Chongqing - A representative from the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce recently stated that Chongqing supports the innovation of consumption scenarios and has developed over 80 new urban consumption landmarks to unleash the spending potential of both residents and tourists, according to Chongqing Daily.

The Shibati was recently selected as one of the most charming new consumption scenes in Chongqing for 2024. (Photo/Zhong Zhibing)

Chongqing blends its strong commercial foundation with distinctive geography to create new retail destinations. Daijia Lane, located in Chongqing's Yuzhong District, has leveraged its cliffside location and river views to transform a 200-meter alley into a vibrant shopping street featuring over 40 unique shops, according to a representative from Changxiang Company.

For local resident Liu Ruoyi, weekends often mean relaxing with friends at a cliffside café in Daijia Lane. “The view of the river circling the city is just beautiful,” she said. Despite being under 20 square meters, the café is always packed, with both locals and tourists.

Innovative business formats are key to refreshing Chongqing’s consumption scenes. One standout example is a little yellow building on E’ling’s tiered street—a 1930s structure that once housed the U.S. Embassy and later served as residential housing.

Today, the building has been repurposed into a non-standard commercial space. This type of commerce, with its social media–friendly style, attracts young consumers who enjoy visiting “Instagrammable” spots and sharing their experiences online.

The building now hosts a nostalgia-themed lifestyle store curated by young entrepreneur Chen Juan. Blending vintage fashion, specialty coffee, and scenic hillside views, the space offers a full-sensory consumer experience. “Business has been great since we opened,” Chen said.

At Shancheng Lane, traditional handicrafts like Rongchang cloth and pottery have found new life through pop-up markets and cultural showcases. Meanwhile, Pipa Mountain Backstreet has become a hit among young visitors thanks to an immersive archaeology experience created in partnership with Chongqing’s Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology. Related vlogs frequently go viral on Chinese social media platforms.