Banks: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 15:00 at weekends
Post Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 10:00 to 22:00, daily, some closed on Sundays
Museums: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, some open on weekends
Business Offices: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday

Chongqing is not known for any specific threats to personal safety and few visitors are likely to experience anything untoward during their stay. Certainly violence towards tourists is extremely rare and generally speaking, it’s safe for members of both sexes to go out and about anywhere in the city during daylight hours. Come night time, female visitors are not advised to travel alone on public transportation although the risks of incidents are still relatively low.

Petty crime exists in the city of course, although it’s less prevalent than in a European city of the same size. Visitors can reduce their chances of being targeted by pickpockets or bag snatchers by keeping their wits about them in busy public places and carrying their cash and valuable personal items in secure and hard to reach places. Avoid flashing expensive jewellery or items of especially high value in public; such articles are best left in hotel safes unless there is a specific need to take them out with you.

Chongqing can present some risks to the health of visitors in that its standards of hygiene in public eating and drinking establishments and in public toilets also may often fall well short of those considered minimums in the west.

All visitors are advised to use their judgment before deciding where to eat and are wise to avoid anywhere that appears obviously unsanitary. Roadside vendors may not have access to running water so the cleanliness of their dishes and eating utensils may be questionable. There are plenty of sanitary venues, however, so it’s really not difficult to find somewhere safe to dine if you just take the trouble to be a little discerning.

Tap water is not considered safe to drink, although this presents no difficulties, as hygienic bottled water is readily available. No specific immunisations are necessary prior to a trip to Chongqing, although a course of rabies shots should be sought by anyone anticipating close or prolonged contact with animals, including domestic pets.

Chongqing’s summer season sees exceedingly high temperatures and the sun presents risks of both dehydration and damage to skin. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight during the hours of 11:00 and 15:00 and be sure to wear a sunscreen with an SPF that suits your skin type on any uncovered body parts at any time of the day.

Chongqing’s hospitals do not offer medical care at a standard matching that of European or North American hospitals; however, basic treatment is available and most emergencies can be dealt with sufficiently until foreign patients can be repatriated to their own countries for more advanced care.

Chongqing Hospital: +86 23 6381 2772
Emergency services: 119/110/120 (fire/police/ambulance)

The locals in Chongqing speak Sichuan dialect (or Sichuanese) which is a variation of south-western Mandarin Chinese. English speakers are not especially common except in hotels, restaurants and other establishments commonly frequented by tourists.

The renminbi or RMB is the currency used in Chongqing although you will more commonly hear reference to the yuan as this is the main unit. Notes are issued in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 yuan; 5, 2 and 1 jiao; and 5, 2 and 1 fen. Coins are issued in denominations of 1 yuan; 5, 2 and 1 jiao; and 5, 2 and 1 fen.

Cash machines (ATMs) can be found easily in the city centre, especially in shopping districts and around major tourist attractions. Most foreign cards are accepted but visitors are wise to bring one that has the endorsement of one of the big credit firms such as AMEX, Visa, Diner’s Club or Barclaycard. Cash and traveller’s cheques may be exchanged at the airport or at the majority of banks in the city. Bureau de change desks can be found in some hotels also although rates offered here are rarely very favourable.

Visitors from overseas are given an allowance for importing (or exporting) goods, which if adhered to, will not necessitate the payment of duty charges. The following volumes of goods are permitted: 400 cigarettes, two bottles of liquor each not exceeding 0.75 litre, a quantity perfume considered appropriate for personal use and one item of electrical equipment.

Asian culture is complex and the subtle nuances of Chinese etiquette can be difficult for visitors to grasp over the duration of an ordinary vacation. Make the effort to observe the basics, however, and your stay will be considerably smoother. Minor faux pas will be overlooked by the locals, so it’s not imperative to be analysing your every move throughout your stay.

Whether you are in the right or not, you should avoid displays of anger or criticism directed at locals as this brings the issue of ‘face’ (personal honour) into the matter and a loss of face is not taken lightly by the Chinese. If you lose your own face or cause others to lose theirs, your chances of getting a satisfactory outcome in a dispute are slim.

Dining Etiquette
The Chinese like to do their entertaining in restaurants as this gives everyone a chance to choose the dishes they prefer and to enjoy the excellent cuisine available. Dinner appointments at restaurants are best arrived at punctually, especially if it’s an important occasion such as a birthday or significant celebration.

Dinner parties at the homes of locals are a little more flexible and some tardiness (within reason) is permitted. Bringing a small gift for your host or hostess is a polite gesture and one that’s always well received although not necessarily expected.

Shoes are generally removed before entering the house, then once inside, guests should wait to be shown to their place in the dining room. At the dinner table, pay attention to your use of chopsticks, being sure to place them down on their rest while engaging in conversation or between mouthfuls of food. Avoid putting your own chopsticks in communal dishes and never use them to point to things or make gestures with.

Try your best to sample something of all the dishes prepared and graciously accept second helpings when they are offered repeatedly. You may leave a small amount of food on your plate at the end to indicate that you have finished eating and were offered sufficient.

As a part of the People’s Republic of China, Chongqing requires all visitors to be in possession of a valid passport complete with a tourist visa. Failure to show either of these on arrival at the city’s airport will result in denial of further access. Visas are obtainable from Chinese embassies located in major cities in countries around the world. Foreign visitors are also obliged to complete a health declaration at the airport.

Chongqing Tourist Office or the Chongqing Tourism Bureau is located in the city centre and provides information about all aspects of visiting city including attractions, transportation and accommodation.

Chongqing Tourist Office
175 Renmin Road
630015
Chongqing
Phone: +86 811 63863364