Full Guide to Instagram-Worthy Photo Spots in Chongqing and Chengdu Tested in November

Amid the pandemic, we decided to explore domestic cities. We chose the internet-famous cities of Chongqing and Chengdu, searched for various trending photo spots on Douyin, and personally tested the best Instagram-worthy photography locations in Chongqing and Chengdu with photography as our goal.

Time: November 14-21, 2020, 8 days total

Day 1 (Nov 14): 17:55 (Hangzhou) Xiaoshan International Airport T3 flight - 20:40 (Chongqing) Jiangbei International Airport T3 landing, Tianjin Airlines GS6582. This ticket was sold as a "budget airline" model, with checked luggage and meals requiring additional payment. One piece of carry-on luggage (equivalent to a small suitcase or similar bag) was allowed. Stayed at a homestay near Jiaochangkou metro station.

Day 2 (Nov 15): Line 1 light rail. Mafangwan Seven-Color Lane - Luo Zhongli Art Museum - Ciqikou Ancient Town - Chaotianmen - Hongyadong

Day 3 (Nov 16): Line 2 light rail. Liziba Station - Eling Erchang - Sichuan Fine Arts Institute Huangjueping Graffiti Street

Day 4 (Nov 17): Baixiang Street Historical and Cultural Area - Baixiangju - Gangyu Square - Dongyuan 1891 Time Path (Classic Bookstore) - Longmenhao Old Street - Qiansimen Bridge night photography of Hongyadong, etc.

Day 5 (Nov 18): Kuixinglou - Qianye Art Museum (glasses shop) - Former Site of Sino-British Liaison Office; Light Rail Line 1 to Shapingba Railway Station to Chengdu East (14:13-15:50) 1.5 hours, stayed at a homestay near Chunxi Road Exit A; Chunxi Road, Taikoo Li.

Day 6 (Nov 19): Kuanzhai Alley - Jinli - People's Park - Eastern Suburb Memory - Perfect World - Taikoo City to see naked-eye 3D

Day 7 (Nov 20): Fanmu FLYing - Eastern Suburb Memory (second visit) - CRRC Shared City, stayed near the airport at night

Day 8 (Nov 21): 06:55 Shuangliu Airport (T2) to Xiaoshan Airport MU6069 flight, arrived in Hangzhou at noon and returned.

【Mafangwan Seven-Color Lane】A new trending photo spot. The lane is made of several rows of old houses covered with graffiti in red, green, blue, yellow, and many other colors that collide with each other, adding liveliness to the alley. Look, on the goose-yellow wall, a big-eyed cute cat is lying; it mischievously seems to have broken through the white wallpaper and pokes its head out to look. And the French bulldog at the most prominent corner of the alley is looking up at the young ladies coming to take photos. Its adorable appearance attracts many tourists. On the purple wall, there is also a greedy Shar-Pei, seeing the food in a spoon, its drool is already dripping long. These bold and bright colors create a fresh and cheerful atmosphere. Walking inside feels like entering a rainbow world, eye-catching and refreshing. Address: Next to Jianghu Restaurant, No. 66 Mafangwan, Shapingba District Photo-worthy rating: ★★★★

【Luo Zhongli Art Museum】All the exterior walls of the building are pieced together from countless colorful broken ceramic tiles, not painted with oil paint. These tiles are all discarded tiles collected by Sichuan Fine Arts Institute from various factories. The exterior walls are fully covered with bright, lively, and dynamic colors and patterns, including animals, plants, people, buildings, some realistic and some abstract. They form an undulating scroll of paintings around the outer wall. You have to experience this shocking feeling in person. Such an art museum entirely covered with colorful patterns might be the only one in the world. The exterior wall of the museum itself is a huge artwork. Address: Sichuan Fine Arts Institute Shapingba Campus Photo-worthy rating: ★★★★★

【Ciqikou Ancient Town】Once prosperous with 'a thousand people bowing during the day and ten thousand lamps lighting up at night.' Bayu culture, religious culture, Shaci culture, Red Rock culture, and folk culture each have their own characteristics. A single stone-paved road, a thousand-year-old Ciqikou, is a microcosm and symbol of old Chongqing, praised as 'Little Chongqing.' Ciqikou Ancient Town features traditional performances such as oil pressing, silk reeling, sugar making, dough figurine molding, Sichuan opera, as well as various traditional snacks and tea houses. The Ciqikou Temple Fair held every Spring Festival is the most distinctive traditional event, attracting tens of thousands of people. Accessible directly by Line 2 light rail. Note: Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds. Photo-worthy rating: ★★★★

【Chaotianmen】Located at the intersection of the Jialing River and the Yangtze River on the Yuzhong Peninsula in Chongqing. The Jialing River, one of the nine major tributaries of the Yangtze, converges with the Yangtze here, flowing thousands of miles into the East China Sea. The famous Three Gorges of the Yangtze River are located on the Chongqing to Yichang section. Therefore, people regard Chongqing as the best starting point for touring the magnificent Three Gorges. Photo-worthy rating: ★★★★

