In western Chongqing's urban core lies Shapingba—a district that embodies both heroic legacy and the warmth of everyday life. Its cultural DNA is etched into the annals of time: Three millennia of Bayu heritage intertwine with the scholarly aura of century-old institutions. Every inch of land resonates with cultural depth, every breeze carries echoes of history.
The view of Shapingba District. (Photo/Shapingba District)
Here, the Hongyan Spirit endures beneath Gele Mountain, the aroma of Ciqikou Ancient Town's fried dough twists lingers, and thunderous applause fills theaters during performances of Chongqing 1949... Today's Shapingba reinvents cultural tourism—with culture as its soul, travel as its wings, and integration as its path—helping every visitor discover their own life beyond the mundane.
Cultural roots: from "hongyan spirit" to local flavors—an unmistakable blend of vitality and character
When speaking of Shapingba's culture, the most striking feature is undoubtedly its "red" hue—the indomitable Hongyan Spirit deeply ingrained in the district's identity. Shapingba District boasts a profound cultural heritage. As a vital part of the "mother town" of Chongqing, it serves as the cradle of Bayu culture, a pivotal origin of the War of Resistance culture, and a seminal birthplace of the "Hongyan Spirit."
During the War of Resistance, this area functioned as the nation's "cultural heart." As Nationalist Government institutions relocated westward, luminaries like Xu Beihong, Bing Xin, and Ba Jin converged here. Timeless masterpieces such as Chongqing People Drawing Water and The Little Orange Lamp were created during this period, while the radiant "Shapingba Scholarly Beacon" illuminated the cultural landscape of China's wartime hinterland. On the eve of Chongqing's liberation, revolutionary martyrs, including Xu Xiaoxuan and Jiang Zhuyun (Sister JIANG), demonstrated unwavering conviction through their sacrifices at Zhazidong Prison and White Mansion beneath Gele Mountain, cementing the Hongyan Spirit as Shapingba's most defining moral emblem. To this day, 86 sites from the War of Resistance are preserved here. The Gele Mountain Martyrs' Cemetery has been honored as one of China's "Top Ten Red Tourism Destinations," making it a sacred place where countless visitors can trace the legacy of revolutionary history.
Yet when you truly explore Shapingba, its culture isn't distant history—it's woven into the warmth of everyday life.
Shapingba District. (Photo/Shapingba District)
Stroll through Three Gorges Square, and you might discover a “City Study.” As of 2025, Shapingba has invested RMB 12 million to establish 12 City Studies and 17 smart reading stations. Collaborating with venues like Shanye Book House and Qinxianju Homestay, the district has integrated 32 art and reading spaces into commercial hubs and neighborhoods—serving more than 400,000 residents annually.
Or you might step effortlessly into one of its “15-minute quality cultural life circles.” Within a 15-minute walk, you’ll find bookshops, exhibitions, and community events at your fingertips. In 2025, Shapingba established the city’s first three “15-minute quality cultural life circles,” with plans to complete 21 in total by year-end. A three-tier collaborative mechanism—“district-level coordination, town/sub-district responsibility, and village/community implementation”—has been put in place. With over RMB 2.3 million in dedicated annual funding, 40 new cultural spaces were co-created with social organizations. Notably, Kiln in the Distant Mountains and Café Under the Tree (Gele Mountain Forest Park Branch) were honored as “2024–2025 Most Beautiful Rural Public Cultural Spaces.”
Young people find a true sense of belonging here. Home to 16 universities, Shapingba District works with institutions such as Chongqing University and Sichuan Fine Arts Institute to integrate cultural volunteerism into art program credits. The district’s “University Arts Talent Incubator” cultivates over 1,200 local cultural professionals each year.
Cultural masterpieces from Shapingba have also garnered national acclaim: the Sichuan opera “Sister Jiang” claimed the 17th Wenhua Award, while the large-scale revolutionary stage production “Chongqing 1949” was designated a “National Immersive Cultural Tourism Innovation Demonstration Case” by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Four other works advanced directly to the finals of the 20th National Qunxing Awards.
In Shapingba, culture has never been an "exclusive privilege" but rather "part of everyone's daily life."
Tourism breakthrough: one show ignites a city, redefining travel with immersive experiences
If culture is the "soul" of Shapingba, then tourism serves as the "wings" that bring this soul to life. In recent years, Shapingba's tourism industry has moved beyond the conventional "sightseeing and photo-taking" model, pioneering immersive experiences that transformed it into a "national social media sensation" through a single theatrical production.
