Spent the whole day showing a friend around Chongqing in 42°C heat.
We explored old streets, visited temples, tried authentic Chongqing hotpot, rode the monorail, and experienced mobile payment.
Sometimes it's not the famous attractions that leave the biggest impression—it's the little things locals barely notice anymore.
What surprised you the most on your first trip to China?
It was around 40°C (104°F), and somehow everyone was still standing in the sun trying to figure this place out.
This is Kuixinglou in Chongqing.
You walk in thinking you’re on the first floor, then look over the edge… and realize you’re actually 22 floors above the ground.
I’ve never seen a city confuse people this fast.
One of my favorite parts of this job is seeing Chongqing through first-time visitors’ eyes again.
I always like this part the most — everyone meeting for the first time before we start walking around the city.
I took some foreign friends around Chongqing and they couldn’t stop filming the city.
Today’s route in Chongqing was a hike instead of the usual crowded holiday spots — my guests said they didn’t want to deal with the public holiday crowds, so I took them up into the mountains.
We started along Huangge Ancient Trail, an old mountain path that used to be part of daily life here. Most visitors would walk right past it without realizing its history, but for locals, it’s a quiet shortcut through the mountains hidden in the city. Then we went up to Laojun Cave Taoist Temple, one of the most famous Taoist temples in Chongqing.
People come here for vegetarian meals, fortune telling, and panoramic mountain views — it’s one of those places that feels deeply local, spiritual, and slightly off the typical tourist track🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