Chongqing - Southwest China’s Chongqing is inviting residents and visitors to explore a three-month service consumption season, with more than 100 events covering food, tourism, sports, healthcare and household services from September to November.
The 2025 Chongqing Service Consumption Season and the 17th China (Chongqing) Hotpot Food Culture Festival officially opened in Dadukou District on September 28, 2025. (Photo/Dadukou District)
The campaign is part of the city's efforts to boost service consumption, including experiences and services beyond physical goods.
A major highlight of the campaign will be the 18th China (Chongqing) Hotpot Food Culture Festival, opening on September 29. The event will introduce "Chongqing Hotpot Port," a new dining destination that pairs hotpot with the city's unique landscape, including bridges, cliffs, streets, caves, rivers, and parks.
The venue will feature more than 270 hotpot tables, letting visitors enjoy Chongqing's famous spicy cuisine while taking in views of the mountain city.
The city will also launch a bilingual Chongqing Food Map, providing restaurant locations, dish recommendations and business information. The map will include local specialties, Chinese cuisine and international dining options.
Zhou Ya, executive president of the Chongqing Hotpot Industry Association, said the industry is entering a new stage of standardized and international development after the Chongqing Hotpot Industry Development Promotion Regulation took effect on May 1. The regulation is China's first local regulation specifically focused on the hotpot industry.
A traditional Chongqing hotpot is served at Chongqing 82 Old Hotpot Restaurant. (Photo/Zheng Ran)
"We will continue to tell the story of Chongqing hotpot culture and support brands in expanding overseas markets," Zhou said.
Chongqing is also expanding services for older consumers through the development of the silver economy, a term referring to industries and services targeting an aging population.
The city will host the 20th China (Chongqing) Senior Industry Expo from November 6 to 8, showcasing smart elderly care, rehabilitation equipment, healthcare services and age-friendly products.
Xu Songqiang, a senior official from Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Civil Affairs, said developing the silver economy is both a response to population aging and a way to create new consumption opportunities.
The city is promoting services such as elderly care subsidies and digital elderly cards, which combine identity verification, payment and benefits management across areas including healthcare, community services and elderly care.
Financial institutions are also supporting the expansion of service consumption. Chen Zhenxiang, a senior official from the Chongqing branch of the People's Bank of China, said financial support will focus on sectors including catering, tourism, healthcare, education and elderly care.
The city is also expanding digital yuan applications and improving payment services for international visitors by increasing foreign bank card acceptance at shopping areas, tourist attractions, hotels and transport hubs.