This Summer, I Returned to Chaotianmen, Chongqing

Chengdu is my home, Chongqing is my hometown; this romance between two cities fills me with happiness. This summer, I returned to Chaotianmen, Chongqing...

As night falls, the mountain city of Chongqing is at its most beautiful. The undulating terrain, the sleek modern architecture, and the warm, tranquil glow of countless lights make this historic city endlessly charming.

Chaotianmen's new landmark—Raffles City

When my parents were young, they stepped off the boat onto Chaotianmen Wharf, taking their first steps into society and life. It was also here that they bid tearful farewells, waving toward their distant hometown. In the days before transportation was as developed as it is now, this was also my must-pass route every time I returned to my hometown. Here lie my childhood memories, the warmth and recollections of human connections. As time passed, I witnessed the development and changes of this place.

View from the opposite riverbank looking toward Chaotianmen Wharf and Raffles City.

Whenever I have a chance to return to Chongqing, I naturally stop by Chaotianmen Wharf for a while, letting the river breeze brush my face and, when the melodious horn sounds, savoring the longing and nostalgia my hometown has placed upon me...

If Chaotianmen Wharf was once just a transit point on my way back to my hometown, what new face does it await me with today?

Dividing line between past and present ————————

When you think of Chongqing, what comes to mind first? Previously, it would surely be hotpot, Hongyadong, the 8D terrain, mountain city beauties, Bangbang Army... But since Raffles City opened last September, I think it's now the first thing you'll think of!

That's right—it's Raffles City at Chaotianmen, Chongqing.

The Zero Kilometer Starting Point of Chongqing's Roads

If not for the Chongqing beauty "Ying" telling me, I wouldn't have known that the origin point of the mountain city Chongqing is right here. Facing Raffles City's Gate 8, walk forward for less than a minute to find this special marker in Chaotianmen Square. As the city's center point, it is used to calculate distances from other cities and regions to Chongqing. Abstract patterns represent the mountains, hills, fields, and rivers of Chongqing, while variations in traditional motifs reflect Bayu culture and the humanistic spirit.

Raffles City Chongqing is located in the core area between Chaotianmen Square and Jiefangbei, designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie and invested by Singapore's CapitaLand Group. The tower design draws from Chongqing's millennia-old shipping culture, with heights of 350 meters and 250 meters respectively, shaping the towers like mighty sails on the river.

The 300-meter-long Crystal Skybridge spans across the tops of four towers and connects six towers in total, integrating a viewing deck, club, casual dining area, and other comfortable, spacious spaces 250 meters in the air. At night, it resembles a dazzling glazed ribbon hovering over the Chaotian waters.

The entire project embodies the Chongqing spirit of "sailing afar" and interprets the majestic grandeur of the "Ancient Yuzhou Gateway," now becoming an iconic building of Chongqing.

Raffles City Chongqing also incorporates a parking lot, subway station, multi-level roadway and bus interchange, and a cruise center. Its design further includes a public park and gardens. It integrates various land and water public transportation facilities, featuring underground viaducts, subway stations, bus transfer hubs, a port pier, and a visitor center.

The 24-Hour Passage Cultural Corridor

The 24-Hour Passage is a fast passage open 24 hours a day, extending from Xinhua Road to Chaotianmen Square, highlighted with custom green stone. It is about 273 meters long and spans four floors, connecting the L4 entrance of the shopping mall to the L1 Chaotianmen Square entrance. There are 108 steps in total; the grand staircase design is a nod to Chongqing's characteristic hilly terrain and the locals' spirit of striving upward.

In the past, people might have needed to take Changbin Road or Jiabin Road to reach Chaotianmen Square, but now they can cut through the shopping mall at any time to enjoy the scenic beauty of Chongqing's two rivers.

I began my journey of dining, drinking, and fun at Raffles City Chongqing through this 24-Hour Passage.

Walking along the 24-Hour Passage, you'll arrive at the Chaotianmen Cultural Exhibition Area on L2 of the shopping mall. To better showcase Chongqing's history and culture to the public, four glass screens use bas-relief art combined with LED transparent screen technology to centrally display Chaotianmen's distinctive culture.

