Chongqing - A creative video series that playfully reimagines famous European landmarks as scenes from Chongqing has taken Chinese social media by storm, amassing over 1.02 million views and 3.06 million exposures. Created by blogger @Manchesterson (Timothy), the series draws surprising parallels between icons like the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Seine River with Chongqing's own Liberation Monument and Three Gorges, leaving viewers amused and commenting, "Turns out I've been living in a fake Chongqing all along!"

From Travel Idea to Cultural Dialogue

In an interview with iChongqing, Timothy shared that the idea sparked during a European trip. He and his wife noticed unexpected similarities - both in architecture and cultural context - between European sites and landmarks in their hometown, Chongqing, and Sichuan. For example, the religious background of the Leaning Tower of Pisa reminded them of the Hong'en Temple in Chongqing, while the Eiffel Tower's silhouette evoked the city's Liberation Monument (Jiefangbei).

Inspired by the slogan, "Journey thousands of miles, embrace the world," Timothy decided to blend his travel experience with local pride. "We wanted to document our journey in a unique way while showcasing Chongqing's charm to a wider audience," he explained.

Cross-Cultural Moments in a Changshan

One of the most memorable moments occurred during a Seine River cruise. Dressed in a traditional changshan, Timothy attracted curious onlookers. When asked what he was filming, he compared the scene to a Three Gorges cruise - leading to an engaging exchange about the natural beauty of the gorges and the monumental Three Gorges Dam. "They were fascinated and said they hoped to visit one day," Timothy recalled.

Online Buzz and Real-World Impact

After the videos were posted on Rednote (Xiaohongshu), the response was overwhelming. The series has garnered more than 47,000 likes and inspired a wave of user-generated content. One comment that stood out to Timothy read, "That Austrian archway finally gave Chongqing the 'new arch' it never had" - a remark that was even highlighted by the platform's AI-generated summary.

Beyond the web, Timothy's family and friends were also motivated to creatively promote their hometowns during their travels.

A New Perspective: Cultural Confidence with Humor

Rather than placing international destinations on a pedestal, Timothy's work reflects what he describes as "cultural confidence" - a lighthearted yet proud way for young Chinese to engage with the world. "Chongqing is a multi-dimensional city, shaped by both terrain and the resilient spirit of its people. We don't have to look at foreign cultures with awe; we can appreciate them as equals," he noted.

What's Next: Expanding the Creative Map

Looking ahead, Timothy plans to continue the series by comparing more global landmarks with sites across Sichuan and Chongqing. He is also preparing to launch English-language versions for international platforms such as YouTube and Facebook to further share the character of his region with the world.

Meanwhile, the trend has begun to inspire others - including foreign content creators in China - to create reverse versions, comparing Chinese scenes with those abroad. As these creative dialogues grow, so does the world's window into Chongqing.