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TravelChina

When night falls in Chongqing, China’s growing megacity

August 26, 2024

The city is growing inexorably. And it is not a place for anyone with a fear of heights, or a sensitive stomach. If you want to experience China, you can't avoid the growing megacity of Chongqing.

When Night Falls in Chongqing - China’s Growing Megacity
Image: ZDF

The population of Chongqing, in southwestern China, has exploded over the last 30 years: Now, some 32 million people live here. Approximately the size of Austria, Chongqing is now one of the largest cities in the world in terms of surface area. 

Image: ZDF

In China, the megacity has become a tourist magnet. It’s known for its unique spots for snapping photos, like the train that runs right through the eighth floor of a high-rise building. Social media influencers have contributed to popularizing the city, once known mainly as an arrival or departure point for cruise tourists. 

Image: ZDF

The people of Chongqing have a reputation for being particularly warm-hearted. City guide Zhen Jili, for example, knows every corner of his city, and has witnessed first-hand how his "big village" became a megacity. He takes visitors through his remarkable metropolis, where GPS is useless, because you never know which floor your destination is on.

Image: ZDF

So-called "drunk driver" Shen Xun takes the film’s viewers along on his journey through Chongqing's raucous nightlife, where the party doesn‘t end until morning. Because there is a strict ban on drinking and driving in China, anyone who has had a drink can call Shen Xun. He then arrives on his little folding bike, which he stows in the trunk before chauffeuring his customers home in their car. 

Image: ZDF

Livestreamers like Paipai can be seen on every street corner in Chongqing. She explains why livestreaming is a billion-dollar business in China, and takes viewers to one of the city's tallest buildings, for a view from right in the middle of the skyline. 

Broadcasting Hours: 

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THU 19.09.2024 – 01:15 UTC
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