The largest city in the world has a whopping population of around 32 million but hardly attracts any tourists. The mega-city spans 31,815 sq miles, making it almost as big as Austria, and acts as a major economic and transportation hub in China.
Chongqing, located in southwestern China, was built on a series of mountains and valleys. The vertically sprawling landscape consists of multi-level infrastructure that gives it a feeling of being a city in three dimensions. It is known for its topography with both tourists and locals reporting getting lost within the complex terrain. Dubbed the “Mountain City”, Chongqing’s geography can lead to scenarios where the “ground floor” is actually the 10th floor which causes GPS confusion.
Some of the city’s streets are layered on top of each other with the only entrance to some buildings coming via a different level. Tourists are often advised to use subways for navigation and should expect to get lost as part of the experience.
Despite its vast landscape and dense population, very few people have heard of the city. Due to its location as a far inland city, it is not on the typical East Coast China tourist circuit and requires a significant journey to reach.
Chongqing is also known for its extreme weather conditions, including very hot and humid temperatures in the summer. Meanwhile, the winters can often be cold and damp.
While local residents are typically friendly to visitors, there is limited English spoken compared to other major cities in China. Visitors have reported issues with communication, emphasising the need to use translation apps.
Ultimately, Chongqing is seen as an industrial city rather than a scenic holiday destination. People who travel to China tend to prefer locations such as Beijing and Hong Kong.
More cars were produced in Chongqing in 2024 than in France and England combined. One in three laptops and one in 10 motorbikes sold worldwide are made in the city.
However, there are sites for tourists to enjoy. The illuminated Hongya Cave is a popular attraction while the city also serves as a starting point for cruises through the Three Gorges region.
There are a number of historic sites in Chongqing, including the ancient Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the old streets of Ciqikou. The city is constantly evolving and shouldn’t be written off as a future tourist location.