Chongqing — When it comes to motorcycle manufacturing, few places in the world rival Chongqing. Long known as the "Motorcycle Capital of China," the southwestern metropolis is home to one of the country's most complete and mature motorcycle industrial ecosystems, spanning engines, frames, electronic components, and accessories.
Since the 1980s, Chongqing has grown from a regional production base into a global export hub. Major manufacturers such as Jialing, Zongshen and Loncin are headquartered here, forming a tightly linked supply chain. According to data from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the China Motorcycle Chamber of Commerce, Chongqing has ranked among China's top motorcycle export cities for years, with products shipped to markets across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.
This industrial foundation has shaped more than just manufacturing. It has influenced how the city moves — and how it is seen. In recent years, motorcycle-mounted videos capturing Chongqing’s steep roads, stacked bridges, and glowing night tunnels have gone viral on social media, drawing attention from viewers both across China and overseas.
Domestic travelers from cities where motorcycles are restricted now come to Chongqing to experience riding through its vertical urban landscape. At the same time, international filmmakers and content creators have begun arriving specifically to record the city on two wheels, often working with local riders to map routes through tunnels, riverfront highways, and elevated roads.
iChongqing reporter Natalia rides through Chongqing on a motorbike while filming a viral video capturing the city’s street life and skyline. (Photo/Feng Xiaolou)
Nanbin Road, a riverside stretch overlooking the city skyline, has become one of the most popular filming locations. At night, the combination of flowing traffic, illuminated bridges, and the Yangtze River creates a cinematic atmosphere that many riders describe as uniquely Chongqing.
An iChongqing reporter recently joined a motorcycle ride along Nanbin Road to experience the trend firsthand. From the rider's perspective, the city reveals itself not as a static skyline, but as a living system in motion — one shaped by decades of industry, terrain, and daily life.
What began on factory floors decades ago has evolved into a cultural and visual phenomenon — one that continues to carry Chongqing's image far beyond its city limits.