The city of Chongqing is very popular on social media now. — Pixabay
Nowadays, almost every single city in China longs to integrate culture with tourism in a bid to woo visitors and give them a more immersive travel experience.
Social media is definitely helping boost tourism in these places, as most visitors would take lots of pictures and videos, and share them on their own accounts for all to see.
In this stiffly competitive race to command public attention, Chongqing undoubtedly claims a central position. Almost every visitor to this city will ask in disbelief, “Is this really China?” after seeing some of the city’s most surreal scenes.
Chongqing actually looks like it could be part of filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki’s visually stunning movies, especially Spirited Away. If you’re planning to go, do visit the top attractions during the day – including Hongyadong, Liziba, Yangtze River – and marvel at the dazzling city lights when the sun goes down.
Apart from being able to learn so much about the place, you would also have many opportunities to take gorgeous pictures at these places.
But to be honest, Chongqing is not a city known just for its pretty views. There is definitely more to the Chongqing than just its exterior beauty.
The towers of Intercontinental Chongqing Raffles City all covered in LED lights.
For one, it boasts a unique landscape of verdant mountains, rivers, thick fog, bridges, hillslopes and endless staircases. It is a southwestern Chinese metropolis with a resident population in excess of 30 million.
Visitors usually start their tours at the Chaotianmen Gate at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers. Perched on numerous hills, the city’s buildings are set at variable altitudes, criss-crossed by winding roads and alleys. Our tour guide Chen Zhijie said that even Gaode Map (a map app for China) will not promise you smooth navigation to your final destination.
Residents here have been living in dwelling units stacked above one another, where daily commutes invariably require passing through neighbours’ doors.
Once a major industrial and military manufacturing hub, Chongqing has today evolved into a must-see destination for young travellers. That being said, underneath its sometimes overhyped surface, there are tons of hidden city nooks and stories in Chongqing yet to be uncovered.
The night view of Hongya Cave with its captivating LED displays. Every evening, it draws tons of visitors, making it a prime spot for social media influencers. — Photos: LEESAN
My first encounter with Chongqing took place in the spring of 2013, when the Internet was not really a big “thing” just yet in China. I stayed at a riverside service apartment on the south bank of the river.
From my 32nd floor balcony, I could see the Chaotianmen Gate in central Yuzhong district – it was still in shambles. There were old houses that were dilapidated and grimy, the city lights were few and far apart ... the city was unglamorous and weathered.
The newly completed Hongyadong saw little pedestrian traffic back then, too.
However, this was exactly the unpretentious side of the city I admired the most. There were no excessive cosmetic enhancement, no hypocritical posture and even a little ... but to me it was totally genuine.
As a matter of fact, Chongqing has never been known for its camera-worthy aesthetics of today. It once served as China’s provisional capital during the Sino-Japanese war, and was historically very significant once upon a time.
In addition, the city commands an enviable geographic location, being a major shipping hub in Upper Yangtze.
Rows of yellow taxis waiting outside Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. This is also a popular spot for influencers to take pictures.
But due to its interior location, the city’s development lagged behind vibrant cities on the east coast, prompting authorities to look into new ideas to boost the city’s economy. Thus came the city’s rebranding of sorts.
It starts to take on a magical look with loads of promotional activities, sound-and-light performances and mesmeriding drone shows – almost too many for even vloggers to consume!
But, something that becomes hyped up so quickly and easily is not always a good thing.
After all the visitors are gone, Hongyadong turns into its less glamorous self during the day. With the blinding city lights switched off, the mottled outer walls are fully exposed, along with the messy alignment of shophouses.
While Shibati (18 Steps) does look impressive, the original residents have long been evicted and the place lacks genuine local features.
Liziba Station may be perfect for the camera, but commuters who have to pass through it daily do not quite feel the excitement.
Chongqing also lacks the adorable giant pandas of Chengdu, and the terracotta army statues of Xian. There isn’t much to impress travellers here, apart from the sight of light rail trains passing through a city building.
“Internet celebrity economy” is characterised by short and low investments, and quick and high spreadability. Tourism is all about a traveller’s real-life experiences. Without a strong cultural depth and comprehensive supplementary services, Chongqing may soon become a city that a traveller will visit once just to take a few pictures, and nothing more.
Nevertheless, I still expect Chongqing to thrive because of its intrinsic strengths: The Three Gorges, stories of the Sino-Japanese war, its Sichuan flavours, unique topographic features, immigrant culture and more. All these cannot be explained in social media posts, be it a minute-long video or a series of pictures.
It remains a major challenge for the city authorities to turn such genuine experiences into a reality for the visitors.
The writer (third from right) with his travel buddies having a hotpot feast, with the night view of Chongqing in the background.
This year’s CCTV Spring Festival Gala was shot at Chongqing’s Chaotianmen Gate, with a magnificent heart-throbbing drone show that captured the hearts of millions of viewers. I feel that Chongqing’s biggest charm lies in its unpredictability – like a friend whom you simply can’t know enough about, yet you’re eager to find out more.
Towering skyscrapers juxtaposed with hills and rivers, a history with futurism, earthly urban milieu and sophisticated technology. Whichever appeals to you the most, when you look back at the city, you will feel its unique qualities.
Chongqing remains China’s top destination for social media influencers. However, it is my wish that when influencers mention the city they will not only talk about its “filtered beauty” but also its culture, people and excellent food.
The views expressed here are entirely the writer’s own.
Leesan, the globe-trotting traveller who has visited 147 countries and seven continents, enjoys sharing his travel stories and insights. He has also authored six books.
