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If you walk up from Hongyadong, you'll come across a uniquely shaped, artistic building: the Cathay Arts Center. Comprising the Cathay Grand Theatre and the Chongqing Art Museum, the center offers a variety of performances, including concerts and plays. Interested parties can check out the latest offerings on Cathay's official website.
Attractions Location: No. 5 Linjiang Road, Jiefangbei, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
Tickets:
charged according to performance price when there is performance
Opening hours:
All day (Monday to Sunday, January 1st - December 31st)
Transportation:
Take bus No. 105, 111, 112 Inner Ring, 114, 132, 135, 151, 153, 181, 261, 262, 401, 418, 424, 461, 466, 862, 866 and get off at Xiaoshizi Station.
Time reference: 1-3 hours
This day focuses on experiencing Chongqing’s urban culture and art, starting at the Guotai Art Center and moving around the vibrant Jiefangbei CBD.
Accommodation/Food: Stay at Glenview ITC Plaza Chongqing or JW Marriott. Try local dishes like hotpot (Peijie's Hotpot) and Xiao Mian (Chongqing noodles).
Souvenirs: Buy traditional handicrafts at Hongya Cave, such as Chongqing chili oil, miniature hotpot sets, and local wood carvings.
In two days, blend contemporary art with historical charm and a taste of Chongqing’s unique cityscape and old streets.
Accommodation/Food: Stay near Ciqikou for a traditional guesthouse feel. Eat Maoxuewang (duck blood stew) and Qianzhang (tofu skin).
Souvenirs: Ciqikou offers porcelain, handmade silverware, opera masks, and local pastries.
This itinerary mixes art, history, and thrilling views of the Yangtze River. The Dazu Rock Carvings add a UNESCO World Heritage twist.
Accommodation/Food: Stay centrally for easy access. Sample Suanlafen (sour spicy noodles) and grilled skewers on Nanbin Road at night.
Souvenirs: Buy Buddhist-themed carvings at Dazu and local chili pastes near Jiefangbei.
Combine Chongqing’s bustling city attractions with a short Yangtze River night cruise for scenic views and river culture.
Accommodation/Food: Choose a riverside hotel for a night view. Eat at Little Swan Hotpot for upscale dining.
Souvenirs: River-themed art, cruise postcards, and museum replicas of ancient artifacts.
A balance of urban sights, ancient sites, and community markets to understand both traditional and modern Chongqing.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in Shapingba or return downtown. Enjoy spicy skewers and rabbit head dishes in local eateries.
Souvenirs: Hand-painted graffiti merch, local snacks from Shapingba markets, and cultural books from university gift shops.
Venture slightly outside of the urban core to relax in hot springs and explore green mountains while still enjoying the downtown vibe.
Accommodation/Food: Stay at hot spring resorts like Banyan Tree or Bolian Hotels. Eat mountain-foraged local dishes.
Souvenirs: Herbal bath products, bamboo crafts, and mineral stones.
In 7 days, enjoy art, ancient culture, cableways, museums, scenic parks, hot springs, and local neighborhoods—an immersive journey into Chongqing's diversity.
Accommodation/Food: Mix stays between downtown and hot springs. Enjoy tea culture, hotpot, and snacks like glutinous rice balls.
Souvenirs: Full range: tea leaves, local pickles, handicrafts, art prints, and cultural books.
The Chongqing Guotai Art Center's distinctive exterior features a black and red interwoven pattern, resembling a blazing bonfire from afar. The Chongqing stop of the first season of "Running Man" was filmed here for the name tag tearing competition.
The Cathay Arts Center, nestled between Jiefangbei and Hongyadong, comprises the Cathay Grand Theatre and the Chongqing Art Museum. Its architectural design is so artistic that some say it resembles a stack of hot pot chopsticks, hence the name Chopstick Building. This, in part, reflects the spirit of Chongqing residents and their rich Bayu culture. While its design is already unique and striking during the day, it becomes even more striking and impactful when lit up at night.
When walking to Hongyadong, I passed by the Cathay Arts Center, a building with very Chinese characteristics.
The main body of the building is red, like it is made up of chopsticks, and also looks like Chongqing's famous skewers, reflecting the rich Bayu culture.
It's a pity that I couldn't enter Cathay Pacific, and it's even more regrettable that I couldn't take beautiful photos of Cathay Pacific. My photography skills need to be improved.
Just passing by, the building is very beautiful, many people stopped to take pictures ~ but did not go in to see it.
The night view is beautiful, but I didn’t have time to go in...
The night view is great, the main place to watch dramas in Chongqing
What a beautiful place! You can take a photo of someone's back in just a few minutes!
Still good, haha 😄
But if you want to go in and see it, you have to wait until there is a performance.
I had seen this art center in my travel guide before, but I didn’t specifically plan to come. In the end, we came across it on the way to Hongyadong. It was spectacular. I like this kind of strange and unique building.
I passed by here. It looks like the Shanghai World Expo Pavilion, grand and not verbose.
Click, it's a big movie
It's in the Jiefangbei business district, but I passed by and never went in.
