Just three hours west from Shanghai is the hidden gem of Chongqing, home to 32 million people. Situated at the upper reaches of the Yangtze River is a region mostly untouched by Westerners, with a breathtaking city embraced by lush mountains, lucid rivers and magnificent gorges.
Nicknamed the cyberpunk city, every corner of this stunning municipality feels alive, vividly electric, and endlessly fascinating. The buildings dramatically rise and intertwine with the mountains, creating a euphoric haven. It’s this scenery that has the Chinese infatuated with Chongqing, giving it the title of the most popular domestic destination in China.
If you are looking to experience China’s biggest city, and the place considered lucky thanks to its name meaning “double celebration”, then here is a guide to the best things to do for all ages in the river city.
The train that soars through a building
I stepped foot in Chongqing with no preconceptions, just the aspirations of being able to witness the unbelievable Chongqing Rail Transit line in person.
About the only thing I knew about Chongqing (other than the city’s love for spice), is the fact that the CRT 2 Transit Line glides in between buildings, creating a must-see spectacle for people touring from all over the globe.
This unmissable scene isn’t by accident, every day from 6:30am to 11:12pm, the monorail screams through the buildings as a result of the government implementing a solution to overcome the challenges of building a railway line in the city’s dense and hilly terrain.
Since 2017, Liziba Station has become an online viral hotspot which attracts millions of tourists every year. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see this spectacle with my own two eyes, however, I did hear from other touring groups that I was with, how unforgettable it was.
Chongqing Zoo
Sticking on the theme of knowing what I was getting myself into. When you think of China, you think of a cute, cuddly, Panda – well I know I do! Once again, when the Chinese air kissed my skin, the first thought that graced my mind was how much I hoped to see the cuddly phenom.
Not knowing if I was going to see one (I probably should have read the itinerary), you could have imagined the joy painted all over my face when I was told we were making a morning trip to the Chongqing Zoo.
Located in the Jiulongpo District, just eight kilometres from downtown Chongqing, it was here where I caught my first glance of a real-life Panda. We jumped off the bus around 10:30am, the time when the Chinese icons are most active, and I was waiting for the strong scent of animal dung to fill my nostrils, instead the fresh autumn air took up its residence.
The first thing I was exposed to was the heart and soul of the zoo – the panda enclosures. Decorated like miniature forests, these enclosures were engulfed by thick bamboo clusters, sun-dappled rocks and shallow pools catching light like glass. But stealing the show of course was the 20 giant pandas, each as adorable as the next.
They left such a lasting impression on me that I had to take my own plush version home with me.
Yangtze River Cableway
There is only one way to truly take in this jaw droppingly beautiful haven, and that is by taking to the sky.
From up there you are truly playing witness to a uniquely gorgeous city, that is home to vibrant green mountains, carefully designed, archictecturally impressive bridges, terrifyingly tall skyscrapers all intertwined in the famous Yangtze and Jialing rivers.
I was lucky enough take the oldest form of transport over the Yangtze River, the famous cable cart, and be blown away by the scenery below.
Spanning 1166 metres, I whisked over the river in no longer than six minutes. Those six minutes felt like an eternity as the spectacular views swept by – skyscrapers rising around you, a river that glistens below, sculpted, sweeping bridges and cable cars gliding overhead, it’s easy to lose yourself in a modern fairytale cityscape.
Cloud Eye Observatory
For the extra daring, you can have this view on steroids via the Chongqing Cloud Eye Observatory. Towering 520m above this iconic city is a 360-degree platform viewing that took my breath away.
The moment I climbed my last step and planted my foot onto the platform, I was quickly swept away, almost as if I had been walking on the sky itself. The platform beneath my feet disappeared into the sprawling cityscape below, and for a second my stomach dropped. The entire structure seemed to float above Chongqing, like a ring suspended between mountain and river, giving me a view so wide and unreal it felt like a dream stitched into the skyline.
Wulong Karst National Geology Park
Around 139km southeast of the downtown district lies a beauty like no other. Located in the Wulong district is the natural wonder of the Wulong Karst National Geology Park.
Immediately, I was humbled by its beauty, standing on the cliff looking down upon luscious greens and towering limestone pillars that rise abruptly from the vivid colours.
It’s a place that makes you feel simultaneously tiny and alive, a reminder of nature’s power and artistry. But in true China fashion, the Star Wars-like elevators and Transformers statutes gave a true nod to how modern and futuristic the country is, even when you are a two-hour bullet train from the heart of the city.
Transformers statue? These meticulously crafted statues located in the famous geological park, pay homage to Transformers: Age of Extinction, a film that showed off its natural beauty.
Aside from the cool man-made statutes, the Parks’ true beauty comes from within itself. Chongqing being the most visited destination in China domestically, has people coming from all over the country to catch a glimpse of the Three Natural Bridges. Composed of Tianlong Bridge, Qinglong Bridge, and Heilong Bridge, all three of these ginormous, spectacular natural bridges lie from north to south, crossing over the Yangshuihe Gorge and connecting the mountains on the two sides. Once again, I was quickly humbled by its beauty and stature.
At no point throughout this trip did I feel anything but safe in this electric city. My days were spent with a full stomach and a burning tongue, due to an indulgence in endless hot-pot and fiery noodles. Chongqing is the birthplace of hot-pot, and you can taste that legacy in every bubbling mouthful. The fiery broth in the noodles was filled with what the locals call a sour spice. It is believed to combat the winter chill and ward off colds.
The writer was hosted by Wendy Wu Tours, flying China Eastern, and was a guest of Ronghui Grand Hotel, The Pengshui Jiuli Grand Hotel and The Jiayu Emperor Hotel, Jiulongpo District.
If this tickles your fancy China Eastern doesn’t fly direct to Chongqing, but it does fly to Shanghai 14 times a week with economy fares from $1,450. Wendy Wu offers tours in and around the Cyberpunk city from three to 26 days, from $900pp, all inclusive
