Is Chongqing a cyberpunk city?

Hi, I’m Alex — part-time photographer, full-time wanderer, and a sucker for cities that blur the line between science fiction and reality.

If you're reading this, you've probably seen those jaw-dropping photos floating around Instagram or Reddit: purple fog blanketing skyscrapers, glowing red bridges slicing through midnight mist, LED-lit trains flying through concrete jungles. And the hashtags are always the same: #Cyberpunk.
And the location?
Chongqing, China.

So, is it real? Is Chongqing actually a cyberpunk city — or is it just social media smoke and mirrors?

I spent five days exploring Chongqing top to bottom, and let me tell you: it’s not just real — it’s way more intense in person.

Let’s break it down.

First Impressions: Like Walking Into a Sci-Fi Movie

When my high-speed train pulled into Chongqing West Station, I didn’t know what to expect. But as I took the escalator down into the city’s underbelly, it hit me.

This wasn’t a normal city.

It’s built into cliffs. Literally. Streets crisscross on different levels, elevators connect neighborhoods, and entire buildings sit halfway into mountainsides. Roads twist around vertical towers. In some places, you’re standing on the 15th floor of one building, and ground level for another.

And at night?

Neon everywhere. Not the cheap, touristy kind — the moody, deep-glow stuff. Orange streetlights, glowing tunnels, violet-lit trains sliding through layers of fog. I didn’t even need filters. My phone camera couldn’t keep up.

If you’ve seen Blade Runner or Ghost in the Shell, you know the vibe. Chongqing doesn’t imitate that — it is that.

What Makes Chongqing So “Cyberpunk”?

Here’s what I think really does it:

1. Vertical Madness

Chongqing isn’t flat. It’s stacked.
You don’t walk down a street — you descend into it. Monorails cut through buildings. Highways spiral between high-rises. There’s one light rail station that literally runs through an apartment block — and yes, it’s real.

2. Lights + Fog

Every night, the city lights up in layers. Think LED billboards, glowing logos on towers, illuminated cable-stayed bridges — all reflected on the Yangtze River below. Add a layer of fog (which is frequent), and boom: cyberpunk atmosphere unlocked.

3. Futuristic Infrastructure

The tech here isn’t just for show. There’s facial recognition in the subway, mobile payments for everything, robot servers in hot pot restaurants, and even holographic ads in shopping malls. The future isn’t coming — it’s already here, just quietly embedded into daily life.

Where to Feel the Cyberpunk Vibe

If you're planning a visit and want the full aesthetic overload, here’s where to go:

• Liziba Station – The famous monorail that passes through an apartment building. Stand nearby at dusk and watch the train light up like a scene from a sci-fi flick.

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• Hongya Cave (Hongyadong) – Crowded, yes, but stunning at night. The architecture blends traditional Chinese with modern neon. Looks like a floating steampunk castle when viewed from across the river.

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• Raffles City Chongqing – Those curved “sky bridge” buildings at the confluence of the rivers? Insanely futuristic. Looks like something designed for Mars colonists.

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• Eling Second Tunnel (鹅岭二厂) – This whole area is a maze of retro signs, multi-level cafes, graffiti, and weird stairways. It feels like Tokyo back alleys had a baby with post-Soviet architecture.

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• Nanbin Road at Night – The skyline from this riverside promenade is pure cyberpunk wallpaper.

But It’s Not All Glamor

I need to be honest here: Chongqing is not polished. And that’s part of the appeal.

You’ll find grime, rust, tangled wires, and moldy staircases just steps from a shiny new shopping mall. It’s the contrast that makes it feel alive. It’s not pretending to be cool — it just is. Locals eat hot pot at plastic tables under glowing signs. There’s noise, movement, chaos — and somehow, it all works.

Is Chongqing Safe for Travelers?

Totally. I walked around late at night, camera in hand, and never felt unsafe. The people are curious, direct, and warm. English isn’t widely spoken, but with a translation app and a smile, you’ll get by. Just be ready for hills. Lots of them.

Final Thoughts: Chongqing Is the Real Deal

So, is Chongqing a cyberpunk city?
Absolutely. But it’s not some curated digital fantasy. It’s a gritty, vibrant, ever-shifting place that happens to look like a sci-fi painting — because that’s just how it grew.

If you’re a photographer, a tech geek, a city explorer, or just someone looking for a place that’ll blow your expectations to pieces — go to Chongqing. Take the stairs, ride the monorail, get lost in the fog. You’ll come back with more than just pictures. You’ll come back with stories.

Pro Tips Before You Go:

• Download Baidu Maps — Google Maps is basically useless here.

• Bring a VPN if you need access to Western apps.

• The weather changes fast — carry a light rain jacket.

• Cash is fine, but WeChat Pay or Alipay is how locals do everything.

• Eat the hot pot — but ask for “less spicy” if you want to survive.

Been to Chongqing? Got a cyberpunk city recommendation? Drop it in the comments — I’m always chasing the next futuristic fix.