Chongqing Hongyadong is the city's absolute showcase and one of the most recognizable places in all of China. This massive architectural complex rises directly on a cliff above the Jialing River, and its multi-level structure resembles the set design from the cult anime "Spirited Away," only in a cyberpunk version. The building consists of eleven stories of traditional Diaojiaolou-style architecture—a type of stilt house characteristic of the Sichuan region—but on a scale that takes your breath away. At night, the entire structure glows with thousands of lights, creating a visual spectacle that attracts millions of tourists every year. Fascinatingly, due to the extreme terrain, the entrance on the lowest level is located on the riverbank, while the top floor connects directly to the street at the top of the cliff - a difference in height of over 70 meters. The interior of the complex houses a maze of souvenir shops, restaurants serving local cuisine, tea rooms, and bars, all decorated in a style that combines tradition with modernity. The best view of Hongyadong can be enjoyed from the opposite bank of the Jialing River, where the entire structure can be seen in all its glory, especially in the evening, before the lights go out around 10 p.m.

Raffles City Chongqing, on the other hand, is a masterpiece of contemporary architecture that redefines the concept of a skyscraper. The complex consists of eight towers, the four tallest of which are connected at a height of 250 meters by a horizontal structure called 'The Crystal' - a 300-meter viewing platform and shopping and entertainment center suspended in the air. Designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie, the project was completed in 2019 and immediately became a symbol of futuristic Chongqing. The complex's location at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, in the historic Chaotianmen district, gives it additional significance - this is where the main water gate to the city has been located for centuries. The Raffles City towers reach heights of 250 to 350 meters, and their glass facades reflect the light of the sun and neon lights, creating a kaleidoscope of colors. The Crystal platform offers not only spectacular views of the city skyline and the confluence of two great rivers, but also luxury shops, restaurants, and exhibition spaces. The architecture of the complex was designed with the extreme climatic conditions of the region in mind - the towers are resistant to earthquakes and typhoons, and their aerodynamic shape minimizes wind resistance. In the evenings, Raffles City transforms into a giant work of light art, as the facades of the buildings are covered with LED choreography synchronized to music. For photographers and architecture enthusiasts, this place offers unlimited possibilities - each time of day presents the complex in a different light, from the golden hues of dawn to the electrifying blue and purple tones of dusk.

The Liziba Viewing Platform is the place that best illustrates why Chongqing is called '8D City'. Here you will find the famous Liziba station, where the monorail line 2 passes directly through the middle of a nine-story residential building. This is not a special effect or a photo montage - it is the reality of everyday life in Chongqing. The building was designed in the 1990s with the future metro route in mind, and trains pass through the sixth and seventh floors of the structure dozens of times a day. Residents say the noise is minimal thanks to advanced sound insulation, and the vibrations are virtually imperceptible. The viewing platform offers a perfect vantage point from which to capture the moment when the silver train emerges from the building like a mechanical dragon. The best photos are taken during the golden hour, between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m., when the sun's rays illuminate the scene at the perfect angle, and at dusk, when the train's headlights blend with the neon glow of the city. This place has become an internet sensation and attracts photographers from all over the world who try to capture this surreal image combining science fiction with everyday life. The area around the viewing platform also offers other attractions - steep streets full of local restaurants where you can try authentic Chongqing hotpot, and viewpoints overlooking the city's multi-level skyline.

