Hongyadong – A Gorgeous Star in Chongqing

By Xinyi Li, Deng Zhang, iChongqing 

Since the rapid development of the Internet, Chongqing has become one of the hottest cities, which attracts people to visit. Chongqing is famous for stereoscopic landscapes, which is unusual in other cities. Hongyadong is one of the representative urban tourist areas with three-dimensional (3D) landscapes.

Stilted buildings with Chongqing characteristics

Hongyadong also named Hongya Gate before, which was one of the oldest gates in Chongqing in the past. It is located at Cangbai Road, which is the intersection riverside zone of the Yangtze River and the Jialing River. The incredible place has another name of  “a stilted building on the cliff, and the old Chongqing in memories”. In the meanwhile, it is an eye-catching building community featured with Bayu culture.

Meanwhile, the major landscapes at Hongyadong are stilted buildings and imitation antique buildings. The collection of buildings cover 46 thousand m2. As a unique “pedestrian street in the air”, Hongyadong becomes an integrated area of sightseeing and recreation. Additionally, many people said that it had the silhouette of the Spirited Away, from Miyazaki Hayao, especially at night. There are 11 floors here. The lights will illuminate Hongyadong from 6 o’clock in the afternoon and lights out at 10 o’clock at night.

Hongyadong has the silhouette of the Spirited Away, from Miyazaki Hayao

Attractive Views on the Top of Hongyadong

The top of Hongyadong is a square as well as an urban veranda. It allows 1,000 visitors to enjoy views at the same time. Moreover, from the urban veranda, visitors can get a sweeping view of bustling Jiefangbei and charming river.

The sweeping view of the charming river, from the urban veranda

Meanwhile, there are groups of sculptures at the square, on the top of Hongyadong. Basically, inspiration from most sculptures is from the details of life, presenting how Chongqing people lived in the past. The major sculpture is “Jiyi Shancheng”, which refers to “the reminiscence of the mountain city” in English. It is 13 meters high and 8 meters wide, made of brass. This sculpture is the art form of stilted buildings located on the cliff, showing visitors the riverside amorous feelings of old Chongqing.

The sculpture of “Jiyi Shancheng” (“the reminiscence of the mountain city”)

A Piece of Green in the Modern City

There was a group of trees in the past, which made Hongyadong look all gree. A creek arrived at Hongyadong, after converging other small creeks, forming a small waterfall. During the rain-free period, the water became drops, dripping from the cliff. Therefore, the name came out – Hongya Dicui, which means water under the greenery at Hongyadong. Many famous poets described this beautiful place in the past, such as Su Shi, Huang Tingjian and so on.

The water of Hongya Dicui

Basic Information

Recommended visiting time: about 2 hours

Food: There is a food street, providing almost every kind of food in Chongqing. It is on the 4th floor of Hongyadong, collecting unique food of this city, from snacks to big meals. For example, xiao mian, hot pot, street cuisines are all can be found there.

Chao shou, is a kind of delicious food, which can be regarded as a meal or a snack

Transportation: CRT line 1 or 6 to Xiaoshizi Station, or CRT line 2 to Linjiangmen Station. Take bus NO. 111, 112, 114 to Hongyadong Station or take NO. 105 to Xiaoshizi Station.

Open hours: All day

Price: Free

Related links:

Chonqqing Hongyadong

 

Unique Building: Previous and Present Life of Hongyadong