Solo in Magical Chongqing: I Really Am the Chosen One
Even floods couldn’t wash away my desire to have fun in Chongqing.
They say a solo trip is one of those things you must try in life. By a twist of fate, I embarked on this solo journey to Chongqing. I’ve been notoriously direction-challenged since childhood. As a kid, I relied on friends for directions; as I grew up, luckily map apps became a thing, and I’d find my way with Baidu Maps. But the legendary 8D magical Chongqing had such a reputation, and the city had just been hit by floods—what would I face on this trip? It was a mystery. As it turned out, the few days’ journey was full of surreal surprises: I encountered Hongya Cave and Qiansimen Bridge with their lights off, saw Fairy Mountain so stormy I couldn’t walk forward, and even took a half-day trip to the police station??? All these misadventures made me shout: I, the chosen one!
As the chosen one, while heaven gave me bizarre experiences, it also threw me a few bones. The beautiful scenery along the way more than made up for all the unexpected frustrations.
Wulong near Chongqing is a filming location for many blockbusters. Since the old master Zhang Yimou left behind the Tian’guan Fuyi post station, this place has become more like a hermitage for sword immortals.
If the lights weren’t on one night, I’d just come back another night. Finally, I saw Hongya Cave with its lights on—a classic Chongqing view that was breathtaking.
On the old Chongqing streets where both the three-character-name actor (Wang Junkai) and the four-character-name actor (Yi Yangqianxi) had photo shoots, see the Yangtze River Cableway and Raffles City.
Even though Chongqing has become an internet-famous city, there are still many hidden gems yet to be discovered, like Danzishi Old Street.
And of course, the countless delicacies! Hotpot, noodles, grilled brain flower—just thinking of them makes me hungry! ... The loneliest achievement in the world: eating hotpot alone. I finally checked that off my list!
So now, let’s officially start our journey!
Take 1 · First Encounter with Chongqing · City Center
Maybe because I had flown alone for work for a while, I felt no discomfort even on my first solo trip. Instead, I felt a joy like ‘sneaking off for pleasure all by myself, I forbid you to keep an eye on me,’ hehe~
With bustling traffic and dense symmetry, in internet-famous Chongqing, anything can be a scenic spot... That’s right, even T3 Terminal is a sightseeing spot—those flying in can check it out.
I deliberately chose a morning flight so that after landing in Chongqing and dropping my luggage at the guesthouse, there would still be time left! Today, I’ll mainly wander around the airport–city center area.
White Elephant Residence | The Best Apartment Building to View the Yangtze River Cableway
Looking close, yet unable to touch—like parallel lines, the Yangtze River Cableway and White Elephant Residence in such a cinematic city as Chongqing keep my imagination running wild! Each time I use a drawing to record the images in my mind, I’m grateful that even though I’m not professional, I still love to do it. This is a way I really enjoy recording a place. —————————————— After dropping off my luggage at the guesthouse, I set out slowly, opening the map app to head to my destination, hoping it wouldn’t lead me into a ditch. Stepping into Chongqing’s old streets, overpasses extending from residential buildings, staircases connecting hallways, and neighbors leisurely playing cards—that Chongqing flavor seemed to waft from every corner.
White Elephant Residence is an old Chongqing building, a dense complex full of old Chongqing charm. Even more special, it sits by the Yangtze River, allowing you to take in the Yangtze River Cableway, Qiansimen Bridge, and Raffles City all at once. After the actor with a three-character name, Wang Junkai, shot a magazine spread here, it became even more popular. Red cable cars glide slowly through the air along the cableway, and Raffles City across the river looks oddly shaped yet spectacular. The orange Qiansimen Bridge harmonizes with the colors of the cars, and to top it off, the setting sun casts a warm, beautiful filter over it all. A gentle breeze blows, and I feel a warm, powerful energy seep in with the wind.
Alright, alright! I’m fully energized! (Little did I know at this moment that this would be the last sunset I’d see before the trip ended... The god of bad luck finally struck this delicate girl.)
Apart from the 1st-floor platform and the 8th-floor corridor, White Elephant Residence has many spots worth exploring slowly. It is a microcosm of old Chongqing. It’s not a traditional tourist site; it’s a residential building that became famous after some great photo angles were discovered. Those discovered angles are undoubtedly beautiful, but don’t forget to look around—there’s so much more scenery to savor. The photo below is one of the classic photo spots here; the resulting image is the first picture of this section. Tourists line up to take that shot, but if a car is parked there like in this one, it’s even harder to get a clean photo.
As a delicate girl, I still really want to be in the photos to prove I was there. So when I look back at the photos later, I’ll feel more immersed and have stronger memories. Traveling alone, considering my energy and convenience, I didn’t bring a tripod, only a flexible mini tripod. Throughout this trip, my photos of myself were mostly a combination of passersby helping, using the mini tripod, and remote control from a distance. Wandering around, savoring every brick and tile of old Chongqing, each time I found a spot suitable for a slow photoshoot, it was a delightful surprise. Facing the Yangtze River, most hallway windows offer views of the Yangtze River Cableway, sometimes even closer with bigger cable cars!
