Why Chongqing is Called the “8D City” of China: The City That Defies Gravity

Chongqing, one of China’s most fascinating megacities, is often called the “8D City” — a nickname that perfectly captures its mind-bending layout, layered streets, and surreal architecture. Built among steep hills and the confluence of two mighty rivers, the Yangtze and Jialing, Chongqing feels like a real-life maze that challenges the laws of physics and urban planning.

1. The Meaning of “8D City”

The term “8D City” refers to Chongqing’s eight-dimensional structure, where roads, bridges, and buildings are stacked vertically instead of spreading out horizontally. Imagine a city where one building’s 11th floor connects to another building’s ground floor — that’s Chongqing!

This unique terrain makes navigation feel like stepping into a video game. Locals joke that using GPS here is pointless because you might be on the same “spot” — but on a completely different level.

2. Built on Mountains and Rivers

Chongqing is famously known as a “mountain city.” Its geography is what shaped its multi-layered layout. The entire urban area is built on steep hills, cliffs, and valleys. Roads run over rooftops, trains glide through skyscrapers, and pedestrians move through multiple layers of bridges and tunnels.

The best example is the Liziba Station, where the light rail passes straight through a residential building — a scene that went viral worldwide. It perfectly sums up Chongqing’s bold urban design and engineering genius.

3. Gravity-Defying Architecture

Because of its uneven terrain, Chongqing’s buildings often have different entrances on different floors. You can enter a shopping mall on the 1st floor and exit onto a completely different street from the 8th floor!

The Hongyadong Complex is another visual treat — a multi-level structure built into a cliff, blending traditional Chinese architecture with neon-lit modernity. At night, it looks like something straight out of a fantasy movie.

4. A Paradise for Photographers and Gamers

Chongqing has become a hotspot for travelers, photographers, and even gamers. The city’s layered roads and misty skyline give it a cyberpunk feel — many compare it to scenes from sci-fi movies like Blade Runner or the video game Cyberpunk 2077.

At night, the glowing skyscrapers, foggy bridges, and reflections on the river make it feel otherworldly. No wonder it’s nicknamed the “real-life 8D game city.”

5. The Challenge and Charm of Living Here

For locals, Chongqing’s 8D design is both a blessing and a challenge. You can take the wrong exit and end up 20 meters below your destination! But the city’s complexity also creates its charm — it’s unpredictable, full of surprises, and truly three-dimensional in every sense.

Chongqing isn’t just another Chinese city — it’s a living example of how urban design can adapt to nature instead of fighting it. Its vertical layers, mountain streets, and stunning night views make it the perfect embodiment of the “8D City.”

If you ever visit China, Chongqing will give you an experience that feels like walking through multiple dimensions — all in one city.