What to Buy in Chongqing (重庆)

mala everything, stilt-house streets, and mountain-city crafts

Hongyadong illuminated at night in Chongqing
Photo: Lianguanlun · CC BY 4.0 · source

Chongqing is the mountain city built on spice. Its signature souvenirs are unapologetically bold: mala hotpot base blocks, Chen Mahua fried twists from Ciqikou, and feather-light Jiangjin rice candy — all made for sharing.

Beyond food, Chongqing's crafts carry real history: Liangping woodblock New Year prints (400 years old, a national intangible heritage) and Rongchang pottery from the millennium-old kiln town. Hongyadong's illuminated stilt-house complex is the city's postcard — and a solid souvenir hunt after dark.

Shop Ciqikou Ancient Town for snacks, Jiefangbei for malls and markets, and Chaotianmen wholesale market for the lowest prices. One important note: traditional hotpot base uses beef tallow, which several countries confiscate at the border — the vegetable-oil version is the safe pick.

Shopping highlights

  • Mala to take home: Chongqing hotpot base (choose the vegetable-oil version for customs-safe travel) and xiaomian noodle seasoning kits.
  • Ciqikou's century-old Chen Mahua — the crispy-sweet twisted fritters every visitor carries home.
  • National-heritage crafts: Liangping woodblock New Year prints and Rongchang pottery.
  • Hongyadong at night: the stilt-house landmark doubles as an 11-story souvenir complex.
  • Fuling zhacai (乌江) gift sets — China's most famous pickled mustard, a classic pantry souvenir.

Worth buying in Chongqing

Worth finding

Chen Mahua (陈麻花)

Chongqing's iconic crispy-sweet fried dough twist — the century-old Ciqikou 陈麻花 is the must-buy version.

Price varies — check in store

Worth finding

Chongqing Hotpot Base (重庆火锅底料)

The city's signature mala hotpot block — pick the vegetable-oil (清油) version for a customs-safe trip home.

Price varies — check in store

Worth finding

Rongchang Pottery (荣昌陶器)

Millennium-old pottery craft and national intangible heritage — rustic tea sets and vases with real history.

Price varies — check in store

Worth finding

Fuling Zhacai Gift Set (涪陵榨菜)

China's most famous pickled mustard tuber — 乌江 brand gift sets, the classic Chongqing pantry souvenir.

Price varies — check in store

Worth finding

Hongyadong Souvenirs (洪崖洞文创)

Souvenirs from Chongqing's famous stilt-house landmark — night-view postcards, magnets, and Bayu-style crafts.

Price varies — check in store

Where to shop in Chongqing

Chaotianmen Wholesale Market (朝天门市场)

Market

重庆市渝中区朝天门

  • Yuzhong District
  • Tax refund: Check with the store
  • Information checked 2026-10-10
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Chongqing Department Store (重庆百货大楼)

Department Store

重庆市渝中区民权路2号

  • Yuzhong District
  • Tax refund: Check with the store
  • Information checked 2026-10-10
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Ciqikou Ancient Town (磁器口古镇)

Street

重庆市沙坪坝区磁器口街道

  • Shapingba District
  • Tax refund: Check with the store
  • Information checked 2026-10-10
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Hongyadong (洪崖洞)

Street

重庆市渝中区朝天门街道嘉陵江滨江路88号

  • Yuzhong District
  • Tax refund: Check with the store
  • Information checked 2026-10-10
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Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street (解放碑步行街)

Street

重庆市渝中区解放碑

  • Yuzhong District
  • Tax refund: Check with the store
  • Information checked 2026-10-10
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Shibati Traditional Style Area (十八梯)

Street

重庆市渝中区中兴路1号

  • Yuzhong District
  • Tax refund: Check with the store
  • Information checked 2026-10-10
Open map

Sources

City guide checked 2026-10-10.