Dense residential buildings with stair-step shapes are filled with authentic Chongqing life.
Gazing at the orderly lines of buildings—an effective cure for OCD?
This is my exclusive photographer, Mr. Flexi-tripod. To take photos of myself, I really put in the effort...
The residential building opposite White Elephant Residence was a magazine poster shooting location for ‘The Bad Kids.’ The crisscrossing staircases and contradictory lives—I can’t help but marvel at photographers’ powerful ability to find these angles.
From the edge of the 1st-floor platform at White Elephant Residence, you can also see the gleaming golden Sheraton Hotel across the river. The popular recent drama ‘Wind Dog Boy’s Sky’ filmed on this platform too. Everything under the sunset is especially beautiful. Rushing here on my first day in Chongqing was such a smart decision!
The Westin Hotel Rooftop | Overlooking Chongqing from the City Center
Can you find anyone if you stand high enough? —————————— Arriving in the mountain city for the first time, I was excited but also felt an inexplicable sense of oppression, more or less because Chongqing is a city of dense high-rises. So, find a high spot to look down and escape that feeling! The most famous places in the city center to overlook Chongqing and open to the public are The Westin rooftop and the WFC Huixian Tower. I chose The Westin (well, because WFC charges money).
Originally I planned to see the night view, but by the time I got to the rooftop at 6 p.m., there was a long time before the city lights would twinkle. So let’s just take in this moment with the sun down but the lights not yet on! Looking down, it’s as if you can see everything yet nothing at all—everything becomes tiny, refreshing your mind. No wonder the ancients loved climbing high for distant views, though they climbed mountains and I climbed a building. Although Chongqing is still hot, there’s a cool breeze here—so pleasant!
Take the elevator from the lobby to the 51st-floor lobby for a transfer, then from the 51st-floor elevator to the 54th-floor infinity pool—the viewing spot is right here. You can also go up to the 55th floor and shoot down at the 54th-floor pool, but the pool is only accessible if you book afternoon tea.
The infinity pool area is an open area of the hotel, so you can visit even without staying, spending money, or booking. But of course, as it’s not really a tourist spot, it’s better to enjoy quietly without disturbing the hotel’s daily operations.
Hongya Cave | An adventure with the lights off at night??
Haku carrying Chihiro escaping from the spirit world and finally running to Hongya Cave —————————————— After dinner, I arrived at Hongya Cave around 8 p.m. Entering from the road on the top floor, after a quick look at the shops inside, I huffed and puffed down from the 11th floor to the 1st floor (the elevator was too crowded). I was expecting the dazzling exterior lighting of Hongya Cave that had flooded social media. Finally at the 1st-floor exit, I looked up! ??? Something felt off?
Have you ever seen Hongya Cave with no lights at night?! And opposite, the Qiansimen Bridge also without lights!! By this time, Hongya Cave would normally be brightly lit. It suddenly struck me—maybe after the flood, the lights were malfunctioning? By the time I left after 9 p.m., the lights were still off... Whatever the reason, I! really! encountered! a lightless Hongya Cave!!!
The spots I had noted online for viewing the lights of Hongya Cave and Qiansimen Bridge were now useless. At the bottom of Hongya Cave, traces of the flood still showed its recent presence.
Not seeing Hongya Cave lit up felt like something was missing—so frustrating! I just grabbed some midnight snacks and headed back to the guesthouse.
Since I was already here, it would be a regret not to see Hongya Cave with its lights on. On the last night of the trip, carrying my little camera, I rushed back to Hongya Cave! This time, finally! The moment the lights came on, the place seemed to transform into another world. Brilliant lights outlined the dreamy Hongya Cave.
This stunning world of lights made me immensely glad I didn’t miss it.
The simplest spot to photograph the lights of Hongya Cave is the street opposite it. Beautiful, but indeed packed with people.
To see the full panorama of Hongya Cave, don’t forget to walk onto Qiansimen Bridge—a different angle of beauty.
Hongya Cave has 11 floors in total. Floors 1-3 are specialty shops, but honestly, I think you can skip them—prices are inflated, and the stuff can be found elsewhere. Floor 4 is the Bayu Folk Food Street. Floors 5-8 house the Hongya Cave Hotel (the 5th floor has a retro 1980s street area you can photograph). Floors 9-10 have international food streets. Floor 11 is at road level, from where you can walk onto Qiansimen Bridge.
The brilliant lights inject a new charm into Chongqing's nights. Actually, I’m not a big fan of crowded tourist cities, but
Falling asleep to the sight of ten thousand lights, looking forward to tomorrow’s wonders.
Take 2 · Ethereal Chongqing · Outdoor Adventures
When thinking of Chongqing, the first images that come to mind are blazing hotpots and strangely intersecting mountain-city buildings—all brimming with human warmth. But the surrounding Wulong area offers a completely different scenery, and I’m not exaggerating to say it’s ethereally misty and magical!