Kuixinglou is another example of Chongqing's architectural madness, which makes the city truly multidimensional. This complex is located in the central business district and is a perfect illustration of the city's extreme topography. The Kuixing Plaza building, the main element of the complex, looks completely different depending on the side from which you view it. On one side, its entrance is two floors below street level, while on the opposite side, it is 22 floors above. This seemingly impossible configuration is due to the fact that Chongqing was built on steep hills above the Yangtze River, where height differences within a single block can reach tens of meters. A walk around Kuixinglou is a real spatial adventure—stairs lead up and down, bridges connect buildings at different levels, and what appears to be the ground floor suddenly turns out to be the tenth floor. For tourists, it is a fascinating experience of spatial disorientation that best reflects the unique character of the city. Nearby is Datang Plaza, another spot offering spectacular views of the city's multi-level structure. In the evenings, the Kuixinglou area turns into a sea of neon lights - giant LED screens cover the facades of buildings, displaying advertisements, animations, and light shows that create an atmosphere straight out of the movie 'Blade Runner'. For those who want to fully experience the cyberpunk character of Chongqing, a walk around this area after dark is an absolute must. However, it is worth remembering that most of the illuminations are turned off around 10 p.m., so it is best to plan your visit between sunset and that time.

Ciqikou is an ancient port town in the Shapingba district that offers a completely different view of Chongqing - one from before the technological and architectural revolution. This well-preserved settlement has over a thousand years of history and is a living museum of traditional architecture from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Narrow, cobbled streets winding between wooden buildings with distinctive curved roofs transport visitors to a completely different era. The name Ciqikou means 'Porcelain Port' and refers to the time when the town was the main center of porcelain production and trade in the region. Today, it is a bustling tourist district where traditional crafts are still practiced - you can watch potters at work, buy hand-painted porcelain, and try local delicacies such as 麻花 (mahua - fried braided cakes) or 陈麻花 (chen mahua - sweet pretzels). Tea rooms serve traditional tea in classic teapots, and street artists showcase the art of calligraphy and ink painting. The contrast between the futuristic center of Chongqing and this historic corner is striking and shows how the city can combine extremely different eras and aesthetics. A walk around Ciqikou is also an opportunity to try authentic Chongqing hotpot in one of the many local restaurants - here the flavors are more traditional and the atmosphere more intimate than in the modern parts of the city.

Chongqing Chaotianmen Square is a historic site of great importance to the city, located on a promontory at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers. The name 'Chaotianmen' means 'Gate Facing the Sky' and refers to the time when it was the main entrance to the city through which imperial edicts arrived from Beijing. For centuries, this river port was the most important trading hub in the region, and today it is the starting point for cruises on the Yangtze, including the famous Three Gorges tours. The square offers spectacular views of the confluence of two great rivers - the waters of the Yangtze are brown from sediment, while the Jialing is more greenish, and you can clearly see the line where the two currents meet. It is also an excellent vantage point for Raffles City and the panorama of modern Chongqing. In the evenings, the square becomes a popular meeting place for locals who come here to admire the city's illuminations reflected in the waters of the rivers.

The Three Gorges Museum is a must-see for those who want to understand the history and culture of the region. Located opposite People's Square, the museum presents a rich collection of artifacts documenting the history of Chongqing from prehistoric times to the present day. Particularly fascinating is the exhibition dedicated to the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River and the construction of the controversial Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydrotechnical project in human history. The museum also documents the dramatic history of Chongqing as the temporary capital of China during World War II, when the city was heavily bombed by the Japanese air force. The collection includes ancient sculptures, ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, and reconstructions of traditional houses and streets of old Chongqing. Admission to the museum is free, which makes it even more attractive to tourists.

Huguang Assembly Hall is a magnificent example of traditional Chinese religious and secular architecture from the 18th century. The complex was built by immigrants from Hunan and Hubei provinces (hence the name Huguang, the historical name of the region) as a meeting place and cultural center for their community. The buildings, with their distinctive red columns, richly decorated roofs, and elaborate wood carvings, are well preserved and offer a glimpse into the architecture of the Qing dynasty. The courtyards of the complex often serve as a stage for Sichuan opera performances, a local form of opera known for its acrobatic feats and rapid mask changes. This place combines the functions of a museum, a cultural center, and a living theater, where tradition is not only presented but actively practiced. The contrast between this tranquil, historic place and the futuristic city that surrounds it perfectly illustrates the multi-layered nature of Chongqing—a city that treats its thousand-year history and its cyberpunk future with equal respect.