If I had to recommend one standout hotel in Chongqing, InterContinental Raffles City would be it. Everything from its unbeatable location and striking architecture to its brand prestige makes it a strong contender for the title of Southwest China’s flagship InterContinental. It’s almost naturally positioned to be a hotspot in Chongqing’s hotel scene.
After staying here, I found myself wondering why Chengdu — despite having several InterContinental properties — hasn’t produced one worthy of that flagship status. Perhaps it’s Chongqing’s naturally trendier vibe that gives this hotel its edge.
I’d describe the experience as a bit polarized — guests may have differing opinions depending on their timing and expectations. But my personal stay, possibly helped by off-season calm, was excellent. I won’t dive into the design of the public spaces this time — instead, I’ll focus on how the room experience alone made it feel like a true flagship stay.
Chongqing Travel Planning Guide
Considering a last-minute trip to Chongqing?
🇨🇳 Top Activities and Tours in Chongqing:
1. Chongqing Wulong National Park Private Tour：Discover Wulong Karst National Park’s UNESCO wonders on a private tour with scenic hikes, cliffside elevator, local lunch, and private transport.
2. Dazu Ancient Rock Carvings Private Tour Extension：Explore Dazu and the remote Beishan rock carvings with a trained guide, private transport, and lunch included on this private tour.
3. All-In-One Chongqing Trendy Spots Private Tour：Discover Chongqing’s modern and traditional charm on a full-day tour covering top attractions, with local lunch and afternoon coffee included.
4. Chongqing Yangtze River Cruise and Illuminated Night Tour：Enjoy a Chongqing night cruise on the Yangtze River, admiring the illuminated skyline and landmarks with hotel pickup and transfer included.
🏨Top Hotels in Chongqing:
Niccolo Chongqing (⭐️ 4.8 luxury)
Regent Chongqing (⭐️ 4.8 luxury)
InterContinental Chongqing Raffles City (⭐️ 4.8 luxury)
Qianhe Zhixuan Gaokong Hotel (⭐️ 4.8 budget-friendly)
🌐Stay connected with a Mainland China 5G eSIM and protect your trip with Vacation Package Travel Plan for worry-free travel in China.
Ready to book your trip to Chongqing? Check out:
✈️ Chongqing 2026: Your Ultimate Guide to the Top 21 Activities
⭐ 25 Essential Dishes to Try in Chongqing: A Food Lover’s Guide
👑 Top 35 Local Chongqing Noodles Restaurants for 2026
🌟 24 Best Restaurants in Chongqing: Where to Eat
🍲Top 22 Local Chongqing Hot Pot Restaurants for 2026
🏨 Where to Stay in Chongqing: Best Hotels and Resorts
🔮 Best Time to Visit Chongqing: Seasons, Weather & Highlights
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can learn more about this in my disclosure policy.
Staying at a Chongqing Icon
InterContinental Raffles City Chongqing is set in the city’s most prominent location — the legendary Chaotianmen area, where the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers meet. Historically a place of imperial significance, it now stands as the vibrant heart of Chongqing, with top sights like Hongya Cave and Jiefangbei just steps away.
The hotel sits within Raffles City Chongqing, a striking architectural marvel designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie, the mind behind Marina Bay Sands. Shaped like a massive sailboat emerging from the mist, the complex features eight towers and a dramatic horizontal skybridge — China’s first “horizontal skyscraper” — connecting four of them like a ship’s mast.
Beyond just a hotel, Raffles City is a full urban complex with homes, offices, shopping, and more. Though controversial at its launch, the building has become a must-see attraction. Even as someone used to bold architecture, I was genuinely impressed as I got closer — it’s a landmark that leaves a lasting impression.
Read More: Where to Stay in Chongqing: Best Hotels and Resorts
A Sky Garden Disguised as a Lobby
Despite being a major Chongqing landmark, the hotel’s entrance is remarkably low-key. I was escorted by staff straight to the 42nd-floor sky lobby — part of the famed Crystal Skybridge.
What greeted me wasn’t just a check-in area but a tranquil sky garden. Wrapped in greenery carefully cultivated and transplanted after construction, the space felt like a hidden oasis. The design is both calming and symbolic: the front desk, shaped like a ship, reflects on the floor like it’s gliding across the river.
