Chongqing is turning riverfronts, backstreets, rooftops and former air-raid shelters into new night-time destinations as the municipality in southwest China seeks to boost evening consumption and extend the appeal of its tourism economy.
A drone light show illuminates the night sky over Chongqing, China, August 30, 2025. (Photos: VCG)
Drawing on its dramatic mountain terrain, riverside scenery and distinctive urban culture, the city is developing what local authorities describe as a three-dimensional network of consumption spaces built around rivers, cliffs, streets, caves and elevated sites. Improved transport links between the city center and scenic areas, as well as between major attractions, are intended to make it easier for visitors to move from one venue to another after dark.
The approach is already reshaping Chongqing's night-time landscape. Historic lanes have become leisure districts, while former air-raid shelters are now house tea bars, bookshops and hotpot restaurants. High-altitude attractions, including a swing suspended 250 meters above the ground, add another draw for visitors seeking night views and entertainment.
Customers wait for their orders on a street lined with eateries serving local specialties, Chongqing, China, June 1, 2026.
In recent years, Chongqing has developed nearly 100 new consumer projects combining culture, tourism, retail, dining and urban commercial complexes. Many are designed to keep visitors spending later into the evening by linking sightseeing with food, shopping and leisure.
The city's consumer market has remained stable while becoming more diversified this year, according to an official with the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce. In the first quarter of 2026, value added in wholesale and retail rose 5.3% year on year, while accommodation and catering grew 5.5%. Sales of smart products increased rapidly, and service consumption also gained momentum.