Chongqing, a sprawling megacity in southern China, is a vertical marvel that defies traditional navigation. Built across steep mountainsides and deep valleys at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, it is a city that can only be understood in three dimensions. The landscape is so dramatic that conventional maps become almost useless. Neighborhoods cling to cliffs, connected by elevated roads far above the ground, while metro lines tunnel through mountains and pass directly through residential skyscrapers.
I first visited Chongqing 10 years ago, after a sudden change in my travel plans left me stranded in Beijing. A photographer friend suggested heading south to Chongqing, describing it as “Hong Kong on steroids.” That was all the convincing I needed. What I found was a city like no other where distances are deceptive and navigating the urban sprawl requires a constant up-and-down journey.
The city’s topography creates a disorienting experience. To reach places that seemed nearby, I found myself taking steep staircases, navigating underground escalators, and crossing walkways that connected lifts to the sides of cliffs. Cable cars zoomed by, offering views of plazas perched high above the ground, where what appeared to be the street level was, in fact, the roof of an office building. The city felt like a real-life version of a game of snakes and ladders, with every turn offering new challenges and surprises.
Chongqing’s infrastructure, once a bewildering maze, has now become a major tourist attraction, especially for domestic travelers. The city’s verticality is celebrated on social media, with people capturing their surreal daily commutes. A popular spot is Liziba station, where the metro line passes through the eighth story of a residential tower, drawing countless visitors eager to snap a photo for their social media feeds.
The city’s quirks have even inspired viral TikTok videos. Jackson Lu, a photographer and tour guide, has shared his daily commute, which involves navigating 18 stories of stairs to reach the subway, followed by a rollercoaster-like ride through two residential buildings before arriving at his office, which is located on the 22nd floor of a skyscraper. His commute, which loops through dizzying heights and intricate interchanges, has garnered millions of views, offering a glimpse into the extraordinary life in this architectural wonderland.
In Chongqing, the boundaries between the natural landscape and the built environment blur, creating a city that is as thrilling as it is chaotic. Its multi-level madness is a testament to human ingenuity, and for those who embrace its vertigo-inducing beauty, it is a city that continually surprises and delights.