Fairy Mountain | This fairy should head back to her hometown
Will we find spirits if we walk to the other end of the road? —————————————— In the morning, I checked the weather forecast: no rain for Chongqing city. Just as I was secretly pleased, I switched the location to Wulong and saw thick clouds brewing something big. I had already booked a day tour, and there was no backing out now. Let’s go! Maybe the clouds would be scared off by my mighty presence?
Our day tour group had four members: myself, a young couple from Xi’an, and a local Chongqing girl. I’ve joined small group tours before, but this time felt very different. Previously, when traveling with friends, even in a small group, I’d hardly chat with other members—I’d either talk to my friend or shut up and play on my phone. This time, probably because I was alone, my mouth couldn’t wait to talk. Fortunately, my group mates were chatty too, and we talked about everything under the sun the whole way. By the end, we’d gotten to know each other (and when needed, I had humans to hold my tripod). The guide even marveled: ‘I rarely meet a group that stays awake and talks non-stop in the car, haha.’ This is probably the charm of solo travel—it makes you focus more on the people and scenery you encounter, rather than getting lost in your own little world.
Along the way, we passed the Wujiang Gallery and stopped to enjoy the view.
Actually, the area classified as the Wujiang Gallery is quite large—anywhere by the Wujiang River counts. There are many viewing platforms along the road. But the weather wasn’t great that day, with heavy fog, so we just took a few glances, felt the breeze, snapped some photos, and hopped back into the car to continue.
After a four-hour drive since morning, I—this delicate little fairy—finally! arrived at Fairy Mountain!! At Fairy Mountain, you can ride a sightseeing mini train that loops around several stops. My group mates and I first headed to the Big Prairie. Before reaching the prairie, there was a short section of wooden walkway, with dome-shaped wooden cabins and tall trees—the scenery along the way already made my heart race.
Despite its name, Fairy Mountain isn’t steep; it’s actually an alpine meadow. In winter, it’s covered with snow, a rare sight of snowy forests and plains in the south, earning it the nickname ‘Oriental Switzerland.’ While Chongqing is a furnace in the scorching summer, at Fairy Mountain on the outskirts, the temperature drops instantly, making it a perfect summer retreat. The driver repeatedly told us to bring a jacket.
Just as I reached the prairie entrance, I was greeted by! howling wind, torrential rain, and thick fog...
We waited for a few minutes, but the rain showed no sign of letting up—in fact, it got heavier. My group mates and I could only slink back to the station, where at least we had some shelter.
Not willing to give up, we waited another half hour at the station. The rain eased a tiny bit, but it was still not playable weather. Fine, I gave up on the Big Prairie. The downside of a day tour is the tight schedule—you must stick to the timetable. Today’s plan also included the Three Natural Bridges, and we only had a little over an hour for Fairy Mountain. The Big Prairie was just the first stop. Reluctantly, we boarded the mini train to continue, thinking we’d watch the rain from the train and get off if it got better. I was especially looking forward to Fairy Mountain’s Fairy Road. Fairy Road is near the Racecourse Station, and when the train reached there, we found the sky had actually brightened!!!!!!!! Although it still looked a bit gray, compared to the downpour that had made walking impossible, this was great.
After coming all this way to Fairy Mountain, how could I only have memories of heavy rain? Let’s go! We got off! By now, we were deep in Fairy Mountain’s interior. Horses and cows roamed freely; all around were grasslands, deep forests, and roads. In Chongqing’s city center, you always smell hotpot, but here it’s the fresh scent of soil. With the crisp post-rain air, I finally shook off my earlier disappointment, running and jumping in this almost empty green world—so happy! I think I actually love these sparsely populated natural worlds the most. I suddenly made a wish to retire to a place like this! Though my retirement wishlist is already long. Um... better work hard! For a beautiful retirement!
Everything before me was green, and coincidentally my hair was dyed green too. For life to be bearable, you’ve got to have a bit of green on you.
About 300 meters back from the Racecourse Station, we finally reached this Fairy Road.
In recent years, checking in on roads has become a trend, but it actually blocks traffic and is dangerous. However, this Fairy Road is completely safe for photos! No outside vehicles are allowed; only the occasional sightseeing train passes by. Between forests and grasslands, a winding fantasy road stretches as if leading to another world.
We snapped a slew of photos, then reluctantly left it. According to the schedule, we had to go now. There were many more places I wanted to see but didn’t have time for, so I left with some regrets. This was a sunless Fairy Mountain trip, but I still fell in love with it. Regrets exist for people to make up for them. I’ve decided I must return on a sunny day in the future, and this time I’ll stay nearby to slowly savor everything.
We got back in the car, and just as we were leaving, the sun that hadn’t shown all morning suddenly appeared. Sunlight scattered across the grass, and cows and sheep walked leisurely. The distant forest was dense—could there be bashful little fairies hiding there? This beam of sunlight was probably a farewell gift from the Fairy Mountain fairies to me.
