A Guide to Hongya Cave's Night Views for an Unforgettable May Day Trip

For friends planning to visit Chongqing during the May Day holiday, you definitely shouldn't miss the night view at Hongyadong! Recently, I finally checked off this legendary spot that's always “crowded,” figured out the best ways to enjoy it, and couldn't resist putting together a guide for the Hongyadong night view to help everyone avoid some pitfalls.

I went there with the mindset of “just checking out a popular night view,” thinking since there's no entrance fee, it would just be a casual stroll. But I wasn't expecting the night view to be so stunning! Especially that moment on Qiansimen Bridge, where the lights illuminate the buildings like a fairy tale – it’s super dreamy. Although, it was really crowded, so if you're going on a holiday, be mentally prepared for that.

If you’re planning to hit up Hongyadong this May Day, make sure to save this guide!

Hongyadong Night View Visiting Guide

Quick Info Overview

• Is there an entrance fee: It's free to view Hongyadong from the outside. The entertainment in the building charges a fee, but I personally think it’s not necessary to go inside, the exterior night view is spectacular enough.
• Opening hours: Open all day, but night lights are on from 19:30 to 23:00.
• Best visiting time: I'd recommend going at night - there isn’t much to see during the day. But, it can get busy at night, so be patient when taking photos.
• Recommended crowd: Ideal for couples, friends, families, or solo travelers, but watch out for getting separated on holidays, especially with kids.
• Transportation: Take the metro to “Xiao Shizi” station, exit 9, and it's about a 15-minute walk to Hongyadong.

Recommended Photo Spots

There are some amazing photo spots around Hongyadong. After scouting, I found that the best views are mainly at three places: Grand Theater Riverside Park, Qiansimen Bridge, and the road opposite the first floor of Hongyadong. Each spot has its unique beauty, here are my detailed insights:

🎬Grand Theater Riverside Park

This is one of my favorite photo spots.
Exit from metro “Grand Theater” station at exit 2, follow the map to “Baodingmen,” and you'll reach the riverside in just a few minutes. This area has a large pebble beach, and the view is super open. The ground may be a bit uncomfortable to walk on, so make sure to wear sneakers or flat shoes, or you’ll want to turn back after a few steps.

From here, Qiansimen Bridge and Hongyadong can be seen together. Under the night lights, Hongyadong looks like a palace hanging by the river, combined with the gentle river breeze – it’s really nice.

If you enjoy the laid-back vibe of street vendors, this place will surprise you. Many vendors set up food stalls and little toys at night, creating a lively atmosphere. But definitely try to avoid peak hours during holidays, or it can get extremely crowded.

🎬Qiansimen Bridge

You can’t say you’ve been to Chongqing if you didn’t check out the full view of Hongyadong! Qiansimen Bridge is known for its fantastic viewing angle, where you can see the entire Hongyadong and also enjoy the night view of Jialing River. The bridge is all lit up, and the reflections in the water are vibrant. I exited Grand Theater metro station at exit 2 and followed the crowd to the bridge in just a few minutes.

On the bridge, photos taken with either a phone or camera are super impactful for social media. With the river breeze this season, you can snap some stunning shots, especially with the yellow lights on the exterior of Hongyadong, making it look unbelievable.

If you continue walking across the bridge, it takes about ten minutes to reach beside Hongyadong. Walking and snapping photos is definitely a good option!

🎬The road opposite the first floor of Hongyadong

This spot is also a very popular photo point, allowing you to capture close-up perspectives of Hongyadong. Standing across the road, the whole building stands out layer by layer in your frame, giving a very “cyberpunk” feel. However, the downside here is very obvious: it’s way too crowded!

On holiday nights, it’s a real squeeze; especially if you want to take photos of people, you’ll basically be practicing your “running” skills – you need to be quick and snap right away. But if you can get there a bit earlier, you might dodge some of the peak crowd.

Practical Travel Tips

Based on my scouting experience, here are some key points to pay attention to:

• Skip the commercial street inside: Floors 1 to 4 are commercial spaces selling nothing special, while floors 5 to 8 are hotels. Overall, it’s not worth spending time inside. Just take photos of the night view outside for a more relaxing experience.
• Transportation advice: It’s very hard to catch a taxi from the first floor of Hongyadong to the opposite road, especially on busy holidays. It’s recommended to go directly to Jiefangbei area or set your location to the backdoor of a nearby hotel for easier pickup. The transportation from the 11th floor of Hongyadong is much more convenient and closer to the metro station.
• Watch out for photo-op cartoon characters: Around the entrance, some cartoon characters will be there for photos, and they do charge for pictures. Don’t be fooled by their cute looks!
• Stay away from roadside Jinximai: Don’t touch it! Don’t be deceived by its beautiful color; the flavor is quite strong, plus it’s pricey and not tasty.

I hope this guide helps everyone planning to visit Hongyadong over the May Day holiday. Don’t forget to plan ahead, wear comfortable shoes, and give yourself enough time to appreciate the beauty of Hongyadong’s night view!