The bike is the worst choice for people who understand the layout and structure of "the mountain city". Added the fact that it is incredibly dangerous to bike on city streets it is just not a good idea.First timers to Chongqing should be warned it is very easy to get lost due to the many hills and valleys added the two major rivers.The bus system and monorail are advised as the best forms of transportation and are very cheap and efficient.
By taxi
Taxis in Chongqing are bright yellow small sized Suzuki sedans. They are relatively cheap start by ¥8 and ¥1.8/km, ¥8.9 and ¥2.25/km after midnight and can be easily found 24 hours a day. Few drivers speak anything but Chinese, so you must know where you are going. Either have your destination written for you in Chinese, learn how to say it, or be able to direct the driver. A good way to use taxis is to gather cards from hotels, then simply show the driver the one you want to go to or is nearest to your destination.
Caution: Empty Taxis are hard to find on extremely hot days. It is advisable to seek alternative transportation or stay indoors. The reason is due to the fact that most Taxis have A/C running thus making more frequent stops to the natural gas station. Added to the fact that there aren't many natural gas stations around and the pump pressure is frequently inadequate, most taxis will be stranded lining up for gas.
By bus
Buses are frequent and cheap, but unless you can read Chinese you have to know where they are going and choose the right number bus going in the right direction. If you are going to one of the city centres in Chongqing city, simply ask each bus if they go there. There are four city centres, so be sure you know the name of the place you want to go to.
The four city centers in Chongqing are called Shapingba SandplainsGPS 29.559900-106.457440 NW part of town and is an academic and university centre, Jiangbei NorthplaceGPS 29.577000-106.528000, Nanping Southernplains GPS 29.530531-106.561379 and Jiefangbei GPS 29.560454-106.573400, which is one of the oldest centres and a shopping centre and near Chaotianmen harbour where there are lots of small markets and shops often called the "fleamarkets" locallyGPS 29.566742-106.583977.
The bus station in Shapingba is at GPS 29.559300-106.455450. There are two bus stations in Jiefangbei, south and west of the monument. There are two bus stations in Jiangbei near the pedestrian street.