Useful phrases and local travel tips

You do not need fluent Mandarin to eat incredible food or navigate Chongqing's multi-layered streets. A handful of everyday phrases and simple etiquette habits will help you order exactly what you want, find the right cliffside lift, and connect warmly with locals.

Start a conversation simply

Mandarin works everywhere across Chongqing, even though locals chat together in lively Chongqing dialect. Starting with a polite greeting makes every interaction smooth and friendly. You can speak these phrases directly or show the text on your screen:

• 你好: Hello.
• 谢谢: Thank you.
• 请问 (Qingwen): Excuse me; may I ask?
• 不好意思: Pardon me; sorry to trouble you.

Keep questions short and direct. When using a translation app, write short, clear sentences and show your phone screen to staff. Showing a saved photo of a landmark entrance or a pinned map location works much faster than trying to pronounce complex street addresses.

Ask for the taste you want

Chongqing cuisine is celebrated for its deep red chilli heat (辣; la) and the tingling, numbing sensation of Sichuan peppercorns (麻; ma). These two sensations form distinct layers of local flavor. Tell your server your spice preferences before the kitchen starts cooking:

• 少辣: Less chilli spice.
• 不要辣: No chilli spice.
• 不要花椒: No Sichuan pepper (numbing pepper).
• 我吃素: I eat vegetarian.

Remember that "less spicy" (少辣) in Chongqing often carries as much heat as standard spicy dishes in other cities. If you cannot handle heat at all, state clearly 不要辣. If you have strict dietary requirements, check our vegetarian and vegan guide and halal guide for tips on soup stocks, lard, and cross-contact.

When dining at a Chongqing hotpot (重庆火锅) restaurant, use the shared serving chopsticks or ladles to drop raw meat and vegetables into the boiling broth. Let items cook through completely before moving them to your personal dipping bowl.

Make ordering and paying clear

At street stalls and neighborhood noodle shops, point to items on the wall menu or hold up fingers to show portion sizes. If prices are not listed, ask 这个多少钱？ (How much is this?). When you are ready to wrap up, call out politely to the staff: 买单 (Maidan) (bill, please).

Many modern restaurants place a tabletop QR code for ordering. Scan it with Alipay or WeChat to browse photo menus and pay directly at the table. If you prefer paying at the counter, show your completed payment confirmation screen to the cashier so they can verify the total.

Foreign travelers can set up mobile payment services. You can also follow our mobile payment guide to link international Visa or Mastercard cards to Alipay and WeChat Pay before you land.

Tipping is not customary in mainland China. Tips are not expected at local eateries, food stalls, or inside regular taxis. Private chartered drivers or specialized tour guides may appreciate tips according to your booking agreement, and high-end hotel restaurants may include a fixed service charge on the printed bill.

Travel through shared spaces

Chongqing's bustling transit hubs and cliffside streets move fast.

Because popular photo spots often sit right beside residential apartment blocks and neighborhood markets, stay on public staircases and keep your voice down in quiet corridors. Always ask permission before photographing local residents up close. A warm smile and a slight gesture toward your camera make your intentions clear.

Inside temples, historical halls, and museums, look out for notices regarding flash photography and quiet zones. If you are ever unsure, a quick gesture to staff will confirm whether photos are permitted.

Find the entrance you need

Because Chongqing is built across steep river hills with layered cliffside foundations, street level 1 and roof level 11 can both open onto different public roads. When choosing where to stay or heading to a viewpoint, these phrases will save you hundreds of unnecessary steps:

• 电梯在哪里？ Where is the elevator?
• 厕所在哪里？ Where is the restroom?
• 我要去这里: I want to go here.

When using 我要去这里, point directly to the destination name written in Chinese characters on your smartphone. Showing a clear photo of the building entrance or lobby is even better. Ask your hotel front desk for their business card with the exact Chinese address and entrance floor so taxi drivers can drop you off at the correct level.