For those who love to explore, Chongqing is a fascinating destination. This city is not only a modern metropolis of China but also a place where magical overlapping spaces, spectacular architecture and famous spicy cuisine converge. During the two-day and two-night journey, Khanh Tam - a young traveler - had memorable experiences in Chongqing.
Chongqing - a modern city with high-rise buildings mixed with nostalgic beauty
City of intersections
“My first impression when I set foot on the Chongqing high-speed train station was that everything from the architecture to the landscape was both ancient and very modern,” Khanh Tam shared. Not as splendid as Hangzhou, Chongqing has old buildings mixed with high-rise architecture, creating a unique feature that cannot be found anywhere else.
The city is built on a mountainous terrain, making everything more special. “Is it a city in the mountains or a mountain in the city? This is the question I always ask myself when looking at the landscape here,” Tam expressed.
This is not only a modern city but also a picture of the intersection between majestic nature and talented human hands.
Must-see destinations
With only 48 hours, Khanh Tam planned carefully so as not to miss important destinations. She started her journey at the Liziba Skytrain, a unique architectural work. As the train rushed through the crowded apartment complex, the rumbling sound and bustling pace of life left her amazed. Next, the female tourist visited Hong Nhai Dong, where bright red lanterns lit up a corner of the city when night fell, creating an unforgettable magical scene.
Hong Nhai Cave is brilliant at night
Strolling through the Shancheng Promenade (山城步道), she stopped by the small, pretty shops along the roadside, feeling the slow pace of life of the locals. When she arrived at the Eighteen Steps (十八梯), a colorful old town, she felt like she was lost in a space that was both nostalgic and lively with graffiti walls and pretty little cafes hidden in the narrow alleys. Finally, she did not forget to check-in at the Guanyin Bridge, where the sign “I am in Chongqing” has become a familiar mark for tourists.
“I came to Chongqing because I wanted to see the Liziba building with the train running through it. When I stood there, I really had to exclaim 'Wow!' because I was so impressed with the creativity of Chinese architects,” Khanh Tam confided.
Nostalgic street corner in the heart of Chongqing
Liziba tram runs through the building – A unique symbol of Chongqing, where the tram runs through the apartment complex, leaving visitors in awe.
Multi-layered cities - challenges in moving
With its mountainous terrain, getting around Chongqing is not easy. The female tourist said: “The biggest difficulty is that sometimes I can’t tell which floor of the city I’m on. For example, the first floor of the hotel I stayed at was the highest floor of Hongyadong. To get to the pedestrian street below, I had to take the stairs down dozens of floors.”
Khanh Tam suggests that the best way to get around is to use the subway for convenient places and call DIDI (Chinese ride-hailing app) to save time. Taxis here are cheaper than Grab, so if you get lost, feel free to book a taxi or ask locals for directions.
The best way to get around is to use the subway for convenient points and call DIDI (Chinese ride-hailing app) to save time
Challenge your taste buds with Chongqing hotpot
Not only famous for its architecture, Chongqing is also a culinary paradise, especially for its spicy hot pot. Having tried Chongqing hot pot in the hometown of this dish, Khanh Tam shared: “Looking at the hot pot, I only saw chili and pepper, so I was a bit hesitant. But when eating it with the accompanying toppings, the flavors were extremely harmonious. If you can't eat spicy food, you can choose a hot pot with many compartments to try both spicy and non-spicy flavors.”
Besides hotpot, Tam also tried Sichuan beef noodles, dumplings, steamed fish and braised offal. She especially liked Chongqing's famous milk tea, 茶颜悦色.
The spicy and numbing Chongqing hotpot is a challenging yet attractive dish of this land.
Chongqing cuisine in particular and Chinese cuisine in general is always attractive to tourists.
Unforgettable experiences in the heart of the city
One of Khanh Tam’s most interesting experiences was riding a motorbike in the heart of the city. “It was late that day, we couldn’t catch DIDI so we decided to ride a motorbike. The super cool driver took us to the hotel at an extremely professional speed. When we arrived, he even asked to take a photo with us because he knew we were tourists from Vietnam,” she said.
In addition, her most memorable moment was sitting on the train through the Liziba building: “I was very emotional because my dream of seeing this unique architecture with my own eyes finally came true. I also took many beautiful photos to bring back, enjoying my time here.”
Guanyin Bridge and the sign "I am in Chongqing" - A check-in spot not to be missed when coming to this city
If you plan to explore Chongqing, choose spring, autumn or winter to avoid the scorching heat of up to 40 degrees in the summer. To make the trip more convenient, visitors should prioritize booking hotels near the train station for easy travel. Language can be a barrier, but Google Translate and images will be a great help when asking for directions. When traveling in the city, calling a car through the DIDI app will save time and money compared to traditional taxis.
Although only staying here for two days, Khanh Tam had unforgettable memories of Chongqing. This city is not only a tourist destination but also an inspirational place with unique architecture, vibrant life and attractive cuisine.
