staircases. Wear comfortable shoes