Shapingba District. (Photo/Shapingba District)
That production is Chongqing 1949. If you haven't witnessed it, you might find it hard to imagine how a 360-degree rotating stage, five transformable circular theaters, 160 overhead suspended lighting installations, and a "world's largest indoor stilted building" constructed with 2,000 pillars could deliver such a breathtaking portrayal of the revolutionary events preceding Chongqing's liberation in 1949.
The production team dedicated three years to planning and two rounds of refinement, collaborating with renowned performing arts director Zhang Xiaoke, acclaimed director Li Hanzhong, and multiple national-level screenwriters, directors, and celebrated music producers—all to present the poignant story of the "November 27 Chongqing Massacre" with profound emotional impact. Today, this production has emerged as a cultural tourism landmark in Chongqing. As of 2025, it has staged over 2,700 performances, welcomed more than 1.5 million visitors, and achieved revenues totaling RMB 320 million. Notably, over 80% of attendees are young adults aged 19 to 39. Many left with this reflection: "Immersed in the experience, I felt connected to these revolutionary narratives like never before."
Beyond Chongqing 1949, Shapingba's tourist attractions continue to elevate their offerings through strategic upgrades. The Gele Mountain Hongyan Cultural Tourism Area is vying for 5A-level scenic spot status; Ciqikou Ancient Town has been featured in CCTV's Spring Festival coverage for seven consecutive years, earning a spot among the top ten historic towns favored by international tourists; Florence Town achieved 3A-level scenic spot accreditation last year, offering visitors the delight of "European-style" shopping; Looking for Mountains Guansiji Art Homestay also secured the "National Class C Tourist Homestay" designation.
"New consumption scenarios" are flourishing across the district. The Chongqingxi Railway Station TOD project is progressing rapidly, promising seamless transit-to-retail access; the 1491 Creative Industrial Park and Fenghuangshan Cultural & Creative Park have opened successively, offering youth-oriented spaces for cultural creative products and art exhibitions; the region also boasts Southwest China's first open diving training base and Sichuan-Chongqing's inaugural low-altitude flight route, catering to thrill-seekers with sky-to-earth adventures.
The cultural tourism achievements of Shapingba District are evident in the following figures: In 2024, it welcomed 45.95 million visitors, with tourism revenue reaching RMB 21.56 billion, marking increases of 62.25% and 99.11%, respectively, compared to 2019. From January to July 2025, the district welcomed 31.22 million tourists, with overnight stays increasing by 26.3% year-over-year, securing the third-highest ranking citywide.
This year, Shapingba District aims to attract the headquarters of a specialized sector from one of China's top 50 cultural tourism enterprises. The targets include achieving RMB 23 billion in total tourist spending, maintaining a minimum per capita tourist expenditure of RMB 700, and sustaining an annual 6% growth in the added value of the cultural tourism industry.
From brief "check-in visits" to immersive "in-depth experiences," and from "day trips" to "overnight stays," tourism in Shapingba District is transforming into an unforgettable "stay-and-explore" journey.
Synergy for success: culture, sports, and tourism unite to convert "footfall" into "stay-power" in Shapingba District
In contemporary Shapingba District, culture, sports, and tourism have shifted from operating in silos to collaboratively "setting the stage," effectively turning transient visitor numbers into enduring engagement.
The "cultural tourism + sports" combo is a real crowd-pleaser. Shapingba nurtured Paris Olympics rhythmic gymnastics Group All-around champion Ding Xinyi, and this year alone has hosted over 10 premier events, including the National Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships and Global Alumni Half Marathon. Recognized as a "Sichuan-Chongqing Sports Tourism Model Base," Chongqing BONSKI Sports Tourism Resort offers winter skiing and summer snow play—a year-round wonderland for families. V5PARK, Southwest China's first integrated motorsports theme park, blends culture, tourism, and sports, allowing racing enthusiasts to experience adrenaline-pumping thrills while exploring adjacent cultural and creative stores—a perfect day-long adventure.
"Cultural tourism + industry" breathes new life into historic factories. Former industrial landmarks, such as the Jialing Factory, Special Steel Plant, and Yufengli, have been revitalized as "industrial-chic cultural parks." The old workshops of the Special Steel Plant now serve as art galleries, while the historic buildings of Jialing Factory house trendy cafés. Young visitors flock here for retro photo shoots, while older generations revisit nostalgic memories, making it a popular destination for multi-generational gatherings.
"Cultural tourism + intangible cultural heritage (ICH)" has breathed new life into traditional culture. At Ciqikou Ancient Town, visitors can experience the innovative integration of ICH craftsmanship, interactive exhibits, and immersive performances. ICH inheritors also teach campus courses, with over 30,000 youths learning these traditional skills. Last year, three projects, including Bayu Shuchang, were recognized as a municipal "Outstanding Case of ICH-Tourism Integration." Here, watching Sichuan Opera face-changing acts while sipping tea from lidded bowls has become the quintessential Chongqing cultural experience.
