1. The City’s Unique Terrain
Chongqing is built entirely on mountains, earning it the nickname “Mountain City.” About 75% of the area is made up of mountains, 16% is hills, and only 9% is flat land or plateaus. People joke that it’s the “most tiring city to walk in.” You’ll be climbing stairs nonstop. And don’t trust your GPS too much – you might find yourself on the 1st floor and the 22nd floor at the same level. The layout is so confusing, even navigation gets lost!
2. Spicy Chongqing Cuisine
Chongqing food is a highlight of the city, especially the famous hot pot. But be warned, the flavor here is all about spice and numbness. The first bite will make your tongue feel like it’s on fire, and you’ll want to drink water immediately. By the second bite, your tongue might feel numb – like it’s frozen. If you’re not into spicy food, don’t worry – you can always choose a mild broth for your hot pot.
3. The Stunning Night Views
Besides the food and terrain, Chongqing is also known for its incredible night views, especially on social media. The best spots are around Hongya Cave, often called a “real-life cyberpunk world.” It’s like stepping into another universe!
Scenic Photos of Chongqing
Do you like cyberpunk in games? Hongya Cave is the real-life version of cyberpunk.
It’s the largest and most uniquely Chongqing-style ancient town in the city’s main urban area, with a history of over 1,800 years.
You’ve probably seen a mountain full of villas, but you’ve never seen mountains covered with thousands of high-rises, each over 30 stories tall. And at night, the lights on all those buildings light up the mountainside. It’s an unforgettable sight.
Chongqing is called the “Mountain City” and “City of Bridges.” At night, the skyscrapers and residential buildings built into the mountains, along with the huge bridges connecting them, all light up. It gives the city a massive, three-dimensional cyberpunk vibe.
The most popular spot to see this on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube is Hongya Cave. It’s a traditional hanging building that’s a big part of Chongqing’s architecture. Unlike the ultra-modern night views of Shanghai, Chongqing’s skyline has a classic Chinese feel.
When you think of cyberpunk, you probably picture bright neon lights, busy streets, and nightlife. And that’s exactly what you’ll get in Chongqing. The city is always alive at night. Bars, restaurants, and night markets are everywhere, and most stay open 24/7. In fact, about 60% of the city’s consumption happens at night. Chongqing has topped the list of “Top 10 Chinese Cities for Night Economy” for four years in a row.
So whether it’s day or night, you’ll always find freedom and excitement in this city.
Chongqing’s rise to fame online has been largely fueled by its widespread presence on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. For example, a foreign girl living in Chongqing posted a video on TikTok showcasing the city’s “magical urban landscape,” and within just two days, the video hit 10 million views, quickly going viral on social media. This is a prime example of Chongqing Going Viral. In fact, the topic of Chongqing has already garnered over 200 million views on TikTok, highlighting the city’s powerful international influence.
The viral videos mainly feature Chongqing’s cyberpunk-style cityscape, the light rail passing through residential buildings, 24-hour shops, and the rich, spicy Chongqing hotpot. The comment sections are filled with over-the-top reactions like, “My feed is now all about Chongqing,” “I’m going crazy wanting to visit Chongqing,” “Seems like everyone on TikTok has been to Chongqing,” “There really is a cyberpunk city in the world,” and “Out of 10 videos I watch, 8 are about Chongqing.”
Today, Chongqing’s light rail, elevators, bridges, mountain trails, and even its taxis have become popular photo ops, attracting countless international visitors. “Spicy city,” “magical city,” “8D experience,” and “cyberpunk” are just a few of the trendy terms associated with Chongqing. Many people dream of visiting this mountain city, where technology and traditional Chinese culture blend perfectly.
Magical Landscapes of Chongqing
Chongqing municipality sits where the Yangtze and Jialing rivers meet, surrounded by mountains. This unique geography makes the city’s skyline a perfect blend of nature and architecture.
There are over 2,000 high-rise buildings in Chongqing that are 30 stories or taller, the most in all of China. The tallest one is Raffles City, designed by the world-famous architect Moshe Safdie. It’s located by the Chaotianmen dock, and its design was inspired by Chongqing’s shipping culture. The shape even looks like a ship setting sail.
