Chongqing – China’s Cyberpunk City

Introduction

Imagine standing on a bridge as fog lifts to reveal skyscrapers crowned with neon lights, their colors mirrored in the river below—a scene straight out of a futuristic game. This is Chongqing, China’s Cyberpunk City.

For nearly a decade, Chongqing was my home—a place that felt as much like a portal to the future as it did a deeply historical city. Unlike anywhere else, Chongqing’s charm blends neon-lit skyscrapers with winding alleys and towering mountain views. This contrast has earned it a ‘cyberpunk’ status, not only among locals but also with global audiences drawn to its surreal appeal.

Living in Chongqing felt out of this world at times, in a positive way, there was always something to explore, to see, or a view to enjoy from a new vantage point, and it has been my pleasure and privilege to be able to experience this place, to photograph it, and to show it to my family when they visited. I have taken thousands of photos in, and of, Chongqing and I will never be able to share them all, but I’d like to share a collection of photos that are inspired by that cyberpunk feeling the city so enjoys.

Rise of the Cyberpunk City

Built along mountainous terrain where rivers converge, Chongqing’s vertical cityscape feels like a living movie set. Skyscrapers appear stacked on steep slopes, sometimes with street-level entrances on two separate floors, as in the famed Hongya Cave. These design quirks, paired with vibrant LED-lit towers that illuminate the city at night, have fostered its reputation as China’s ‘Cyberpunk City.

In recent years, not only in Chongqing though, skyscrapers and other tall buildings have started to be decorated with intricate LED lighting strips and displays that come on at night. Some are simple, and just run along the edges of the building itself, while others are more complex and function as entire display screen on the entire surface of the building. As this trend has continued, and due to the natural variation of the landscape, skyscrapers stand in a variety of heights, giving the city a very three-dimensional look, especially at night when the lights come on. And this is, what has in recent years, given rise to the cyberpunk feeling of the city. A layered metropolis, amplified by the lighting on the buildings, and the gritty nature of the streets that, despite the otherwise very modern buildings, in some areas, look like they’re stuck in the 20th century. There are stories to be found everywhere, and always something to see and explore, that you maybe would not expect to find.

My Own Impressions

As a photographer, Chongqing became my muse. I spent countless evenings capturing its neon-drenched skyline, adjusting colors to enhance the surreal, sci-fi aesthetic. Over time, I developed a unique style of blues and oranges to convey the futuristic energy of this vibrant city. My earliest explorations were trial and error, like my first photo in 2017, yet each venture brought me closer to defining my vision.

POP Culture References

Beyond the fame of Cyberpunk 2077, Chongqing entered global gaming with Hitman 3. One level in the game perfectly recreates the city’s blend of gritty alleys and neon-lit high rises. During the pandemic, I heard a Danish team might have visited the city to capture its essence—a surreal experience for me when I finally played the level and recognized familiar streets. It’s a reminder of how Chongqing’s allure has transcended borders.

Looking Ahead

Chongqing will forever be a part of me, a city that transformed from my home into a subject of endless exploration. It’s a place where both visitors and locals can uncover a new angle, a fresh vista, or an unexpected story at every turn. For anyone seeking the thrill of discovery and the beauty of a city caught between past and future, Chongqing won’t disappoint.