Chongqing - On September 29, the 2025 Chongqing Autumn Tourism Promotion event kicked off in Yunyang County. In a major push to attract visitors, the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development, in collaboration with various districts and counties, has unveiled a lineup of over 1,000 cultural and tourism activities.
The highlight is a series of vibrant events for the upcoming National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday period, inviting residents and tourists alike to embark on an autumn journey and experience the unique charm of the mountain city through its landscapes, intangible cultural heritage, and live performances.
The heaven for foodies in Jiefangbei (Photo provided to iChongqing and Bridging News)
Museums ease access with extended hours
During the holiday, museums and memorial halls across the city will host special exhibitions and educational activities.
Key offerings include the "Starry Art in Yuzhou – Modern Masterpieces from the Collection" exhibition at the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum, and "80 Years of the China National Democratic Construction Association: Forging Ahead with Original Aspiration" at the Chongqing Three Gorges Migrants Memorial Hall.
The Chongqing Hongyan Revolutionary History Museum and the Chongqing Natural History Museum will also hold themed events.
In a visitor-friendly move, all museums except four major ones – the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum (including the Baiheliang Underwater Museum), the Chongqing Hongyan Revolutionary History Museum, the Chongqing Great Bombing Memorial Hall, and the Chongqing Science and Technology Museum – have waived advance booking requirements. Several venues will extend their opening hours, with the Three Gorges Museum closing at 6:00 PM and the Sports Museum at 9:00 PM.
Cultural heritage shines through festive celebrations
The dual festival will be celebrated with deep integrations of intangible cultural heritage.
In Qianjiang District, the 2025 Zhuoshui Scenic Area will host the 5th Qixi Festival Fair and the 6th Qianjiang Chicken Gizzard Food Culture Festival, showcasing Tujia culture and local cuisine.
Tongliang District's Charming Dream Garden will present a "Culture & National Tide" Fire Dance Show from October 1-7.
The Mexin Red Wine Town scenic area will offer free tastings of special mooncakes with local flavors like red wine, Fuling black pork, and Fuling pickled mustard tuber, alongside themed banquets highlighting local culinary culture.
The Mexin Red Wine Town scenic area. (Photo: The event organizer)
City stages star-studded shows
The holiday season brings a packed schedule of performances.
The Chongqing Grand Theatre will stage the dance drama Du Fu on October 1 and the ballet The Red Shoes on October 4-5. The Shiguangnan Theatre will present the opera When the Dust Settles on October 8, while the Chongqing Guotai Art Center features children's plays.
Music fans can look forward to Chen Linong's "Youth As The Name" global tour concert on October 3, and Nicholas Tse's "Evolution" concert at the Jiulongpo Olympic Sports Center on October 6-7. Tours by stars like Li Ronghao and Sandy Lam are scheduled for November.
Resident shows, including the acrobatic spectacle Top of the World, the large-scale red stage play Chongqing 1949, and Sichuan opera performances, will also run throughout the holiday.
The acrobatic spectacle Top of the World. (Photo: The event organizer)
Sky-high thrills and outdoor adventures await
A variety of outdoor events are planned, including nightly drone light shows. From October 2-6, the Fairy Mountain Airport and Scenic Area will host an "Aviation Culture Tourism Week & First Free Sky Air Show," featuring spectacular flight performances.
Chongqing's regular light drone show (Photo: Feng Xiaolou)
Several districts are launching seasonal festivals. Chengkou County's "1314" Daba Mountain Hundred-Mile Colorful Foliage self-drive tour starts in late October. Wushan County will hold the 19th Chongqing Yangtze River Three Gorges (Wushan) International Red Leaf Festival from November 1 to December 31. Hiking and themed walking events are also scheduled in Nanchuan and Beibei districts.
Exclusive perks and deals for visitors
To welcome tourists, the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development is rolling out preferential policies, including platform subsidies and the joint Sichuan-Chongqing "Chengdu-Chongqing Culture and Tourism Pass," which offers benefits for 62 attractions. A "mutual ticket exemption" is in effect for 38 attractions across 12 regions in Sichuan and Chongqing.
Specific discounts target particular groups: visitors with ticket stubs from a specific concert can enjoy free admission to the Dazu Rock Carvings. The Wulong Karst Tourist Area offers a 155-yuan package (covering 7 major attractions and transport) for visitors arriving via high-speed rail at Wulong Station, with additional discounts for police officers, teachers, and medical workers.