At the L4 entrance of the mall is the "Chongqing History Scroll," where five picture scrolls tell representative historical stories of Chongqing.

In the early Ming Dynasty, Dai Ding built a stone city on the foundation of the old Song Dynasty city, forming 17 city gates—nine open and eight closed. These included Cuiwei, Dongshui, Tai'an, Taiping, Renhe, Chuqi, Jinzi, Fenghuang, and Nanji gates along the Yangtze River; Jintang, Tongyuan, and Dingyuan gates connected to land; and Linjiang, Hongya, Qiansi, and Xishui gates along the Jialing River.

Chaotianmen is not only the birthplace of Chongqing's mother city culture, but also the largest of the ancient city gates of Chongqing.

In the Raffles City cultural exhibition area, we can see these old city gate landmarks, where "9" indicates the nine open gates and "8" indicates the eight closed gates.

The entire Raffles City shopping mall spans 235,000 square meters, with five floors above ground. Starting from the LG floor, each level has planned entrances and exits, which not only incorporate the features of Chongqing's 3D magical city but also help with customer flow.

The colors of the floor stones actually differ—Raffles City has integrated the concept of the "confluence of two rivers" into its design, using different colors and materials to create three distinct zones: the Jialing River zone, the Yangtze River zone, and the Chaotianmen zone. Deep yellow stone marks the Yangtze River zone, while green stone is used for the Jialing River zone on the other side, playing off the different colors of the two rivers.

Eat at Raffles City ——————————

"Tripe and tripe rolls, hēi là hēi là~ duck intestine and brain flower, hēi là hēi là~ potato and tofu skin, hēi là hēi là~ kelp, local tofu, and dried tofu, hēi là hēi là~ eel and white eel, hēi là hēi là~ bamboo shoots and lotus root slices, hēi là hēi là~ Chongqing hotpot, hēi là hēi là!!!"

Every time I hear this song "Chongqing Hotpot" sung in authentic Chongqing dialect, I can't help but feel joyful. Such a song vividly and vividly showcases the local culinary culture.

So, what delicious food can we enjoy at Raffles City?

[Nanbin Impression Hotpot] The hotpot restaurant is on L3 of Raffles City. The environment is excellent; upon entering, you see two small boats with a fairy-like mist, and the dining area is elegant and spacious. One of their signature dishes is Jiuchi Memory Goose Intestine, each strand over 3 meters long, cut fresh by the waiter on the spot—very fresh. The Nanbin Impression Mermaid is a beautifully plated mermaid-shaped dish, soft, tender, and smooth, melting in your mouth—worth trying! Nanbin Impression Hotpot, various signature dishes.

[Sansheng Sanwei Esoteric Sichuan Cuisine] Located on L4 of Raffles City, the environment is wonderful, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering diners views of the Jiangbei riverside scenery. The Chive-Perfumed Black Fish Slices is one of the restaurant's carefully crafted featured dishes, with rich flavors—sour, spicy, fresh, and fragrant—highly recommended! Rosemary Roasted Pork is another signature, fat but not greasy, where the rosemary perfectly combines with the pork cooked in hot oil. Sansheng Sanwei Esoteric Sichuan Cuisine, various signature dishes.

[Beso 720° Riverview Western Restaurant] Located on L3 of Raffles City, you can enjoy dining outdoors with the river breeze and live band music (reservations are needed). Inside, large floor-to-ceiling windows allow diners to see the beautiful Chongqing Grand Theater and riverside cityscape even from indoors. Sea Salt Rosemary Fries are larger than regular fries, served with a delicious dipping sauce that perfectly balances the greasiness. The pumpkin soup is thick and smooth, pairing wonderfully. Spanish Seafood Paella is a signature, soft and flavorful, very filling. The Charcoal-Grilled Chicken Platter comes in generous portions; the chicken is fragrant and tender, with that unique charcoal-grilled aroma! Beso Western Restaurant, indoor and outdoor dining environments, various signature dishes.

