Photo Essay
China’s most surreal city
With almost 18 million people it’s one of the largest cities in the world, but you’ve probably never heard of it. Located on the banks of the Yangtze river in southwest China, Chongqing is a vast cinematic metropolis of towering structures, winding roads and neon lights.
Evenings in Chongqing are a visual spectacle as the streets light up into a range of neon colours while the high-density skyscrapers provide an imposing backdrop to life on the streets.
Chongqing is often overcast but the sun occasionally breaks through to illuminate the city’s towering structures with dramatic effect.
Shanhuba island contains a wetland in the heart of the city used by fisherman and swimmers. Experiencing the peace and tranquility of this natural environment in the heart of a bustling megacity is a surreal experience.
The high density architecture of Chongqing combined with the high altitude of many areas of the city has a way of adding a sense of theatre to everyday scenes.