Chongqing—Once an empty space beneath a bridge, a riverside camp in Chongqing’s Nan'an District is drawing crowds with its mix of concrete pillars, greenery and Yangtze River views.

Flowers bloom in the gaps beneath an overpass in Nan'an District, Chongqing. (Photo/Chongqing Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development)

A camping spot tucked beneath a bridge in Chongqing has become a social media hit. Visitors are sharing photos of its raw concrete pillars surrounded by flowers and river views, a look many describe as a "steel forest" aesthetic.

The site, called UNDER JOY Urban Camp, sits below Ciyun Temple in Tushan Town, Nan'an District, next to the temple's underground parking lot, the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development said on Oct. 15.

The camp covers 5,000 square meters, including about 2,800 square meters beneath the bridge. The area had long sat unused. As part of an upgrade to the Nanbin Road riverfront, designers kept the rough concrete piers intact and added plants, wooden decks and seating facing the Yangtze River, turning a forgotten corner of urban infrastructure into a spot popular with young people.

By day, it works as a riverside workspace. Visitors can read or work in the breeze while watching boats pass, catch the sunset over the water, or see mist rising from the river on rainy days.

After dark, lights illuminate the pillars and the smell of barbecue fills the air, blending a laid-back camping vibe with Chongqing's famous nightlife. On nights with drone light shows, the decks under the bridge offer some of the best views in town.

The UNDER JOY Urban Camp in Chongqing's Nan'an District. (Photo/Chongqing Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development)

The camp is part of the first phase of a project upgrading about 7.5 kilometers of riverfront from Danzishi to Haitang Yanyu in Nan'an District. The project includes new walkways, greenery on the riverbanks and improved public facilities.

The aim is to make better use of idle urban spaces, such as areas under bridges and leftover land along the riverbank, by adding greenery, leisure spaces and cultural features to hard infrastructure. Once complete, the riverfront will offer residents and visitors a place to stroll, read and enjoy the river views close to home.

How to Get there

The camp is open from noon to 2 a.m. and is located under the bridge at Ciyun Temple on Nanbin Road. Visitors can take bus routes 373, 375 or 338 to Zishui Xiaodeng stop, or take Metro Line 6 to Shangxinjie Station and walk or catch a taxi from Exit 1. Drivers can search for "UNDER JOY" in their navigation apps, and an underground parking lot with plenty of spaces is available on site.