Perched on a cliffside overlooking the Jialing River, Hongya Cave (洪崖洞) isn’t just a tourist spot—it’s a vertigo-inducing maze of 13-story stilted towers, glowing like a golden honeycomb at night.
This UNESCO-listed architectural marvel blends 2,300 years of history with Instagrammable modernity, earning its nickname as China’s “Sky City” and a must-see rival to Japan’s Ghibli fantasies Here’s how to unlock its magic.
A Time Capsule of Cliffside Ingenuity
Hongya Cave began as a Warring States-era military fortress (475–221 BCE), later evolving into a Qing-dynasty trade hub. Its iconic stilted houses—diaojiaolou—were designed to withstand Chongqing’s floods and steep terrain, with wooden pillars anchoring homes to sheer rock Nearly demolished in the 2000s, a $46 million revival transformed it into a cultural district preserving:
- 79-meter elevation drops: Enter through the 11th floor’s street-level shops, then descend to riverside eateries
- Original Ming-era relics: Spot the 600-year-old Jiangyi Cannon Platform and辛亥 revolutionary stone carvings
Must-Experience Layers
1.Daytime Treasures
Reunion 1980 Street: Time-travel to 1980s Chongqing with retro cinemas and Mao-era grocery stores
Hongya Waterfall: See the “Hongya Drips Emerald”—a trickling cascade immortalized in Qing poetry
2.Nighttime Sorcery
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- Golden Hour Glow: At 6 PM, 12,000 LED lights ignite the honeycomb facade, mirroring the river like liquid gold
- Riverside Promenade: Sip local Moutai cocktails while watching cargo ships glide under the Qiansimen Bridge
3.Hidden Gems
Skyline Walkways: Navigate vertigo-inducing bridges connecting towers 4–8 for aerial city views
Underground Bunker: Cold War-era tunnels beneath the complex now host speakeasy bars
Cultural Feasts & Flavors
DIY Workshops: Mold Ciqikou pottery or stitch Bashu embroidery in heritage studios
Spicy Pilgrimage: Try mala hotpot at Chongqing Xiaomian or sweet Osmanthus jelly at Old Street Snacks
Opera Nights: Catch face-changing Sichuan opera at Hongya Theater
Smart Travel Hacks
- Best Time: Weekday evenings (6–9 PM) avoid crowds. Avoid rainy days—steep stairs turn slick
- Transport: Metro Line 6 to Xiaoshizi Station (Exit 9), then a 5-minute walk. Taxis often get stuck in Yuzhong’s hills
- Tickets: Free entry, but book timed slots online for rooftop access
- Pair With: Combine with Jiefangbei CBD (10-minute walk) for luxury shopping
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