Coming Soon: Fly Direct from Manila to China's 8D Magic City This Year

(SPOT.ph) It’s all over TikTok: trains slicing through buildings, streets that seem to shift ground levels from one block to the next, and nightscapes straight out of a movie. If all that (and more) has already made its way to your feed, that's a clear sign to put Chongqing on your travel radar. Good news! Getting there is about to be easier—Air China is set to launch direct flights to Chongqing this year.

Here’s what we know so far.

Also read: The SPOT.ph Guide to Applying for a Chinese Visa

Starting May 1, Air China will be launching direct flights from Manila to Chongqing, China. This new nonstop flight from the Chinese flag carrier flies four times weekly at roughly four hours one-way. This cuts the average travel time from the Philippines by at least half, seeing as most flights that connect through other hubs such as Hong Kong, Beijing, and Singapore, typically have layovers lasting over two hours.

Flights from Chongqing arrive in Manila in the wee hours, around 1 a.m., which means flights to Chongqing will depart Manila around 2 a.m.

• Manila to Chongqing

  • Flight CA 482

  • Departs NAIA Terminal 3 (MNL): 1:50 a.m.

  • Arrives in Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG): 5:40 a.m.

  • Operating every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday

• Chongqing to Manila

  • Flight CA 481

  • Departs CKG: 9 p.m.

  • Arrives in MNL: 12:50 a.m. (next day)

  • Operating every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

Note: There is no time difference between Manila and Chongqing.

As of writing, Air China flies out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)Terminal 1, but come March 29, 2026 (and consequently, May 1, when the Chongqing flights start), it will operate out of NAIA Terminal 3.

As for the ticket prices, although Air China has yet to announce any maiden flight promotions or official rates, a quick search through the Air China webpage reveals that direct round-trip flights to Chongqing would set you back at least HKD 1,772 (or roughly P13, 631.76) for economy class fares, inclusive of one piece of baggage with a maximum weight of 23 kilograms, and of all applicable fuel surcharges and other surcharges collected by airline(s), taxes/fees/charges collected by the government and the airport. TLDR: no hidden charges after the booking page.

The new flight announcement was made on the Chinese Embassy in Manila's Facebook page, describing the route as a "direct gateway to explore Chongqing’s iconic 'magical 8D city' landscapes and other major tourist destinations in Western China."

Apart from being a 'magical 8D city' thanks to its unique and mindbending cityscape that seems to operate on its own definition of 'ground level,' Chongqing is also called the "Cyberpunk City," thanks to its dense, futuristic, and neon-colored infrastructure. This blend of magical realism and futurism with a hint of old world charm made Chongqing one of TravelTok's newfound travel obsessions, so much so that a report from the Chongqing Immigration Administration Bureau cites that in 2024, Chongqing received 1.27 million inbound tourists, which is almost a 200% year-on-year increase from the previous year, and a definite upgrade from their pre-pandemic numbers.

Safe to say, Chongqing is slowly making its way to many travelers' bucket lists. Some sights that usually make their way to our social media feeds include: Hongya Cave, a multi-level cliffside complex that lights up at night and looks like it should be in an animated film; the Liziba Rail Transit Station, which is a working train station that passes through a residential building; Jiefangbei Square, which a bustling commercial center home to neon-lit streets and towering shopping malls and buildings, akin to Times Square in the US and Shibuya in Japan; and in complete contrast, Ciqikou, a traditional town with cobblestown streets and old-Chinese architecture where you can escape the futuristic chaos.

There are also a bunch of nearby towns and sites that are worth day trips from Chongqing. This includes exploring nearby caves, mountain towns, geology parks, and more. Safe to say, a trip to this part of China will leave your itineraries full, and your sense of wanderlust sated.

For more information, visit Air China's website.