【Hongyadong】One of the must-visit landmarks in Chongqing. During holidays, Hongyadong is undoubtedly a major attraction. Originally named Hongyamen, it was one of the ancient city gates of Chongqing. Built on the original site, Hongyadong features the most characteristic Bayu traditional architectural style of stilted buildings (diaojiaolou), constructed along the mountain and river, forming a unique 'three-dimensional elevated pedestrian street.' Within just a few floors, it brings together six major industries including dining, entertainment, leisure, and specialty cultural shopping. At night, it is brilliantly lit, a dazzling and incomparable urban scenic commercial center with layers and texture. The night scene of Hongyadong is the most familiar: when the lights suddenly turn on, it looks like layers of golden paint, creating a dreamlike 'Spirited Away' atmosphere, as if instantly transported into a two-dimensional space. This is the scene captured at ground level. Photo-worthy rating: ★★★★★

【Hongyadong 'Reunion 1980' Block】Featuring stilted buildings (diaojiaolou) with Bayu traditional architectural characteristics, using techniques such as layered terraces, stilts, overlapping, and cliff-side building to integrate dining, entertainment, leisure, health, hotels, and specialty cultural shopping into a unique 'three-dimensional elevated pedestrian street,' forming a layered and textured urban scenic area and commercial center. The 'Reunion 1980' Block is themed around the urban life of Chongqing in the 1980s and 1990s, with a total construction area of about 3,100 square meters, artistically presenting scenes from that era, role performances, and interactive experiences. Photo-worthy rating: ★★★★

【Chongqing Monorail Line 2 Liziba Station】It is China's first elevated station built jointly with a commercial-residential building (straddle-type monorail system). Completed in March 2004, it covers an area of 3,100 square meters and a building area of 6,000 square meters. The station is located on the 6th-7th floors of the commercial-residential building at No. 39 Liziba Zheng Street, on the south bank of the Jialing River. It has become a world-famous 'internet-famous station' because 'the monorail train passes through the building.' Take Line 2 from Linjiangmen to Fotuguan; at the front or rear of the train, there are large glass windows for passengers to shoot videos, like a city roller coaster. Video-shooting rating: ★★★★★

【Eling Erchang Cultural and Creative Park】Located on Eling, it was originally the printing factory of the Central Bank of the Republic of China. As the city progressed, it faced the dilemma of rebuilding or preserving; ultimately, it was decided to keep the original appearance and renovate it. Since then, it became the filming location for the movie 'From Your Whole World Passing By,' set in an old industrial factory area hidden in a big city. Eling Park has almost become a must-visit spot in Chongqing, retaining a strong artistic atmosphere that attracts many young people. It is an excellent choice for photography—it looks good no matter how you shoot. Photo-worthy rating: ★★★★

【Sichuan Fine Arts Institute Huangjueping Graffiti Street】Total length 1.25 km. All residential buildings along the street are covered with graffiti, full of artistic atmosphere. Snapshots are everywhere. If you like bright and vivid colors, start snapping photos. Take Line 2 to Yangjiaping Station, then transfer to bus 223 or 823 to Huangjueping Zheng Street Station, or take a taxi (starting fare). Photo-worthy rating: ★★★★

【Jiaotong Teahouse】Located 5 minutes' walk from the east gate of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute Huangjueping Campus. It is the filming location of the movie 'Crazy Stone' and the variety show 'Extreme Challenge,' an old shop with a strong local atmosphere. The entrance is very inconspicuous; after a short passage, a slightly dilapidated wooden-beamed hall comes into view, along with wooden benches, mottled wooden square tables, covered-bowl tea, and old tea customers—it feels like a time warp. Photo-worthy rating: ★★★★

【Baixiang Street Historical and Cultural Area】Baixiang Street has many historical and cultural buildings, including Chongqing's earliest telegraph office, the Herbal Medicine Union, Li Yaoting's Mansion, and the private Huaxing Primary School. Especially after Chongqing opened as a port, countries such as Britain, the United States, and Japan set up foreign firms here, forming a 'financial street' that was once extremely prosperous. There is a cable car at Wanglongmen on Baixiang Street that goes directly to the dock. People from across the river took ferries and then the Wanglongmen cable car to reach Baixiang Street. It was a bustling area in the late Qing Dynasty and Republic of China period. After liberation, Baixiang Street gradually fell behind the times, and Chongqing's commercial center shifted. Photo-worthy rating: ★★★★

【Baixiangju】Located at the intersection of Baixiang Street and Jiefang East Road, hence the name. The uniqueness of this residential building lies in its 24 stories without an elevator. Design started in 1983 and was completed in 1992. After unexpectedly becoming an internet sensation, many people visited. Baixiangju cleverly utilizes the 38-meter height difference on the site, conceiving ideas such as 'air corridor layer,' 'multiple level entrances,' 'public communication corridors,' and 'turning high-rise into multi-level.' It pioneered a high-rise residential form without elevators for floors 4-25. The architectural form is undulating and lively, with rich outdoor spaces, quite characteristic of mountain architecture. Photo-worthy rating: ★★★★

