On Chongqing’s urban map, Jiefangbei and Bayi food Street are inseparable—one is a spiritual landmark inscribed with the city’s memories, and the other is a food paradise filled with the fireworks of the mountain city. Less than 500 meters apart, they can be reached on foot in 5 minutes, connecting the most representative prosperity and fireworks of Chongqing, and are a must-visit core area for every visitor. Whether you want to feel the pulse of a modern city or immerse yourself in Chongqing’s taste code, this is the best starting point to understand Chongqing.
Jiefangbei, officially named “Chongqing People’s Liberation Monument”, is not only a city card of Chongqing, but also a monument engraved with the history and spirit of the mountain city. It was first built in March 1940 (the 29th year of the Republic of China) and originally named “Spiritual Fortress” to inspire the Chinese people to strive for victory. After the victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, it was renamed “Monument to the Victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression”. In 1950, Marshal Liu Bocheng renamed it its current name, making it an important symbol to commemorate the liberation of Chongqing. This octagonal cylindrical helmet-top reinforced concrete building is 27.5 meters high, with a total of eight floors inside, including a spiral staircase leading directly to the top. The chimes on the four sides of the top have silently witnessed the changes of the city for more than 70 years.
Today, Jiefangbei has long developed from a monument into Chongqing’s most prosperous Central Business District (CBD) and one of Chongqing’s top ten cultural symbols. Wandering around Jiefangbei, high-rise buildings and old buildings complement each other, and the prosperity of modern commerce and the profoundness of historical heritage are perfectly integrated—on one side are high-end shopping malls such as IFS International Finance Square and Times Square, gathering world-renowned brands, which is a paradise for fashion lovers; on the other side are alleyways retaining the style of old Chongqing, with bluestone roads, old teahouses and characteristic shops, hiding the most authentic life atmosphere of the mountain city. Standing under Jiefangbei, you can see row upon row of skyscrapers when you look up, and the surging crowd when you look down. The busy traffic during the day and the bright lights at night together outline the modern urban outline of Chongqing.
As a core check-in spot in Chongqing, Jiefangbei’s fun is more than just taking photos. You can climb to the top of the monument to overlook the panoramic view of the entire Jiefangbei business district and feel the three-dimensional terrain and prosperous atmosphere of the mountain city; you can wander in the old alleyways around, check in characteristic blocks such as Daijia Lane Trail and Shibati, and experience the market fireworks of old Chongqing; you can also visit characteristic small shops in the business district to choose souvenirs such as Chongqing hot pot base and Chen Ma Hua (sesame twist), and take the taste of the mountain city home. In addition, Jiefangbei is also a transportation hub in Chongqing, directly accessible by Metro Line 1 and Line 2. Starting from here, it is very convenient to go to scenic spots such as Hongya Cave, Qiansimen Bridge and Yangtze River Cableway, making it an excellent starting point to connect the core scenic spots of the mountain city.
A short walk from Jiefangbei will take you to Bayi food Street—a food alley hidden in the prosperous business district, which is the best carrier of Chongqing’s fireworks and a paradise for foodies. Located on Bayi Road, Yuzhong District, Bayi Food Street is about 300 meters long, with hundreds of shops along the street, including time-honored snack bars and Internet-famous food stalls. From 8 am to 11 pm, the aroma lingers in the alleyway, and you can feel the full fireworks atmosphere whenever you visit. There is no admission fee here, and you can enjoy a big meal with 30-50 yuan per person, making it the first choice to experience authentic Chongqing snacks.
In Bayi food Street, every bite is the exclusive taste of the mountain city, among which the most representative is “Haoyoulai Hot and Sour Noodles”—this time-honored brand with long queues all year round. The sweet potato noodles are crystal clear and chewy, paired with homemade pickled sour beans, freshly ground fried soybeans, rich meat sauce and bright red chili oil, which are sour, spicy and flavorful, and it’s extremely enjoyable to take a bite. After eating, you can match it with a bowl of fresh fruit shaved ice in the shop, and the experience of ice and fire is unforgettable. In addition to hot and sour noodles, there are too many unmissable delicacies here: Xianglong Chicken Feet are soft and boneless, melting in the mouth; Shancheng Small Glutinous Rice Balls are soft, glutinous and sweet, with delicate sesame filling, paired with fermented glutinous rice soup, which is the best choice to relieve spiciness; Bobo Chicken has rich ingredients, mixed with meat and vegetables, spicy and fresh, wrapped in secret chili oil, and you can unlock Sichuan-Chongqing flavor in one bite; there are also roasted sweet potato skin, fried milk, brown sugar glutinous rice cakes, salted duck hot pot, etc., each of which is memorable.
Visiting Bayi Food Street can not only satisfy your taste buds, but also feel Chongqing’s market Culture. Here, you can see white-collar workers in suits and local residents sitting at the same table, chatting while eating skewers; you can see stall owners making food skillfully, and the shouts, laughter and the aroma of food are intertwined, forming the most touching picture of the mountain city’s fireworks. It should be noted that some shops in the food street have no seats, which is suitable for eating while walking to immerse yourself in this casual and lively atmosphere. At the same time, it is recommended to buy an appropriate amount to avoid waste, so that you can unlock more delicacies.
Travel Tips: Both Jiefangbei and Bayi Food Street are located in the core area of Yuzhong District. It is recommended to arrange half a day to a full day for visiting—visit Jiefangbei in the morning to feel the history and prosperity, and visit Bayi Food Street from afternoon to evening to taste authentic snacks; for transportation, you can take Metro Line 1 or Line 2 to Jiaochangkou Station or Linjiangmen Station and walk there, or take a bus to Ciqi Street Station. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes for traveling to adapt to the uphill and downhill of the mountain city; there are abundant accommodation options around, ranging from high-end hotels to characteristic homestays. It is preferred to choose around Jiefangbei for more convenient travel; in addition, Chongqing has a humid climate, hot in summer, so it is recommended to do a good job of sun protection, mild in winter, and you can carry a thin coat. There is much rain in April, so remember to prepare rain gear.
The profound history and modern prosperity of Jiefangbei, and the fireworks and authentic delicious food of Bayi Food Street together constitute the most touching appearance of Chongqing. Here, you can not only understand the past and present of the mountain city, but also taste the purest Sichuan-Chongqing flavor. There are surprises every step of the way and memories every bite, which is the most attractive part of Chongqing.
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