On October 6, the incandescent Hongya Cave in Chongqing drew thousands of tourists at night. (Photo/Chongqing Daily)

Chongqing - During this year's National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, China recorded 888 million tourist trips and over 809 billion yuan  (about 113 billion U.S. dollars) in spending. Chongqing led the nation in WeChat Pay transaction volume and count, highlighting strong consumer power and holiday vitality — and raising a key question: how can the city turn this spending boom into lasting economic growth?

This question goes to the heart of Chongqing's digital transformation. Every purchase, navigation route, and online search leaves behind a digital footprint. These small traces reveal how the city moves, what people need, and where opportunities emerge. But much of this data remains scattered across different platforms and systems. Without integration, its full value is lost, and it cannot support smarter decisions in urban planning, resource allocation, or industrial growth.

To unlock data's full value, the first step is aggregation — breaking down information silos and consolidating diverse, multi-source data into a unified, accessible repository. This urban data hub spans far beyond consumption records; it integrates traffic flows, energy use, environmental metrics, government feedback, industrial output, and healthcare data. Scattered across systems like pearls dispersed through the city, these datasets gain meaning only when linked together. Once connected, they create a living, panoramic view of how the city truly works — dynamic, interconnected, and constantly evolving.

On October 7, a child browses small handicrafts at E’ling in Yuzhong District, Chongqing. (Photo/Chongqing Daily)

The technological backbone of this integration is the “digital twin city.” A digital twin is a highly precise virtual replica of the physical city — a mirror world where real-time data continuously updates the virtual landscape. Every road, building, movement of people or vehicles, energy consumption, and public service activity can be mapped and simulated in real time. This living digital model allows city managers not only to see what is happening but also to anticipate what will happen next — transforming governance from reactive management into proactive, data-driven decision-making.

However, merely aggregating data and constructing digital twins lays only the foundation for a digital city. To truly unlock value, artificial intelligence (AI) must be brought in as a powerful enabler. Acting like a tireless, analytical brain, AI detects patterns across vast datasets, extracts insights from static information, and provides real-time support during dynamic urban operations—advancing cities from “perception” to “prediction.”

In traffic management, AI can forecast congestion and adjust traffic signals in advance. In government services, it streamlines processes and enables seamless approvals. In tourism, manufacturing, and urban safety, AI personalizes services, optimizes operations, and enhances risk detection—creating tangible value across sectors.

AI turns raw data into insights, decisions, and ultimately, economic value. Without it, big data stays idle; with it, data becomes a force for growth and smarter governance. Chongqing's digital consumption strength is not an endpoint but a starting point. With AI embedded at its core, the city can transform its data advantage into a powerful engine for digital transformation and intelligent urban development.

Future urban competitiveness will depend less on who builds higher skylines and more on who understands data best — who can harness it, interpret it, and turn it into real economic value. For Chongqing, the challenge is no longer just to “spend generously,” but to evolve into a truly smart city that transforms data insight into innovation, efficiency, and sustainable wealth creation.