What is Chongqing like? This magic city is far beyond its famous landmarks like Hongyadong, super spicy food like hotpot, and amazing mountain spectacles. While the ancient stone staircases remain unchanged for decades, the group of modern skyscrapers are looking up to the sky. To experience how local people live there, here is what you must know before you plan your Chongqing tours!
Navigating the 8D City Like a Native
More than 10 traffic lights at a crossroad? Cars in and out of lift? These are not uncommon in this 8D city. With labyrinthine-like traffic networks, even GPT can’t tell you where to go. In this case, only local taxi drivers can help you out.
- Liziba Monorail Station: Have you ever seen trains crossing through residential buildings? This “unreal” scene becomes real in Liziba Monorail Station. For the best view, you’d better choose a seat in the right-side carriage.
- 1 RMB ferry: At sunset, join 1 RMB Ferry to go across the Jialing River, where a panoramic view of the city’s skyline is at your hand. And you don’t need to worry about the crowds.
- Baixiangju Staircase: Don’t miss the 200-step passage, which connects the communities in hillsides and provides convenience for people living there. Along the street, you will find that the old play mahjong on stone tables. It is all of these seemingly slight things that make your travelling special.
Feast Where Locals Do: Beyond Tourist Menus
The core of Chongqing food lies not in its spicy flavor, but in its low-key restaurants.
- Breakfast carts: When the sun slowly appears at dawn, follow office workers to breakfast carts and have a bowl of xiaomian_(a kind of spicy noodles) -this is how most of Chonqing people start their day. You can choose one near Jiefangbei, and you can add “_zajiang_” (minced pork) if you seek for a strong flavo. For lunch, seek
- Alleyway: near Ciqikou Ancient Town, there are some home-style restaurants for you to choose from, where a plate of _ganbianjiding_ (dry-fried chicken cubes) only costs you 25 Yuan and the Sichuan peppercorns can linger on your tongue for a while.
- Night markets: As night falls, walk to Nanbin Road’s night markets, where hundreds of different local food are waiting for you. You can see vendors frying _laziji_ (chili chicken) in woks older than most of tourists. You can’t eat spicy food? No need to worry about that! There are different spice levels, and try “_wei la_” (mildly spicy) unless you’re ready for the full “_mala_” (numbing heat) level.
Hidden Urban Oases: Unseen Sanctuaries in Modern Cities
Feel tired from noisy crowds? Try these “hidden urban oases” listed below.
- Shancheng Alley: This is an old street dated back to in the 1930s. Going through the lane, you can see bamboo tea sets made by artisans, near to avant-garde coffee shops.
- Eling Park: The park is a hilltop retreat, where you can see century-old banyan trees and enjoy the views from overlooking the Yangtze.
- Underground Shopping Malls: Beneath CBD towers, this is a place buzzing with mahjong games and fabric markets.
Find Nightlife in Chongqing
With neon lights on, the city transforms into a naught boy.
- Hongyadong’s theater promenade: Where can you get the best picture in Chongqing? Locals will choose Hongyadong as the best answer. Glowing like a golden palace at night, this stilted complex is reflected in the river—best shot from the south bank park.
- Zhongshan Fourth Road: Head to tea houses for an impromptu Sichuan opera performances, or relax yourself by having a herbal foot baths at spas—only ¥30 can you give your feet a treat.
- Night cruise: At night, take a cruise on Jialing River and enjoy the cool air blowing from the below. Don’t forget to bring with you a binggfen ( a kind of jelly made from jelly) you just bought from vendors along the dock.
With all these things to do in Chongqing, Which one interests you most? But is that all to define Chongqing? Of course not,, you can’t fully understand it until you come—This fiery, resilient, and vigorous city.