Three Natural Bridges | Hermitage of Sword Immortals
Tourists are busy marveling at the beautiful scenery, unaware that sword immortals are flying on their swords above ———————————————— Chongqing is a very cinematic city, and indeed many films and TV dramas have been shot here. But if we talk about the most-filmed location, it has to be Wulong’s Three Natural Bridges.
From the stormy Fairy Mountain to the Three Natural Bridges, the rain not only stopped but there was even a bit of sunshine, and my mood brightened along with it.
The Three Natural Bridges are a classic karst landform, with three adjacent natural stone arch bridges—hence the name. On the surrounding cliffs, there are karst caves, and water gushes down from above; every detail is just perfect.
The Three Natural Bridges were filming locations for ‘Eternal Love,’ ‘Transformers,’ and more, but what left a bigger impact was the mock-ancient post station Tian’guan Fuyi built by the old master Zhang Yimou for ‘Curse of the Golden Flower.’ Deep in the secluded mountains and strange terrain, an ancient post station is hidden, brimming with mystery and martial arts atmosphere, like the finishing touch that brings a painting to life.
Walking down the staircase from the rim, getting closer to Tian’guan Fuyi, even though it’s the same scene, it made me keep raising my camera. I really wanted to capture every angle—each extra photo means one more memory to savor later.
This place is just perfect for dressing up in ancient costumes and immersing yourself in this ethereal world. This time, for convenience, I didn’t put on a big show; I’ll save that for next time!
When you reach Tian’guan Fuyi, it’s actually not big, about the size of a courtyard house. Most of the rooms are sealed off, so it’s mainly about admiring the exterior.
The moss on the eaves is a perfect match with the surroundings. From color to distribution, it’s just right—I love it!
Leaving Tian’guan Fuyi, we continued to the next ‘bridge’ of the Three Natural Bridges. Surrounded by cliffs, one can’t help but feel small.
The bridge opening behind looks like a giant blade; supposedly everyone takes a photo like this.
Hmm... photos like this make me cringe so much I could dig out a two-bedroom apartment with my toes.
Occasionally on the cliffs, there are karst caves just big enough for one person to enter. What’s inside? Perhaps martial arts manuals left by a legendary swordsman, or maybe the daily residence of a sword immortal. Not being able to explore inside leaves much to the imagination.
I must say the staff here have great aesthetic sense—the man-made bridges fit seamlessly into the environment, never breaking the immersion.
Approaching the exit, light pours through the cave opening, a scene that tells me this adventure is coming to an end.
Leaving the Three Natural Bridges, today’s itinerary comes to a close. Let’s go! Back to the city for some good food!
Take 3 · Offbeat Chongqing · Nan’an District
Compared to the popular Yuzhong District packed with tourist spots, Nan’an District is relatively quiet. In recent years, Nan’an has been developing rapidly. Here, you can easily enjoy spectacular views of the confluence of the three rivers, find remnants of Chongqing’s rare port-opening culture, and also experience the authentic tube-shaped apartment building culture. The most famous attraction here is undoubtedly Nanshan One Tree, but I visited it a few years ago on my first trip to Chongqing during the National Day holiday, and it took hours of traffic jam to get there—I really don’t want to repeat that. So for this Nan’an visit, let’s focus on lesser-known spots!
Nanbin Road | Crossing the sea just to take a photo with you
No one else around—this Raffles City view is all mine —————————————— Staying in Yuzhong District, there was a very convenient and fun way to cross to Nan’an District: the nostalgic ferry! The ferry departs from the port near Raffles City, crosses the Yangtze to the other side, and you can enjoy views of both banks. It’s also super affordable, only 5 yuan. But the nostalgic ferry was still suspended due to the earlier flood. Gone. A saying came to mind: ‘When heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on a person, it will first exercise their body and starve their skin.’ Sure enough, because I’m the chosen one, I must be tested first, right?! I gave a slight smile, tinged with a mix of mockery, coolness, and carelessness—is that all? Even though I couldn’t take the ferry, in a modern city, taxis are everywhere. With a phone in hand, the world is mine! Arriving at Nanbin Road, some riverside paths still bore traces of the flood.
Seeing the Sheraton building up close—it’s easy for all that gold to look tacky, but here in Chongqing, it has a sense of storytelling.
From the entrance near Changjiahu Clock Tower Square, walk to the riverside path. It’s not a scenic spot itself, but it offers an unobstructed view of Chongqing’s landmark, Raffles City.
Hello~! Chongqing!!
Actually, given today’s visibility on the river, the night view would be better. But this place is usually deserted. A delicate girl like me, staying too late in a remote area alone didn’t feel safe, so I came early. Then again, if I weren’t alone, my companion might not have liked such a spot, and we might have skipped it entirely. For example, I often travel with my parents, and this really isn’t a place for them. Not everything in life goes as planned, but trusting your own choices is the best arrangement.
Look, taking photos with Raffles City by myself—I’m having a blast.
Remote control via phone, hiding my skill and fame.