Speaking of art, the Cathay Center's crimson columns, stacked in layers, exude a sense of artistry. From a distance, they resemble a flaming bonfire, symbolizing Chongqing's passion and enthusiasm, while also resembling a giant ship setting sail, symbolizing Chongqing's rapid development.
We went to the art center first. It was all red plaid, which looked super beautiful.
I saw it while taking a walk by chance. The shape is quite arrogant. The Chinese red looks good!
Located in the heart of Yuzhong District, on the road between Jiefangbei and Hongyadong, the building's unique exterior resembles the China Pavilion at the World Expo, incorporating traditional Chinese architectural features such as bracket sets. It looked quite distinctive at night, but I didn't go inside to see the interior.
A unique building, no time to visit inside
It's near Jiefangbei, so you can check in while shopping.
The Cathay Arts Center is like a dancing bonfire, very spectacular, and even more beautiful at night with the lighting.
The main entrance of the Cathay Arts Center is a performance hall related to music and drama, and the back door is the Chongqing Art Museum. The exhibition theme is different every month, and the interior of the art museum is also quite design-oriented.
The Cathay Arts Center consists of the Cathay Grand Theatre and the Chongqing Art Museum. The two buildings are connected, but the entrances are one on the south and one on the north, and they are located on different floors.
The architectural appearance is also different and integrated. The bright red is the symbolic color of Chongqing. The "chopstick building" structure facing the Jialing River has already stolen the limelight from the Jiefang Monument.
On the walking route from Jiefangbei to Hongyadong, you can stop by and take a look. Recommended reason: its unique shape. I saw someone mention it while making my itinerary and thought it looked very distinctive, so I jot it down in my notes. The Cathay Arts Center consists of the Cathay Grand Theater and the Chongqing Art Museum. The theater often has performances, so if you're interested, buy a ticket and check it out.
Recommendation index: two stars
My friend told me it's not open every day. I was a little disappointed, but I decided to wait and see. I found myself saying this trip often, "Since I'm here, I might as well take a look."
I didn't go in, but just took a few photos outside. The appearance is very unique, like a pile of matchsticks, and it has different characteristics when viewed from different directions.
Next to Hongyadong (top floor), the appearance is very cool.
It's near Jiefangbei, so if you go there, just check in. You have to watch a play to enter, but it's nice to take photos and check in outside.
The distinctive building of the Cathay Arts Center caught our eye. Its exterior is characterized by the interweaving and stacking of black and red "ticou", which looks like a blazing bonfire from a distance.
The legendary Chopstick Tower is passed by on the way from Jiefangbei to Hongyadong. It is very beautiful at night.
The building is very unique and it is even more beautiful when the lights are on at night.
It combines a theater, a concert hall, an art gallery and an IMAX cinema. It is truly spectacular when viewed from the ground.
Tucked away on the side of Jiefangbei Square, the Cathay Arts Center adopts a traditional Chinese style, reflecting the rich culture of Bayu. Some elements of the old theater will be preserved. The main body of the building is red, resembling a burning "bonfire" or a ship setting sail.
The art museum with a unique shape is near Hongyadong. It is quite beautiful to take pictures outside at night. And...it looks like the Shanghai World Expo no matter how you look at it, hahahaha
The appearance is characterized by the interweaving and stacking of black and red "tichou", which looks like a burning bonfire from a distance.
The Cathay Arts Center's design has long been controversial. Some people with trypophobia call it unsightly, while others say it's inspired by the bonfires used by the indigenous Bayu people during dances. At night, when the individual "ti-cou" lights glow red, they're quite photogenic. Looking at them for a long time does seem to be a bit of a trypophobic issue.
I didn't go in, but took some photos from the outside. The overall feeling is still very modern, in line with Chongqing's urban positioning and style.
It's an art center in the Jiefangbei business district. It's a beautiful place to take photos. It happened to be raining when I went, which was a special experience. It's right next to WFC!
I passed by and saw it in the downtown area. The architecture was very distinctive and full of Chinese flavor. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to take a closer look inside.
The combination of Cathay Arts Center, commercial and cultural plazas will reshape the overall image of Yuzhong Peninsula and become an important venue for promoting international cultural exchange. The project is located in the core area of Jiefangbei CBD in Yuzhong District, Chongqing. You will definitely pass by here when you come to Jiefangbei.
Commonly known as the Chopsticks Building, it is located behind Hongyadong, between the exit of Linjiangmen Station and the Second Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. It has a unique shape and a nice concave shape.
To the north of Jiefangbei, there is a building among the high-rise buildings that is particularly eye-catching. It is the Cathay Arts Center. The Cathay Arts Center consists of the Cathay Grand Theater and the Chongqing Art Museum.
Like a flickering bonfire, the Cathay Arts Center fuses Chongqing's rich cultural heritage of mountains, rivers, ridges, overlapping eaves, and through-beams, embodying the rich culture of the Bayu region. The main building, clad in red, resembles both a blazing bonfire and a ship setting sail. This is the most challenging public welfare steel structure project in China, integrating a theater, concert hall, art gallery, and IMAX cinema. Embracing tradition while pioneering fashion, the Cathay Arts Center has naturally become a landmark in the heart of the city.
