The Vertical Maze

Explore Chongqing on foot through hidden stairways, stacked neighborhoods and the everyday streets that make the city truly vertical.

4 Hours

1-6 Guests

From ¥260/guest

Approx. 11,000 steps

Why You'll Love It?

Designed as an affordable, high-value introduction to Chongqing, this four-hour walking tour follows a carefully researched route through stacked residential blocks, historic streets, wet markets, tunnels and hidden passages. Led by a local guide, it reveals how the city’s history, infrastructure and everyday life overlap across different levels—while delivering the unexpected views, neighborhood encounters and photo opportunities most visitors simply walk past.

What's included

Professional English-speaking guide

Curated four-hour walking route

Historical and neighborhood storytelling

Personalized food and photo recommendations

Highlights

Enter the Vertical Maze

Navigate stacked residential blocks through stairways, slopes, tunnels, footbridges and hidden courtyards rarely included in standard sightseeing routes.

Find Multiple Ground Levels

Experience Chongqing's defining illusion: what feels like street level can suddenly become a rooftop, bridge or hillside several floors above.

History Beneath the Modern City

Trace Chongqing from an ancient city gate and legendary Ba general to early motor roads, wartime landmarks and modern infrastructure.

Everyday Chongqing Up Close

Pass through wet markets, residential lanes and neighborhood shops where spices, snacks and ordinary routines reveal the city’s local character.

Side Quests Around Every Corner

Discover mosaic stairways, a pay-per-ride neighborhood elevator, eerie passageways, unexpected skybridges and other surprises hidden inside the route.

Photogenic Beyond the Landmarks

Capture layered housing, dramatic slopes, maze-like alleys and striking urban contrasts from perspectives most visitors never know exist.

Price List

Guests

English-speaking guide

Jackson

1

¥600

On Request

2

¥800

On Request

3

¥1,000

On Request

4

¥1,200

On Request

5

¥1,300

On Request

6+

¥1,300

On Request

Tour Itinerary

Key Stops Along Your Journey

Tongyuan Gate

Qixinggang

Linhua Road

Great People's Hall

Xuetianwan Wet Market

Zaozilanya "Vertical Maze"

Tour Itinerary

A Perfectly paced day designed for an unforgettable experience

Tongyuan Gate

  • 1:00 PM Meetup at  Qixinggang Metro Station Exit 4A (七星岗4A)
  • Begin at one of the last remaining ancient city gates: once the most strategically important land border defense point of ancient Chongqing.

Ba Manzi General’s Tomb Memorial Hall

  • This memorial site honors Ba Manzi, a renowned general of the ancient Ba State.
  • The hall preserves his tomb, stone carvings, and historical displays, offering insight into early Chongqing history and traditional values of loyalty and integrity.

Vertical Maze Descent

  • Descend into the “mid-levels” of Chongqing through dense, stacked residential blocks.
  • Featured Spots:
    • Dimuting Residential Complex
    • Huayipo slope
    • Linhua Raod
    • Zao Zi Lan Ya
    • Xuetianwan Wet Market

The Great Hall of the People

  • See a grand 1950s architectural landmark blending traditional Chinese aesthetics with European garden design.

Zhongshan 4th Road

  • A historically significant area that served as China’s central government site during WWII.

  • Today it’s still home to Chongqing’s municipal government. Enjoy a quiet, tree-lined walk with an elegant, old-school charm.

     

Cliffside Walkway

  • A newly rebuilt footpath clinging to the cliffs. Take in sweeping views of the Jialing River and watch Line 2’s monorail snake along the hillsides.

Zengjiayan Metro Station (Exit 2)

  • See a station entrance that looks like a graphic glitch — the perfect example of Chongqing’s 8D city identity.
  • End the tour with a beautiful terrace overlooking the northern riverbank.

Loved by travelers

MOST RECENT REVIEWS

5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars (based on 81 reviews)
Bouke
🏖️ Tour:
Cyber City in 1 Day
📅 Date:
September 7, 2026
👤 Guide:
Kojima
📍 Nationality:
Dutch

The Cyber City in a Day Tour was absolutely incredible, and a huge part of that was our guide, Kojima, an absolute legend! He didn’t make us feel like tourists at all! He showed us Chongqing like a local and took us to places we would never have discovered on our own. We ended up spending the day together until 00:30, even having hotpot together!

Another huge plus is that Kojima is also an amazing photographer and videographer. He took some incredible photos and videos of us throughout the day, which made the experience even more special.

It genuinely felt less like a tour and more like a friend showing us around his city. An unforgettable experience, me and my wife highly recommend it!

Zureen Khan
🏖️ Tour:
Cyber City in 1 Day
📅 Date:
September 4, 2026
👤 Guide:
Kayleigh
📍 Nationality:
New zealand

We had the most incredible day exploring Chongqin with Journey by Jackson. The communication was always prompt and our guide Kayliegh was so amazimg she accommodated us so well with few addition on the tour. We enjoyed exploring Chonqin it really is a cyber punk 8D city. This city is phenomonal should be on everyone travel bucketlist we are so happy we were able to see so much in a day with Kaylleight Thank you so much we reallyed enjoyed her company. If you are visiting Chomgqin do this tour with Jackson as this city does require a guide as it is hilly and multi level roads.

Rian
🏖️ Tour:
Cyber City in 1 Day
📅 Date:
September 2, 2026
👤 Guide:
Listening
📍 Nationality:
German

My private tour with the wonderful tour guide Listening was better than I could ever have imagined! I gained a brilliant insight into Chongqing as a city, its history, culture and people. I felt completely comfortable at all times and, for those nearly 10 hours, I forgot I was even a tourist, I cant recommend this highly enough!!! Also I was able to book the tour at very short notice, which was only possible thanks to the simple, smooth and quick communication with Jackson and his team.

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OUR TEAM

Meet the people behind your journey.

Local guides, photographers and storytellers who know Chongqing from the inside.

Ready to book your journey?

Still have questions or want to customize your journey?

Talk directly to Jackson himself.

Every inquiry and custom itinerary is handled personally by Jackson.

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