Hongyadong, Chongqing: The illuminated fantasy world of Bayu
In the east of the world, deep in the interior of China, lies the charming city of Chongqing. In the heart of the city lies the fairytale-like Hongyadong（Hongya Cave）. For tourists from all over the world, especially foreigners who are full of curiosity about new things, Hongyadong is definitely a must-see destination.
Hongyadong, located on the bank of Jialing River in Chongqing, is a unique scenic spot that combines the traditional architectural features of Bayu and modern commercial culture. Its unique architectural style is dominated by the traditional footstools of Bayu, which are built on the hillside with layers upon layers, stretching from the riverside to the top of the hill, just like a huge three-dimensional castle. These footstools are staggered, with flying eaves and corners, wooden structures and exquisite carvings, everywhere highlighting the long history and deep cultural heritage of the Bayu region.
When night falls, Hongyadong comes to its most charming moment. The whole building is illuminated by bright lights, and the golden-colored lights come out from the windows and eaves of each floor, reflecting with the sparkling water of the river, forming a beautiful picture. From a distance, Hongyadong looks like the mysterious night city in “A Thousand and One”, full of fantastical colors, making people feel as if they are in a dreamy world. Many foreign tourists are deeply shocked when they see this scene and take out their cameras to record this unforgettable moment.
Walking into Hongyadong, it is as if you have entered a bustling commercial kingdom. There are 11 floors here, and each floor is unique. The bottom floor is the lively Bayu Style Street, the streets are lined with a variety of special food stalls, the air is filled with spicy flavor. Chongqing small noodles, hot and sour noodles, roasted brain flowers, small soup dumplings in the mountain city and other delicacies are all available for tourists to feast on. Walking up the street, you will see various handicraft stores, souvenir stores and specialty restaurants. Here you can buy souvenirs with Chongqing characteristics, such as hot pot base, Sichuan opera face painting, leaf vein bookmarks, etc., to take back to your friends and relatives.
Besides food and shopping, Hongyadong also carries a rich culture of BaYu. On some floors, you can enjoy traditional Sichuan opera performances, with actors’ wonderful face-changing stunts and melodious singing. There are also folk artists demonstrating traditional skills such as sugar painting and paper cutting on site, allowing visitors to experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture up close. In addition, the architecture of Hongyadong is itself a living fossil of the Bayu culture, and by visiting these ancient footstools, foreign tourists can better understand the history and folk customs of Chongqing.
For foreign tourists who like to take photos, Hongyadong is simply a photographer’s paradise. Whether you are shooting the panoramic view of Hongyadong by the river or capturing the unique light and shadow in all corners of the building’s interior, you can take amazing photos. Especially at night, the lights of Hongyadong and the reflections on the river reflect each other, forming a stunning night picture that attracts many photography enthusiasts.
Hongyadong is not only a tourist attraction, but also a cultural symbol and spiritual symbol of the city of Chongqing. It has witnessed the development and changes of Chongqing, and also shows the unique charm of the city to the world. Here, foreign tourists can feel the hospitality of Chongqing people, taste the authentic Chongqing food, and appreciate the profoundness of the Bayu culture.
If you have a chance to come to China and Chongqing, don’t miss Hongyadong, a place full of fantastic colors. I believe it will bring you an unforgettable travel experience and let you have a deeper understanding and feeling of China’s culture and cities.