After looking and shooting enough, when I wanted to leave, I found the exit ahead was covered in mud.
Me: ??? Deep breath, muttering: ‘When heaven is about to confer a great responsibility...’
Tube-shaped Apartment Building | Once filled with daily life, now...
Each floor has its own story, forming its own barrier. Break through them and find the top exit to return to the present. —————————————— A long corridor with ventilation at both ends, shaped like a tube, hence ‘tube-shaped building.’ This is one of the locations where the four-character-name actor Yi Yangqianxi and ‘little yellow duck’ Zhou Dongyu frequently appeared in the film ‘Better Days.’ In the past, the tube-shaped building overflowed with lively daily life—a couple arguing on the fourth floor, a child crying on the fifth—these sounds echoed through the corridors. Now, only a few residents remain. Though located on the rapidly developing Nanbin Road, it holds a different kind of steadiness, a witness to time.
The alternating single and double staircases, symmetrical architecture, plus its status as a film location, still draw quite a few visitors to check in.
Navigating to ‘Haitangxi Tube-shaped Building’ brought me nearby, but then I couldn’t find the entrance and had to ask for directions. Find the Good Neighbor Supermarket, then go inside from the right side of the supermarket, and you’ll find the entrance—this door. If you’ve seen ‘Better Days,’ this door should look familiar.
The lighting in the corridor isn’t great; I told myself: be strong, this isn’t lack of light, it’s a moody cinematic shot.
Danzishi Old Street | Flying elk, my favorite hidden surprise
Remember to look up often here—you might see elks leaping. —————————————— Chongqing’s distinctive architectural culture and mountain-city features are well-known, but its port-opening history, though heavily written into Chongqing’s past, is little known. Danzishi Old Street is a concentrated showcase of this port-opening culture. When I arrived, it felt oddly familiar. I checked with a friend who first showed me around Chongqing a few years ago, and it turned out we had actually stayed nearby back then... but we completely missed Danzishi Old Street. Um... I guess this is fate between me and Danzishi!
Danzishi Old Street is located on Nanbin Road, known as Chongqing’s Bund, presenting the century-long history from Chongqing’s ‘passive opening’ in 1891 to ‘active development.’ That’s probably why it only opened in 2018 but is called an ‘Old Street’!
After Chongqing opened its port, foreigners settled in, and Christianity arrived first, building churches here. The Yide Hall on Danzishi Old Street is a reconstruction on its original site, blending Gothic architecture with modern needs, with bright and colorful stained-glass windows.
Also worth mentioning: on the rooftops throughout Danzishi, you’ll occasionally spot standing or leaping elk statues, incredibly lifelike. If you don’t look up, you’ll easily miss them! These elk statues are wrapped with light strips, so when the lights come on at night, they’re dazzling and magnificent. There’s no sign telling visitors about these elks—they’re like a hidden surprise, but if you love this place, you’ll find them.
Starbucks always knows how to adapt its design to the local environment. The Sun Family Garden in the picture is actually a garden-style Starbucks.
Danzishi Old Street is backed by Mount Tu. The Tu Kiln is one of China’s folk kilns from the Song Dynasty. Various techniques are used here to display pottery making and kilning, immersing visitors in this history.
As a gathering place for port-opening culture, Danzishi has both a vintage grand stage and many fun modern shops and decorations. Wandering slowly by myself, I spent most of the day here.
‘The world is so big, let’s eat it?’ This hit my funny bone hahahaha
At first glance, what kind of monster with human feet and a fish body is this?!?
As night falls, Danzishi transforms into a dazzling world of lights, officially showing off its brilliance.
This is a handmade paper shop, ‘Dongba Paper Workshop,’ selling paper made with ancient Naxi techniques. The paper is durable and famously ‘does not decay for a thousand years.’ I especially love the store’s beautiful decor!
Here is the best spot to photograph the confluence of the two rivers, dubbed the ‘Chongqing Balcony.’ You can take in Jiangbeizui across the river and Jiefangbei Chaotianmen. And they’ve cleverly put a reflecting pool at the edge to help visitors capture beautiful reflections.
The elks at night are harder to find than during the day but also more beautiful.
In the night sky, the elks flash and leap, dreamy and enchanting. Love it, love it!
Take 4 · Nostalgic Chongqing · Yuzhong District
When I traveled as a child, it was always with tour groups, going from one attraction to another each day. Sometimes I’d leave without knowing what was special about a place. Now when I travel, I prefer seeing the past and the true faces of places. You don’t need glitz everywhere; classic old flavors are more intoxicating.
Kuixing Tower | An ancient building fused into modern residential blocks
‘Hello, can you hear me? I’m time-traveling with this ancient building!’ —————————————— In old tales, Kuixing was a god who controlled the success and failure of literature. Confucian scholars deeply believed in Kuixing, so they built Kuixing Towers. The current Kuixing Tower in Chongqing, built in 1991, is a replica of ancient architecture. People don’t come here to worship now; it’s more for daily transportation, strolling, and enjoying the view.
