The Old City Trail that you cannot miss when traveling to Chongqing - the Third Mountain City Trail!
Preface
Chongqing has many names, one of the most well-known is Mountain City.
When you think of "mountain city," what comes to mind? Slopes and bumps. All sorts of slopes. Yes, when you use a map of Chongqing, you'll often see icons that resemble stairs. That's right, these are slopes. Besides the slopes you can find on maps, there are many more unmarked slopes and bumps. Today, I'd like to discuss one such trail: the Third Mountain City Trail.
The historical charm of the mountain city trail
The Third Mountain City Trail is one of the few remaining trails in the old city. It's the longest and steepest of the historic trails. There are two entrances: one on Zhongxing Road and one near Bibashan Park. I often use the entrance at the Zhongxing Road intersection; it's easier to find, right on the side of the road and clearly marked.
Sky Lantern Alley
Originally, this place was just a desolate wilderness, with only some Taoist temples and nunneries built in the dense forests on the higher mountains. Since China was gradually opened up to foreign powers, Chongqing, a riverside port, was also invaded by the powers one after another.
In 1900, French missionaries set up poles and lit lanterns on the slopes of this lane to illuminate passersby, hence the name Sky Lantern Lane. The residential area here is called Shancheng Lane, and the name Shancheng has given birth to countless Chongqing products, from the Shancheng milk powder that fed a generation to Shancheng beer, now a staple in hot pot restaurants. Named after the Shancheng, these products are the most Chongqing and local.
Yan Oi Tong
Everything has its pros and cons. The arrival of foreign missionaries brought convenience to the slate slopes of Shancheng. For a time, Shancheng Lane, along with Consul Lane, was the most frequented by foreigners. Walking along this trail today, you can still see the remains of the French "Ren'aitang Hospital" from that era. The ruins, shrouded in sunlight and shadows from the trees, still evoke a sense of melancholy.
The church part of Ren Ai Tang is still in use in the alley, but few people go in and out. It is now an institution for the education of special children.
New fun on the mountain city trails
Almost all the old residents of Shancheng Lane have moved away, because the government is also renovating this lane, just like "Shiba Ti" and "Xiahao Old Street". But fortunately, the developer did not enclose the entire lane like other old streets, but only put up covers for the old houses to be demolished and renovated, so that people can continue to walk on this trail.
Originally, the alley's walls were bare, with only a large "demolition" character stenciled on them. Now, they've gradually become more decorated, with worn-out stickers and graffiti depicting everyday scenes. Originally, there were only two or three small businesses, but now several more have opened. Thankfully, it's become commercialized, providing more photo opportunities—a far better alternative to facing a bare wall.
The scenery along the river on the mountain city trail
To facilitate residents' strolls and scenic views, Shancheng Alley has specially built a riverside trail, offering unobstructed views of the Yangtze River. When you see this stone tablet, walk left and you'll reach a long riverside trail.
Whether you visit this mountain city on a foggy or sunny day, it always has its own unique flavor. You might encounter a niang niang returning home from grocery shopping, carrying a basket of goods, or a family strolling in the afterglow of the sunset.
For tourists who happen to pass by or come here specifically to play, taking a random photo of the back or side here can also be a check-in with the flavor of a mountain city movie.
Leaning on the fence, looking at the high-rise buildings on the opposite bank, or counting how many layers of roads there are at the foot of the mountain, or watching the cars coming and going on the Yangtze River Bridge, the three-dimensional transportation and layered scenery of the mountain city make people sigh: What a vibrant city!
Internet celebrity animals on the mountain city trail
It seems like every old town and alley is filled with cats and dogs. I always find so much to see here. The graffiti now features Lai Fu, making him an internet celebrity. This city is definitely creating internet celebrities so quickly. I'm sure you'll be able to snap a lot of photos of the cats and dogs who are guarding this old place.
Fun at the Old City Wall
Not far from the trail is the old city wall, Tongyuanmen Old City Wall, which was used for ancient defense. Chongqing originally had 17 such walls, nine open and eight closed. After years of trials and tribulations, only two remain intact today, with Tongyuanmen Old City Wall being the only one still in use.
When the weather is good, you can meet uncles or grandfathers who come to practice martial arts. After a few words, they will enthusiastically teach you a few moves. There are also tables and chairs on the city wall, which are filled with people who come to drink tea and chat, feeling comfortable and relaxed.
Gradually forgotten history
The Consul Lane here is hidden under the woods, and the Vajra Bodhi Pagoda here is hidden among the residential communities. However, as long as you see the sign of the Third Mountain City Trail, it is not far away. If it doesn’t rain, you can even meet uncles and aunts playing mahjong on the roadside dam.
The best season
It seems difficult to say when is the best time to visit the trails in the old town of the mountain city, because in summer it is comfortable to walk under the yellow poplar trees, in autumn and winter it is warm to walk on the trails, and in spring when flowers are in full bloom, the old buildings are decorated with some bright and elegant embellishments, which is pleasing to the eye.
Conclusion
This place has the flavor of the old town, and any photo of light and shadow is the best reproduction of the past time. They all have a strong mountain city movie style. I like it, and I believe you will like it too.
