Jiefangbei is located at the heart of the Jiefangbei Commercial Pedestrian Street in Yuzhong District, Chongqing. It is a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level (7th batch) and one of the "Top Ten New Cultural and Tourism Landmarks of Chengdu-Chongqing." Its distinctive feature lies in being the only monument in China commemorating the victory of the Chinese nation in the War of Resistance against Japan, and it serves as a spiritual symbol of that victory. It carries the collective memory of Chongqing's people and is an iconic image of the city. Jiefangbei is a reinforced concrete structure, octagonal in shape with a helmet-shaped top, standing 27.5 meters tall. It consists of eight parts: the pedestal, the main body, standard clocks, an observation deck, an alarm bell, lighting fixtures, a wind vane, and a commemorative steel tube. The pedestal is built of bluestone, covering an area of 642 square meters. Eight stone steps lead up to a terrazzo platform with a diameter of 20 meters. The surrounding area centered on Jiefangbei has developed into a bustling commercial district, though no official scenic area size is available.
History and Culture
On March 12, 1940, the anniversary of Sun Yat-sen's death, construction of the monument began under the name "Spiritual Fortress" (Jingshen Baolei), intended to inspire the Chinese people to strive for victory in the war. It was officially completed on December 30, 1941. After the victory in 1945, it was decided to build the "Monument to the Victory of the War of Resistance" on the same site. The foundation stone was laid on October 31, 1946, and construction was completed on October 10, 1947. The inscription "Monument to the Victory of the War of Resistance" was carved on the body, at a total cost of 202 million yuan (old currency). In September 1949, it was renamed the "People's Liberation Monument," with the new inscription written by Liu Bocheng, then Chairman of the Southwest Military and Political Commission. Jiefangbei has witnessed Chongqing's historical changes from the war period through liberation, embodying the unyielding national will of the people in the rear area. It stands as a monument symbolizing persistent resistance and the blood-soaked struggle of the entire nation.
As the most historically significant commercial district in Chongqing, the Jiefangbei area retains some Republican-era architectural features, such as former bank and shop buildings from the war period, which contrast with modern skyscrapers to create a unique urban landscape, reflecting the integration of Chongqing's history and modernity.
Major Attractions
People's Liberation Monument
Located at 177 Minzu Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, the People's Liberation Monument is an octagonal, pillar-shaped structure with a reinforced concrete helmet top, 27.5 meters high. The pedestal features reliefs and inscriptions on eight sides, including the full text of the Nationalist Government's declaration designating Chongqing as the wartime capital. At 23 meters above the base, a standard clock is installed on each of the four sides, and the alarm bell is placed at the highest point. The front side facing Minzu Road bears the gold-gilded inscription "Monument to the Victory of the War of Resistance," with the signature "October 31, 1946, Zhang Dulun, Mayor of Chongqing."
Chongqing Guotai Arts Center
Comprising the Tai Theater and the Chongqing Art Museum. The Tai Theater includes a mid-sized auditorium with 800 seats and two viewing halls with 350 seats each. The Chongqing Art Museum is positioned as a medium-scale venue, hosting domestic and international arts and crafts exhibitions and various cultural exchange activities.
Chongqing World Financial Center
A mixed-use complex integrating office, retail, dining, and sightseeing, with a total floor area of 204,600 square meters. It stands 339 meters tall, consisting of 70 floors of Grade-A office space and 9 floors of retail podium.
Bayi Road Snack Street
A collection of over a hundred varieties of Chongqing specialty snacks. On the pedestrian street, there are sculptures created by professors from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, which have become landmarks of Bayi Road Snack Street and are among the earliest urban sculptures to appear on a commercial pedestrian street in Chongqing.
Chongqing Times Square
Located in the core area of the Jiefangbei business district, with a floor area of approximately 120,000 square meters, Chongqing Times Square is a high-end shopping center integrating retail, dining, and entertainment. It hosts numerous international brands and local specialty stores, with a modern architectural style, representing modern commerce in Chongqing and a popular destination for shopping and leisure.
Jiaochangkou Night Market
Adjacent to Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, covering about 12,000 square meters, Jiaochangkou is one of Chongqing's famous night markets. It offers a variety of stalls including snacks, accessories, clothing, and entertainment, operating from early evening until late at night, exuding a vibrant local atmosphere. It is a great spot for tourists to experience Chongqing's nightlife and a popular hangout for local young people.
Baixiang Street
Located between Wanglongmen and Taipingmen in Yuzhong District, this is one of Chongqing's oldest streets. It was named during the Tang and Song dynasties after a white marble elephant statue that stood there, facing a bluestone lion on the south bank, echoing the saying "Green lion and white elephant lock the great river." The street now blends food, art, cultural creativity, and other business formats, while preserving historical and cultural relics and adopting a Republican-era style layout, telling the story of "one Baixiang Street, half of Chongqing's history," showcasing the charm of old Chongqing and its urban renewal.
