Overview
The Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum is a national first-class museum comprehensively showcasing the history and culture of the Yangtze River Three Gorges and the Ba-Yu civilization. It houses over 280,000 cultural relics, with its core exhibition hall, "The Magnificent Three Gorges," recreating the original appearance of the Three Gorges and the results of rescue archaeological work in the reservoir area.
A visit is recommended to last 2 to 5 hours. The best time to visit is on weekday mornings when there are fewer visitors. Note that the museum is closed on Mondays; its opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM). It is recommended to visit from the fourth floor downwards, highlighting the "Instagrammable" Qing Dynasty pink crystal dragon-handled double-eared incense burner (small pink burner) and other treasures of the museum.
How to Get There
The most convenient way is to take Metro Line 2 or Line 10 to Zengjiayan Station, exit from Exit 3, and walk for about 2 minutes to reach the museum. If taking a bus, you can choose Dalitang Station or Xuetianwan Station, where multiple bus lines stop.
Recommended Itinerary: It is recommended to combine the museum visit with the Chongqing People's Great Hall (ticket required) across the street. Visit the museum in the morning, then walk to the Great Hall for photos in the afternoon. Afterwards, stroll to Zhongshan Fourth Road, known as "Chongqing's most beautiful street," and visit anti-Japanese war relics such as Zhou Enlai's Former Residence and Guiyuan Garden along the way. In the evening, take Metro Line 2 to Liziba Station to see the famous "light rail passing through a building" spectacle.
What to Expect
The museum boasts comprehensive accessibility facilities. It features accessible elevators and restrooms, providing direct access to all exhibition halls on each floor, and wheelchair access is seamless. Free wheelchair and stroller rentals are available at the entrance (a deposit or identification is required), and the ticket gates have wide access for wheelchairs. The first floor houses a gift shop and a dining/rest area, along with self-service lockers and audio guide rentals. For hearing-impaired visitors, sign language videos are available for some exhibition areas.
Practical Tips
- Reserve ahead on the museum’s official WeChat channel if possible — permanent galleries are generally free as of 2026, but same-day slots can fill up on weekends and holidays.
- Bring your passport for entry checks; foreign visitors may need manual registration at the counter even when tickets cost ¥0.
- Go early, ideally before 10:30, to avoid school groups and tour buses, especially in spring and autumn.
- Pair your visit with the People’s Great Hall across the square — the area is walkable and makes a good half-day cultural stop in central Chongqing.
