China's astonishing 'cyberpunk urban landscape,' multidimensional in nature
Chongqing's Tourism Surges Post-Pandemic
Chongqing, a sprawling metropolis nestled in the mountainous region of southwestern China, has witnessed a significant resurgence in tourism since the country reopened following the pandemic. This revival is evident in the city's growing popularity among foreign tourists, particularly Americans, who have seen a notable increase in visits.
Tour groups, such as the one led by Chongqing native Zhao Wenjing, are exploring the city's unique attractions, including the hillside outdoor escalator, a 20-story overpass, and the "Kui Xing Building." The city's nightscape, which has been developing for about 30 years and has picked up in recent years, is a particular draw for visitors.
Chongqing's food scene is another major draw for tourists. The city is renowned for its spicy and delicious street food, late-night BBQ, and 2 a.m. hotpot restaurants. However, one of the most striking features of the city is its architectural landscape, which is characterized by buildings with trains running through the middle and urban functions organized by height and stacked together.
The city's unique multidimensional layout is a necessity due to its challenging geography. In fact, Chongqing is often referred to as China's "8D city." An iconic example of this can be seen at the Liziba Monorail Station, which passes through buildings. Despite this unique feature, residents are not disturbed by the monorail.
Chongqing's tourism industry has benefited from the city's efforts to develop low-altitude tourism products, such as drone shows and helicopter sightseeing. In the first half of 2025, Chongqing's border checkpoints handled more than 1.14 million inbound and outbound travelers, a 35% year-on-year increase, and over 330,000 foreign nationals — a new record for the city. The "low-altitude economy" recorded major activity in H1 2025, with 190,000 flight hours and 1.16 million flights overall for low-altitude operations.
The city's broader transport modernization, including the expansion of parking and the rapid adoption of new energy vehicles, is also supporting urban mobility for residents and visitors. In 2024, Chongqing welcomed about 1.3 million inbound tourists, representing a year-on-year increase of 184%. Li Tian, a manager at a local travel agency, reports a 20 to 30% increase in foreign visitors.
Despite the strong growth in tourism, there are still gaps in the available data. For example, the precise split of total tourist arrivals (domestic overnight visitors vs international tourist nights) for 2024–2025 is not provided in the cited sources. To fully understand the tourism trends in Chongqing, more comprehensive data is needed.
In conclusion, Chongqing's tourism industry is experiencing a strong recovery and growth, with rising domestic tourism, expanding low-altitude tourism products, and a sharp rebound in inbound/outbound traveler numbers in H1 2025 compared with 2024. The city's unique architecture, delicious food, and growing low-altitude tourism products make it an attractive destination for tourists from around the world.
Sources:
- Chongqing Municipal Tourism Bureau's 2024 statistical report
- Chongqing's low-altitude tourism data
- Chongqing's transport modernization data
- Chongqing's regional demand data
In the revitalized tourism sector of Chongqing, travelers from overseas are increasingly drawn to the city's distinctive lifestyle, marked by its spicy street food, vibrant nightscape, and unique architectural landmarks. Curious tourists, led by local guides like Zhao Wenjing, are also exploring innovative low-altitude tourism products, such as drone shows and helicopter sightseeing.
As Chongqing's popularity among international tourists grows, it solidifies its status as an appealing destination for those seeking an extraordinary travel experience, immersed in a lifestyle that seamlessly blends old-world charm with modern innovation.
