China’s City in the Clouds
By Kelli Luu | 29 Oct, 2025

Chongqing — "Mountain City" built on steep hills above the Yangtze River — is home to 32 million.

Welcome to Chongqing, China — a breathtaking city that is practically off the radar for international travelers, but home to 32 million citizens. Chongqing is built on steep hills and is surrounded by rivers, making it one of the most underrated cities in China. 

It’s known as “the mountain city” because it is stacked vertically with bridges on top of one another and highways that spiral around cliffs. Being so high up, some of the streets twist into the clouds and you could be on the 20th floor, but it’ll look like you’re still on ground level. Some buildings begin on the 1st floor and when you walk out, you’ll be exiting on the 9th. Every corner is stunning and the skyline glows at night with its reflection hitting the Yangtze River. 

Beyond the futuristic neon skyscrapers, there’s energy that still feels soulful. There are hundreds of stops at Chongqing nightmarkets where you can find hotpot stalls, mahjong games taking place, and other traditional Chinese food vendors. 

Hongya Cave is one of the city’s most popular spots. The 11-story complex sits on a steep hill, creating an unreal sight, especially at night when the glowing red lanterns light up and you can see all the food stalls stacked vertically, just like the city. 

In Raffles City, a glass skybridge links clusters of towers — a perfect sighting for anyone into panoramic views or you could ride the Yangtze River Cable Car that glides above water and enjoy sightseeing in the clouds. 

For something really unique, check out Line 2 of the Chongqing Metro, public transportation that runs through residential buildings. It is a great example of how effortlessly the city combines architecture and everyday life. 

Chongqing lies in a beautiful balance of chaos and calm. It has both tradition and technology being a city that had to build itself upward. It’s full of mountains and rivers, but also electrifying buildings and architecture. 

So while most travelers are visiting Shanghai’s skyline or the Great Wall in Beijing, the magic of Chongqing offers a true glimpse of China and it’s a hidden gem just waiting to leave your jaw dropped.