Hongya Cave Chongqing Guide: Tickets, Floor & Night View Guide

Hongya Cave is a must-visit when traveling to Chongqing. The entire multi-level complex showcases the city's signature "mountain city" vibe, and it truly shines at night as a prime spot for dazzling skyline views—so it's no surprise travelers flock here! Want to learn more about Hongya Cave—highlights, local eats, and transportation tips? Keep reading with Trip.com!

Hongya Cave｜Introduction

Hongya Cave sits along the Jialing River in Chongqing's Yuzhong District. It's a wildly popular spot that blends folk culture, great food, and photo-worthy sightseeing, and it doesn't even require a ticket! The entire complex has 11 floors, built into the cliffside, and is designated a national 4A-rated scenic area in China. Here you can admire traditional stilt-house architecture, shop, savor local eats, and soak up the night views all in one go. The atmosphere is especially magical once the lights come on. You can also hop on a boat right next door to admire the confluence of the two rivers. On top of that, Hongya Cave is one of the "Bayu Twelve Scenes," steeped in the nostalgic flavor of Old Chongqing that makes you fall in love after just one stroll.

Hongya Cave｜Lighting Hours

The night views at Hongya Cave are legendary. Get there around sunset to stake out a spot and watch the lights come on one by one—it's incredibly romantic! In summer, the lights usually turn on around 18:00-18:30, though this changes with the seasons, and they typically switch off between 22:00-23:00. For the dreamiest night shots, arrive early, grab a bite on the food street, then head up to the 11th floor once the sky gets dark to capture the scene—an all-around perfect plan.

Hongya Cave｜Floor Guide

11th Floor｜Observation Deck, Entrance

• Hongya Cave Main Entrance (near the Jiefangbei side)
• Panoramic views of the Jialing River
• Giant bronze statue, Instagrammable hot spot

10th Floor｜Global-Inspired Handicrafts District

• A variety of handicrafts inspired by South American, Middle Eastern, and Southeast Asian styles
• Exotic Masks, Accessories, and Souvenirs Shopping Area

9th Floor｜International-Themed Street Extension

• Combined with the extended space on the 10th floor
• Small themed shops and exotic dining spots

8th Floor｜Hongya Cave Grand Hotel Guest Room Area

• Selected hotel rooms and amenities

7th Floor｜Hongya Cave Grand Hotel Reception Area

• Hotel lobby and front desk
• Guest Check-in & Information Area

6th Floor｜Cultural Theme Exhibition Area：Bayu's Twelve Scenic Views

• Immersive Light-and-Shadow Projection Exhibit
• Bringing Old Chongqing's sights and folk traditions back to life
• Photo and Family Interactive Experience Space

5th Floor｜Bar Street＋Reunion 1980 Retro Street

• Chongqing's nightlife hotspot, lined with bars
• Nostalgic street scenes, vintage items, vinyl records, and more

4th Floor｜Feast Food Court (the liveliest floor)

• A hotspot for Chongqing hot pot, skewers, and local street eats
• From big-name chains to authentic mom-and-pop joints—you name it, it's all here

3rd Floor｜Bayu Cultural Street Upper Level

• Folk handicrafts, teahouses, and Chinese herbal medicine shops
• Old-world street scenes and stilt-house elements

2nd Floor｜Bayu Cultural Street Mid-Level Area

• Traditional street food stalls and street performance area
• Leisurely Stroll and Photo Area

1st Floor｜Hongya Dripping Green Waterfall＋Scenic Area Exit

• "Hongya Dripping Emerald" natural waterfall scenery
• You can enter from behind the cliffside cave to snap photos and get up close to the waterfall
• Jialing River Waterfront Views＋Transit Shuttle Exit Area

Hongya Cave｜Highlights You Can't Miss

Stilt House Architectural Complex

The most iconic visual symbol of Hongya Cave is this cluster of stilt houses built into the hillside! The entire complex stretches from the banks of the Jialing River up the mountain, and from below it looks like layers upon layers of old-world castles. These stilted houses were originally a traditional residential design suited to Chongqing's mountain-city terrain; to adapt to the dramatic changes in elevation, wooden structures were "hung" along the hillside. Today they've become a hallmark of the cityscape. Especially at night, when the warm amber lights flick on, the whole stretch of stilt houses reflects a dazzling play of light and shadow on the surface of the Jialing River. It's dreamy with a vintage vibe, the kind of scene that instantly drops you into a "Studio Ghibli world."

