If Blade Runner were filmed in real life, it would be in Chongqing. This “8D” megacity is a dizzying mix of neon-lit skyscrapers, misty riverbanks, and ancient stilt houses stacked like Tetris blocks.

For photographers, Chongqing is both a dream and a puzzle. Because of its vertical terrain, the best shot might be from a balcony on the 22nd floor or a hidden alleyway that doesn’t appear on Western maps. Here are the 15 best spots to capture Chongqing’s cyberpunk soul.

The Viral Classics

1. Hongyadong (The “Spirited Away” Landmark)

• Best Time: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM (when the lights are fully on).
• The Shot: The glowing 11-story stilt house complex against the dark river.
• Amap Address: Hongyadong (洪崖洞), Yuzhong District.

2. Qiansimen Bridge (The Panoramic View)

• The Shot: “Directly across the river from Hongyadong, as the night lights flicker on, the stilt houses and the modern skyscrapers behind them shimmer in radiant harmony.
• Address: The riverside park on the left, under the Qiansimen Bridge.

3. Liziba Monorail (The Train Through the Building)

• Best Time: Mid-morning for clear light.
• Amap Address: Liziba Station (李子坝站), Yuzhong District.
• Pro Secret: Don’t just stay at the tourist platform at the bottom. Head to Lansheng Pavilion (揽胜亭) in Xindu Alley for a higher, less crowded angle of the train entering the 6th floor.

Hidden 8D Architecture

4. Haitangxi Tube Building (The 8D Abyss)

• Best Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (when low sun filters through the center).
• The Shot: Stand at the bottom of this circular, hollowed-out residential building and shoot straight up for a “frame-within-a-frame” effect.
• Amap Address: Haitangxi Tube Building (海棠溪筒子楼), Nan’an District.

5. Kuixing Building (The Gravity Defier)

• The Shot: The skybridge connecting two buildings where the “ground” is 22 floors high. It perfectly captures the city’s layered confusion.
• Amap Address: Kuixing Building (魁星楼), Yuzhong District.

6. Chaodong Road 55 (Old vs. New)

• Best Time: 10:00 AM.
• The Shot: A classic “compression” shot showing old, weathered stone houses in the foreground with the futuristic Raffles City towers looming directly behind them.
• Amap Address: Chaodong Road 55 (朝东路 55 号).

Dystopian Neon & Night Vibes

7. Deyi World (Real-Life Blade Runner)

Amap Address: Deyi World (得意世界), Yuzhong District.

The Shot: A buzzing commercial area packed with LED-covered façades, neon bars, and narrow alleys that look like a sci-fi movie set.

8. Luohan Temple (Ancient vs. Neon)

• The Shot: A 1,000-year-old Buddhist temple surrounded by glass skyscrapers. The contrast between golden eaves and modern neon is stunning at dusk.
• Amap Address: Luohan Temple (罗汉寺), Yuzhong District.

9. Dongshuimen Bridge (The Cable Car Shot)

• The Shot: A shot of the Yangtze River Cableway spanning the water with the Twin Towers as a backdrop.
• Amap Address: Dongshuimen Yangtze River Bridge (东水门长江大桥).

10. Nanshan One Tree (The Ultimate Panorama)

• Best Time: Arrive 1 hour before sunset to see the transition from day to night.
• The Shot: A 180-degree view of the entire Yuzhong peninsula glowing between two rivers.
• Amap Address: Nanshan One Tree Observation Deck (南山一棵树).

Urban Decay & Artistic Soul

11. Testbed 2 (Industrial Chic)

• The Shot: Graffiti-covered factory walls, neon signs, and peeling paint. It’s the “Berlin” side of Chongqing.
• Amap Address: Eling Testbed 2 (鹅岭二厂).

12. Daijia Alley (The Cliffside Zigzag)

• The Shot: Zigzagging staircases built into the cliff that frame perfect shots of the bridges and river.

13. 18 Steps / Shibati (Traditional Neon)

• The Shot: A restored historic neighborhood with steep stone steps and warm lanterns, offering a nostalgic look at “Old Chongqing” amid the modern city.
• Amap Address: Shibati (十八梯), Yuzhong District.

14.Chongqing Cloud Eye Observation Deck 

• The Shot: Under a vast sky by day and a canopy of stars by night, with the city lights or endless buildings beneath your feet, you’ll feel like a ‘Skywalker’ in this City in the Sky.
• Amap Address:United International Building, Yuzhong District, Chongqing (重庆市渝中区联合国际大厦)

15.Jiefangbei Monument

• The Shot: Chongqing’s most classic landmark building.
• Amap Address: Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, Yuzhong District.

Pro Photography Tips for Chongqing

• Embrace the Fog: Don’t wait for blue skies. The mist (Fog City) is what gives Chongqing its moody, cinematic character.
• Gear: A wide-angle lens (16-35mm) is essential for the tight vertical spaces. A tripod is a must for night shots.
• Navigation: Since Google Maps often fails here, copy-paste the Chinese names into Amap (Gaode Maps) for pinpoint accuracy.

If you want a deeper look at what Chongqing offers culturally and historically, our 2026 Chongqing Travel Guide provides a complete overview of the city’s main sights and experiences.