Hongya Cave (洪崖洞) is a vibrant and newly developed cultural area in Chongqing, combining entertainment, leisure, sightseeing, and dining. It has quickly become one of the hottest, most fashionable, and charming urban relaxation spots in the city.
The area is divided into four main streets: Paper Salt River Bar Street, Tiancheng Lane Bayu Style Street, Feast Food Street, and Exotic Style City Terrace. Each of these streets incorporates the latest fashion trends, showcasing a mix of traditional and modern elements.
The addition of globally renowned bars, including the American chain Pirate Bar, not only sets the tone for a new lifestyle in Chongqing but also elevates the city’s nightlife to new heights. Visitors can enjoy the unique atmosphere, diverse culinary options, and lively entertainment, making Hongya Cave a must-visit destination in Chongqing.
Travel Information about Hongya Cave
Ticket and Opening Hours
Tickets: Free, but reservations are required for ticket pickup.
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM; the lighting of Hongya Cave begins around 6:00 PM and lasts until 11:00 PM.
Access to the Scenic Area
Location: Situated on Cangbai Road in Yuzhong District, Chongqing, at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers.
Transportation: You can reach Hongya Cave by taking Metro Line 2 to Linjiangmen Station or by taking buses 151, 181, 262, 466, or 0491 (night service) to Hongya Cave Station.
Scenic Area Rating
- Leisure: ★★★★★
- Characteristics: ★★★★★
- Culture: ★★★★
- Beauty: ★★★
- Romance: ★★
- Excitement: ★
Highlights of Hongya Cave
Layout of Hongya Cave
Perched on the banks of the Jialing River in Chongqing, Hongya Cave stands as a towering structure resembling a giant pagoda, reaching a height of 75 meters. The building narrows from a broad base to a slender top, encompassing an area of approximately 60,000 square meters. It is the largest stilted building complex in China, modeled after the stilted buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties in Chongqing.
The design of Hongya Cave utilizes the natural topography, featuring multiple levels that create terraces and suspended platforms, showcasing the distinctive characteristics of Bayu-style architecture.
Exotic Style Urban Balcony
The Exotic Style Urban Balcony serves as the largest urban transportation hub in Chongqing, drawing significant attention from visitors. The architecture here resembles the whimsical style found in Hayao Miyazaki’s anime film “Spirited Away,” creating a fairy-tale atmosphere as one strolls through the area.
The parking area at Hongya Cave can accommodate 30 to 40 vehicles at once, making it convenient for tourists visiting the nearby Liberation Monument or exploring the attractions within Hongya Cave. Visitors can easily access different levels of Hongya Cave or ascend to the Liberation Monument via escalators or scenic elevators, enhancing the overall experience of the area.
Zhi Yan River Bar Street
Zhi Yan River Bar Street offers a diverse array of bars, making it a true paradise for young people in Chongqing and a trendsetter for the city’s nightlife. Standing by the riverside, you can enjoy the shimmering neon lights of the Qiansimen Bridge in the distance, along with the occasional silhouette of a passing boat on the river. The enchanting night scenery is sure to captivate and leave you wanting to stay longer.
Feast Food City
Located on the 5th to 8th floors of Hongya Cave, Feast Food City is a culinary paradise where you can indulge your taste buds. This “alternative food city” showcases a vibrant array of both local and international delicacies, bringing together renowned restaurants from various cultures. The spicy and unique flavors of the mountainous region will entice you, making it hard to resist. Here, you can savor local specialties like the tangy and refreshing sour and spicy noodles, as well as the mouthwatering spicy hot pot, alongside a variety of snacks from across the country.
Tiancheng Lane Bayu Style Street
Tiancheng Lane Bayu Style Street showcases a unique fashion trend that differs from the conventional. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant culture of the Bayu region 2,300 years ago, it features classical residences adorned with blue bricks, stone tiles, and red eaves with green tiles, reflecting the architectural style of that era. Visitors can also find traditional handicrafts, highlighting the age-old practice of front shop and rear workshop, where artisanal works are created and displayed, connecting the past with the present.
Visitor Guide for Hongya Cave
Food in Hongya Cave
The food street in Hongya Cave is quite famous. If you’re looking to try the most representative snacks of Chongqing, this is the place to be. While the flavors may not be the absolute best, the variety is certainly unmatched.
Outside, a small street is dedicated to the production and sale of local specialties such as peanut candy, sesame candy, cold noodles, peach slices, spicy nuts, and sticky rice cakes. Inside, you’ll find numerous small stalls creating a lively atmosphere reminiscent of a bustling open-air market, filled with the unique spicy aroma of Chongqing cuisine. The enticing smells and the sounds of vendors calling out will raise your excitement, making you eager to indulge even before you find a seat.
Along the riverside, cafes offer both outdoor and indoor seating. The outdoor areas provide an open view, while the indoor spaces offer a more refined and cozy ambiance, perfect for enjoying a cup of coffee while taking in the stunning surroundings.
Accommodation in Hongya Cave
As a fashionable hotspot in Chongqing, Hongya Cave offers a diverse range of accommodations that cater to the creative and trendy preferences of young travelers. Visitors can choose from luxury hotels to youth hostels and cozy capsule apartments, ensuring everyone finds a place that suits their taste and budget.
Hongya Cave Grand Hotel (洪崖洞大酒店): Located within the scenic area, this hotel is uniquely positioned between the river and the cliff. The lobby is on the 13th floor, with the first floor featuring the scenic area itself, giving it a distinctive charm. The rooms are spacious and well-equipped, conveniently located near popular spots like the Little Swan Hotpot.
Address: 11th Floor, Hongya Cave Scenic Area, 56 Cangbai Road, Yuzhong District.
Artistic Youth Hostel Without Autumn Pants (不穿秋裤的艺术青年旅舍): This hostel is conveniently situated right by the Xiaoshizi Metro Station exit. In front of the hostel is a scenic viewing platform, with Hongya Cave behind, the Yangtze River Cableway to the left, and the famous food street, Shibanti, to the right. It’s an ideal place for those looking to connect with others; the owner often organizes games and provides detailed guides for exploring Chongqing.
Address: 2356 Deyi Building, 19 Park Road, Yuzhong District.
Entertainment in Hongya Cave
Street Performers and Bar Shows: Surrounding Hongya Cave, various street performers entertain passersby every day, showcasing talents from around the world. Their performances are diverse, often reflecting their unique cultural backgrounds. Many of these artists are more focused on their own enjoyment than on tips from the audience, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in their craft. In addition, nearly every bar along the bar street features special performances, where patrons can revel in the vibrant atmosphere.
Hongya Cave Bayu Theater: This is Chongqing’s first high-tech fantasy theater, equipped to accommodate over 800 viewers at once. The stage boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including American-imported full-color laser computers costing 1.8 million yuan each, seven lift platforms, and two rotating stages. It seamlessly integrates sound, light, and visual effects, providing an extraordinary experience. The theater presents artistic productions steeped in the rich cultural heritage of the Bayu region, allowing audiences to feel the heartbeat of Bayu’s history and connect with the spirit and soul of its people, guaranteeing an astonishing and dreamlike artistic experience.