Have you ever waited for an elevator for a full 40 minutes?
It’s not a subway station during rush hour, nor a scenic cable car on holidays. It’s just the elevator hall of an ordinary (well, not at all ordinary) building.
When I first visited Chongqing’s Hongding International Building, I arrived 20 minutes early. I thought: That’s enough time—I can even take a break before going up. But when I saw the two long, dark lines at the elevator doors, my heart sank.
In the end, I was 20 minutes late.
My friend said calmly on the phone: “It’s okay, it’s normal. The biggest feature of Hongding International is waiting for the elevator.”
I didn’t believe it at the time. Later, I realized that waiting for the elevator is just the “appetizer” of this place, known by netizens as Chongqing’s No.1 “Magic Building”.
1. Walking into Hongding International Is Like Stepping into Hong Kong’s Chungking Mansions
A few years ago, I went to Hong Kong and specifically visited the famous Chungking Mansions. It’s a melting pot of people from all walks of life, with a chaotic yet charming vibe. I wondered then: Why is it called “Chungking Mansions” when it’s in Hong Kong?
Unexpectedly, when I returned to Chongqing, I found the exact same feeling in Hongding International.
The same narrow corridors, the same amazing mix of businesses, the same warmth of everyday life. The only difference is that Hongding International is filled with another kind of “magical creature”—merchants—while Chungking Mansions is home to backpackers and businessmen from all over the world.
It has 40 floors and 476 units, more than 400 of which are shops. You read that right: in a residential building, there are more shops than residents. And the types of businesses are incredibly diverse:
Private home-cooked restaurants, Japanese food, Thai food, cafes, afternoon tea, homestays, private cinemas, trendy clothing stores, cosplay studios, mahjong parlors, board game cafes, escape rooms, detective clubs, Hanfu experience halls, JK uniform shops, Lolita stores, massage parlors, art training centers, music classrooms, and even cat cafes, dog cafes…
My friend told me: “You can live in this building for a year without going out and never get bored. Eating, drinking, playing, having fun, learning, and beautifying yourself—everything is covered.”
I said: “What about money?”
He thought for a moment: “You can work part-time while having fun. Many shops here hire part-timers.”
Wow, a complete loop.
2. The “Wonderful Coexistence” of Suits and Pajamas
Because there are both original residents and a large number of young people coming to consume or work, the elevators of Hongding International often present a magical realism scene:
On one side is a well-dressed agent holding a briefcase. On the other side is an aunt wearing fluffy pajamas and slippers, going downstairs to pick up takeout. In the middle, there’s a little girl cosplaying an anime character, whose wig almost gets caught by the elevator door.
Everyone looks natural, and no one finds it strange.
This scene instantly reminded me of Hongding Mansions in Hong Kong—where suited white people pass by South Asian laborers, glance at each other, and go their separate ways.
This is probably what a “vertical village” in a city looks like.
3. The Courtyard Well Is the “Soul” of This Building
If Hongding International only had complex business types, it would at most be a “large commercial complex”. But it has another element that drives photographers and internet celebrities crazy—the courtyard well.
Looking up from the ground floor, the corridors circle around the courtyard well, and light spills down from the top, creating a wonderful sense of depth. Standing in the middle of the courtyard well and looking up, you’ll feel like you’ve fallen into a huge kaleidoscope.
Many young people come specifically to take photos in the courtyard well, and the rate of great shots is extremely high. They call this “industrial cyber style”; I think it means even old buildings can be photographed with a high-end feel.
I leaned on the railing and looked down. On the lower floors, some people were playing cards, some were walking their cats, and a guy was live-streaming singing in the corridor. His voice echoed back and forth in the courtyard well, with a built-in reverb effect.
This is not a commercial-residential building at all; it’s clearly a “three-dimensional community”.
4. Lights On 24/7, A Shelter for “Lost Souls”
Hongding International is almost never “quiet”.
During the day, various training classes and studios open their doors to welcome guests. In the evening, the number of people queuing for elevators increases, and groups of young people pour in after work. Late at night, escape rooms and detective clubs are still open, the cats in cat cafes are “on night shift” (not really), and the sound of mahjong in the mahjong parlors continues until dawn.
The facilities inside the building are actually old: slow elevators, narrow corridors, and decorations that are out of date. But there’s a kind of liveliness unrelated to prosperity. Consumption here is relatively cheap, and the atmosphere is relaxed and casual. When young people walk into this building, it’s like walking into a “hiding place”—temporarily escaping work pressure, rent anxiety, and life confusion.
Even just wandering in the corridors, watching all kinds of people coming and going, you’ll feel: I’m not the only one living like this.
My friend told me: “Hongding International is like a big ‘shelter’ for young people who don’t want to go home after work but don’t know where else to go.”
I fell silent after hearing that.
Ending · Explore Chongqing Like a Local
If you want to go beyond Hongding International and experience the real 8D mountain city like a resident, don’t miss our Chongqing An 144-Hours Adventure Through Local Life Tour. Tired of tourist traps and surface-level sightseeing? This guide shows you how to live in Chongqing—from local breakfast stalls to midnight hotpot, from community parks to residential alleys. It offers curated, flexible itineraries, practical local transportation tips, and authentic insights into daily life, written by a lifelong Chongqing resident.
Chongqing Local Life Tour Guide: Experience the Real 8D Mountain City Like a Resident
Chongqing Local Life tour guide for 144‑hour visa‑free independent travellers. Get offline PDF itinerary with Amap navigation links, local food tips and hidden neighbourhoods. Explore more China self‑guided travel collection.
| Title | Range | Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Buy 2 Guides – Save 15% | 2 – 3 | 15% |
| Best Value: Buy 4 Guides | 4 – 5 | 35% |
| Buy 6 Guides – Save 45% | 6 + | 45% |
Additionally, we provide professional tour guide services and private car rental services to make your Chongqing adventure seamless and unforgettable. [Click here to take a look.]
Ready to explore the real Chongqing? Start with this local life tour guide and let us help you belong to this magical city.
If you come to Chongqing, will you spend half a day exploring this “magic building”?
Chongqing Travel Guide: 8D Mountain City, Hotpot & 144-Hour Visa-Free Itineraries
This Chongqing travel guide is my honest, natives-only introduction to China’s wildest megacity. Quick summary: Chongqing is famous for its 8D mountain-city terrain, fiery hotpot, and riverside night views. It’s doable on a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit and serves as a gateway to Dazu Rock Carvings and Wulong Karst. This guide covers the top things…
3 Underrated Health Services to Add to Your Chongqing Itinerary (That Aren’t Tourist Traps)
Most people come to Chongqing for the same checklist: Hongya Cave at night, Ciqikou Ancient Town, spicy hot pot, maybe a Yangtze cruise. But if you’re wondering what to do in Chongqing besides hot pot, here’s a local secret: the city’s healthcare services are world-class, heavily regulated, and cost a fraction of what you’d pay…
Dental Treatment in Chongqing for Foreigners: Prices, Hospitals & Is It Worth It
How Much Does a Dental Cleaning Cost in Chongqing for Travelers & Expats Updated: September 2026 · Prices valid through December 2026 unless stated otherwise Short answer: Yes, dental treatment in Chongqing is worth it for most foreigners. A cleaning costs around €22, a root canal from €105, and an implant from €789. That’s roughly…
 booking app in sunlit cafe](https://i0.wp.com/dolphinunion.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/%E5%88%86%E6%9E%90-DolphinUnion-%E7%BD%91%E7%AB%99_%E7%BB%93%E6%9E%9C.webp?fit=1500%2C838&ssl=1)
