Chongqing

People's Liberation Monument

At the heart of Chongqing's bustling commercial district, the People's Liberation Monument commemorates China's wartime resistance and subsequent liberation. Surrounded by glittering skyscrapers, neon displays and lively pedestrian streets, it offers a fascinating meeting point between the city's history and its fast-paced modern life.

World Financial Centre

Rising 339 metres above the Jiefangbei district, the World Financial Centre offers an extraordinary perspective on Chongqing. From its open-air Skyview observation deck, rivers, bridges and countless skyscrapers stretch towards the horizon. Here, the city's mountainous geography becomes as impressive as its architecture.

Luohan Temple

Amid the towering office blocks of central Chongqing, Luohan Temple offers a peaceful encounter with centuries of Buddhist tradition. Originally established during the Song dynasty, the temple is celebrated for its ornate architecture, atmospheric courtyards and religious imagery, preserving an ancient spiritual world within the modern metropolis.

Kuixing Building

Kuixing Building captures the architectural surrealism that makes Chongqing so extraordinary. What appears to be street level can suddenly reveal a drop of 22 floors below. This astonishing example of multi-level urban design offers one of the city's most memorable photographic opportunities.

A mountain city where monorails glide through apartment blocks and ancient temples stand beneath the skyline of tomorrow.

Shibati (Eighteen Steps)

Once an important route connecting Chongqing's upper and lower districts, Shibati has been transformed into a traditional-style neighbourhood of steep stairways, narrow lanes and timber-fronted buildings. Reopened in 2021, it offers an evocative glimpse of old Chongqing, recreated beneath the city's modern towers.

Huguang Guild Hall

Dating from 1759, Huguang Guild Hall reveals the stories of the migrants who helped repopulate Sichuan during the Qing dynasty. Its ornate halls, traditional courtyards and elaborate architectural details offer a fascinating insight into the communities, commerce and cultural traditions that shaped historic Chongqing.

Chaotianmen Square

At the tip of the Yuzhong Peninsula, Chaotianmen Square overlooks the dramatic meeting of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers. Once a vital gateway for river trade, this historic location is now framed by spectacular modern architecture, offering a striking perspective on Chongqing's maritime heritage and ambitious future.

Hongya Cave

Few sights capture Chongqing's nocturnal magic quite like Hongya Cave. Its towering complex of traditional-style buildings clings to the hillside above the Jialing River, creating a spectacular cascade of golden lights after dark. Despite its name, this is a modern commercial development rather than a natural cave.

Great Hall of the People

Completed in 1954, the Great Hall of the People is one of Chongqing's most impressive examples of monumental architecture. Its sweeping traditional Chinese roof and enormous central dome evoke classical imperial design, while the vast interior serves as a venue for public gatherings and cultural performances.

Liziba Monorail Station

At Liziba, Chongqing's monorail appears to pass straight through a residential building, creating one of China's most extraordinary urban spectacles. Designed into the surrounding development, the station demonstrates the ingenuity required to move millions of people through a mountainous city where space is at a premium.

Chongqing 1949

Chongqing 1949 brings one of the city's darkest historical episodes to life through an immersive theatrical production. Combining live performers, enormous sets, projections and a rotating stage, it explores the final days of the Chinese Civil War, commemorating the suffering and courage of those caught in its closing violence.

Ciqikou Ancient Town

Beside the Jialing River, Ciqikou preserves the atmosphere of Chongqing's traditional trading settlements. Its narrow lanes, wooden buildings, teahouses and bustling food stalls reflect a history shaped by river commerce and porcelain production. Although extensively restored, it offers a colourful counterpoint to the city's futuristic skyline.