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.

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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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