1. Geographic location
Hongyadong is located at No. 88, Jialing River Riverside Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China, in the riverside area where the Yangtze River and Jialing River meet. It is connected to Cangbai Road of Jiefangbei in the north and Qianlianmen Bridge in the south, and only about 1 kilometre away from Jiefangbei business district, the busiest one in Chongqing. The scenic spot is built on the mountain, with a steep cliff at its back and facing the Jialing River, which is a typical representative of Chongqing’s ‘mountain city’ landscape. It is also surrounded by popular attractions such as the Liziba Light Railway through the building and Chaotianmen Ferry Terminal, forming a convenient sightseeing route.
2. Mode of transport
Public Transport.
- Metro:
- Take Line 2 to ‘Linjiangmen Station’ and walk about 5 minutes from Exit 2 to the 11th floor entrance of Hongyadong.
- Take Line 1 or Line 6 to Xiaoshizi Station and take Exit 9 for a 10-minute walk to the scenic spot.
- Bus:
- Route 111, 112 Outer Ring, 114 and other buses will take you directly to Hongyadong Station.
- 105 Road, 135 Road and other lines in the ‘small Shizi – Chongqing gold shop’ station off about 500 metres walk.
Driving/Parking
- Parking is tight around the area, so we recommend using the multi-storey car parks connected to the underground ring road of Jiefangbei (e.g. Cathay Plaza, Xiexin Centre, etc.), which provide more than 20,000 parking spaces.
- Navigate to ‘Hongyadong Folk Customs Area Car Park’, but may be temporarily closed due to traffic control on holidays, need to check in advance.
Walking/Biking
- It takes about 15 minutes to reach the 11th floor entrance of Hongyadong on foot from Jiefangbei, and about 10 minutes to reach the 1st floor of the scenic spot on the riverside on foot from Qianlianmen Bridge.
3.Architectural Features: Hanging Footstools on the Cliff
Hongyadong is famous for its traditional Bayu ‘footstool’ buildings, which are built on the cliffs, up to 13 floors high, and are called ‘Chinese Cliff City’. The complex recreates the dock culture and mountain dwelling style of old Chongqing, including green stone paths, wooden overhanging beams and a mid-level market. At night, when the lights are on, the golden lights wrap around the entire complex, which is called ‘a real-life version of the Thousand and One Scenes’ by netizens.
Core Views
1.HongYaDiCui (1 floor):
- One of the twelve scenic spots of Cuba and Yu, the natural cliff waterfall drips down from the stone cracks, and the water droplets are like jasper under the sunlight.
- There is a cliff cave walkway behind the waterfall, where visitors can walk through to feel the coolness.
2.Hanging Foot Towers:
- From the 1st floor to the 11th floor, each floor has a different function: the 1st floor is a riverside observation deck, the 4th-9th floors are a food street, cultural and creative bazaar, and a nostalgic block of the 80’s, the 10th floor displays the bronze sculpture “Twelve Scenes of New Bayu”, and the 11th floor is a city balcony.
- The ‘Reunion 1980’ block on the fifth floor restores the scenes of old Chongqing life, such as the supply and marketing office and video hall, which is suitable for taking photos.
3.Hongya Han Que (1 floor):
- It is modelled on a Han Dynasty sacrificial building that was built more than 2000 years ago, showing the totem of ancient Bayu culture.
4.Xinhai Monument (11 floors):
- A monument commemorating Zhang Peijue, the governor of Chongqing during the Xinhai Revolution, which is on a par with the Zou Rong Monument.
Featured Experiences
- Night Scene Lights: illuminated daily from 19:00-23:00, the golden buildings reflect the river, the best shooting point is Qianliao Gate Bridge or the opposite bank of Jialing River.
- Gourmet Food: On the fourth floor, ‘Tiancheng Lane Hundred Industries Workshop’ gathers Chongqing snacks, such as Chenmahua, hot and sour noodles, and small dumplings; on the ninth floor, ‘Exotic Street’ sells handicrafts from all over the world.
- Cultural Exhibition: The 6th floor ‘Explore Hongyadong’ displays the history of Chongqing through holographic projection; the 7th to 8th floors are modern trendy space for young people.
4. Summary of Attractions
Why is it worth visiting?
- Free admission: No admission fee is required and you can visit all day long (open from 9:00-23:00).
- Historical and modern fusion: from Song Dynasty military fortress to modern Netflix landmark, it condenses 2300 years of changes in Chongqing.
- Unique terrain experience: 11 floors from the top of the mountain to the riverside, each floor exit is a road, perfectly reflecting the characteristics of the ‘8D magic city’.
- Internationally Friendly: Clear English signs and bilingual services in some shops make it easy for foreign visitors to explore the city.
Practical Advice
- Best Time: Avoid China National Day (1-7 October) and weekend nights, less crowded on weekdays from 18:00-21:00.
- Dressing advice: wear non-slip shoes, there are many stairs and ramps to go up and down; carry mosquito repellent in summer.
- In-depth experience: join the local guided tour (about 2 hours) to learn about the story of the construction of the hammock and the history of the anti-war refuge.
Conclusion.
Hongyadong is not only a landmark of Chongqing, but also a ‘living museum’. During the day, you can listen to the Sichuan Opera in the old teahouse, and at night, the illuminated cliffs look like a fairy tale. Whether you want to capture the stunning night scenery, savour the spicy hot pot, or experience the unique architecture and culture of the mountain city, you can do it all here.