【Dongyuan 1891 Time Path】A cultural and art waterfront commercial plaza in Chongqing. Dongyuan 1891 Time Path is located on Nanbin Road in Nan'an District, near the landmark Sheraton Hotel with its double-tower glass exterior. It has a superior location and beautiful environment. It is divided into five large halls: A, B, C, D, and E, creating a high-end riverside art space. Photo-worthy rating: ★★★

【Classic Bookstore】Located in Zone D of Dongyuan 1891 Time Path, covering 1,600 square meters over two floors. From the entrance on the first floor, after climbing the antique wooden staircase, you enter the main part of the bookstore on the second floor, designed like a 'stilted building' (diaojiaolou), giving a sense of 'a secluded winding path.' Sitting on the semi-circular steps in the style of Plato's Academy, you will find scientific installations such as Möbius strips, Klein bottles, and hypercubes quietly accompanying you, along with each classic book. Spend the best time idly, starting from the Classic Bookstore at Dongyuan 1891 Time Path. Photo-worthy rating: ★★★★

【Longmenhao Old Street】Facing the Huguang Guild Hall in Yuzhong District, located below the southern side of the Dongshuimen Yangtze River Bridge, close to Mishi Street on Nanbin Road. It showcases cultural characteristics such as the port opening, Republic of China style, and Anti-Japanese War history. Old buildings are scattered on a hillside with a vertical height of 40 meters. Nearby are the Yangtze River Cableway, the lower Haolao Street of Longmenhao Historical and Cultural Block, the Star Observation Platform above the Jianye Gang gate, and an unobstructed 180° view of the Yuzhong Peninsula. It has a unique viewing platform where you can see the Chongqing Metro Line 6 passing through Nanshan. Longmenhao Old Street combines connotation and appearance. Come and discover the highlights behind this 'internet-famous old street.' Photo-worthy rating: ★★★★★

【Night Photography from Qiansimen Bridge】Standing on Qiansimen Bridge is an excellent spot to photograph Hongyadong. Take the light rail to the 'Dajuyuan Station' on the other end of Qiansimen Bridge, then walk onto the bridge and go to the area above Hongyadong to shoot. Photo-worthy rating: ★★★★★

【Kuixinglou】In the movie poster of 'Better Days,' the place where Xiao Bei walks alone is Kuixinglou at Linjiangmen. Because two new suspended footbridges were built connecting to a new high-rise building, it became a new internet-famous spot on the internet. The footbridge is located on the 22nd floor of Gaosheng Building. And when you exit the first floor of Gaosheng Building, you are a few steps away from the famous Hongyadong. Address: No. 17 Datang Plaza, Linjiangmen, Yuzhong District Photo-worthy rating: ★★★★

【Qianye Art Museum】A non-profit art institution jointly established by the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute Art and Social Innovation Center and Qianye Glasses. It is a new type of art operation model integrating new art display and commercial space. The exhibition hall is both a release site for avant-garde and new art, and an operational space for fashion commerce. The commercial form of the space provides continuous commercial support for art display, while art creates new experiential modes for commercial operations, complementing each other. As the latest integrated iteration, Qianye Art Museum, with its new type of artistic commercial creative space, leads urban art commercial innovation. Address: Next to Jiefangbei Photo-worthy rating: ★★★★★

【Former Site of Sino-British Liaison Office】A three-story French-style building in the core area of Jiefangbei CBD, Yuzhong District, Chongqing. Built in 1910, designed and constructed by the French, it is a brick-and-wood structure in French style. After the outbreak of World War II, the building was used by the British company Jardine Matheson. The Chinese and British sides exchanged wartime intelligence here, sharing the latest wartime news from the East and West. According to the plan, through exhibitions, academic exchanges, and art salons, it will be transformed into a fun, attractive, interesting, high-quality, and valuable cultural and artistic space. Photo-worthy rating: ★★★★

【Chunxi Road, Taikoo Li】Chunxi Road is one of the oldest commercial streets in Chengdu, ranking third on the 'China Commercial Street Ranking.' Chengdu IFS International Finance Centre attracts attention with a giant panda sculpture on its exterior wall. Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li is one of Chengdu's fashion landmarks, adjacent to Chunxi Road and backed by Daci Temple. It is an open area integrating shopping, dining, and entertainment. Photo-worthy rating: ★★★★★

【Kuanzhai Alley】Located near Changshun Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu, it consists of three parallel alleys: Kuan Alley, Zhai Alley, and Jing Alley. The buildings are all gray brick and tile quadrangle courtyards imitating ancient styles. It is one of the relatively well-preserved Qing Dynasty ancient streets in Chengdu, and together with Daci Temple and Wenshu Monastery, it is one of the three major historical and cultural protection blocks in Chengdu. Kuanzhai Alley is a national AA-level tourist attraction, having received honors such as 'China Characteristic Commercial Walking Street' in 2009, Sichuan Province Historical and Cultural Street, Top Ten New Scenes of Chengdu in 2011, and Ten Most Beautiful Streets in Sichuan. Photo-worthy rating: ★★★★