Chongqing Cyber City of Contrasts
My first impression of Chongqing, as it arose like a mirage from the mountain mist, was that it was bold, mysterious, and somewhat intriguing. This mega city is perched where the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers meet, and where neon lights shimmer off the twin rivers of a night. Chongqing, located in Southwestern China, is one of China’s most evolving and captivating destinations. I found it is a place like nowhere I’ve seen before, where ancient culture and futuristic skylines collide in a spectacular fashion.
A City Built on Mountains and Rivers
I discovered on my recent “Megafam” trip to Chongqing with Wendy Wu Tours, that it has many nicknames. These include : “Mountain City”, “Fog City”, “Cyberpunk City”, “Hot Spring City” and “Bridge City”. I can certainly attest to the fact that on my first glimpse of Chongqing, that is was shrouded in fog that settled into the valleys and hovered over the misty mountains in a dreamlike landscape.
We were here to attend the International Travel Agents Conference (ITAC) and experience all that Chongqing has to offer as a tourist destination. I must say it was impressive to say the least.
Chongqing is famed for its steep streets, towering bridges, and layered cityscape that seems to emerge straight out of the cliffs. It boasts over 20,000 bridges over the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers and has a staggering 151 skyscrapers that are above 300 metres in height.
It’s one of China’s four direct-administered municipalities stretching over a vast area larger than Austria, and is home to over 32 million people. Chongqing is made up of 26 districts and 8 counties, that include satellite cities.
The History of Chongqing
Our extremely knowledgable local tour guides, that travelled with us throughout our tour, gave us some valuable background on this fascinating city. Chongqing, originally known as Jiangzhou, flourished as a river port and trading hub during the Ba Kingdom (11th century BCE). The city was renamed Chongqing, meaning “Double Celebration,” in 1189 AD.
Over the centuries, Chongqing became a vital stronghold in western China, particularly during the Ming and Qing dynasties, when it thrived as a centre of commerce along the Yangtze River.
Its modern transformation began in the 20th century. During the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945), Chongqing served as China’s wartime capital. Despite enduring relentless air raids, the city’s resilience became legendary and it went on to flourish.
After the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, Chongqing evolved into a powerhouse of heavy industry and transportation. Today, it remains one of the most important economic forces of western China – but with a new focus on technology, innovation, and sustainability.
A Modern Industrial Giant
Chongqing’s economy is as vast and diverse as its landscape. Once dominated by steel, shipbuilding, and machinery, it has transformed into a leader in automobile manufacturing, electronics, and aerospace. The city is home to major automakers like Changan Automobile, and joint ventures with Ford, Hyundai, and Mazda. It is the main EV manufacturer in China and one third of the world’s laptops are made here.
It’s also emerging as a hub for tech innovation, with growing sectors in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and big data – especially in the Liangjiang New Area, a modern business and technology zone north of the city centre.
Meanwhile, the Chongqing Port, one of the largest inland river ports in the world, reinforces the city’s role as the commercial gateway to western China. It links the interior to the global economy through the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor connecting to Southeast Asia and Europe.
Things to Do & See in Chongqing
During our week-long famil tour we got to see and do a lot of what charming Chongqing offers. This included:
Yangtze River Night Cruise & Drone Light Show
Otherwise known as the “Glamorous Chongqing” Drone Light Show. This permanent spectacle is staged in Chongqing’s core waterfront area where the Yangtze and Jialing rivers converge. The main event is the 11,700 drones that light up the sky above tall sky scrapers, with many dazzling animations and lasts about 15 minutes. In addition, the buildings that line the riverfront and the bridges are aglow with colourful neon lights and imagery that reflect onto the river.
Hongya Cave (Hongyadong)
This magnificent historical architectural complex steals the spotlight, particularly of a night when it’s illuminated by thousands of lights. A group of houses spread over 11 floors on the side of a cliff built into the hillside. A maze of traditional wooden architecture that was originally a military fortress, appears straight out of a fantasy film. Beneath it, the Jialing River glows in the reflections of the city.