[SPACELAB Gravity Restaurant] The seventh SPACELAB in all of Asia is located on L4 of Raffles City. The interior is full of futuristic sci-fi vibes, with stunning views of the two rivers outside the window. Dishes are delivered to diners via overhead tracks, and robots also serve food, attracting many foodies. Kids love the food here, and adults enjoy the unconventional ordering experience, quickly turning this restaurant into another must-visit hotspot. Their dishes have a secret recipe; to appeal to locals, they've added chili powder dip for spicy-food lovers, and people flock here with family and kids to enjoy the cuisine. SPACELAB Gravity Restaurant, unique ordering method, various signature dishes and desserts.

[Singapore Restaurant Collins] COLLIN'S Chongqing Raffles City is the first branch in China, located on L1 of Ascott Raffles City Chongqing. The restaurant mainly serves Western food, and I recommend the Singapore Bak Kut Teh—delicious and rich in broth! Singapore Restaurant Collins entrance, restaurant signature dishes.

Drink at Raffles City ——————————

[Starbucks Reserve Coffee & Bar] Starbucks is on L1 of Raffles City, with two floors. The first floor focuses on coffee, while the second floor is the BAR MIXATO bar. Here you can enjoy high-quality wines, craft beers, whiskies, and more; customers can also taste over ten handcrafted creative cocktails. This is the first Starbucks Reserve™ Coffee & Bar in Central & Western China. Bartenders mix drinks right before you, and there are also small bites like oil-packed sardines and Mexican tortilla chips. The craft draft beer tasting flight is worth trying, each with its own unique flavor, rich and mellow! Starbucks Reserve Coffee & Bar, the store beautifully presents the Starbucks Reserve™ experience, brewing each cup with care and offering distinctive specialty drinks. At the Reserve bar on the first floor, customers can choose based on their coffee flavor preferences and watch various brewing methods up close—Black Eagle, siphon, pour-over, French press—and exchange tasting notes with Starbucks coffee masters, savoring the infinite charm of a single coffee bean in the rich aromas. The first Bar Mixato in Central & Western China, where every bartender in cool black shirts and stylish bow ties is professionally trained and certified, with extensive knowledge of coffee, tea, and alcohol. With skilled mixing and a passion for sharing, they unlock the infinite possibilities of coffee and cocktails, offering an immersive bar experience that brings a fresh sensation. Day or night, customers can always enjoy their favorite coffee, special drink, and food here, unlocking the Starbucks Reserve™ experience through the enjoyment of Reserve coffee and cocktails.

[Kerouac Coffee] Located on L5 of Raffles City. 'I was young, and I longed to hit the road, with that initial passion, chasing the original dream, feeling the first experiences, let's go.' This is a classic line from Jack Kerouac's On the Road. Because of this novel and its author, there's Kerouac Coffee on the 5th floor of Raffles City Chongqing. Fans of Kerouac must check in—you'll find resonance here with your Kerouac obsession!

Play at Raffles City ——————————

[Mountain City Garden] Located on the rooftop portion of the shopping complex, covering about 50,000 square meters. Around 30,000 square meters of the garden is open to the public, seamlessly connected to Shaanxi Road, serving as an urban public garden created by Raffles City Chongqing. The garden features a gently sloping upward roof, a city-center oasis crafted by renowned landscape consultancy WAA, and highlights like a layered waterfall that reflects Chongqing's character, along with 'Bloom' and 'Melody of Convergence' art sculptures, and urban fountains. This fountain has a clever twist—it's actually designed like a maze, allowing both kids and adults to interact with it. The work 'Bloom' by Chongqing-born artist Jiao Xingtao, and 'Melody of Convergence' from the 'Drip' series by artist Zheng Lu. It's also an excellent viewing point for the 'confluence of two rivers.' To the right of Chaotianmen Square is the Yangtze River, and to the left, the Jialing River flows into the Yangtze, creating the unique 'jiā mǎ shuǐ' (swirling water) scenery. Because the two rivers have different sediment levels, a distinct color line forms at the confluence, often likened to the 'yuanyang pot' (half spicy, half mild) in Chongqing hotpot.

