The magnificent Yangtze River and Jialing River met under a myriad of twinkling lights; special effects of colorful lights shone on row upon row of high-rise buildings; cool exhibitions of light fixtures on Nanbin Road was unforgettable. At the beginning of 2021, Chongqing, which is famous for its night scenery, launched a splendid and prismatic lighting "night banquet".

The night skyline of Chongqing

To boost consumption and showcase night markets, night tours, night shows, night exhibitions, and other nighttime businesses, Chongqing held the “Two Rivers and Four Riversides” Night Market Cultural Tourism Exhibition during the New Year holiday. Futuristic light and shadow art was displayed on bridges, buildings, and riverside walkways, allowing tourists and citizens to fully enjoy fantastic light shows.

The dance performance in Danzishi Old Street

Landmark Riverside Square along the Yangtze River was crowded with tourists and citizens, who were attracted by light fixtures in different shapes, dynamic music, and various stores, and children, who played on roads paved with vibrant lights and on seesaws.

Lights in Danzishi Old Street

In Longmenhao Old Street, old buildings with green bricks and gray tiles and the glorious Dongshuimen Bridge shone brilliantly with each other standing by—a perfect integration of antiquity and modernity. Under all kinds of lights, people either wander in blue flagstone lanes, or look far into the distant Chaotianmen and People’s Liberation Monument, or sit in an old teahouse and sip a cup of fragrant tea, letting time flow quietly in the bright night.

Longmenhao Old Street

In recent years, Chongqing has been vigorously improving the environment around the “Two Rivers and Four Riversides” and exploring hidden history and cultures, which brought the Longmenhao Old Street and an array of original old buildings into the spotlight.

Visitors shopped in Longmenhao Old Street

Xie Chen, Deputy General Manager of the Chongqing Longmenhao Cultural Industry Company, introduced that the Longmenhao Old Street was one of the best-preserved and largest historical and cultural old streets in Chongqing, featuring Chongqing’s port-opening culture, the great spirit of resisting aggression, and Bayu culture. "Visitors can not only enjoy old Chongqing, but also the modern lighting night scene here."

“A Tour in Chongqing, A Gain in Vision”, “Hello, 2021”, “Happy New Year”, and other blessings scrolled on the screens of high-rise buildings in Chaotianmen and Jiangbeizui; cruise ships hung with colorful lights sailed on the river. Looking at the night scene, Yi Guangfeng said: “These beautiful lights are a mirror of our better life!”