When visiting Chongqing, most people think of Hongyadong, the Yangtze River Cableway, Jiefangbei, and other popular attractions. There are also many niche but fun places in Chongqing. What are they? Let’s take a look!
1、Kai Xuan Road
Kai Xuan Road Elevator
China’s first urban passenger elevator
More than 30 years ago, a major event occurred on Kai Xuan Road that shook the city.
To solve the problem of citizens climbing up and down hills, China’s first urban passenger elevator was built here – the Kai Xuan Road Elevator, which is also the oldest elevator still in use in Chongqing today.
Naturally, the Kai Xuan Road Elevator became a landmark of Chongqing. An image of the elevator was even printed on matchboxes made in Chongqing, reflecting the pride of the entire city.
Back then, when people mentioned Kai Xuan Road and the Kai Xuan Road Elevator, they couldn’t help but marvel.
Although time flies, and as Chongqing has developed new and trendy buildings, the Kai Xuan Road Elevator has gradually faded from public view.
However, its legendary peak record of carrying 14,000 passengers per day silently accompanies this city.
2、Yun Ti Street
Dry Arch Bridge
One of the top ten legendary steps in Chongqing
Speaking of the Kai Xuan Road Elevator, one cannot fail to mention Yun Ti Street, located next to the elevator, which is known as one of the “top ten legendary steps in Chongqing” by netizens, and also the first dry arch bridge in Chongqing’s main urban area.
Yun Ti Street is a typical Chongqing step. Before the Kai Xuan Road Elevator was built, citizens mainly used this street to get around.
Nowadays, it has become one of the most popular places for tourists to experience the real Chongqing steps. You won’t be able to climb up without breaking a sweat. Lazy people like me prefer taking the elevator.
After climbing to the top of Yun Ti Street, you need to pass through a gate. Once through the gate, you can reach Jiaochangkou and Jiefangbei.
The gate is very tall. Many tourists from other cities, and even locals from Chongqing, mistakenly think it’s a city gate. In fact, it’s a dry arch bridge on Kai Xuan Road. Visiting here today feels like stepping back in time.
3、Dong Hua Guan
The oldest wooden building in Chongqing’s main urban area
A few hundred meters away from the Kai Xuan Road Elevator, at the corner of today’s Kai Xuan Road, there is another “most” Chongqing attraction: the newly renovated Dong Hua Guan Sutra Library.
The Dong Hua Guan Sutra Library, also known as Yuquan Dian and Huangjing Lou, was part of the Dong Hua Guan built during the Yuan Dynasty during the reign of Emperor Kublai Khan. It has a history of 700 years, and was rebuilt in the Ming and Qing Dynasties after experiencing war. It is the oldest wooden building in the main urban area.
It was once a place of great brilliance, covering an area of about 1,000 square meters. There were once more than 1,000 Taoist priests and lay Buddhists who came here to offer incense and stay overnight. Many tourists come here specifically to take photos and leave a memory.
4、Bai Xiang Street
The former “Wall Street of the Orient”
Walk down Kai Xuan Road, pass the Kai Xuan Road Elevator, and continue walking for about 10 minutes, you will reach Bai Xiang Street.
In the past, Bai Xiang Street was once a prosperous place, like Wall Street in New York. It was the pride of the mountain city.
It was also the first place in Chongqing where electricity was lit. Many buildings on Bai Xiang Street incorporate Western architectural features, with a strong Baroque style.
Today, Bai Xiang Street has shed its former glory, but it has its own charm.
The mottled walls, the ancient bricks, are like a timeless ink painting. The retro streets seem to take you back in time, silently telling you stories of the past…
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