Chongqing, China
Smoking policy at Chongqing, Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG)
Warnings & Caveats
All former indoor smoking rooms at CKG are permanently closed under Chongqing municipal smoking regulations. Vaping is restricted to outdoor/designated zones only; non-tobacco-flavored vapes are illegal in China. Summer temperatures at outdoor smoking areas regularly exceed 40°C. Transit passengers who exit to smoke must re-clear security, which can take 45-90 minutes.
CKG is a large, busy airport where the smoking situation has shifted considerably since 2016 and continues to evolve. All indoor smoking rooms that once existed have been permanently closed under Chongqing's public-place smoking regulations, but a handful of outdoor and terrace-based smoking areas have emerged in the newer terminals, particularly T3B. The situation varies by terminal, and some spots reported in earlier years are now confirmed closed, so always check current signage on arrival.
Before Security
Landside smoking is straightforward: designated outdoor zones are available near terminal exits on both the arrivals and departures levels. These are free to use and open to anyone. No specific curbside bay numbers are documented in current sources, but look for marked areas near the main entrance doors of each terminal. In summer, Chongqing's heat regularly exceeds 40°C, so these outdoor spots can be genuinely uncomfortable from June through August.
After Security
The airside picture is more complicated and has changed repeatedly:
Terminal 2 (domestic): As of March 2024, anonymous traveler reports confirm no smoking areas remain after security. The previously documented rooms near gates G18, G3, F20, H5, and E8 are all closed.
Terminal 3A (international and some domestic): Also reported as having no smoking areas as of March 2024. The older rooms near gates A10, A12, B08, and C08 are closed. However, a January 2026 update from a traveler named Victor A. reports an outdoor smoking area across from gate E05 in T3A, and a June 2026 anonymous update confirms another smoking area in T3A opposite exit H09. These are the most current reports available.
Terminal 3B (domestic satellite): This is the most promising terminal for airside smokers right now. A December 2025 report from a traveler named Hakan describes a smoking area on the upstairs viewing terrace near gate M18. An April 2026 update from Dmitri also mentions a smoking area near gate E05 in T3 domestic. Wayfinding signs inside T3B (visible in photos) confirm a smoking area is listed alongside the viewing terrace, shops, and restaurants, suggesting it is an outdoor or semi-outdoor terrace spot.
Closed Rooms (Historical Reference)
Image 1 shows the yellow bilingual closure notice posted on former smoking rooms: "This smoking room has been closed for use according to Chongqing Regulations on the Control of Smoking in Public Places." If you see this sign, the room is definitively shut.
Vaping Rules
China has regulated e-cigarettes under a state monopoly since November 2022. Only tobacco-flavored vapes are legal; all other flavors are banned. At the airport, vaping is treated the same as cigarette smoking: outdoor or designated zones only. Do not vape inside the terminal.
Transit and Layovers
If you are connecting and need to smoke, you may need to exit the secure zone, smoke outside the terminal, and re-clear security. This is feasible for layovers of three hours or more. Factor in the time to walk to the exit, smoke, and queue through security again, which can take 45 to 90 minutes depending on the time of day.
Bottom Line
Smoke before security at the outdoor curbside zones if you want the simplest option. Airside, your best current bet is the T3B viewing terrace near gate M18 or the outdoor area near gate E05 in T3A, but verify on arrival as conditions change frequently.
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