Even at peak occupancy, check-in was seamless, thanks to the well-staffed front desk.
Opposite the seating area lies an observation deck with sweeping views of Chongqing. In this hilly city, the best vistas are from afar — and this lobby offers a perfect panorama of Nanbin Road, Ciyun Temple, and Nanshan across the river.
Spanning 300 meters, the skybridge connects the lobby with five restaurants and bars. For added privacy, guests need a keycard to access rooms, the pool, and the gym.
A Room That Feels Like a River Cabin
Spanning floors 44 to 65, the hotel’s 380 guest rooms mostly offer panoramic river views.
I stayed on the 47th floor in an Executive Room, where floor-to-ceiling windows opened up to a dynamic view of cruise ships crisscrossing the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. The room didn’t just offer a view — it immersed me in Chongqing’s energy.
True to InterContinental’s reputation, comfort is paramount. The soft beige palette and cozy lighting wrapped the space in warmth and tranquility. Subtle design touches stood out — curved walls evoking a ship’s cabin and carpets mimicking the rivers’ meeting point.
A clever layout in the twin room caught my eye: beds faced the river directly, with a sofa nestled between them. This simple arrangement ensured both a shared view and personal privacy — a thoughtful blend of design and function.
Room Amenities:
- Sri Lanka VC Vith’s tea bags, Ganten bottled water, and capsule coffee are provided.
- Everything in the minibar is free, except for alcoholic beverages.
- The bath amenities have been upgraded to large bottles of Byredo.
- A luxurious selection of welcome fruits is placed in the room in advance.
Room Features:
- The bathroom includes a freestanding bathtub, Dyson hairdryer, and smart toilet.
- Bedside comes with a Tivoli Bluetooth speaker and wireless charging station.
- Smart TVs in both the bedroom and living room support screen mirroring.
- The walk-in closet is equipped with a Majestic Cetis iron.
- Minibar includes a Nespresso coffee machine.
👉Read more and check availability on Trip and Booking
Sky-High Bars and Restaurants
Chongqing is famous for its bold, spicy food culture, but after two rounds of intense Chongqing hotpot, my spice tolerance was maxed out. Luckily, the refined dishes served at the hotel restaurants offered much-needed comfort and balance. If you’ve had your fill of flavors from local Chongqing restaurants, this is a great spot to switch things up.
Botanica
Botanica is a charming and playful breakfast spot that takes inspiration from the film Chungking Express. With its leafy decor and whimsical food carts, it creates a lighthearted atmosphere that’s perfect for starting the day. The highlight? A warm bowl of gently spicy Chongqing-style tofu pudding that hit the spot every morning—simple yet deeply satisfying.
Jing Dining Room & Bar
Jing Dining Room & Bar offers a polished, modern ambiance perched high above the city. The stylish space blends cool-toned decor with warm pops of color, creating a sophisticated setting. Chef Jeff Tan brings his global experience to the table with a Sichuan-meets-Cantonese menu that’s both visually stunning and palate-pleasing. Dishes like lobster-topped Mapo Tofu and silky tofu chicken with caviar deliver refined flavor with just the right touch of flair. For someone like me—recovering from a spice overload—it was the perfect culinary retreat.
SHUA
SHUA, perched above the Jialing River, blends a vibrant lounge vibe with stunning views. Its sleek indoor space glows with star-like lights, while the rooftop sky terrace offers sweeping views of Chongqing. I visited with a friend and was impressed by the lively atmosphere and bold flavors—from a refreshing pumpkin salad to rich lobster baked rice. The highlight was the silver cod, fresh and flawlessly cooked. After dinner, we enjoyed cocktails on the rooftop, where the glass terrace creates the thrilling illusion of walking among the stars. SHUA delivers both an unforgettable dining experience and a taste of Chongqing’s nightlife.
Wellness & Fitness: Sky-High Comfort and Clean Waters
Located on the 43rd floor, the fitness center boasts a long pool ideal for serious swimmers. While its width is adequate, it may feel cramped during peak times—still, the water quality is exceptional, rivaling even the best like Regent Beijing. The jacuzzi runs a bit hot, but remains incredibly relaxing.
The sauna is on the smaller side, and still doesn’t match the comfort level of the one at Guangzhou’s Poly InterContinental. The gym, however, is spacious and well-equipped, and the showers in the locker rooms feature Byredo’s elegant “White Romantic” line of products.