Several filming locations for ‘Better Days’ were at Kuixing Tower, really turning this old building into an internet sensation.
Two suspended overpasses connect Kuixing Tower Square to the adjacent office building, making daily life more convenient. If you’re heading from Linjiang Road to Hongya Cave and don’t want to walk from the 11th floor to the 1st, take the elevator in Kuixing Tower down to the 1st floor and exit via Jialingjiang Binjiang Road! This is a route that navigation apps won’t tell you about—only locals know. A feature of old Chongqing residences is the pedestrian walkways between buildings. The suspended overpasses at Kuixing Tower offer a great vantage point to appreciate these surrounding structures.
The 1st floor of Kuixing Tower was the location for this ‘Better Days’ poster.
But in reality... a lane that should fit two cars side by side often has parked vehicles. To get a poster shot like Yi Yangqianxi’s, you need patience and luck.
When night falls, the modern high-rises around Kuixing Tower light up, while the replica ancient tower remains dark—this Kuixing Tower is cold. At the same time, residents come out to stroll and dance on the square, making it bustling—this Kuixing Tower is hot. This contradiction is what defines Kuixing Tower.
Nameless Used Bookstore | An antique praised by People’s Daily?
I keep feeling that if I accidentally trigger a mechanism, these books will fly up! —————————————— Chongqing is a nostalgic city, with many treasure shops for vintage and second-hand goods. Among them, the Zhongxing Road Used Bookstore, which was featured in People’s Daily, is particularly famous. A bookstore is not just a place to buy books; it’s a spiritual world. Different bookstores have different characters, offering unique reading experiences. So what’s the character of this one? I think it’s a steadfast but not stubborn original intention.
There’s no big background to this bookstore; it was opened by an old man who felt it was a pity to see good books sold as waste paper. In fact, the owner, Lao Wang, started it just to make a living. While minding the shop, he got into the habit of flipping through a book and reading a few pages, and gradually fell in love with reading. Yet he doesn’t treat his books as fragile objects, unlike some bookstores today that don’t let customers browse. He hopes customers will browse freely and find the book that satisfies them—that’s the fate between reader and book.
It’s less than ten square meters, yet home to tens of thousands of old books hard to find elsewhere. The way the books are stacked somehow suits modern aesthetics, attracting many to take photos and check in. Honestly, I’m quite a shallow person too—I came to take photos. But actually being here, you can sense Lao Wang’s dedication and love for books in every detail, and I think that’s the bookstore’s most touching aspect.
Day after day, year after year, apart from the Spring Festival holiday, Lao Wang stays in this shop of less than 10 square meters. Since I was here, I rummaged for some comic books suitable for kids to bring back for my chubby little niece. Lao Wang saw me seriously searching and came over to chat. He said he hopes people leave not just with nice photos, but with books they love—the power of books can travel farther with them.
Mountain City Footpath | Old Chongqing’s look, roads built along the slopes
The contrast between old and new Chongqing is vividly felt here. —————————————— As a mountain city, many roads in Chongqing were built along slopes. Along the staircases that go up and down, traditional workshops and eateries waft delicious smells. Today, few footpaths still retain the old Chongqing look, and the most typical is the Mountain City Footpath.
Stretching 1,748 meters, the Mountain City Footpath links historical spots with old Chongqing flavor like the Kangjian Hall and the Bodhi Diamond Pagoda. From the viewing platform, you can take in the entire Yuzhong Peninsula. The surrounding buildings are decades old, with residents leisurely cooling off under trees and playing cards—the scent of old Chongqing fills the air.
Cats casually lounge by the side, content and relaxed.
Not many sections of the old city wall remain, but they still stand guard, watching over the mountain city.
Sadly, though a few old shops remain, most have turned into accessory stores for young people, coffee shops, etc. I understand it’s inevitable, but it still feels a bit off.
Find this dilapidated building and continue forward, and they say you’ll find the Benevolence Church. But I didn’t go on; the area smelled of garbage... This delicate girl couldn’t take it, so I bailed!
Back on the side lanes of the footpath, some wall decorations were quite cute.
Note: Whether it’s a network issue in this area or map apps simply can’t handle such complex terrain, navigating the Mountain City Footpath with a map app easily leads to wrong turns or delayed positioning! I was totally duped!
Exiting the footpath, I was starving. But I had already planned lunch! Just eat! Today was a nostalgic Chongqing day, so I planned to go to Zeng Lao Yao Fish Restaurant, a Chongqing time-honored brand! Delicious, authentic spicy flavors, I couldn’t stop drooling! When I got there, due to the earlier flood, the place was still closed... Me: ??? Fine, I have a backup! This one’s not by the river, so floods won’t stop me! See! Deliciousness is waving at me!
Me: ??? ... The chosen one really must endure more hardships...
Light Rail | In web-famous Chongqing, even the transport system is photogenic
Like many people you meet, they seem to move in the same direction but actually go opposite ways—encounters are temporary, separation is the norm. —————————————— Due to Chongqing’s mountainous terrain, its light rail has become a target for photographers. I visited Liziba on my first trip to Chongqing, so I’ll skip it this time. Let’s check out some other convenient and photogenic light rail stations!