Besides this iconic building, from up high, the whole city seems like a mountain covered with skyscrapers. If you look closely, you can spot buses parked on the 8th floor, residential buildings with subway tracks running through them, and even streets at the 22nd floor of some towers. All of this makes Chongqing’s skyline so unique.
The biggest feature of Chongqing weather is its high humidity. It rains a lot all year round, and it tends to rain at night. It’s also called “Furnace City” because the summer heat is intense. This is due to Chongqing being surrounded by mountains, creating a relatively closed space where heat and humidity have a hard time escaping. It’s like being inside a giant sauna.
Spring in Chongqing Shi usually starts in late February and lasts until May, with average temperatures between 15°C (59°F) and 25°C (77°F). During this time, the city’s mountains come alive with flowers like cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, and tulips, turning the whole place into a “flower city.”
Summer in Chongqing China typically runs from June to August. During this time, the temperature often rises above 30°C (86°F), and in July and August, it can hit over 40°C (104°F), making it scorchingly hot. If you crack an egg on the street, it will be cooked in less than five minutes. The heat makes you want to stay inside. Besides the heat, June and July bring the most rain, creating a hot and humid, sticky atmosphere. So, summer isn’t the best time to visit Chongqing.
Fall in Chongqing municipality usually starts in late September and lasts until November, making it the shortest season of the year. The temperatures range from 11°C (52°F) to 27°C (81°F). Fall is also the rainy season, and it’s often foggy. During this time, you’ll understand why Chongqing is also called the “Fog City” in China. Compared to summer, the weather is much cooler, making it the best time for outdoor activities.
Winter in Chongqing city usually lasts from mid-November to February the next year, with temperatures ranging from 4°C (39°F) to 8°C (46°F). It rarely snows, but because of the humidity, it feels colder than the actual temperature. This chilly weather is perfect for enjoying a spicy Chongqing hot pot. With its rich broth made from beef tallow and various spices, the fiery, numbing flavor will warm you right up and let you enjoy the joy of great food while beating the cold.
Four Seasons in Chongqing
Chongqing is in the southwest of China, situated along the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. It’s one of China’s four direct-controlled municipalities, along with Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin. This means Chongqing isn’t part of any province; it’s directly governed by the central government of China.
You can check the current time in Chongqing, China, by clicking the link below:
Current time in Chongqing, China
No, Chongqing is not the largest city in the world. While it ranks high globally in terms of area and population, it doesn’t hold the title for the biggest city. However, its size is massive – it’s roughly the size of 13 Shanghais, 7 Tianjins, or 5 Beijings! In terms of land area, Chongqing is the largest city in China.
Yes, Chongqing is a rapidly growing city. In 2023, its GDP was $424 billion, with a growth rate of 6.1%. To put that into perspective, the GDP of Seoul, South Korea’s capital, was $359.36 billion, with a growth rate of just 1.4%. Meanwhile, Atlanta, Georgia, in the U.S., had a GDP of $471.66 billion, growing at 2.7%.
Chongqing’s food is part of Sichuan cuisine, which is famous for being spicy. Here are some of the most classic dishes:
Chongqing Noodles (小面): These noodles are thin, even, and have a chewy texture. They’re served with a special red chili oil and Sichuan peppercorns, then topped with green onions, garlic, and cilantro. The flavor is fresh and delicious.
Chongqing Hot Pot (火锅): The broth is made with beef fat, chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and a mix of spices. The bright red color and strong aroma will hit you as soon as the pot starts bubbling.
Sour and Spicy Vermicelli (酸辣粉): Made with sweet potato noodles, this dish is all about that perfect balance of sour and spicy. The broth is rich and flavorful, and the noodles are chewy and smooth.
Mao Xue Wang (毛血旺): This dish combines duck blood, bean sprouts, and yellow throat (a type of offal), all cooked together in a spicy, fragrant broth. It’s packed with layers of different textures and flavors, making each bite exciting and tasty.