Site of the Great Bombing Massacre
This site has three floors with a total floor area of 1,181 square meters. Converted from an air-raid shelter into a museum, it is among the first batch of national-level war heritage sites and a Chongqing municipal cultural relic protection unit. It serves as powerful evidence of significant historical events during the Chinese People's War of Resistance and World War II.
Suggested Route：
Visitors can start from Jiefangbei Metro Station, first head to the People's Liberation Monument for sightseeing and photography, and learn about its historical background (about 30 minutes). Then walk along Minzu Road to Chongqing Times Square to experience the modern commercial atmosphere and browse brand stores (about 1–2 hours). At noon, head to Bayi Road Snack Street to taste local snacks (about 1 hour). In the afternoon, walk along Bayi Road to Jiaochangkou Night Market to get a feel for the lively evening atmosphere and explore specialty shops (about 1.5 hours). Return to the Jiefangbei area in the evening to enjoy the night view and the bustling scene; if time permits, watch street performers. The entire tour takes about 6–8 hours. If you are interested in historical architecture, after visiting the monument, you can walk to the surrounding Republican-era building cluster, adding about 1 hour to your visit.
Travel Tips：
The duration can be adjusted based on personal interest and schedule; generally 1–3 hours, but allow a full day if you plan to explore surrounding attractions in detail.
The best seasons are spring and autumn (March–May and September–November), when temperatures are pleasant, averaging 15–25°C, suitable for outdoor activities.
To avoid crowds, weekdays are recommended; weekends and holidays see heavy foot traffic, especially between 10:00–22:00.
For authentic flavors, try time-honored establishments on Bayi Road Snack Street, such as "Haoyoulai Suanla Fen" (hot and sour noodles) and "Shancheng Xiaotangyuan" (glutinous rice balls).
The pedestrian area is extensive; wear comfortable sports shoes, as walking distance per day is about 3–5 km.
The night view of Jiefangbei is particularly charming; it is best viewed between 19:00–21:00 when the lights are bright and the atmosphere is vibrant.
For shopping, watch for promotional events at major malls, especially during holidays when discounts are more significant.
Important Notes：
In crowded places like Bayi Road Snack Street, take care of your personal belongings and be mindful of your safety.
Pay attention to food hygiene; avoid buying or consuming unclean food to prevent illness.
When visiting historical and cultural sites such as the Great Bombing Memorial, remain quiet and respect history and artifacts.
Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street is highly crowded; guard your valuables, especially in congested areas like snack streets and malls, against pickpocketing.
Summer in Chongqing is hot (average 30–35°C) and humid; take heat-protection measures, carrying umbrellas, sunscreen, and drinking water.
At night markets and snack streets, choose stalls with good hygiene to avoid gastrointestinal issues.
Obey traffic rules; some areas around the pedestrian street have heavy vehicle traffic—use crosswalks and watch for vehicles.
Respect local customs; at memorial sites, maintain a solemn demeanor, and avoid loud noises or horseplay.
Some shops accept cash and mobile payments, but it is advisable to carry some cash for emergencies.
Transportation：
Metro: Take Chongqing Rail Transit Line 1 or 2 to Jiaochangkou Station, then walk about 500 meters to Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street; or take Line 6 to Xiaoshizi Station and walk about 800 meters.
Bus: Multiple bus routes serve Jiefangbei, such as 105, 301, 462, 0491, etc. Get off at "Jiefangbei Station" (fare from 2 yuan).
Taxi: Starting fare is 10 yuan (for the first 3 km), then 2 yuan per km after 3 km. From Chongqing North Railway Station (about 15 km), the fare is about 35–45 yuan; from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (about 25 km), about 60–80 yuan.
Walking: The Jiefangbei area is compact and suitable for walking; distances between attractions are mostly within 1 km.
Opening Hours：
Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street is an open-area district, open 24 hours a day. The People's Liberation Monument area is accessible all day; Bayi Road Snack Street generally operates from 10:00–22:00; shopping malls like Chongqing Times Square are usually open 10:00–22:00; Jiaochangkou Night Market operates from 17:00–01:00 the next day. Individual store and attraction hours may vary; please refer to on-site announcements.
Tickets：
Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street and the People's Liberation Monument are both free-entry areas; visitors may enter and visit at no charge. Surrounding malls, snack streets, and other venues also do not require tickets—you only pay for purchases. Some special experience activities may require separate tickets; prices are subject to on-site notices.