[Niujiaotuo Station (Light Rail Lines 2 & 3)] The two-level tracks intersect in a way that brings to mind: ‘They once crossed paths, yet gradually drifted apart.’
The photo spot is in the transfer passage between lines 2 and 3—just find the location shown in the picture.
[Lianglukou Station] The light rail extends from under the overpass at an angle, with the distant CBD skyscrapers above, the overpass bustling with traffic in the middle—very layered.
While taking photos here, I met two other travelers visiting Chongqing. When talking about where to go next, we instantly hit it off and decided to head to a place nearby known as Chongqing’s last stilted building area! Little did I know, the gears of bad luck started turning from this decision.
From Stilted Buildings to the Police Station | An Alternative Deep Dive in Chongqing
Taking a taxi to the rumored stilted building location, the damp ground and mud gave me an ominous feeling. Sure enough, due to the flood, even the entrance was blocked off, with a group of black-clad personnel guarding it. Not giving up, I asked if the stilted buildings were nearby. The coordinators weren’t sure, but said if they were inside, they must have been destroyed by the flood.
Going with high spirits and leaving empty-handed would be too defeating. The two fellow travelers were also frustrated, but traveler A had a brainstorm. He pulled out a mini drone from his backpack and asked the coordinator for permission. After the young coordinator agreed, we felt like we’d hit a jackpot! Even if we couldn’t go inside, maybe the stilted buildings hadn’t been destroyed?! Sending the drone in for a look was our last chance! Traveler A checked the DJI no-fly zone map and said this spot was flyable, so he started his performance right there in front of everyone, while traveler B and I watched eagerly. When the drone had risen about 5 meters, two plainclothes women rushed over, shouting, ‘What department are you from? Stop immediately!’ Traveler A was confused but started to slowly land the drone. Then another man in a blue police uniform charged out, yelling in Chongqing dialect, ‘What department? Who’s your superior?’ We were all full of question marks. Can only government departments fly drones now? We weren’t any department, just ordinary citizens, so we could only say we’re regular people, with no superior but ‘GJZX’ (God). The man kept speaking only Chongqing dialect, and honestly, I could barely understand a word or two. When asked to speak Mandarin, he ignored it and just told us not to leave. I asked how long we’d have to stay, and he just mumbled. After about 15 minutes, we asked again and started pressing for an answer (thinking if he were a bad guy, our persistence might make him think we’re not easy targets), but still no result. Now we panicked—in an unfamiliar place, with over a dozen people, could they be bad guys? Memories of news stories about fake cops committing crimes flooded our minds. Traveler B started recording with his phone for evidence; if the man was a real cop, he shouldn’t mind. But things took a scary turn: as soon as the man saw the phone recording, he panicked, became agitated, and wouldn’t let us film! He even had someone guard us?! WTH?! Were we really dealing with bad guys?! At that point, I said I’d call the police! The man got even more flustered, yelling, ‘Calling the police is useless!!’ OMG, he was scared of the police!! This was definitely a fake cop!!!! Tension filled the air. After another 20 or so minutes of argument, more people in police uniforms and police cars arrived, saying they’d checked and this location was a no-fly zone for drones. Only then did we relax... So the earlier person was actually a real cop?? The new officers drove us to the nearby police station for a lecture. That’s when we roughly understood the earlier misunderstanding. The police officer wanted us to stay because he needed to verify whether drone flight was allowed there, and when he said ‘calling the police is useless,’ it was because he himself was the police...
Reflecting on this incident, I gained some bizarre experience to share: 1. DJI’s no-fly zone map is incomplete—don’t fully trust it. 2. It doesn’t matter who you ask about drone flying, because they might not truly know. 3. Before flying, look up local drone regulations and follow them. 4. If you suspect a cop is fake, call the police station and verify with their badge number. Many people have visited Chongqing’s attractions, but I bet few have been to a Chongqing police station! And I, the chosen one, successfully checked into a Chongqing police station! Lying in bed that night, I thought about how I—someone who hasn’t even bought a drone—ended up in a police station because of a drone. It was so absurd. If I hadn’t gone to see the stilted buildings with travelers A and B, if the coordinator hadn’t agreed to the drone, if DJI’s no-fly map hadn’t failed us, if anyone had stopped the drone during takeoff preparation—if any single link had been different, this bizarre police station trip wouldn’t have happened. It really must be because... of my chosen-one constitution...
Take 5 · Goodbye Chongqing · Old and New Internet-famous Spots
This is my last day in Chongqing. I can’t believe my first solo trip is already drawing to a close. It felt different from traveling with companions, yet somehow not that different. Over the past few days, I’d lugged my little camera all over Chongqing. On this final day, let’s visit two very contrasting places: the classic old landmark, the Chongqing People’s Auditorium, and the new internet-famous bookstore, Zhongshuge.
