Yuzhong Panoramic Guide I: Jiefangbei, From One Legend to Countless Legends
From ancient times to the present, the city of Chongqing, surrounded by the Ba Mountains and the Yu River, boasts countless landscapes, combining grandeur with elegance. The Twelve Scenes of Bayu are the essence of Chongqing's beauty.
The reputation of the Old Twelve Scenes of Bayu owes much to Wang Erjian, a magistrate of Ba County during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, who possessed considerable aesthetic taste and literary cultivation. Using the "Eight Scenes of Yucheng" established by the Ming Dynasty Chongqing prefecture as his blueprint, he "removed three and added seven" to compile the most representative twelve beautiful scenes of Bayu, forming the Qing Dynasty's "Twelve Scenes of Bayu" and recording them in the county annals, ensuring their enduring fame for nearly three hundred years.
Photo: Zhang Kunkun
Time flies, and Chongqing, having undergone many changes in the long river of history, has also advanced with the times. It has reassessed the Old Twelve Scenes of Bayu three times, continuously expanding their natural, humanistic, and urban connotations, allowing the "Twelve Scenes of Bayu" in the new era to continue and be passed down, becoming a renowned cultural symbol of Chongqing.
Among them, the mother city of Yuzhong, which gathers "four scenes" from the "Twelve Scenes of Bayu," concentrates the essence of the mountain city, river city, and sleepless city, shining like a brilliant pearl, radiating the unique scenery of mountains, waters, and humanity. The surging Yangtze River and Jialing River meet here, accumulating and nurturing Chongqing's cultural heritage, the "root" and "source" of Chongqing.
Today, the comprehensively upgraded Yuzhong District, from the depths of its historical memory and its geographical and humanistic environment, constantly accelerates its construction to showcase the new look of Yuzhong. It has derived a new "Yuzhong Panoramic Guide" from the "Twelve Scenes of Bayu," bringing those surviving and more emerging beautiful scenes of Yuzhong back into the world's eyes, witnessing the unparalleled romance and wonder of Chongqing's mother city.
Walking in Jiefangbei is like walking on the beating "pulse" of Chongqing. Here lies the prosperity and fashion of Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street; here, you can stand on the "Top of the West" WFC Huixianlou Observation Deck, or "converse" with the millennium-old Arhat Temple, and stroll through Daijia Alley. When night falls and the streetlights come on, the Hongyadong stilted houses by the river and the two-river cruise ships on the river sparkle like stars, intoxicating visitors.
Photo: Chen Yunyuan
"Jiefangbei" in the "Yuzhong Panoramic Guide"
——The only monument in China commemorating the victory of the Chinese people's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression
"Cross-shaped golden street, myriad lights. One monument pierces the sky, a thousand years of elegance."
Photo: Zhang Kunkun
Jiefangbei, as a landmark of Chongqing, stands at the center of the Jiefangbei commercial area in Yuzhong District. It is a spiritual symbol of the victory of the War of Resistance, the only monument in China built to commemorate the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. It is also the spiritual symbol of Chongqing, witnessing the city's history of resistance, liberation, and reform and opening-up, and is a source of pride for Chongqing people. The cross-shaped intersection centered on Jiefangbei, including surrounding Minzu Road, Minquan Road, Zou Rong Road, and Bayi Road, is the most prosperous commercial area in Chongqing. Bayi Road Good Eats Street here offers almost all Chongqing cuisine, and nearby places like Guotai Plaza, Chongqing Department Store, Metro Oriental Plaza, Synergy Starlight Plaza, Bayi Plaza, and Chongqing Times Square are great for shopping, making it the top choice for Chongqing locals for shopping, leisure, and entertainment.
Recommended photo spots:
Jiefangbei is not only the heart of Chongqing but also its soul. On the Jiefangbei cross-shaped golden street, you can choose to shoot from a low angle, letting all the tall buildings form an angular circle, capturing the majestic full view of the monument. Alternatively, you can stroll along Jiefangbei's cross-shaped golden street, shooting casually with any angle and technique; the moment you press the shutter, a masterpiece appears.
"WFC Huixianlou Observation Deck" in the "Yuzhong Panoramic Guide"
——Known as the "Top of the West"
"Towering into the clouds, offering an unobstructed view of the city's beauty."
