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Hongya Cave is like a hidden gem in the heart of Chongqing. Visiting here, tourists will feel as if they've stepped into a fairytale world with its closely packed wooden houses, narrow winding streets, and shimmering lanterns. Just as you can't miss Taipei 101 when visiting Taipei, it would be a shame to visit Chongqing without exploring Hongya Cave.
A labyrinthine city on the Yangtze River
Despite its rapid economic development, Chongqing boasts remarkably well-preserved historical sites and natural landscapes. Known as the "City of Fog," Chongqing has numerous impressive attractions, including Hongya Cave, a famous scenic spot located at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers.
This famous scenic spot, known for its unique cluster of wooden stilt houses, is located at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers.
Hongya Cave has a history of over 2,300 years, originally serving as a military fortress from the Three Kingdoms period to the early Ming Dynasty (14th century). Of its 17 gates, 9 were open and 8 were closed, with Hongya Cave being among those closed and used solely for military purposes. Towards the end of the Ming Dynasty, cannons were installed at the left end of the Hongya Cave Gate wall, hence the name "Cannon Yard Avenue" (Duong Cang Bach). Later, more and more people, mainly boatmen, porters, and laundrymen, settled in the Hongya Cave area, where they lived in wooden stilt houses (Diaojiaolou).
The Hongya Cave architectural complex impresses visitors from all over with its massive, interconnected wooden-floored houses perched vertically on the cliffside beside the Jialing River.
About 30 years ago, Hongya Cave was home to the working class of Chongqing and was the only unique stilt house in Southwest China. Hongya Cave has witnessed the upheavals of history and evolved over centuries into the tourist destination it is today.
The blend of modern and ancient beauty in Hongyadong Old Street is what makes Chongqing a unique destination, with scenery beyond imagination. Bridges, skyscrapers, and wide streets create a vibrant and lively picture of the city. However, ancient relics and unique stilt houses along the river still retain the charm of the past, creating a unique mix of classic and modern.
Four roads were built within the Hongyai complex; the bottom road is the main trade route for alcohol, paper, and salt, running along the riverbank.
The bustling antique shopping street is lined with shops selling everything from delicious food and cultural supplies to souvenirs and art galleries. Bright lights highlight the street's classical architecture, with its cleverly layered and magnificent buildings creating an atmosphere of grandeur and sophistication. Vivid bronze sculptures are scattered along the street, offering fascinating interactions for visitors. This is a must-see destination when traveling to Chongqing.
According to records, Hongya Cave was a military fortress built from the ancient Ba Dynasty (1046 BC - 256 BC) to the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911).
This destination is also particularly famous for its enchanting and magical atmosphere, resembling the setting of the movie Spirited Away, also known as Sen and Chihiro in the Mystical World - a popular Japanese animated film released in 2001.
The bustling atmosphere of Hongya Cave Ancient Town
Hongya Cave Ancient Town is not only a repository of Chongqing's 3,000-year history but also a unique cultural center. With its blend of Bayu folk culture and distinctive mountain-side architecture, along with its port culture, it has become a popular tourist destination attracting visitors from all over.
Because of Chongqing's distinctive "city on top of city" architecture, visitors can admire it from the elevated walkway on the opposite side.
Most tourists choose Hongya Cave as their starting point for exploring the city. Because of Chongqing's distinctive "city on top of city" architecture, visitors can admire it from the elevated walkway on the opposite side. The entire row of buildings, designed to resemble ancient times, covers 46,000 square meters, with a built-up area of over 60,000 square meters.
Visitors can take the elevator to each floor of the building, which houses different bars, cafes, and restaurants.
Inside, there are many small neighborhoods, making it easy for visitors to get lost even in broad daylight due to the grandeur and the bustling atmosphere of food stalls, handicraft shops, and more. Surprisingly, visitors can explore the first and eleventh floors of the building via two completely different routes. They can take the elevator to each floor – where different bars, cafes, and restaurants are located. Or they can take the elevator up to the tenth floor and still find themselves standing on a main street, enter another building, press the button for the eighth floor, and then suddenly find the elevator going down again.
Almost every night, Hongya Cave is bustling with people. Visiting Hongya Cave in Chongqing is a must for most tourists. The best spot to admire the night view of Hongya Cave is from Qiansimen Bridge – a bridge used by pedestrians, cars, and the subway.
