On the vast land of China, each city is like a unique pearl, possessing its own dazzling brilliance. They are either gentle or bold, each with its own characteristics, like stars dotting the night sky.
However, when it comes to the word “magical,” one name invariably comes to mind – Chongqing. This city seems to be a perfect combination of nature and human wisdom, interweaving magic and reality, making one marvel.
Chongqing’s magic is so unfathomable that it cannot be described in words. With each step on this land, it refreshes your perception with new magic, leaving you in awe.
Here, the concept of flat and three-dimensional is completely shattered. You will see towering buildings standing on the mountains, as if to pierce the sky; while on the buildings, there may be a flat ground, making you marvel at the wonder of nature.
Chongqing’s magic is also reflected in its seeming escape from the shackles of gravity. While Shandong Airlines’ planes draw beautiful arcs in the sky, Chongqing’s taxis can “take off” on the spot, taking you through every corner of the city.
What’s even more magical is that when you come to Chongqing, you will deeply experience what true “happiness” is.
Here, you can taste a bowl of fragrant noodles for less than 10 yuan, leaving you with an unforgettable aftertaste; while for just over 100 yuan, you can enjoy a sumptuous hotpot feast.
On rest days, you don’t need to worry about the troubles of overtime. Just enjoy a cup of tea in a teahouse, or compete with friends at the mahjong table, enjoying the comfort and leisure of life.
In this vibrant and charming city, you will find that there are thousands of interpretations of “magic.”
It could be the towering buildings that rise from the ground, or the winding mountain roads; it could be a steaming bowl of noodles, or a hotpot meal filled with laughter.
No matter how you interpret it, Chongqing’s magic will forever remain in your heart, becoming an unforgettable memory.
Liberation Monument
If Chongqing has a soul, then the Liberation Monument is its heart. Not having been here is like missing the magnificence of the Forbidden City in Beijing, a true regret.
Today’s Liberation Monument is not only a landmark of Chongqing but also a shining star in the long river of history. It witnessed the glory of the victory in the War of Resistance and is a spiritual totem of the unyielding spirit of the Chinese nation.
This monument is unique, a national memorial to the victory of the Chinese people in the War of Resistance against Japan. Every mark tells the story of past hardships and glories.
The leisure square surrounding this memorial is like a quiet oasis, forming a stark contrast with the surrounding prosperity. It stands quietly, like an old man from outside the world, gazing at the vicissitudes of Chongqing with those deep eyes.
From its initial lonely watch to today’s towering buildings, it still stands tall, witnessing the ancient and modern legends of Chongqing.
Hongya Cave
Chongqing’s stunning of the world is inseparable from the night view of Hongya Cave.
It is like a condensed scroll of Chongqing’s history, perfectly combining the architectural art of Bayu stilted buildings with the landscape of a river city. Its cultural connotations and brilliant architectural features attract countless domestic and foreign tourists to explore.
With a height difference of 75 meters, it rises along the cliff in a staggered manner. In the misty air, the sense of spatial dislocation weaves a magical realistic painting.
During the day, it may seem ordinary, but as night falls and the lights come on, Hongya Cave radiates the brilliant golden light of the mountain city.
Ciqikou
For ancient town lovers, how can one miss the charm of Ciqikou?
It shares similarities with other ancient towns, but as you walk into those deep alleys, you will discover the unique style of the mountain city.
Find a teahouse, brew a pot of tea, and be at ease. Watch the people coming and going in the alleys, revealing a sense of random tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle.
As the night falls and the street lamps gradually light up, the branches cast shadows on the moss-covered walls under the illumination of the street lamps, like a flowing painting of light and shadow and time. Here, time seems to slow down, allowing one to immerse in this tranquility and beauty.
Raffles City
Chongqing, a historic port city, has maritime culture deeply ingrained in its veins. Raffles City is the perfect interpretation of this culture in modern architecture.
The tower’s smooth exterior resembles a slightly curved sail blown by the wind. Against the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds, it appears even more towering and dynamic. It is not merely a building but a symbol of Chongqing’s perseverance and setting sail, hence the name “Chaotian Yangfan” (Sailing Towards the Sky).
