🌟 Shiba Ti 十八梯 — Chongqing’s Lantern-Lit Food Street

If you want to feel the heartbeat of Chongqing, Shiba Ti (十八梯, “Eighteen Steps”) is the place to go. This historic alleyway has been transformed into one of the city’s liveliest food streets, where glowing lanterns, spicy aromas, and bustling crowds bring the mountain city to life.

The entrance sets the tone: a grand arch decorated with golden phoenixes and giant red lanterns. Step inside, and the narrow stone steps pull you into a world that feels both timeless and modern. Traditional wooden facades, carved windows, and tiled roofs line the path, while skyscrapers tower in the background — a striking contrast that captures the essence of Chongqing.

Food is the soul of Shiba Ti. Everywhere you turn, the air is rich with the scent of hotpot broth, skewers sizzling on open grills, fried snacks, and sweet rice balls in syrup. Locals and tourists alike wander from stall to stall, balancing bowls and bamboo trays, sampling one dish after another. Even international names like Starbucks slip naturally into the street, sharing space with century-old teahouses.

As night falls, Shiba Ti becomes a glowing river of red lanterns. Crowds squeeze through the steps, laughter and chatter bouncing off the walls, while the lights reflect off stone and wood. This is Chongqing at its most vibrant — fiery, crowded, alive.

Shiba Ti isn’t just a food street. It’s a celebration of Chongqing’s identity: a mountain city that honors its history while embracing the future, where every step tells a story and every bite carries the flavor of home.

✨ Travel Tip: Come after dark, bring an appetite, and let the lantern-lit steps guide you into the heart of Chongqing’s mountain-city soul.

Post by Knyw | Aug 25, 2025