Hongyadong
洪崖洞民俗风貌区
A complex of 11-storey stilted buildings clinging to the cliffs above the Jialing River. At night it glows like the world in Spirited Away, and it is Chongqing's most popular night-view landmark.
Hongyadong sits on the Jialing River waterfront in Yuzhong District. It was built in 2006 on the remains of the Ming-era Hongya Gate city wall, in the style of traditional Bayu stilted houses. It has 11 storeys. The building descends 75 metres from Cangbai Road at the top, level with Jiefangbei, to the Jialing Riverside Road at the bottom. This makes it a classic example of Chongqing's vertical terrain, where the top and bottom both count as 'first floor.'
Inside is a commercial district: a bar street on the Zhiyan River on the 4th floor, the Bayu Snack Street on the 5th and 6th floors (hot and sour noodles, xiaomian noodles, and hotpot skewers), a viewing platform on the 9th floor, and a rooftop square on the 11th floor.
The best night-view spots are not inside the building. One is the pavement of Qiansimen Bridge, which gives a panoramic view (the bridge is closed to traffic during holidays). Another is the riverbank in front of the Jiangbeizui Grand Theatre across the river. You can also look up from the Jialing Riverside Road. The lights come on each night from about 18:00 to 23:00 (from about 19:00 in summer), and the blue hour half an hour before they switch on is the most photogenic. Admission is free, and shops open from about 10:00 to 23:00.
Suggested route: from Jiefangbei, walk 10 minutes to the top level of Hongyadong on Cangbai Road. Take the lift or walk down to the bottom level, then walk up Qiansimen Bridge for photos. Continue to Jiangbeizui or Chaotianmen along the way.
During holidays, entry is limited to one direction, so follow the staff's directions. Getting there: Metro Line 1 or 6 to Xiaoshizi Station and walk 10 minutes, or Metro Line 6 to Grand Theatre Station and cross the bridge. Food inside the building is expensive, so consider only eating snacks. Avoid 20:00–22:00, when it is most crowded.
Opening hours
Open all day; shops 10:00–23:00; lights 18:00–23:00
Nearby sights
- Huixianlou Observation Deck (Chongqing WFC)
- Daijiaxiang Cliff Walk
- Luohan Temple
- Jiefangbei / Bayi Road
- Chongqing Science and Technology Museum
- Jiangbeizui & Chongqing Grand Theatre
- Baixiangju
- Huguang Guild Hall