No matter where you are, gazing at this building from afar, you can frame both ancient Chongqing and modern Raffles City together, as if time is flowing backwards or as if time and space are interwoven.
When you step onto the crystal walkway connecting the four towers, the river and mountain views of Chongqing unfold like a scroll beneath your feet, making you feel refreshed and happy.
Eling No. 2 Factory
Eling No. 2 Factory, a former industrial site, has witnessed the glorious history of Chongqing’s printing industry.
Now, after a clever modern design transformation, it has been rejuvenated with a new identity as a cultural and creative park.
Sunlight filters through the tree tops, casting a mottled pattern on the bluestone road. Vines climb on the brick-red walls, telling the story of the passage of time. Strolling through, it seems as if one can hear the echoes of history, evoking endless tenderness in people’s hearts.
Ascending to a high vantage point, the Jialing River and the Yangtze River converge here, presenting a panoramic view of the two rivers. The magnificent scenery makes one want to shout out loud, releasing the passion within.
Tanzishi Old Street
Tanzishi Old Street, adjacent to the Nanbin Road, known as the “Bund of Chongqing,” is a shining pearl in Chongqing’s history.
Here, the retro and the modern intertwine, sparking a unique charm.
Surrounded by towering buildings, the modern atmosphere is palpable, while the classical Chinese courtyards are like a clear stream, forming a sharp contrast yet coexisting harmoniously. Here, you can feel the fusion of the weight of history and the vitality of modernity, together writing a new chapter for Chongqing.
As night falls, the river is vast and misty, poetic and picturesque. Strolling along, it feels like being in a dream, making one linger and forget to leave.
Beicang Cultural and Creative District
Beicang Cultural and Creative District, located next to Jiangbei Guanyinqiao Pedestrian Street, appears more tranquil and elegant compared to the bustling Eling No. 2 Factory.
The walls along the street are adorned with colorful graffiti, and the small shops along the street are decorated in a fresh and beautiful manner. Well-placed greenery adds a touch of natural charm to this cultural and creative area. It seems like a quiet and elegant utopia, allowing people to find a peaceful haven amidst the busy urban life.
Luohan Temple
If one had not set foot on the hot land of Chongqing, who would have thought that hidden in the heart of this bustling city lies an ancient and simple temple, like a shining pearl quietly embedded in the city’s bosom?
Upon first seeing Luohan Temple, one might think it is not large in scale. However, once stepping through the temple gate, one discovers a different world within. The Ancient Buddha Rock, stretching over twenty meters, is like a time tunnel, leading you through a thousand years. On the rock, there are hundreds of Song Dynasty cliff-carved Buddha statues, each with a unique form, vivid and lifelike, as if whispering ancient legends.
Inside the temple, incense smoke lingers, and the Buddha statues are solemn. Every brick and tile tells the story of the passage of time.
The architectural layout follows the winding city terrain, as if merging with heaven and earth. At the rear gate, a large array of prayer lanterns sway gracefully. Even without entering, one can stop and admire the exquisite wooden carved gate, like a flowing scroll.
Huguang Guild Hall
Huguang Guild Hall, an ancient building constructed in the early Qing Dynasty, is closely tied to the magnificent history of “Huguang Fills Sichuan.”
In those years, to make up for the population shortage in Sichuan, the Qing court brought in a large number of immigrants from Hubei and Hunan (collectively known as Huguang at that time). This grand undertaking of “Huguang Fills Sichuan” also gave birth to this guild hall.
The guild hall leans against the green mountains and faces the Yangtze River, with a magnificent atmosphere. The bright yellow buildings rise and fall with the mountain terrain, stacked in layers, like a golden giant dragon winding and coiling. Standing high and looking down, it appears even more spectacular, as if there is a world beyond the world, inspiring a sense of awe.
In the courtyard, purple wisteria flowers bloom like clouds, dazzling and eye-catching. The delicate petals form a sharp contrast with the carved beams and painted pillars, combining strength and gentleness, creating a unique visual aesthetic. Here, you can brew a pot of clear tea and sit quietly, letting your soul bathe in the fragrance of flowers and tea, experiencing that rare elegance and tranquility.