Photo: E-jay 12
The WFC Huixianlou Observation Deck, located on the 73rd to 75th floors of the Chongqing World Financial Center, is known as the "Top of the West" and is one of Chongqing's three cloud observation decks. The building is 339 meters tall, with an elevation of 590 meters. Visitors can overlook the confluence of the two rivers and the grand scenery of the Yuzhong Peninsula. The 75th-floor open-air platform, a new attraction launched in 2021, offers an even broader view and is the highest point accessible to visitors.
Photo: You Like
Recommended photo spots:
The best place to photograph the WFC observation deck is inside it. From the 75th-floor open-air observation deck, shoot downward to capture the dazzling lights and unparalleled night views of the magical mountain city.
"Guotai Art Center" in the "Yuzhong Panoramic Guide"
——Chongqing's first multi-functional art center integrating "exhibition, theater, entertainment, and commerce"
"The collision of modernity and tradition interprets the changes of the times."
Photo: You Like
Chongqing Guotai Art Center is located at No. 1 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing. Construction began in 2006, and it is one of Chongqing's top ten cultural public welfare facilities. Guotai Art Center consists of two parts: Guotai Grand Theater and Chongqing Art Museum. The building's exterior is characterized by black and red "ticou" (interlocking wooden blocks) stacked together, resembling a blazing bonfire from afar. In 2011, Guotai Art Center won the National Quality Steel Structure Gold Award and was rated one of Chongqing's "Top Ten Landmark Buildings." Its artistic architecture, blending tradition and modernity, also showcases Chongqing's artistic innovation and transformation.
Recommended photo spots:
The main building of Guotai Art Center is "red + black," like a burning "bonfire" or a sailing ship. Locals often call it the "Chopstick Building." It adopts traditional Chinese ethnic style, embodying strong Bayu culture, and some elements of the old theater are preserved. The best photo spot is the exterior of Guotai Art Center. You can stand on the sidewalk opposite the building to capture its full view, or shoot upward from below with the backdrop of tall buildings and the sky to emphasize its grandeur. Alternatively, use a wide-angle lens to capture close-ups from different angles, creating unique compositions.
"Hongyadong" in the "Yuzhong Panoramic Guide"
——A real-life version of "Spirited Away," stilted buildings on a cliff
"Jade-green dripping from Hongya, a thousand suspended houses. One cave scenery, eternal fame."
Among the alleys of Chongqing stands a wooden architectural complex hanging on a cliff—Hongyadong. Hongyadong is a characteristic building in Chongqing, located on Binjiang Road, Yuzhong District. It is a complex of 11 stilted buildings. The history of Hongyadong dates back to the Ming Dynasty, where it served as traditional residential housing, witnessing Chongqing's historical changes and social progress. Today, Hongyadong has become one of Chongqing's most famous internet-famous attractions, offering various specialty snacks, handicrafts, and folk performances. It is a must-visit for tourists and is also the "Hongya Jade Drip" scene from Wang Erjian's "Twelve Scenes of Bayu."
Recommended photo spots:
Hongyadong, bearing witness to time, is a treasure among Chongqing's alleys and the best place to capture Chongqing's magical style. Especially at night when the lights come on, it looks unreal. First, choose the sidewalk opposite Hongyadong on Jiabin Road, which best captures the real-life "Spirited Away." Second, the southern end of Qiansimen Bridge (near Yuzhong District) offers a perfect top-down view of Hongyadong's full panorama. Third, under Qiansimen Bridge, you can capture the reflection of Hongyadong and the entire Yuzhong District in the Jialing River.
"Daijia Alley" in the "Yuzhong Panoramic Guide"
——A century-old street on the cliff of Yuzhong, Chongqing
"Plank roads soar in the air, winding in loops."
Daijia Alley is located on the north side of Linjiang Road in Yuzhong District, close to Hongyadong and not far from Jiefangbei, just a few hundred meters away in a straight line. It is a street built in the second year of Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (1663), with a history of over 300 years, named after the Dai family who lived there in early times. Old Chongqing was built on cliffs. The cliff below Daijia Alley is called Feixian Rock, and below it flows the surging Jialing River. In ancient times, the salt dock and Dongjiazui dock were located below the rock. Due to the docks, this area was one of the earliest prosperous places in Chongqing, so Daijia Alley is also one of the places where mountain city memories are well preserved.
In 2018, Yuzhong District launched a new round of old city renovation, upgrading the old community in the Daijia Alley area and building a cliffside footpath, restoring Daijia Alley's former glory. The Daijia Alley footpath is about 700 meters long with a drop of over 60 meters. The "Z"-shaped path winds on the cliff, connecting the Jialing River beach with the old street of Daijia Alley. The old street itself is a masterpiece of Yuzhong District's creation, with gray bricks and black tiles, antique charm, banyan trees, and ancient city walls, all elements of old Chongqing. Walking through it feels like time travel. It can be said that Daijia Alley is not only a historical street of Chongqing but also an ancient culture, showcasing the city's historical changes and folk culture.
