Abstract: The spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of precipitation, especially hourly heavy precipitation, in Chongqing area were analyzed. Satellite precipitation products from 2008 to 2016, with a resolution of 0.1o, provided by the National Meteorological Information Center were used. Results showed that: (1) The annual mean precipitation increased from the western to the eastern part of Chongqing, with large precipitation centers that varied seasonally, located in the northeast and southeast of Chongqing. Precipitation in western Chongqing significantly increased, particularly in summer. In addition, total precipitation displayed large values over western and eastern Chongqing and low values over central Chongqing; the distribution of precipitation frequency and intensity were highly correlated with topography. Precipitation over areas 1000 m above MSL was heavier than that over the basin and hilly areas below 1000 m in altitude. Precipitation intensity tended to show the opposite distribution. Orographic uplift was an important trigger for heavy precipitation, leading to more precipitation in the transition zone along the windward side of the mountains than in the intermountain zone. (2) Precipitation in Chongqing was mainly concentrated in May-September. Precipitation amount, intensity, and hourly heavy precipitation frequency distributions all showed a single, June-July peak. Precipitation frequency displayed a double peak, with one in May-June and the other in October. However, a minimum of precipitation frequency occurred mainly in July-August, corresponding with fair and warm days the subtropical high. (3) Precipitation in Chongqing showed a clear diurnal variation. Precipitation was mainly nocturnal rain, with diurnal peaks that displayed an eastward delay. The diurnal peaks tended to occur at 0200 BJT (Beijing time) in west Chongqing, at 0500 BJT in central Chongqing, and at 0800 BJT in east Chongqing. Precipitation over Chongqing in spring, autumn, and winter showed a single diurnal peak in the early morning. In summer, there was a sub-peak at about 1700 BJT due to local afternoon convection. (4) Heavy precipitation was mainly concentrated in summer. There were three large value centers in space. Due to interaction with the southwest vortex and topography, heavy hourly precipitation was clearly more frequent in the basin area west of Jinyun Mountain in summer.