Kuixing Tower
Across the vast land of China, Kuixing Towers are scattered like stars, but the Kuixing Tower in Chongqing stands proudly among them with its unique stance.
It is not only a witness to history but also a vivid portrayal of the mountain city’s terrain.
The moment you step onto Kuixing Tower, it feels as if you are on flat ground, your steps light and easy.
However, as you progress, when you reach the other end of the tower, you will be amazed to find that you are already at the height of the 22nd floor, with a panoramic view of the surroundings. This wonderful experience is the magic and shock unique to the mountain city, making one can’t help but marvel.
Haitang Creek Tube Building
With the popularity of the movie “Better Days,” that dark and ancient Haitang Creek Tube Building has also become a new check-in spot in Chongqing. This old building, constructed in the 1970s and 1980s, seems to have frozen the imprint of time.
On both sides are weathered staircases, and in the middle is a courtyard. The entire building is shrouded in dim light, exuding a sense of vicissitude and mystery.
As the movie ends and the visitors leave, the tube building returns to tranquility.
Only the residents living here continue to guard this old building, living a simple and real life. We walk by silently with respect, not disturbing their peace.
Xiahao Old Street
Xiahao Old Street was once the necessary path to the Longmenhao Wharf on the Yangtze River, carrying the memories and stories of countless people.
In the 1960s and 1970s, many small businesses moved into Xiahao Main Street, making it a once-prosperous street on the south bank of the Yangtze River.
Now, Xiahao Old Street is no longer as bustling as it used to be, becoming quiet and peaceful. The street is clean and tidy, forming a stark contrast with the dilapidated old buildings around.
Although “demolition area” warning signs can be seen everywhere, it still exudes a warm atmosphere, as if it has not been abandoned by the times. Strolling through it, one seems to be able to hear the echoes of history and feel the precipitation of time.
Wulong Karst Bridges
Chongqing, a city full of magic, derives its charm not only from the prosperity of its humanities but also from the masterful work of nature.
The Wulong Karst Bridges are a generous gift from nature to Chongqing. The typical karst landform makes people feel as if they are in the fantasy world of a martial arts novel.
Tianlong Bridge, Qinglong Bridge, and Heilong Bridge, these three natural bridges, like giant dragons between heaven and earth, span across the canyon.
Descending slowly from the sightseeing elevator and arriving at the bottom of Tianlong Bridge, one can immediately see the ancient and elegant Tianfu Official Post. Looking up, the mountain body is like a giant beast opening its bloody mouth, as if to devour people. The sight is both spectacular and shocking, inspiring a sense of awe.
Wujiang Gallery
Wujiang Gallery, a winding canyon stretching for several kilometers. On both sides of the canyon, the cliffs are steep, and the rocks are peculiar, as if they are works of art carefully carved by nature.
Against the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds, the emerald green river flows through the canyon. The cliffs and oddly shaped rocks on the cliffs form one beautiful painting after another, making people feel as if they are in a fairyland.
Drifting on the Wujiang River, leisurely moving forward on a painted boat, one side is the steep cliffs of the canyon, the other side is the ancient-style buildings, and in the middle is the rippling Wujiang River.
Such scenery is unique in the world, making people linger and forget to return.
Fairy Mountain
In the south, the scenery of alpine grasslands is not common, but Fairy Mountain is an exception. The grassland here is like a soft carpet, spread out among the mountains, making people want to lie on it and feel that softness and comfort.
The grasslands in the south are completely different from those in the north. Although not as vast and boundless as the northern grasslands, they have a different flavor with the undulating terrain. The surrounding forests are lush and verdant, complementing the grassland to form a harmonious natural painting.
Camping on Fairy Mountain is an even more unique experience. At night, lying on the grass and looking up at the starry sky, the Milky Way is dazzling, and from time to time, a meteor streaks across the sky. That tranquility and beauty cannot be felt in the noisy city.
