Chongqing essentials

Chongqing, known as the Mountain City, is defined by its dramatic vertical landscape at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. This collection spans the city’s architectural evolution, from the traditional stilt houses of Hongya Cave and the historic Eighteen Stairs to the futuristic skybridge of Raffles City. It includes significant cultural landmarks like the UNESCO-listed Dazu Rock Carvings, the Three Kingdoms history at Baidi Castle, and the Cold War-era 816 Nuclear Military Plant, showcasing the region's diverse heritage.

Chongqing Essentials — Map

Rosentiehl Erich / CC-BY-SA

A

Hongya Cave Folk Residences

An 11-story complex of traditional stilt houses built into a steep cliffside along the Jialing River. The site features shops and restaurants, becoming a brightly illuminated landmark at night that reflects the city's ancient architectural heritage.

Fxqf / CC BY-SA 4.0

B

Anti-Japanese War Victory Monument / People's Liberation Monument

A 27.5-meter-tall structure in the heart of the Jiefangbei pedestrian mall. Originally built in 1945 to commemorate the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, it remains the symbolic center of the city.

C

Dazu Rock Carvings - Baoding Shan site

A UNESCO World Heritage site featuring thousands of Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian sculptures dating back to the 12th century. The Baoding Shan site is renowned for the intricate Thousand-Hand Guanyin and the massive Reclining Buddha.

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

D

Chongqing People's Grand Hall

A massive auditorium and complex built in 1954, modeled after the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. It features a 55-meter-high dome and traditional Ming and Qing dynasty architectural elements.

E

Raffles City Chongqing

A landmark complex of eight skyscrapers featuring 'The Crystal,' a 300-meter-long horizontal skybridge. Designed by architect Moshe Safdie, it sits at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers.

F

Baidi Castle

An ancient temple complex situated on a hill at the western entrance of Qutang Gorge. It is famous as the site where Emperor Liu Bei died during the Three Kingdoms period and appears on the 10-yuan banknote.

Gisling / CC BY-SA 3.0

G

Ghost City

Fengdu Ghost City is a large complex of shrines, temples and monasteries dedicated to the afterlife located on the Ming mountain, in Fengdu…

美麗的四川戴克明《美術生活》 1935年[ 第11期，29-30頁] / Public domain

H

Shibaozhai

Shibaozhai is a hill along the bank of the Yangtze River in Zhong County, Chongqing, China.

I

Eighteen Stairs

A recently restored historic district, known as Shibati, that connects the upper and lower levels of the city. The area preserves traditional Chongqing architecture and provides insight into the city's pre-modernization residential life.

于/Yu 回/Hui / CC BY-SA 2.0

J

Qutang Gorge

The Qutang Gorge is the shortest of China's Three Gorges. Immediately downstream of the ancient village Baidicheng the Yangtze River passes…

K

Chongqing Zoo

A major zoological park established in 1954, specializing in the breeding and conservation of giant pandas and red pandas. It also houses rare species like South China tigers and clouded leopards.

L

816 Nuclear Military Plant

816 Nuclear Military Plant is an unfinished Chinese underground nuclear weapons production facility and the largest man-made tunnel…

Jpbowen / CC BY-SA 4.0

M

Baiheliang Underwater Museum

The Baiheliang Underwater Museum or "White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum" is an underwater museum built around the White Crane Ridge of…

NewSpeaks / CC BY-SA 3.0

N

Chongqing Grand Theatre

The Chongqing Grand Theatre is a performing arts venue in central Chongqing, People's Republic of China, located overlooking the Yangtze…

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