In a viral video with over 30.5 million views, a Chongqing resident who goes by @/journeyofjackson or Jackson on TikTok documents his extraordinary daily commute, beginning at his 18th-floor apartment.
With no elevator in the building, he descends several floors to reach “ground level” on the 12th floor due to the city’s unique topography.
For residents on the lower levels, accessing sunlight is a rare luxury, as the surrounding hilly landscape limits natural light.
Rollercoaster-Like Subway and Urban Obstacles
Jackson’s journey continues into a subway station that feels like a fallout shelter. Here, the subway travels like a rollercoaster, passing through residential buildings—a common sight in Chongqing.
The train’s path is a testament to the city’s innovative urban planning, where limited space leads to unconventional solutions like trains running through skyscrapers.
Sky-High Bus Rides and Unusual City Layout
After work, Jackson opts for a bus ride, hoping for a more “relaxing” experience than the subway. However, the bus route is far from ordinary, traversing bridges that are 20 stories above the ground.
The city’s multi-level infrastructure creates a surreal experience, with buses navigating above skyscrapers and streets appearing far below.
Comments and Reactions
As the video went viral, it caught the attention of viewers worldwide. One user commented on their love for Chongqing, expressing their confusion about the city’s map layout and how everything is on a different level.
Another user shared their mixed feelings about the city’s appearance, stating that while it looks dystopian, it also has a certain coolness that makes them unsure whether to love or hate it.
A different user raised a question about the peculiar sight of a bus driving next to planes, seeking an explanation for this unusual occurrence.
One user also asked about how emergency services operate in Chongqing, wondering how they respond to situations like fires or medical emergencies when there’s no access to a street on certain levels.
A City That Redefines Commuting
Chongqing’s unique blend of futuristic architecture, steep landscapes, and complex infrastructure presents both challenges and marvels for daily commuters.
The city’s ambitious urban design reflects the lengths to which it has gone to adapt to its mountainous environment, making everyday tasks like commuting feel like a scene from a sci-fi movie.
Watch the video here:
@journeyofjackson Why is commuting to work in Chongqing so hard? #chongqing #重庆 #chinatravel #cyberpunk
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