Chongqing People’s Auditorium | The old-timer: young people don’t play fair
Unplanned places often bring the most surprises. —————————————— When planning my Chongqing itinerary, I hardly saw any recommendations for this place. But a local friend told me it’s beautiful and a must-visit, so I went.
The Chongqing People’s Auditorium, built in the 1950s, is a masterpiece that skillfully combines traditional Chinese palace architecture with Western long-span structures. It has always been one of Chongqing’s landmark buildings, hosting major gatherings and performances. Hmm, such an important place, yet why is it almost absent from online recommendations today? I pondered—maybe it belongs to the ‘previous generation of internet-famous spots,’ its image buried under the new ones; you can’t see it without clearing away the mist.
The Auditorium mainly uses Ming and Qing architectural features with traditional central-axis symmetry. Its exterior is modeled after the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in the Temple of Heaven, Beijing, signifying prayers for ‘national peace and prosperity.’ In front of the main building is a row of exquisite gate towers resembling Tiananmen Rostrum, so it’s nicknamed ‘Little Tiananmen.’ But what I loved most is its color scheme. Emerald green glazed tiles paired with tangerine columns—even under the gloomy overcast sky I had, it still stood out brilliantly!
Thanks to its beautiful architectural design, the Auditorium has long been internationally recognized, included in the ‘World History of Architecture’ compiled by the Royal Institute of British Architects and the University of London.
This was an unplanned stop on my itinerary, and it gave me the most surprises. In the past, before every trip, I’d plan as meticulously and thoroughly as possible. For this solo trip to Chongqing, even though I mostly prepared in advance, many parts of the itinerary were only finalized almost the day before. Suddenly I realized what the difference was: this time, I was alone, so whether things went well or badly, I was the only one to bear it. When traveling with companions and I was in charge of planning, I’d be so afraid that my poor planning would make everyone unhappy, afraid of disappointing them... Hmm, I guess that’s a kind of motivating force. But whether it’s the spontaneity of solo travel or the careful planning of group travel, as long as you can go out and have fun, it’s all good!
Zhongshuge | Inception meets Monument Valley?
Where exactly am I, and which floor is real? —————————————— Zhongshuge has really made a name for itself in recent years. Wherever it opens, it always attracts people to see what new design ideas it has this time. I joined the crowd and took a look, and I’ve got to give Zhongshuge’s design a thumbs up.
Zhongshuge’s consistent approach is one store per city, with each store’s design incorporating local characteristics, and the Chongqing branch is no exception. Using Monument Valley-style staircases to create a layered sense of space, highlighting the mountain city vibe. Then mirror ceilings create a reflective effect. Even more brilliant, these two effects perfectly overlay, making you feel like you’ve stepped into a dreamlike Inception space.
Flight Delay | The Chosen One persona stands firm
As the journey finally reached its end, the sun, unseen for days, quietly peeked out as I was leaving. ??? What, am I not worthy of sunlight?
I let out a long sigh. Although I was satisfied with Chongqing’s food and scenery, I couldn’t help but lament my awful luck—so many bizarre situations, even a tour of the local police station. Was this an alternative deep dive? Just when I thought the bad luck would leave with the cloudy skies, the red ‘Delayed’ sign on the screen made me realize I was too naive.
A little delay is fine, I’ll just wait! Then I got a notice to arrange accommodation???
The bus had just transferred passengers to a nearby hotel for check-in. After all that hassle, suddenly a notice came that the flight time was confirmed, so the bus hauled us back to the airport. This whole ordeal took hours. My meticulously chosen flight landing in Guangzhou at 8 p.m. turned into a midnight arrival. How can the protagonist shine without some hardships?! I! The Chosen One persona remains intact!
—— Epilogue ——
Alright! My first solo trip to Chongqing has come to a perfect end! Having experienced it firsthand, I can only say that solo versus group travel each has its pros and cons. When traveling alone, the itinerary is more flexible, and you can pay more attention to new people and places you encounter—but! No one to help take photos of you! When traveling with companions, you have to compromise, but chatting and strolling together is a joy in itself. Although this Chongqing trip was full of mishaps, these special experiences will become precious memories in life. So, where to next?
- Itinerary Tips -
This itinerary was relatively compact, with total expenses around 2000+ yuan. D1 · City Center Hotspots: T3 Jiangbei Airport – Bayi Delicious Street – White Elephant Residence – Overlooking Chongqing from The Westin Hotel Jiefangbei – Hongya Cave night view D2 · Wulong Outdoor Blockbuster Scenes: Wujiang Gallery – Fairy Mountain – Three Natural Bridges D3 · Offbeat Old Chongqing: Nostalgic ferry from Chaotianmen – Haitangxi Tube-shaped Building – Nanbin Road (shooting Raffles City) – Danzishi Old Street D4 · Chongqing’s Unique Culture: Kuixing Tower – Used bookstore – Mountain City Footpath – Nearby light rail D5 · Old & New Internet-famous: Chongqing People’s Auditorium – Zhongshuge – Flight back
