Hongyadong, originally known as Hongya Gate, was one of the gates of old Chongqing. Located along Cangbai Road near Jiefangbei, at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, it is now a major tourism and leisure destination. Known for its traditional Bayu (Chongqing) architecture and folk character, Hongyadong is a national 4A-rated tourist attraction. The present-day complex was developed in 2006 with an investment of RMB385 million by the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government.

At the heart of Hongyadong is the diaojiaolou, Chongqing’s traditional stilt-house architecture. The complex brings together Bayu folk traditions, historic wharf culture, and the architectural character of mountain settlements. It is a large integrated tourism destination built around leisure and sightseeing, with dining and entertainment at its core and trendy retail as a complement. Visitors can wander among tiers of stilt houses, explore old Mountain City streets, experience Bayu (Chongqing) culture, savor Chongqing hotpot and global local delicacies, look out over the meeting of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, and soak up the vibrant nightlife.

Built directly into the steep hillside, Hongyadong rises in a cluster of stilt houses. While traditional-style architecture can be found across China, the scale and verticality of Hongyadong set it apart. Traditional-style buildings in China are generally limited to five or six stories, but Hongyadong rises dramatically up the cliff in a 13-story cluster of stilt houses. Its design makes full use of the sharp elevation changes of Chongqing’s cliffs, creating a striking example of architecture shaped by mountainous terrain. It has been described within the industry as a “cliffside city of China,” while Chinese and international media have often compared its illuminated nightscape to the fantastical settings seen in the animated film Spirited Away.

Address: 88 Jialing River Binjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing

Getting There:

Bus:

Take bus 111 or Outer Ring Route 112 to Hongyadong Station. Alternatively, take bus 105, 111, or Inner Ring Route 112 to Xiaoshizi Station and walk approximately 400 meters northwest.

Rail Transit:

Take Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2 to Linjiangmen Station and walk approximately 500 meters northeast; or take Line 1 or Line 6 to Xiaoshizi Station and walk from Exit 6 or 9.