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With Trains Passing Through Buildings and Skyscrapers That Serve as Public Squares, the Chinese Metropolis Has Become a Viral Phenomenon and a Must-Visit Tourist Destination.
Spread across a mountainous region in southwestern China, Chongqing defies urban logic. Its rugged geography has forced vertical growth, creating a landscape so surreal that it earned the nickname “8D City”. For travelers and locals, the experience is unique, blending the chaos of labyrinthine streets with the wonder of futuristic architecture. This is the “Cyberpunk City” in China, a place that visitors say looks like a window into the future.
What is the “8D City”? Understand the Vertical Metropolis of China
Chongqing had no choice but to grow upwards. With a total area the size of Austria and no access to the sea, the metropolis adapted to the mountains. The result is a vertical urbanism where the impossible becomes a practical solution.
In this city, a train can run through the middle of a residential building. Streets, subway stations, buildings, and squares are stacked on top of each other. Thus, it is common for the same building to have entrances on different floors, like the 1st, 12th, or even the 20th floor, depending on the access street. Getting lost in this scenario is a fundamental part of the experience of getting to know Chongqing.
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From Social Media to the World: The Boom of Tourism in Chongqing
The fame of Chongqing exploded globally, fueled by social media. Viral videos, such as one of a building whose “ground floor” is the 12th floor, reached millions of views. Since China reopened its borders, tourism in the city has skyrocketed.
In 2024, Chongqing welcomed approximately 1.3 million international tourists, a 184% increase compared to the previous year. Local travel agencies report a 20% to 30% growth in demand from foreigners. Americans top the list of visitors, even with only one direct flight per week from the US. To meet the demand, agencies now offer tours in various languages, such as English, Spanish, and Korean.
The facilitation of visas by the Chinese government has also boosted numbers. With exemptions for citizens from countries like France, Germany, and Spain, the arrival of tourists through these policies grew 245% in the first two months of 2025.
A Cyberpunk Dream: Architecture, Neon, and a Sci-Fi Landscape
Many compare Chongqing’s architecture to the “cyberpunk” style, a subgenre of science fiction about futuristic societies. According to Matthew Blair, an American who has lived in the city for 15 years, “the concrete, the rugged terrain, and the industrial design make it look like a futuristic movie set”.
At night, the city transforms. A lighting project planned by the government since 2019 covers facades and tourist spots with neon lights. Drone and light shows complete the landscape, turning the city into a “true cyberpunk dream”. Landmarks such as the Liziba Monorail Station, which passes through a building, and the Kui Xing Building, with a terrace that functions as a public square, are practical examples of this unique architecture.
Beyond Architecture: Food, History, and a Future Under Construction
The experience in Chongqing goes beyond its landscape. The city is the fifth largest economy in China and has a rich history. During World War II, it was the country’s provisional capital, and today, old air raid shelters have been transformed into hot pot restaurants.
Culinary is another strong point. Street food, skewers, and hot pot restaurants open until dawn offer an immersion into local culture, described as “intense” and “full of life”. The government is also investing heavily in the future, with projects like the inauguration, in June 2025, of a new high-speed train station measuring 1.22 million square meters.
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