8D Magical Mountain City, Unlock the Most Authentic Jianghu Charm

Chongqing, a city where magic and reality intertwine, with mountains in the city and the city on mountains, rivers flowing through, and light rail trains flying through buildings. It has both the fiery spirit of jianghu and thousands of years of cultural heritage. In 2025, Chongqing combines classic and trendy elements. This guide will take you on a deep dive into the essential experiences of this mountain city! 【Must-Visit Attractions: A Feast of Nature and Culture】 1️⃣Hongyadong: Real-life "Spirited Away" When night falls, the stilted buildings of Hongyadong light up with thousands of lights, like a magical palace floating above the Jialing River. The 11-story complex features buildings at varying heights, with surprises on every level—from authentic street food alleys to creative handicraft shops, riverside bars to traditional teahouses, where everyday life and romance coexist. 📸Photography Tips: Capture panoramic views from Qiansimen Bridge, or shoot reflections from across the river. Avoid crowds by visiting on weekday evenings. 2️⃣Liberation Monument: Where History Meets Modernity As Chongqing's spiritual landmark, Liberation Monument has witnessed the city's transformations and prosperity. During the day, it marks the beginning of a modern commercial district where LV and Gucci harmoniously coexist with street vendors. At night, the pedestrian street under neon lights transforms into a food paradise, with tantalizing aromas of spicy noodles and grilled sweet potato skins from Bayi Food Street. On New Year's Eve, the countdown with thousands of people is truly spectacular. 3️⃣Liziba Light Rail Station: The Magical Sight of a Train Through a Building Line 2 of the light rail thunders through a residential building, perfectly representing Chongqing's "8D terrain." Capture the moment when the train passes through the building from the viewing platform, or step inside to experience the surreal feeling of "having a road on both the first and tenth floors." The nearby graffiti wall and Liangshan Chicken Restaurant are also worth exploring. 4️⃣Ciqikou Ancient Town: A Living Fossil of Thousand-Year-Old Ba-Yu Culture Cobblestone paths, Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, Sichuan opera face-changing performances in old teahouses... Ciqikou is Chongqing's time capsule. The ancient town is most peaceful in the early morning, while afternoons are filled with the aroma of Chen's fried dough twists and spicy blood curd. Don't forget to draw a fortune stick at Baolun Temple and experience the blend of Buddhist tranquility and everyday life. 5️⃣Wulong Natural Three Bridges: Nature's Masterpiece A World Natural Heritage site featuring karst landforms, three natural stone bridges span across valleys in magnificent splendor. Films like "Curse of the Golden Flower" and "Transformers 4" were shot here. Walking among them feels like entering an ancient mysterious realm. Consider combining this with a visit to Fairy Mountain's highland meadows, beautiful in all seasons. 6️⃣Yangtze River Cableway: Aerial Walk Above Two Rivers This "aerial bus" takes you flying across the Yangtze River. During the 1,166-meter journey, you'll enjoy panoramic views of the mountain city's buildings and boats traveling on the river below. Ride at dusk to capture both the sunset and the first city lights—a double dose of romance. 【Chongqing on the Tip of Your Tongue: A Spicy Feast for Your Taste Buds】 🌶️Hotpot: Beef tallow broth bubbling with tripe, throat meat, and duck blood. Traditional establishments like Peijie and Luxiaozhang conquer your palate with their numbing spiciness and rich flavors. 🍜Small Noodles: A morning bowl of pea and mixed sauce noodles, with creamy peas and rich sauce, is the soul-stirring start to a Chongqing local's day. 🔥Sour Spicy Noodles: Sweet potato noodles soaked in sour and spicy broth, paired with roasted brain or sweet potato skin—the ultimate street food experience. 🍡Mountain City Small Tangyuan: Glutinous rice balls filled with black sesame paste, perfect for soothing spicy palates and comforting the soul, found everywhere from Hongyadong to Ciqikou. 【Hidden Gems: Discover Another Side of the Mountain City】 -Goose Neck Factory 2: A former printing factory transformed into a creative park, where industrial style meets artistic graffiti—a filming location for the movie "I Belonged to You." -Mountain City Lane: An old pathway along the cliff edge that, when hung with lanterns at night, resembles a "market in the sky," offering excellent views of the Yangtze River at night. -Dazu Rock Carvings: A World Cultural Heritage site where the thousand-handed Guanyin's compassion and exquisite stone carving artistry tell the story of Buddhism's glory during the Tang and Song dynasties. 【Travel Tips】 - Transportation: The subway covers major city attractions, while the building-crossing light rail and river-crossing cableway are experiences in themselves! - Accommodation: Guesthouses near Liberation Monument and Hongyadong are convenient, while riverside hotels along Nanbin Road are ideal for quality-seeking travelers. -Pitfalls to Avoid: The complex terrain can confuse navigation apps, so ask locals for directions; hotpot spice levels start at "mild"—be cautious with "Chongqing spicy"! In 2025, Chongqing remains classic while constantly offering new experiences. Whether it's your first visit or a return trip, this city will leave you with unique memories through its magical charm, passion, and delicious food. **The jianghu isn't far away—Chongqing awaits you! 🌉🔥