Final Thoughts: Flagship Worthy with Room to Improve
As InterContinental’s flagship in Greater China, this property stands out with its thoughtful design. From the sweeping views to the riverboat-inspired decor, everything echoes the soul of Chongqing. The architectural flow—from the panoramic tower to the shimmering crystal skybridge and room interiors—is cohesive and unique. The vistas, especially the confluence of two rivers from the suites or the rooftop bar, are a rare and memorable highlight.
The experience across dining, wellness, accommodations, and service was solid. Staff were attentive, though operational efficiency could use improvement. One downside: the two InterContinental flagships in Chongqing don’t yet offer services like inter-hotel luggage transfers or recovery of forgotten items.
Overall Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars.
China Travel Planning Guide&FAQ
🎫Do I need a visa for China?
Yes. Most visitors to China will need a visa to enter the country. The type of visa you need will depend on the purpose and duration of your trip, as well as your nationality. If you are a resident of the US, you must apply for a Chinese visa at the Consular Office in the country. On the other hand, inhabitants of countries like Japan, Canada, and the UK can request a visa through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center.
🤔Why is it necessary to install a VPN in China?
In China, the government has strict regulations on internet access, leading to the blocking of popular websites and social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, and YouTube. To access these sites, a VPN is suggested as a means of bypassing the restrictions. It is important to choose a reputable VPN provider and use caution while doing so. ExpressVPN has been historically deemed the most reliable VPN for this purpose, despite being heavily targeted by China’s censors. Nevertheless, it is still a widely preferred option owing to its ease of installation and user-friendliness.
📲Is it necessary to have a Chinese SIM card while in China?
Yes. It is crucial to acknowledge that accessing the internet in China may pose limitations due to certain websites being prohibited or filtered. To ensure uninterrupted connectivity while staying in China, purchasing a local SIM card is advisable. For optimum results, acquiring SIM cards from either China Unicom or China Mobile is recommended. While China Mobile has the most comprehensive coverage in China and is a market leader, China Unicom is more compatible with foreign phones, enabling 3G and 4G services. Or you can purchase a SIM card online.
🔮Should I buy China travel insurance?
Yes. Although China is generally a safe country for travel, it is still possible to encounter accidents or other unexpected occurrences. Therefore, obtaining travel insurance can provide a sense of security and financial protection. In my research, I have found that World Nomads is a reputable travel insurance provider that covers a wide range of activities and is recommended for the average traveler. Nevertheless, I advise you to compare insurance quotes from various providers before making a decision.
🚙Can you rent a car in China?
Unfeasible. Obtaining a Chinese driver’s license to rent a car and self-drive may seem like an option, but it is not a practical choice for most foreigners. Therefore, many prefer to opt for a driver or public transportation when navigating China, as it proves to be more convenient.
✈️What’s the best site to purchase flight tickets for China?
I suggest using Trip for affordable flights to China. As a China-based company, they often offer lower prices compared to foreign companies. Additionally, they offer English-speaking phone support in case of any issues.
🏡What is the best way to book hotels in China?
🎒What do I pack for China?
Travel adapter and converter: China uses a different electrical system than many other countries, so it’s important to bring a travel adapter and converter if you plan to use electronic devices such as phones, cameras, and laptops.
Sunscreen: The UV index in China can be high, particularly during the summer months, and prolonged exposure to the sun without protection can cause skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Deodorant: It should be noted that finding deodorant in China may not be a simple task.
📚Can a guidebook for traveling to China be useful?
Yes. If you’re planning to travel to China for the first time, a travel guidebook can be a valuable resource, and Lonely Planet is one of the most reputable guides available globally. Its comprehensive itineraries and recommendations take into account your personal preferences and can save you both time and money. The insider tips are also extremely helpful in navigating China’s unique cultural landscape like a local.
Esther Zheng is a local Chinese travel blogger and the founder of Let’s Travel to China. She began exploring China during her university years and has spent over eight years traveling across nearly every province, discovering both famous landmarks and hidden gems. After sharing her authentic experiences online and helping friends plan trips, she turned her passion into a full-time travel resource. Today, Esther provides insider tips, itineraries, and local insights to help travelers experience China like a local. She’s on a mission to make planning unforgettable journeys across China easy, authentic, and inspiring.
