72 hours in Chongqing

Day Two: War of Liberation tour

In the morning, if you are interested in the history of China's War of Liberation (1946-49), visit the two prisons in Gele Mountain, Cinder Cave and White Residence, where hundreds of Communist Party members and officials were held during the civil war.

In the afternoon, you can visit the Three Gorges Museum. As the landmark of Chongqing, the museum is not only the largest monographic museum in China, but also a public undertaking for the preservation, education, scientific research of cultural relics and the natural environment of Chongqing and the Three Gorges area. A 360-degree cinema of the Three Gorges shows the natural scenery of the Three Gorges prior to the construction of the dam. There are more than 170,000 cultural relics.

Eat dinner at Nanbin Road by the Yangtze River. There are dozens of upscale local restaurants with a view of the river.

Day Three: Nearby Attractions

The trip to Dazu Rock Carvings will take one day. One of the four greatest Buddhist grottoes in China, it has a long history of more than 1,000 years. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999.

What makes the Dazu carvings so special are their aesthetic quality, state of preservation, rich diversity of subject matter, both secular and religious, and the light that they shed on everyday life in China during ancient times. Many of the carvings are brightly painted and tell religious, moral and historical stories.

If you are interested in Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, Dazu Rock Carvings is a must-see destination.

After enjoying the spiritual journey, you can eat at the Lotus Garden. The must-order dishes include lotus soup, lotus pork, lotus porridge and, of course, the lotus drinks. You can explore more all by yourself.

At night, for a great view of the famous night scenery in Chongqing, you can go to the well-known sightseeing spot called "Yi Ke Shu", or One Tree, on top of Nanshan Mountain to experience a splendid panoramic view of the city.

Last but not least, if you can stand the spicy local flavor, you should try one of the dozens of open-air hotpot restaurants on Nanshan Mountain.

Zhao Zhongxia contributed to the story.