Secrets of Chongqing: The Most Unexpected Facts About This Multi-Level City That Will Shock You

Are you tired of traveling the same old routes and no longer feeling that excitement from your first trip? Have selfies with pyramids and the Eiffel Tower filled up your phone gallery, but your soul is craving something truly surprising? What if I told you there's a city that seems to have stepped out of the pages of a science fiction novel, where trains go through residential buildings and gas stations are located on skyscraper rooftops?

Welcome to Chongqing—a Chinese megacity that became a real sensation among seekers of unconventional travel in 2025. This place where architecture defies gravity and the boundaries between nature and urban environment are blurred beyond recognition.

Main Points from the Article:

• Chongqing is a unique multi-level city where, due to its hilly terrain, skyscrapers grow not only upward but also horizontally;
• A monorail line passes through a 19-story residential building, turning an ordinary high-rise into one of the world's most unusual attractions;
• The city features five-level traffic interchanges, and the 18th floor of one building can be at the level of the 12th floor of a neighboring one;
• Due to simplified visa procedures, travel to Chongqing for Russians has become more accessible and easier in 2025;
• A new trend—VR tours of Chongqing, allowing you to 'walk' through the vertical city before your real trip.

Why is Chongqing called a 'vertical city'?

From a bird's eye view, Chongqing looks like a set decoration for a futuristic movie. The reason behind this unusual architecture lies in the characteristics of the landscape—the city is located on hills and squeezed between the Yangtze and Jialing rivers.

Due to limited space and complex terrain, architects must exhibit extraordinary creativity. Buildings here grow not only upwards but also sideways, integrating into hill slopes, and streets are located at different levels. Imagine stepping out of a building onto the 'first floor' only to find yourself at the level of the 10th floor of a neighboring house!

'Chongqing is known as the 'city in the mountains.' The central part of the urban area, located between the riverbeds of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, has a hilly topography, with houses built along mountain ridges. Streets steeply descend toward the riverbank,'—this is how the city is described.

Is there a train that goes through a house? Fact or fiction?

The most viral attraction in Chongqing is the Liziba subway station, located right inside a 19-story residential building. No, this is not a joke or optical illusion. When builders were laying the monorail line, they encountered a residential building in their path. Instead of demolishing it, engineers took an unconventional decision: to run the railway straight through the building between the 6th and 8th floors.

Now, every few minutes, a train literally 'flies' into the building, passes through it, and 'flies out' from the other side. Inside the building, there is a full subway station with a platform 150 meters long.

The first question that comes to mind is: 'What about the residents?' Surprisingly, the noise from passing trains is comparable to a washing machine thanks to special sound-dampening equipment. Moreover, apartments in this building are considered among the most expensive in the area. Who wouldn't want the convenience of exiting the subway and immediately being at home?

Multi-Level City: Life on Different Levels

Chongqing is a true spatial labyrinth where familiar notions of urban planning lose meaning. Here, you find:

• Five-Level Traffic Interchanges, consisting of 20 elevated roads. Novice drivers literally get lost in this three-dimensional road network;
• Skyscrapers Integrated into Hills, where the entrance to a building can be at different levels from various sides;
• Gas Stations on Building Roofs—another unconventional solution to the problem of space shortage;
• 22-Story Automatic Parking Garages, where your car is 'stored' in seconds.

In Chongqing, the concept of a 'first floor' becomes relative. Due to hilly terrain, the 18th floor of one building can be at the level of the 12th floor of a neighboring one. Residents are accustomed to having to climb or descend several levels to reach the adjacent district.

Chongqing Cuisine: A Challenge for the Brave

If you think that only Chongqing's architecture can surprise, you haven't yet tried the local cuisine. The region is famous for its 'huo guo'—a Chinese hot pot with an incredibly spicy broth.

Chongqing noodles with chili peppers are a real test for tourists unaccustomed to spicy food. Locals say that the authentic Chongqing dish should be 'ma la'—both spicy and numbing. The first sip of such broth can cause a cultural shock, but once you get used to it, you'll discover a whole universe of new flavors.

Tip: If you decide to try the real Chongqing huo guo, start with the mildest level of spiciness and definitely order milk or yogurt—these will help you cope with the burning sensation.

