Chongqing: The Real-Life Sci-Fi City Built on Mountains
- MASX
- Feb 9
- 3 min read
At first glance, Chongqing doesn’t look real.
Highways float above neighborhoods.Trains disappear into apartment buildings.Skyscrapers rise straight out of steep hills.And at night, the entire city glows like a neon maze.
But this isn’t a movie set or a video game map.This is daily life in Chongqing, one of China’s largest and most fascinating cities — and the reason it keeps going viral online.
A City That Defies Flat Ground
Chongqing sits at the meeting point of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, surrounded by rugged mountains and deep valleys. Unlike most cities that expand outward, Chongqing had to grow up, down, and on top of itself.
The result is a city built in layers.
What looks like a street-level road might actually be the fifth floor of a building. A bridge might connect two hills at the height of a skyscraper. And an entrance labeled “ground floor” could open onto completely different elevations depending on which side you enter.
This vertical complexity is what gives Chongqing its mind-bending reputation.
Yes, Trains Really Go Through Buildings
One of Chongqing’s most famous sights is the Liziba Monorail Station, where a train passes directly through a residential building.
It’s not a glitch. It’s not a trick. It’s intentional urban design.
The building was constructed around the railway, with soundproofing and structural planning to make it livable. Residents are so used to it that the passing train barely gets a second glance — even though millions of visitors stop to film it every year.
Roads Above Roads Above Roads
Because of the mountainous terrain, Chongqing’s infrastructure stacks vertically:
Elevated highways cross above neighborhoods
Ramps spiral through buildings
Bridges connect hilltops instead of riverbanks
Navigation apps can feel confusing here because horizontal distance matters less than vertical movement. Locals casually talk about places being “up five floors” or “down three roads,” even when they’re technically in the same building.
It’s chaotic at first — and fascinating once it clicks.
When Night Falls, Chongqing Transforms
Daytime Chongqing is impressive. Nighttime Chongqing is unforgettable.
As the sun sets, the city lights up layer by layer:
Neon signs glow against cliff faces
Roads trace bright lines through the hills
Towers shimmer above rivers
This is why Chongqing is often compared to cyberpunk worlds and sci-fi films. The skyline doesn’t spread — it climbs.
The best views come from river cruises, hilltop lookouts, and elevated walkways where the city feels endless and alive.
Why Chongqing Keeps Going Viral
Chongqing goes viral because it challenges how people imagine cities should work.
It looks impossible — yet it functions smoothly for over 30 million residents. What feels surreal to visitors is simply normal life for locals commuting, shopping, and going home.
The contrast between chaos and efficiency is what captures attention — and keeps people watching.
Things Visitors Should Know Before Going
Chongqing is rewarding to visit, but a little preparation helps:
Be ready for stairs and elevation changes
Comfortable walking shoes are essential
Metro and monorail systems are your best friends
Translation apps make exploring much easier
And yes — getting lost is part of the experience here.
More Than Just a Viral City
Beyond its visuals, Chongqing is famous for:
Riverfront nightlife
Historic hillside neighborhoods
A deep connection to southwestern Chinese culture