Recommended photo spots:
The best photo spots in Daijia Alley are the entrance and the suspended plank road. Leaning on the railing, you have a wide view, capturing the full panorama of Daijia Alley, its humanistic atmosphere, and the stunning scenery of Chongqing.
"Two-River Cruise" in the "Yuzhong Panoramic Guide"
——Touching the pulse of the rivers, experiencing the wonders of mountains and waters
"On the two-river cruise, the rivers flow slowly. The peninsula scenery is fully visible."
Photo: Chen Yunyuan
On the two rivers of Chongqing, there is a leisurely way to travel—the two-river cruise. A tourism project in Chongqing, it departs from Chaotianmen Dock and Hongyadong Dock in Yuzhong District. Visitors take a cruise on the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, experiencing the charm of the two rivers and Chongqing's style. It is a signature attraction of Yuzhong tourism.
Image provided by Two-River Cruise Company
Recommended photo spots:
Strongly recommended to go at night to enjoy the scenery and night views along the banks. If lucky, you can capture a scene where airplanes, cable cars, rail transit, buses, and cruise ships coexist—a "sea, land, air" panorama—which is the essence of the two-river cruise. When photographing, choose the bow deck for the best view and better shots. Especially when passing near Hongyadong, you can get a full view of the Yuzhong Peninsula, capturing the beauty of the two rivers and Chongqing's magical nightscape.
"Arhat Temple" in the "Yuzhong Panoramic Guide"
——A millennium-old temple, a tranquil place in the bustling city
"A great hermit in the city, serene and mysterious. A thousand-year-old temple with cliff carvings."
Photo: You Like
In Yuzhong District, Chongqing, there is a temple called Arhat Temple. Arhat Temple was first built during the Zhiping period of the Northern Song Dynasty (1064–1067), originally named Zhiping Temple. It was built because of Arhat Cave. It is one of the national key Buddhist temples, a national key cultural relics protection unit, and the seat of the Chongqing Buddhist Association.
Photo: Tang Bintong
Arhat Temple houses a large collection of scriptures, cultural relics, and paintings, including rare copies of the Qisha Canon and the Pinjia Canon. The Tripitaka, Sanskrit and Tibetan scriptures, and ancient books and paintings stored in the scripture library are mostly treasures from the Tang and Ming dynasties. It is not only a religious site for Chongqing but also a cultural art treasure.
Recommended photo spots:
In the prime land of Yuzhong, just a wall away from the noisy city, the Arhat Temple is filled with incense smoke and quiet depths, like a pure world without pressure or worries. For photography, besides capturing the full view of the temple gate, you can also shoot the ancient Buddha rock, the 500 magnificent arhat statues in the Arhat Hall, and the corridor with different visual compositions. Even from the second floor by the window, you can take a downward shot of the temple's interior full view, creating a strong contrast with the modern urban buildings in the distance. Additionally, you can visit Miaojie, Chongqing's first temple-themed cultural street, browsing specialty shops while experiencing the incense of the millennium-old temple, capturing the quiet humanistic life hidden in Jiefangbei.
"Kaixuan Road Elevator" in the "Yuzhong Panoramic Guide"
——China's first urban passenger elevator
"A convenient city passage, experiencing the convenience of modern life."
The Kaixuan Road Elevator is located at No. 22 Kaixuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, with construction starting in January 1985. It is the oldest elevator still in use in Chongqing and China's first urban passenger elevator, listed in the "Second Batch of Chongqing Historic Building Directory." The Kaixuan Road Elevator is not only a city convenience but also a part of modern life in Chongqing. It has now become a popular check-in spot, allowing people to experience the mountain city characteristics and transportation wisdom while riding the elevator, making it a sightseeing line for Chongqing's transportation.
Recommended photo spots:
The best photo spots are the entrance of Kaixuan Road Elevator, as well as the adjacent "Yunti Street" (Cloud Ladder Street), dubbed by netizens as one of "Chongqing's Top Ten Divine Steps," and Chongqing's first dry arch bridge in the main city. These capture the authentic representation of Chongqing's "climbing slopes and ascending ridges" and a sense of time travel.
"Old Drum Tower Government Office Site" in the "Yuzhong Panoramic Guide"
——The seventh batch of national key cultural relics protection units
"The toll of history echoes in the city's streets."
