Chongqing
Synopsis
Chongqing is one of China's four direct-controlled municipalities, renowned as the 8D magical mountain city, famous for its unique attractions such as the night view of Hongyadong, the Yangtze River Cableway, and the light rail passing through buildings. Chongqing is the capital of Chinese hotpot, and Hongyadong is often compared to the real-life scene from Spirited Away. During the 2025 May Day holiday, it received 18.58 million tourists, making it one of China's most popular internet-famous tourist cities.
Overview
Chongqing is one of China's four direct-controlled municipalities, located at the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Jialing River. Covering an area of 82,400 square kilometers with a permanent population of approximately 32 million, it is the largest and most populous municipality in China. Known as an "8D Magic City" due to its unique mountainous terrain, Chongqing features subways running through buildings, cableways spanning the Yangtze River, and tiered buildings clinging to hillsides, creating a cityscape unparalleled in the world.
In recent years, Chongqing has become one of China's most popular internet-famous tourist destinations. During the 2025 May Day holiday, Chongqing received 18.5831 million domestic tourists, with total tourist spending reaching 15.171 billion yuan. The Hongyadong Folk Custom Area alone received 698,000 visitors during the holiday, making it the most popular attraction. Leveraging the benefits of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy, Chongqing has rapidly gained international recognition in the tourism market.
Historically known as Bayu, Chongqing is a nationally renowned historical and cultural city. During the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, it served as the wartime provisional capital, leaving behind a rich legacy of wartime cultural heritage. Chongqing is also the birthplace of the Hongyan Spirit, with red tourism sites such as Baigongguan and Zhazidong carrying significant revolutionary history.
Must-Visit Attractions
| Attraction | Features | Ticket Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Hongyadong | Stilted building complex, nightscape comparable to Spirited Away | Free |
| Yangtze River Cableway | Aerial corridor spanning the Yangtze River | 30 yuan (round trip) |
| Liberation Monument | Monument to the victory in the War of Resistance, core commercial area | Free |
| Ciqikou Ancient Town | Millennium-old town, representative of Bayu culture | Free |
| Liziba Light Rail Station | Light rail passes through a building, iconic 8D city landmark | Free |
| Wulong Three Natural Bridges | UNESCO World Natural Heritage, karst wonder | 125 yuan |
| Dazu Rock Carvings | UNESCO World Cultural Heritage, Tang Dynasty rock carving art | 140 yuan |
| Three Gorges Museum | Learn about the history of Chongqing and the Three Gorges | Free |
Hongyadong — Chongqing's Spirited Away
Hongyadong is Chongqing's most iconic attraction, located on the banks of the Jialing River in Yuzhong District. With a total floor area of approximately 46,000 square meters, it comprises 11 floors and stands about 75 meters high. Built in the traditional Bayu stilted building style, it extends from the foot to the top of the hill. When illuminated at night, it is often compared by countless tourists and media to the bathhouse scene from Hayao Miyazaki's animated film Spirited Away.
Hongyadong integrates urban tourism, business leisure, and local culture, featuring specialty shops, restaurants, bars, and viewing platforms. The best photo spot for a panoramic view of Hongyadong is from the Qiansimen Bridge.
Capital of Hot Pot
Chongqing is renowned as the "Capital of Hot Pot," with hot pot culture deeply ingrained in the city's soul:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Hot Pot Restaurants | Over 30,000 |
| Core Feature | Spicy beef tallow broth |
| Classic Ingredients | Beef tripe, duck intestine, pork aorta, aged meat slices |
| Dipping Sauce | Sesame oil and garlic paste dip |
| Famous Hot Pot Streets | Bayi Food Street, Jiaochangkou |
Chongqing hot pot originated from the dock culture along the Jialing River, where boatmen and trackers initially boiled offal like beef tripe in spicy broth. Today, Chongqing hot pot has become one of the representatives of Chinese cuisine. In 2022, the total output value of Chongqing's hot pot industry chain exceeded 300 billion yuan.
8D Magic City
Chongqing is called the "8D Magic City" due to its unique mountainous terrain and multi-dimensional transportation:
- Liziba Light Rail Station: Line 2 passes through a building, with the structure and tracks integrated.
- Crown Escalator: The longest hillside escalator in Asia, 112 meters long.
- Yangtze River Cableway: Aerial public transport spanning the Yangtze River, 1,166 meters in total length.
- Huangjuewan Interchange: A 5-level interchange connecting eight directions.
- Mountain City Trails: Old city trails built along the hillside, offering panoramic river views.
Travel Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Travel Seasons | Spring (March–May) and Autumn (September–November) |
| Transportation | Jiangbei International Airport, high-speed rail hub |
| Suggested Itinerary | 3–5 days |
| Unique Experiences | Hongyadong night view, eating hot pot, riding the Yangtze River Cableway, watching the light rail pass through buildings |
References
- Chongqing Municipal Government Website — May Day Tourism Data: https://www.cq.gov.cn/ywdt/jrcq/202505/t20250508_14589994.html
- Wikipedia — Chongqing: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/重庆
- UNESCO — Dazu Rock Carvings: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/913
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