By Rui Hu, iChongqing

If you prepared yourself a day trip to discover the old Chongqing lifestyle, definitely follow this guide to travel around the center of downtown Chongqing.

In the morning

Shancheng Alley 

Suggested travel time: 1-2 hours

Shancheng Alley is a mountain city footpath connects the upper and lower town around downtown Chongqing. It has thousands of stairs, and the whole length is 1748 meters. There are three footpaths in downtown, and Shancheng Alley is the longest one. Prepared yourself for a long walk in the morning if you want to complete the path from Zhongxing Road to Qixinggang. There are breathtaking views by the river and traditional residential area for you to see the old lifestyle in mountain city.

Features: digital printing pictures on the wall are now on exhibition.

Tips: no entry fee, it is still a footpath for residents.

Liziba CRT station 

Suggested travel time:15 mins

There is a newly built observation deck for visitors to see how the subway goes through the building, a significant way of transit only in Chongqing. Take short video or pictures for the view.

Lunch options around:

1. Liangshanji (Boiled Chicken) in Liziba

A famous local restaurant due to its special chicken and taro made with Chinese medicine. Average: ￥90/person (Reservation time before 12:00, afterward you may need to line up for seats) or, you can order the takeaway via cellphones.

2. Dulaowu (Street food) in Lianglukou (within 3 km)
3. Street food around Lianglukou: you can find famous Xiaomian (Chongqing noodles), Mixian (Rice noodles), and other street food.

In the afternoon

Crown Grand Escalator

After your lunch break, you can find the Crown Grand Escalator nearby, it situated at Lianglukou subway station. It is worthy to ride and travel like a local. First, only￥2 for a single ticket.  Second, It connects Lianglukou and Caiiyuanba Railway station, thus, a convenient transit way for people living in a mountain city. Third, It is the 2^nd longest escalator in Asia, the whole length is 112m, and lifting height is 52.7m. Crown Grand Escalator is a symbol as a form of transportation in the city on a hill.

E`ling Cultural Park

TESTBED 2 is the new creative landmark in downtown Chongqing. Chongqing government started a refurbishment project, headed by renowned architect Will Alsop and aimed to turn the building into a creative and cultural park. Take a walk around and relax in a cozy corner in a coffee shop.

Panorama of downtown on E`ling Park, photo by PureToyo