Here, people can put down their worries and pressures, intimately connect with nature, and enjoy that rare tranquility and freedom.
Coming to Chongqing, how can one miss the refreshing journey on the Yangtze River Cableway?
The Yangtze River Cableway, known as the “aerial public bus of the mountain city,” is like a ribbon dancing in the sky, shuttling between the magnificent scenery on both sides of the Yangtze River.
When you step into the fully transparent cabin, it feels as if you are in a crystal clear viewing box.
During the day, the natural scenery on both sides is fully visible, with rolling mountains and surging river water, making people feel refreshed; when night falls, the lights are brilliant, like the Milky Way falling from the sky, which is particularly spectacular and intoxicating.
Moreover, Chongqing’s Liziba Station is even more unique.
It is not only the only station in Chongqing that is located inside a building but also a secret garden hidden between the 6th and 8th floors of a 19-story building.
The light rail train comes from the lush trees, passes through the floors, and heads towards the bustling city, as if opening a door to both fairy tales and reality.
Sitting in the carriage, you will feel a unique sense of crossing, as if you are in a fantasy dream.
Of course, when coming to Chongqing, there is another experience that cannot be missed—taking the Crown Escalator.
This escalator connects Erlu Kou and Chongqing Railway Station’s Caiyuanba Station, with an astonishing length of 150 meters and an inclination angle of 30 degrees. Its speed is so fast that it is jaw-dropping. When you stand on the escalator and slowly ascend, the beautiful scenery of the entire city gradually unfolds before your eyes, as if you are in a huge painting. However, when taking photos, remember to pay attention to safety and not affect the passage of others.
In short, when coming to Chongqing, you must experience these unique modes of transportation and feel the charm and vitality of this city. Whether it’s the aerial flight of the Yangtze River Cableway, the crossing journey of Liziba Station, or the rapid ascent of the Crown Escalator, they will all bring you unforgettable memories and experiences.
In Chongqing, the fireworks of life always hit you in the face, carrying an indescribable market charm.
So, what exactly is the market of Chongqing? Perhaps it is those ordinary yet extraordinary necessities of life, bit by bit, piecing together the taste of life.
For Chongqing people, hotpot may not be a daily occurrence, but Chongqing noodles are a regular part of life, accompanying people from morning to night.
And then there’s the sour and spicy sweet potato noodles. Once you haven’t eaten them for a while, you’ll be thinking about them constantly. That sour and spicy taste seems to have a magic power, making it hard to resist.
At lunchtime, boiled fish is an indispensable delicacy. The tender fish meat, paired with a rich broth, stimulates the appetite. Starting with two bowls of rice is the most basic homage to it.
Mao Xue Wang, on the other hand, is the ultimate in spiciness. The strong spicy and numbing flavors make it hard to stop eating once you start. The chopsticks dance in your hands, as if it has become a delicious dance.
Even the seemingly simple tofu pudding, dipped in a special sauce, becomes a rice thief, making you finish a bowl of rice without even noticing.
Finding chili peppers in spicy chicken is even more fun. The crispy chicken meat, paired with the spicy flavor of chili peppers, is irresistible. You can eat a whole plate even without rice.
As night falls, grilled fish becomes the best late-night snack choice. Sitting at a street stall, enjoying the cool breeze, drinking cold beer, and savoring the delicious grilled fish is simply one of life’s great pleasures.
When Chongqing people face a difficult choice, hotpot is always the universal answer. The steaming hot pot base and the dazzling array of ingredients are the ultimate temptation for the taste buds.
When leaving Chongqing, don’t forget to take some fried dough twists and strange-flavored broad beans with you. Although they are inconspicuous, they carry the unique flavor of Chongqing and are your most beautiful memory of this city.
There can be countless reasons to like Chongqing, but to truly fall in love with it, you don’t need any reason at all. This city has a unique charm that, once you set foot in it, you can never forget.
If you have the opportunity to come to Chongqing, let yourself immerse in the market atmosphere of this city. Believe that you will definitely fall in love with this place, fall in love with every delicacy here, and fall in love with every kind of life here.
