12 Can-Not-Missed Gems to Leave with an Unforgettable Mountain City Trip in Chongqing
Think of the city where skyscrapers are hanging on the cliffs, neon lights are imitating the flowing liquid of gold on the rivers, the old history is talking to you in the names of stones carved. Welcome to Chongqing the Chinese 8D magic city! If panoramas give you some chills, you miss spicy hot pot, or seek Instagramable places, here is your list of 12 landmark attractions that will present a picture-perfect view of this vibrant megacity.
Hongyadong
This 11-story stilts palace – named “The Palace on Cliffs†– spills down Jialing River like a honeycomb lit up. Take a stroll through its 2,000-year-old sloping alleyways to discover traditional tea rooms with performers of the Bian Lian (face-changing opera), and finally jump to the rooftop bars to gawp at the neon-lit scenery of the river. Pro tip: The light display at dead of night turns it into a film live Blade Runner!
Liziba Light Rail Station
Ever seen a subway train blast out of a residential tower? At Caixie New Village Building 8, the monorail cuts through floors 6-8 every 4 minutes – just stand in the courtyard café with a jasmine tea as 60-ton carriages thunder above you. The ultimate Chongqing “only here†moment.
Yangtze River Cableway
Zip along China’s mother river in retro-red cabanas just equipped with glass floors! The 7-minute trip from the Xinhua Road Station offers eagle-eye views of the Chaotianmen “whale mouth†confluence where the jade Jialing and golden Yangtze merge. Sunset cruises reveal the city’s rolling hillscape erupting into scarlet.
Jiefangbei CBD
Chongqing’s pulsing life center is the 27.5m Liberation Monument – a WWII-era spire piercing a thicket of contemporary skyscrapers. Friday nights are lit up by holographic billboards and street performers pirouetting over the Raffles City complex’s 250m skybridge. Don’t miss the “Hotpot Museum†in the underground – 2,000+ varieties of chilies.
Ciqikou Ancient Town
Travel back in time to the alleys and streets where the Ming Dynasty lived and pottery makers hand-throw porcelain in the home-courtyard kilns. Smell freshly Sichuan pepper and enter secret courtyards to enjoy tea ceremonies with Guqin zither music. Golden Ornament Bridge turns into an island of paper lanterns at night.
Wulong Karst
Just 2 hours from the city center, these otherworldly limestone pillars were the site of Transformers 4. Cross the glass skybridge at 280m over the Three Natural Bridges sinkholes, then descend into Furong Cave’s 5km-long universe of radiant pools and 30m-high rock waterfalls.
Dazu Rock Carvings
UNESCO-listed Buddhist sculptures carved into cliff faces between the 9th-13th centuries. Baoding Mountain contains more than 10,000 statues ranging from enlightened arhats to domestic scenes – spot the world’s first stone-carved QR code (a Tang Dynasty mandala)!
Guanyinqiao Pedestrian Street
Fashionistas flock to this open catwalk where LED-stripped pavements react to foot traffic. Above, 4,800㎡ digital cherry blossoms blanket the screen every night while below, the “Starlight Food Bunker†serves spicy Chongqing noodles from a retro-futuristic bunker.
Three Gorges Museum
Interested in Chongqing and the Yangtze? Don’t miss the Three Gorges Museum. Informative displays on four levels cover archeological treasures, the stunning history of the Three Gorges Dam, and the city’s strategic location in WWII. It’s within easy walking distance of the dramatic People’s Assembly Hall.
Nanbin Road
Nanbin Road, known as the Bund of Chongqing extends along the south side of the Yangtze. Go on a nice walking tour along the river, watch Blue Jialing mixed together with Yellow Yangtze, have a cocktail and see the skyscrapers on the other side glow with lights in the evening.
Chaotianmen Square
Chaotianmen Square is the junction point of two great rivers in Chongqing. Spectacular views of the conjoining of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers and watching enormous bridges appear to surround the city are possible since this lively plaza is the place where one can admire breathtaking views. It is a center of river cruises and a site of night cruises with fantastic water lights.
The Yangtze River Cruise
Finally, pamper yourself with an experience of the Yangtze River cruise which leaves at Chaotianmen Dock. The cruises would provide exotic scenes of the changing skyline of the city of Chongqing, the colorful city bridges and the sight of the famous three gorges in flowing river- a sight one could never forget.