Chongqing Zoo Pandas
A must do, is an encounter with the pandas at Chongqing Zoo. These adorable creatures, go about their day ignoring the hundreds of spectators vying for a prime viewing spot, eating copious amounts of bamboo and sleeping in between. They are just as cuddly and gorgeous as I imagined!
Ciqikou Ancient Town
For a step back in time, we wandered through Ciqikou Ancient Town, once a porcelain port on the old trade routes. Its cobblestone Chinese lantern clad alleyways, teahouses, cat cafes, and snack stalls selling spicy tofu pudding and mahua (sweet fried twists) offer a nostalgic slice of Old Chongqing. We even tried to make our own mahua out of dough and then “mortar & pestle style” tried to pound the sticky rice.
Yangtze River Cableway
The cable car was formerly a convenient mode of transport between Yuzhong District and Nan’an District. These days is a tourist attraction that offers breathtaking views of Chongqing’s unique cityscape and the mighty Yangtze River. Prior to the cable car trip, we checked out the English language promotional video upon a glass corridor bridge, that encapsulates all that Chongqing and surrounding districts can offer tourists.
Cloud Eye Observatory
This viewing tower is located at the top (67th floor) of the United International office building, where you can absorb magnificent panoramic views of Chongqing. It is 520 metres in height and is the ideal spot to take in the magnitude and awe of the city, mountains and rivers.
Ronghui Hot Springs
A German-style health spa featuring outdoor hot spring areas, children’s water park area, indoor leisure centre and Ronghui 39° gym. Unlike the Japanese onsens, you do need to wear a bathing suit when bathing in the hot springs. The health pools integrate traditional Chinese medicine bath therapy and aromatherapy, adding carefully prepared Chinese herbs, essential oils and other raw materials in the hot spring pools.
Banquet of the Ba Kingdom
The Banquet of the Ba Kingdom experience is an extensive menu with a taste of traditional Bayu flavours, that included battered jellyfish. Accompanied with vibrant dance and music performances that are colourful and spectacular. This is all in a setting designed to resemble an ancient palace at Chongqing Hualiyan Culture & Art Banquet Centre.
Chongqing 1949
We spent an evening at the theatre enraptured in the Chongqing 1949 show that depicts the city’s liberation in the year of 1949. The vibrant musical centres around a group of revolutionaries who were imprisoned in two secret Kuomintang prisons, used to punish Communist revolutionaries. The theatre features elaborate set designs, a 360° rotating stage, and immersive elements.
Zhou Junji Hot Pot Seasoning History and Culture Museum
A tour of the Zhou Junji Hot Pot Seasoning History and Culture Museum where we learnt about the history and creation of the famous spicy hot pot that Chongqing is famous for. We also got a glimpse of the spicy sauces being made in the factory, followed by some tastings. Many of our group made purchases from the factory store to try the hot spicy sauces at home.
Chongqing’s Famous Cuisine
In Chongqing, food isn’t just fuel – it’s a “feast of fire”. The city is synonymous with hot pot, a bubbling cauldron of chilli oil and Sichuan peppercorns that sends both flavour and adrenaline rushing through your veins. The peppercorn gives a unique, tingly, and numbing sensation in your mouth, unlike chilli that just gives a burning sensation.
Locals insist the heat combats the city’s damp mountain climate, but really, it’s about the thrill. Pair that with a cold beer or a local red wine and you’ve captured the soul of Chongqing dining.
During my time in Chongqing I was able to sample a large variety of food, that was nothing like the Chinese food I’ve eaten at home. There were banquets where the food just kept on coming out, one delicious dish after another. Some of my favourites were smoky smooth tofu that tasted like cheese, lotus root, yam, blanched bok choy, wontons, Chao Shou (dumplings), Lazi Ji – dry-fried chicken, and Dan Dan Mian – noodles with spicy pork.
Other must-tries, if you’re game include:
- Chongqing xiaomian (spicy noodles) – humble street noodles with an explosive flavour.