The Old Drum Tower Government Office Site is located in the Ba County Government Office area, Chaotianmen Street, Jiefang East Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing. This site was the government office area of Chongqing since the Song Dynasty, covering an area of over 80,000 square meters. It was announced by the State Council of the People's Republic of China as the seventh batch of national key cultural relics protection units.
Image from the internet
The Old Drum Tower Government Office Site was the seat of the Sichuan Pacification Commission and Chongqing Prefecture Government in the Southern Song Dynasty, and served as the strategic hub and command center of the mountain city defense system in Sichuan and Chongqing during that period. The site is grand in scale, with overlapping government buildings from three periods: Song and Yuan, Ming Dynasty, and early Qing Dynasty, with clear dates, rich cultural relics, and distinct stratigraphic relationships.
Detail of the "Complete Map of Chongqing Prefecture Government"
Among them, the Song Dynasty rammed earth brick-wrapped high platform building is the most important discovery. It corresponds to the "Old Drum Tower" marked in the "Complete Map of Chongqing Prefecture Government" painted by Zhang Yunxuan in the late Qing Dynasty, hence the name Old Drum Tower Government Office Site. The site is important physical evidence of Song Dynasty brick-built high platforms, directly and truly reflecting the construction technology of the time, providing new clues for studying, enriching, repairing, and abandoning high platform buildings. The discovery of the Old Drum Tower Government Office Site not only has significant academic value for studying the urban evolution of Chongqing and Song Dynasty construction technology but also identifies the birthplace of the mountain city defense system. Its discovery fills an important gap in Chongqing's urban archaeology and has great academic value for studying the historical changes of Chongqing, ancient architecture in Sichuan and Chongqing, and the Song-Mongol wars.
Recommended photo spots:
Currently, the Old Drum Tower Government Office Site is undergoing extensive maintenance and renovation. Once completed, it is expected to open a new chapter in Chongqing's urban memory.
Other recommended nearby attractions and activities:
Performance venues:
Chongqing Theatre: No. 4 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District
Shilou Drama Space: 10th Floor, Kuixing Building, No. 4 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District
Chongqing Art Museum: 5-6 Floor, Guotai Art Center, No. 1 Linjiang Road, Jiefangbei Street, Yuzhong District
Zhangji Xinglong Chongqing Cuisine: 1-3, No. 183 Bayi Road, Yuzhong District
Longji Shancheng Tangyuan: B1 Floor, Bayili Chaowan Delicious Street, Yuzhong District
Yu Xiaomian: 2nd Floor, Yudu Grand Hotel, Bayi Road, Yuzhong District
Fan Ba Tuo: 1-2, Deyi Chaoguan, No. 89 Jiaochangkou, Yuzhong District
Pei Jie Old Hotpot: F1, No. 5 Minsheng Road, Jiefangbei Street, Yuzhong District
Chongqing Little Swan Hotpot Hongding Restaurant: 4th Floor, Hongyadong, No. 88 Jiabin Road, Yuzhong District
Jiangxiaobai Tavern: No. 100 Zourong Road, Jiefangbei Street, Yuzhong District
Lao Gan Jia: No. 16 Daijia Alley, Jiefangbei Street, Yuzhong District
Moonlight Stroll High-altitude Bar: 41st Floor, Tower B, Caicai Plaza, Bayi Road, Yuzhong District
Suzie's Sky Bar: 74th Floor, WFC Global Financial Center, Yuzhong District
Deep Blue Escape Room: F6, Synergy Starlight Plaza (Jiefangbei Store), Yuzhong District
Chongqing Lisi Rui Kaiyue Selection Hotel: No. 188 Minzu Road, Yuzhong District
Chongqing Metropolitan Hyatt Hotel: No. 68 Zourong Road, Yuzhong District
Chongqing Jiefangbei Westin Hotel: No. 222 Xinhua Road, Yuzhong District
Chongqing Hongyadong Hotel: No. 56 Cangbai Road, Yuzhong District
Chongqing Jiefangbei Dijing Hotel: No. 101 Minzu Road, Jiefangbei Commercial Area, Yuzhong District
Chongqing Guomao Grandway Hotel: No. 66 Qingnian Road, Yuzhong District
Chongqing Great World Junting Hotel: No. 118 Zourong Road, Jiefangbei Street, Yuzhong District
In the next issue, we will introduce the Chaotianmen area in the Yuzhong Panoramic Guide. Stay tuned!