Digital technology has supercharged this integration. Shapingba District is establishing a digital platform for the digital transformation of cultural tourism. This effort will enhance the convenience and personalized services for inbound tourists. and achieve cross-departmental data sharing of "tourist profiles." Establishing a big data center for cultural tourism will comprehensively elevate the informatization and intelligent service management of tourism. Additionally, the district will expand "innovative cultural spaces + digital experience scenarios" to develop immersive, situational, and customized new formats of red tourism that integrate AI and VR technologies.
Today, Shapingba seamlessly integrates culture, sports, and tourism, offering visitors memorable experiences to enjoy, explore, and cherish.
Global excellence: fruitful achievements in international exchanges, effectively expanding overseas cultural tourism networks
The transformative developments in Shapingba District's cultural tourism industry transcend local boundaries, achieving remarkable success on both national and international stages.
On September 25, 2025, the Cultural Tourism and Health Group of the 2nd Shapingba-ASEAN Fair for Investment and Trade successfully conducted an inspection tour. Accompanied by Shapingba District officials, Chinese and international delegates explored the district's premium healthcare services and visited the backstreets of Ciqikou Ancient Town, experiencing the dynamic fusion of culture and tourism. This showcased Shapingba's exceptional resources and strengths in the cultural tourism and wellness industries.
Recently, the Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism made a special inspection visit to Ciqikou Ancient Town, while the Lao Tourism Administration led a delegation to immerse in eastern Sichuan's traditional architecture and cultural-tourism integration.
Statistics reveal that ASEAN and Shapingba District have co-hosted 15 international events, developed 13 cross-border tourism routes, and welcomed over 60 ASEAN tour groups, achieving 116% year-on-year growth in visitor exchanges. Among them, Indonesia's Daxinhua Travel Agency has been sending approximately 400 tourists weekly to Shapingba since mid-October, with monthly visitor numbers exceeding 1,000. Notably, 80% of these tourists attend the immersive theatrical production Chongqing 1949. These data showcase Shapingba's compelling cultural tourism appeal.
While strengthening cooperation with ASEAN nations, Shapingba District has actively pursued bilateral cultural exchanges through "going global" initiatives and "welcoming in" programs. These efforts include organizing an art delegation to Cambodia, hosting the 2023 Chongqing International Cultural Carnival, and receiving travel agent representatives from over 10 countries, including Jordan, Malaysia, Brazil, and Hungary, for inspections of Ciqikou Ancient Town during the 2024 International Travel Agent Conference. The opening ceremony of the 2025 Chongqing International Travel Agent Conference took place on November 5 at Ronghui Grand Hotel in Shapingba District, Chongqing, with Shapingba being one of the participating metropolitan areas. The conference, with the theme "Nihao! Chongqing" and the slogan "Uniting Forces Through Open Collaboration to Forge New Frontiers," attracted approximately 400 guests from nearly 40 countries and regions, significantly expanding its global network of international exchanges.
Leveraging the Chongqing International Communication Center, Shapingba District has established a comprehensive media outreach platform. Through high-profile events like the Smart China Expo, it actively hosts foreign media delegations and coordinates domestic and international media resources to amplify promotional efforts. This strategy has elevated Shapingba's cultural tourism profile, earning Shapingba widespread recognition and acclaim. Global platforms, including People's Daily (Overseas Edition), CGTN, and China Daily, have featured Shapingba's cultural tourism over 200 times.
Shapingba's cultural tourism: where Chongqing's past meets its future
Some describe Shapingba's cultural tourism as "red," where the Hongyan Spirit thrives; others call it "vibrant," as Ciqikou Ancient Town's lively streets enchant visitors; while many deem it "youthful," with innovative, immersive travel experiences drawing the younger generation.
In truth, Shapingba's cultural tourism encapsulates Chongqing's past and future—preserving 3,000 years of Bayu heritage and revolutionary sacrifices, while reinventing culture through innovation and pioneering integrated tourism for tomorrow.
Moving forward, Shapingba aims to establish itself as a "globally renowned cultural tourism destination." By 2027, it plans to develop Gele Mountain into a 5A-rated scenic area, add four A-rated and 20 3A-rated scenic areas, cultivate 30 Chinese time-honored brands, Chongqing time-honored brands, star-rated tourism restaurants, and national-level tourism homestays, and welcome over 100,000 international visitors.
If you haven't visited Shapingba yet, take time to experience its Hongyan spirit, vibrant life, and dynamic fusion—you may discover not just life beyond the mundane, but a life that embodies the dream itself.