- Suanla fen (hot and sour glass noodles) – a comforting staple for busy commuters.
- Skewers and spicy crayfish – the heartbeat of the city’s night markets.
Beyond Chongqing: Nature and Heritage
Chongqing’s vast municipality stretches far beyond its urban core, offering incredible day trips and weekend escapes. During our tour we visited the following districts:
Dazu Rock Carvings
A UNESCO World Heritage Site located at Baoding Mountain in Dazu County, 165 kilometres west of Chongqing. The expansive site boasts intricate stone sculptures carved into rock faces and caves, numbering over 10,000 from the 9th to 13th centuries. These extraordinary rock carvings depict scenes from Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. They represent the pinnacle of Chinese rock art because of their high aesthetic quality and their diversity of style and subject matter. Some of the rock art reveal Buddhist scripture stories like a picture scroll. They were simply mind-blowing.
Prior to viewing the rock carvings we enjoyed an extraordinary screening of the 8k dome film “Dazu Rock Carvings”. Yet another example of the advanced technology that Chongqing offers.
Wulong Karst National Park
A natural wonder of limestone bridges, caves, and sinkholes that is accessible by an elevator and 400 steps down into the gorge. The Three Natural Bridges walk is an extremely popular hike for nature lovers. The scenery here is so dramatic that it featured in the filming of the movie Transformers – Age of Extinction
Shuangjiang Historic Town
Located in Tongnan District of Chongqing, with buildings dating back to the Qing dynasty. The ancient streets were alive with traditional Chinese dancing, dragon dancing and drumming. We visited the Yang Family Residence and the Yuwang Palace to experience the Sichuan Opera.
Wanshou Mountain in Shizhu County
We were welcomed to the entrance to the mountain by a Chinese drumming performance and a female warrior performance displaying amazing “Kung Fu” moves. Scaling many stairs up Wanshou Mountain we enjoyed the lush vegetation and natural beauty of the surroundings. There was an ornate bridge and viewing platform at the apex of the mountain that afforded stunning views of the countryside. This was followed by a visit to Wanshou Ancient Village to partake in Tusi King’s banquet and more dancing performances.
Chiyou Jiuli City in Penshui
This scenic area is the largest traditional Miao building complex in China. It consists of Nine Gates, an ancient Miao palace filled with artefacts, stilted wooden buildings that light up of an evening, a picturesque mountain backdrop, and the nearby jade coloured Wujiang River. After dinner we were treated to a night river cruise with a laser light show emerging from the main bridge in town.
An Asian City Like No Other
Chongqing is a cyber city of contrasts – ancient and ultramodern, fiery and serene, towering skyscrapers and green city spaces, and always evolving. From its wartime resilience to its futuristic ambitions, it remains one of China’s most distinctive urban experiences. It is one Asian city that will remain in my memory and definitely lure me back to explore more in the future.
Whether you’re slurping noodles in a hidden alleyway, gliding down the Yangtze on a river cruise, or standing atop a glass sky bridge above the clouds, Chongqing invites you to explore a city that climbs mountains, crosses rivers, and defies expectations.
Quick Facts About Chongqing
📍 Location: Southwestern China, at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers
🕰️ History: Dates back over 3,000 years; served as China’s wartime capital during WWII
👥 Population: Over 32 million (in the wider municipality)
💼 Major Industries: Automobiles, electronics, aerospace, logistics, and technology innovation
🌆 Must-See Sights: Hongya Cave, Jiefangbei, Ciqikou Ancient Town, Three Gorges Museum, Chaotianmen Dock
🍲 What to Eat: Chongqing hot pot, xiaomian (spicy noodles), suanla fen (hot and sour noodles)
🌤️ Best Time to Visit: March–May and September–November for mild weather and clear views
🚆 Getting There: High-speed rail links Chongqing to Chengdu (1.5 hours), Xi’an (5 hours), and Shanghai (8 hours). Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport serves major domestic and international routes.
🏞️ Nearby Escapes: Wulong Karst National Park, Dazu Rock Carvings, Wanshou Mountain