How to Get to Chongqing in 2025?

In 2025, it became easier than ever to reach Chongqing. The most convenient option is flights with a layover in Beijing or Shanghai. There are no direct flights from Russia to Chongqing yet, but many airlines offer convenient connections.

Route: Moscow → Beijing/Shanghai → Chongqing.

Good news for Russians: in 2025, China significantly simplified visa procedures. To obtain a tourist visa, you now need only a minimal set of documents, and the application process takes just 4-7 working days.

To apply for a visa, you will need:

• A passport with at least 7 months validity upon application;
• A completed application form;
• A passport-sized photo;
• Hotel booking and return tickets.

Where to Stay in the Vertical City?

For your first encounter with the city, we recommend choosing a hotel in the Yuzhong area—the central part of Chongqing located on a peninsula between rivers. From here, it's easy to reach the main attractions, and many hotel rooms offer stunning views of the Yangtze River and urban skyscrapers.

Top 3 Hotels in Chongqing:

• InterContinental Chongqing Raffles City—a luxurious hotel with panoramic views;
• JW Marriott Hotel Chongqing—an ideal blend of comfort and convenient location;
• The Westin Chongqing Liberation Square—a hotel in the historical center of the city.

What Must Be Seen in Chongqing?

Besides the already mentioned Liziba subway station, there are many places in Chongqing worth visiting:

• The Yangtze River Embankment—a great spot for evening walks, especially after sunset when the skyscrapers are illuminated;
• Chongqing Bridges—true engineering masterpieces, some of which span at a height of a 20-story building;
• Old City of Ciqiao—a historical district with traditional architecture where you can see how Chongqing looked before the skyscraper era;
• The Three Gorges—a grand natural complex on the Yangtze River, including the world's largest hydroelectric power station;
• Hot Springs—there are many thermal springs in the surrounding area where you can relax after a busy day.

VR Tours: The Trend of 2025

One of the interesting trends of 2025 is virtual tours of Chongqing. Before embarking on an actual trip, many tourists prefer to 'walk' through the city using VR headsets.

These tours allow you to get familiar with the multi-level urban system in advance, so you don't feel lost when you arrive. Virtual reality lets you see Chongqing from a bird's eye view and peek into places that are not always accessible to regular tourists.

Some tour operators even include VR excursions in the price of the trip, so customers can plan their route even before departure.

How to Recharge in Chongqing?

Chongqing is the perfect place for those who are tired of routine and seek new experiences. Futuristic architecture, a blend of traditions and innovations, spicy cuisine—all this creates a unique atmosphere that literally makes your brain 'reboot'.

A day in Chongqing might look like this:

• Morning: waking up on one of the observation decks to greet the sunrise over the 'mountain city';
• Day: exploring multi-level architecture and having lunch with traditional spicy noodles;
• Evening: a cruise along the Yangtze River with views of illuminated skyscrapers;
• Night: relaxation in thermal springs on the outskirts of the city.

After such a day, you will undoubtedly feel that you've broken free from routine and received exactly the dose of new experiences you need for a full recharge.

Chongqing 2025: Why You Should Visit Now?

In 2025, Chongqing is experiencing a new wave of popularity among tourists. This is due to several factors:

• Simplified Visa Procedures for Russians, making travel more accessible;
• Viral Videos on TikTok and VKontakte showcasing the city's unusual architecture;
• Infrastructure Development—the emergence of new hotels, restaurants, and tourist routes;
• VR Technology, allowing you to 'try on' the city before your trip.

After the pandemic, Chinese tourism is actively recovering, and Chongqing has become one of the main destinations for those seeking something truly unique.

Conclusion: The City of the Future Already Exists

Chongqing is not just a city—it's a glimpse into the future of urban planning. In a world where megacities face space shortages, Chongqing's experience can serve as an example of unconventional and effective solutions.

Trains passing through residential homes, multi-level roads, gas stations on rooftops—all of what seems exotic to us today may become the norm for overcrowded cities tomorrow.

If you want to see how our shared urban future might look and get experiences that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world—Chongqing should be at the top of your 2025 travel list.

Are you ready for a journey to the vertical city?

Cover: mungfali.com