This Asian City Is the 'Cyberpunk Capital of the World'-and Its Mind-bending Architecture Is Going Viral on Social Media

"In central southwest China where the Yangtze and Jialing rivers meet, is a city that feels like it's been ripped out of a game of Q*Bert meets Chutes and Ladders. One moment you're strolling along the ground-floor of a massive square, only to find that you're actually standing dozens of floors above another tier. This otherworldly metropolis is Chongqing. While it may not have the same name recognition as other Chinese cities such as Shanghai,"

"Now, its under-the-radar urban planning marvel is going viral, as videos of its mind-bending architecture have been racking up millions of views on social media, with a mix of residents showing off the maze of their daily commutes and visitors sharing their shock at the tiered metropolis. The city is built alongthe Huaying Mountains, and the constant ups and downs are simply a practicality. But, its creative urban planning has earned the megacity the unofficial title of the "cyberpunk capital of the world.""

""Chongqing is truly a one-of-a-kind city, not just in China but in the world," the team told Travel + Leisure. "It is not only the 'Mountain City' and the 'Bridge Capital,' but also an important industrial hub brimming with rich history and modern culture." Tourists and residents alike are lured in by the city's reasonable cost of living and its close proximity to natural and manmade wonders."

Chongqing sits where the Yangtze and Jialing rivers meet in mountainous central southwest China and contains more than 30 million residents, making it the country's most populous city. The city’s steep Huaying Mountains produce dramatic vertical tiers, with streets and public squares stacked dozens of floors above lower levels. Viral social media videos highlight the maze-like daily commutes and surreal architecture, earning Chongqing an unofficial reputation as a 'cyberpunk' metropolis. Chongqing functions as the 'Mountain City' and the 'Bridge Capital' and serves as an important industrial hub with rich history and modern culture. Low living costs and nearby attractions such as the UNESCO-listed Dazu Rock Carvings draw visitors.

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