[Exploration Pod · Observation Deck] Unveiled on May 30, the Exploration Pod · Observation Deck is meticulously built and operated by CapitaLand (China), with IP support from National Geographic. With 'exploration' as its theme, it blends urban human geography and sci-fi futuristic elements. Six themed exhibition zones—'Urban Origins,' 'Discover Chongqing,' 'Modern Era,' 'Western Gateway,' 'Opening Eyes to the World,' and 'Participating in the Future'—along with numerous treasured humanistic photos and videos from different eras, retrace the imprints of Chongqing's urban development. It's the best place to feel the human charm of Chongqing and understand the city's evolution. Interactive installations like the 'Sichuan Dialect Foreign School,' 'Republic-era Photo Studio,' 'Western Past,' and 'Send Chongqing a Smiling Face' greatly enhance the fun of exploring cultural history, encouraging visitors to delve into the landscape's connotations and humanistic facets. Look, is that me next to the bride on the right? Ha! On the Jialing River side of the Crystal Skybridge's L47, there is an indoor and outdoor platform spanning about 1,500 square meters, where you can embark on a 'Mars journey' in the mountain city and explore the future. Strolling through the forest, you can overlook the city's two rivers and four banks from 250 meters up, enjoying a 270° panoramic view. Experience the sci-fi and reality, the intertwining of future and past between a mysterious Mars and magical Chongqing. Appreciate the striking 'yuanyang pot' phenomenon—the distinct line between the two rivers due to different sediment loads—making it a top spot for overlooking the city and feeling the grandeur of the river confluence. The cantilevered transparent glass floor at the end of the skybridge is a 'brave person's game.' Snap a photo here for your check-in, capturing a unique perspective with the two rivers and four banks, creating an unforgettable journey memory exclusive to Chongqing.

Joy at Raffles City ————————

We all know that the night scenery of mountain city Chongqing is incredibly beautiful. The undulating terrain and staggered architecture give this city a unique charm after dark. The view changes from different angles, and the shots vary at different moments. Taking a taxi from Chaotianmen, Raffles City to the 'Changjiahui' (Changjiahui Shopping Park) on the south bank allows you to capture a different Chaotianmen from another angle. In just over ten minutes, you reach the south bank, where the cityscape takes on another look. Standing at a high point and looking back at Raffles City across the river, the visual impact feels even stronger. If the timing is right, you can capture the sky ablaze with colorful clouds reflecting on Chaotianmen. In those moments, you'll be utterly enchanted, as if in a dreamy sky.

After getting tired from strolling and snapping enough photos, head to [Suwanthai · Thai Massage & SPA] on L5 of Raffles City for a relaxing aromatherapy SPA. The shop is decorated in an antique and Thai style. The therapists are all trained in traditional Thai massage techniques, with professional skills and reasonable prices, making it a truly pleasant experience!

Stay at Raffles City ————————

To make my 3-day, 2-night trip of eating, drinking, playing, and enjoying at Raffles City Chongqing more convenient, I chose to stay at Ascott Raffles City Chongqing. The Nordic minimalist decor is clean, bright, and pleasing to the eye. The large guest room has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, both independent luxury king-bed rooms. If you want to cook your own meal, the kitchen is fully equipped with cookware, an oven, and an induction cooker. The living room has a JBL hi-fi stereo, a Siemens front-loading washer and dryer... More than a serviced apartment, it feels like a home to return to after a dusty journey. Ascott Raffles City entrance, lobby, lobby area, guest room scenes.

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In the past, Chaotianmen was a wharf from which you could take a boat to various places. Now, Chaotianmen Wharf is also the starting point for the Two Rivers Cruise and the Three Gorges Cruise. Every evening, boarding a cruise ship from this wharf, you can experience Chongqing's extraordinary grandeur and beautiful scenery, embodying the saying 'Travel a thousand miles, broaden your mind.' Its unique geographical location makes it very convenient to go anywhere in the city from Chaotianmen. After getting off the high-speed train at Chongqing North Station, it's only about a 20-minute drive to Raffles City, with a fare not exceeding 26 yuan. Going to Jiefangbei and Hongyadong is also very easy, so it's no wonder this place has become another must-visit spot in mountain city Chongqing.

Just as an old Chongqing resident once said: 'Chaotianmen is an indelible mark in the memory of Chongqing people. Therefore, anything connected to it always draws widespread attention. Chaotianmen is a starting point for people to get to know Chongqing, but it is by no means the end point.'