Emerald Drips at Hongya

The name itself sounds poetic: "Hongya Dicui" is actually an old place name for the area where Hongya Cave stands, conjuring images of lush cliff faces and murmuring streams. Even today, parts of Hongya Cave still preserve this natural charm: behind the stilted houses you can see greenery-draped cliffs, and some walls even feature old-style waterfall designs. With moss, the sound of running water, and stone-paved paths, wandering here feels a bit like slipping through time. It’s quieter than the bustling commercial streets, making it perfect for snapping photos or taking a peaceful stroll to experience the original mountain-city character of Chongqing.

City Balcony International Street

On the upper floors of Hongya Cave, there's a breathtaking urban terrace where you can look out over the Jialing River, the Chongqing Bridge, and the high-rise skyline across the river. It's an incredible vantage point! By day, you can clearly see boats gliding back and forth on the water, and at night the shimmering lights make it even more romantic. Right next to the terrace, they've designed an entire "Exotic-Themed Street" that blends architectural and decorative elements from European, Middle Eastern, and even Moroccan styles. Along the street, you'll find European-style outdoor cafes, colorful archways, and exotic lighting, creating a strong sense of international flair.

Image courtesy of user E.CCL

Bayu Folk Culture Street

If you want to experience Chongqing's rich local culture, you absolutely have to visit Bayu Folk-Style Street! This street preserves the traditional Bayu architectural style, with charming old buildings on both sides: blue-brick walls, dark-tiled roofs, and wooden windows and doors. Along the street you'll often spot Sichuan opera masks, dragon-pattern carvings, and vintage red lanterns, and strolling here gives you that unmistakable "Old Chongqing" vibe. It's not just a visual throwback; there are plenty of handmade craft shops too, from face-changing figurines and paper-cut art to shadow puppetry and little bamboo-woven trinkets, so you can wander and pick up culture-rich souvenirs as you go.

Grand Feast Food Street

Food lovers visiting Hongya Cave should make a beeline for Shengyan Food Street! It practically rounds up all of Chongqing’s signature snacks—like spicy-and-tangy glass noodles, pork intestine noodles, mouth-numbing grilled fish, beef-tallow hot pot skewers, mahua (twisted fried dough), douhua (tofu pudding), fried glutinous rice cakes, and more—with every stall bursting with aroma and packing serious heat. Designed with a nostalgic flair, the food street blends traditional market elements with modern dining, letting you savor the old flavors of Chongqing as you eat. The layout doesn’t feel cramped, and there are plenty of seats, making it perfect for snacking as you wander or finding a spot to sit and take your time.

Image courtesy of user MerciM

Hongya Cave｜Transportation

By Subway

Metro Line 2｜Linjiangmen Station (Recommended): From Exit 1, walk about 5 minutes

Metro Line 6｜Xiaoshizi Station: From Exit 5, about an 8-minute walk

Metro Line 1｜Jiaochangkou Station: Take Exit 6, then walk about 10 minutes (you can also swing by Jiefangbei)

By Bus

You can take bus routes 111, 151, 181, 215, 262, or 466, get off at Xiaoshizi Station or Linjiangmen Station, and it's a short walk from there

By Taxi

Just plug "Hongya Cave" or "Hongya Cave Viewing Platform" into your GPS, but be aware that traffic can be heavy during peak hours; it's best to get dropped off and walk the rest of the way.

Hongya Cave｜Food

If you want to eat your fill and eat well at Hongyadong, the Feast Food Street on the 4th floor is a must, with hot pot, home-style dishes, and international flavors all in one place! For a few nearby crowd favorites, try "Wuyi Hotpot (Daijia Alley Branch)," known for its crisp, tender beef tripe. It’s only 20 meters from Hongyadong, and the average spend is under 70 RMB (AUD 14) per person—a steal! There’s also "Hua Siniang Chicken Soup," where the chicken-soup rice noodles are clean, tasty, and not greasy, at just 25 RMB (AUD 5) per person. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, the "Old Street Glutinous Rice Balls" combo of soybean flour + crispy youtiao is a delightful surprise—every bite is full of layers.

Hongya Cave｜Where to Stay in Chongqing