Hongya Cave  (hóng yá dòng 洪崖洞) is located in Chongqing‘s core commercial district of Jiefangbei  (jiě fàng bēi 解放碑) on Cangbai Road  (cāng bái lù 沧白路) and at the intersection of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers  (jiā líng jiāng 嘉陵江). The area combines travel, business, and cultural scenery into one grand view, with an overriding theme of Stilted Buildings which stands for the famous traditional Bayu  (bā yú 巴渝) minority architectural style on raised wooden stilts.

Relying on the mountains for support, the buildings are constructed along the riverside and extend from Jiefangbei directly to the riverside. Visitors to the area can take in the rows of raised buildings, admire Hongya Dripping, stroll mountain towns and old streets, appreciate the Bayu culture, and warm oneself over a mountain-side hotpot meal. The area overlooks the intersection of two rivers, and has a bustling nightlife and other leisure entertainment services. The area surrounding Hongya Cave is often the theme of Jiefangbei banquet halls and other leisure destinations around Chongqing, with postcards portraying old Chongqing always including an unforgettable re-creation of the area.

Hongya Cave History
in the early Ming dynasty when chongqing was established, 17 gates were built to the city, with nine kept open and 8 closed. Hongya was among those that were kept closed and only used for military matters. In the late Ming dynasty, artillery cannons were installed on the left end of the wall, thus explaining why Cangbai Road was previously called Paotai Avenue (Cannon Platform Avenue). This area is marked by a prevalence of steep precipices, with the city wall and Hongya Gate both constructed along one such precipice. To the lower right of Hongya Gate is a cave, which is what people call Hongya Cave. In previous eras the cave had a stream running from the upper precipices down to the river that formed a waterfall, popularly known as Hongya Dripping

With the passage of time, more porters moved in. But the Residents of Hongya Cave are relatively poor city residents, and if they aren‘t transporting goods then they are working on the river. A large portion of those living closest to the cliffs are engaged in laundry services, with the dull thumping sound of beaten clothing rising along with the early morning temperature. Later in the day, row after row of supporting beams under the raised homes are often draped with drying clothes, silhouetted by the setting sun.

After 1949, ports along the river, especially the gates facing the river, fell into disuse and disrepair. But The construction of Binjiang Road  (bīn jiāng lù 滨江路) completely changed the face of both sides of the river, bringing with it the establishment of a culinary district specializing in Chongqing cuisine. Following from the recent new development, the rows of ancient raised buildings backing on steep cliffs and facing the river have become a must-visit location for all those interested in the new and old Chongqing.

Diaojiaolou  (diào jiǎo lóu 吊脚楼)

Four main streets

Ba Yu Theatre

The commercial development is the perfect fusion of Bayu culture and modern fashion, focusing on the scenic experience and embodying the aroma of the Chongqing of old; all those who visit Hongya Cave can enjoy its greenery, visit the diaojiaolou, watch the rivers flow together, hang out at the the bazaar, enjoy hotpot while basking in sunset... The thought behind the Hongyadong plan was to establish in Jiefangbei, a district already vibrant with commercial activity, a place for culture and leisure. Hongya Cave solves the problem of leisure, entertainment, shopping and food for people, while offering a commercial kingdom of Bayu culture, cuisine, and entertainment.

Adress : NO.88 Jiabing Road  (jiā bīn lù 嘉滨路) Yuzhong District  (yú zhōng qū 渝中区)
Admission : Free
Recommended time to visit : at night
Attractions nearby : Jiefangbei

For the Ba Yu Theatre
Telephone : 023-63039968; 023-63039969
Ticket : 118, 168, 198 RMB
Time : tues., thurs., fri., sat.

Other information: 1F Binjiang Haochi Street  (bīn jiāng hào chī jiē 滨江好吃街)
                              1F-2F Coastal Bar Street                                                                                                  3F Tiancheng Lane Bayu affectionate Street                                                                      4F Tiancheng Romantic Folk Cuisine Street