My favorite building on the first day in Chongqing ~ Personal preference, it was amazing when I first saw it, very special ~
It is located near Jiefangbei, opposite Wangfujing Department Store. It has a unique shape and a strong artistic atmosphere. Now it is the Chongqing Art Museum. The exterior of the building looks a bit like the China Pavilion.
Chongqing is beautiful. I love you.
This is amazing. I won’t talk about the inside. I didn’t go in. Just looking at the exterior, I feel that the artistic sense is too strong. As I am an architect myself, I was shocked when I saw it for the first time. It is very beautiful.
Its exterior is designed to resemble a hot pot stove, and it is also one of the must-see attractions at Jiefangbei.
On January 24, 2018, my family traveled to Chongqing and stayed at the Saiger Building B&B. In the morning, we went to Hongyadong and took the bus past the Cathay Arts Center, a building with artistic imagination.
I just passed by it on the bus to the third trail of the mountain city. It is actually very close to Jiefangbei.
Just passing by, a building with a strange appearance
When I went to eat the Rotten Fatty Hotpot, I happened to see it passing by. It was very beautiful!
I only discovered this place in my second year of school in Chongqing. Unlike the Grand Theatre, it's also impressive during the day. The Grand Theatre's large LED screens are truly stunning at night. The Cathay Theatre's warm glow at night, combined with its deep red design, is truly unique. I love watching shows there. Although I can't get great seats right now, every time I go, it's a different experience and a truly novel experience.
Located in Cathay Plaza, it is surrounded by business districts, but there is only the Cathay Arts Center, so there is not much to see.
Passing by the entrance, next to Hongyadong, just look at the architectural style, it is a bit like the China Art Museum in Shanghai.
It looks very unique from the outside, but I didn't go inside. It's just near the Jiefangbei Monument.
Walking up along Hongyadong, you will see a building with a unique shape (it is said that the shape is derived from the multiple brackets in the Huguang Guild Hall in Chongqing). I did not go in, but just took some photos.
It's near Chunxi Road. I didn't go in, but took a photo outside.
I passed by this place on my way to Hongyadong in the evening. The unique architectural style is said to be derived from the multiple brackets in the Huguang Guild Hall in Chongqing.
A building that imitates the China Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo feels too complicated and lacks aesthetic appeal.
I can't comment on what's inside after passing through the door, but the appearance is quite distinctive, like the China Pavilion at the World Expo made of many chopsticks, which can also be seen in some brand's car advertisements.
The crystallization of creativity makes the pavilion more beautiful. I like this style, like the different lengths of matches.
I went to see the show without buying a ticket. It was nice to watch the scenery outside when the lights came on at night.
Chongqing is a city full of fashion. The Cathay Art Center, with its surreal design and bold color choices, is sure to make your heart beat faster.
It has a unique shape and looks better at night than during the day.
Although my photos are not very good and cannot highlight its majestic appearance, the architectural style is still quite Chinese red, comparable to the China Pavilion at the World Expo.
There was no exhibition that day so I couldn't enter to visit. I passed by on the way to Hongyadong. The scenery outside was very eye-catching. It is a beautiful scenery in the Jiefangbei business district.
The Cathay Arts Center, comprising the Cathay Grand Theatre and the Chongqing Art Museum, was officially named the Cathay Arts Center in September 2006. Its primary function is to "rely on a commercial center, target the cultural market, and serve the needs of the public." Combined with the commercial and cultural plazas, the Cathay Arts Center will reshape the overall image of the Yuzhong Peninsula and serve as a key venue for international cultural exchange. Located in the core Jiefangbei CBD area of Yuzhong District, Chongqing, the project has a total construction area of over 30,000 square meters, a planned land area of 9,646 square meters, and an estimated total investment of 383 million yuan.
The Chinese-style buildings are very beautiful, and art lovers must visit them.
Cathay Arts Center consists of the Cathay Grand Theater and the Chongqing Art Museum. It is located near Hongyadong and Jiefangbei and is not difficult to find.
Chongqing's iconic buildings and CBD business district are worth a visit.
Very unique, I saw it at night and was amazed
Passing by, it looks tall and impressive, I'll go check it out next time
The shape of the building is very eye-catching. It is surrounded by high-rise buildings and looks like building blocks. The unique building itself is a landscape.
I was just passing by. It looks very beautiful from the outside, and I heard that there are often musicals and drama performances inside.
Located in the Jiefangbei business district, next to Wangfujing Department Store and very close to Hongyadong, the building's striking architecture draws visitors in.
While strolling around, I passed by the Chongqing Guotai Art Center. Its architectural style is truly artistic, with its interwoven black and red "ticou" tiles resembling a blazing bonfire from afar. The Chongqing Guotai Art Center, comprised of the Guotai Grand Theater and the Chongqing Art Museum, often hosts well-known musicals and stage plays. However, as tourists passing through, we could only admire the beauty of the building from outside.