Located at 201 Xinhua Road, Jiefangbei Subdistrict, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, on the 67th, 68th, and 69th floors of the United International Mansion, the Chongqing Cloud Eye Observation Deck sits between Jiefangbei and Chaotianmen in the city's core business district. It is one of Chongqing's iconic high?altitude viewing landmarks and a must?visit spot for overlooking the urban landscape where the two rivers meet. From here, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, as well as famous landmarks such as Hongyadong, the Grand Theatre, and Raffles City, making it an essential destination to experience Chongqing's "three?dimensional, magical" urban character. The United International Mansion rises to a total height of 318 metres, and the observation deck sits at an elevation of approximately 520 metres above sea level. It features a 360?degree unblocked circular viewing platform with a total area of about 1,200 square metres, of which the core viewing area covers around 800 square metres. The scenic spot is defined by "overlooking the three?dimensional mountain city from above and touching the city skyline at zero distance," seamlessly blending the river, mountains, city, and bridges of Chongqing.
History and Culture
The Cloud Eye Observation Deck is located in Yuzhong District, which is Chongqing's mother city and historical?cultural core, bearing a thousand years of Ba?culture heritage. This area was once an important settlement of the ancient Ba state and became a commercial hub in Southwest China during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Xinhua Road in particular was the financial and commercial centre of modern Chongqing, with many surviving architectural relics from the Republican era, adding profound historical and cultural depth to the observation deck.
The construction of the observation deck is closely tied to Chongqing's urban development. In 2018, the 52nd floor of the United International Mansion was renovated into a high?altitude viewing platform and named "Cloud Eye." Its design concept stems from Chongqing's city positioning as a "landscape city and beautiful place," aiming to showcase the city's evolution from "river city" to "mountain city" to "bridge capital" from a high?altitude perspective. As a complementary viewing landmark to the Yangtze River Cableway, which has nearly 40 years of history, the two together represent modern high?altitude viewing experiences and the old Chongqing transportation memories, jointly forming a cultural symbol of "old and new blending" in Chongqing.
Furthermore, the area around the observation deck is also an important carrier of Chongqing's wartime culture, with nearby sites such as the former residence of Soong Ching?ling and the former site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the National Government. Visitors can thus appreciate the historical weight of Chongqing as the wartime capital during the Anti?Japanese War, creating a meaningful combination of natural scenery and cultural heritage.
Main Attractions
360?Degree Circular Viewing Platform
Located on the 69th?floor helipad observation deck, this platform offers a full 360?degree panoramic view of Chongqing's cityscape. To the east, you can see the Chaotianmen Yangtze River Bridge, Raffles City, and the magnificent "confluence of two rivers" where the Yangtze and Jialing meet; to the south, you can enjoy the scenery along Nanbin Road and the mountain ridges of Nanshan; to the west, you can overlook the full skyline of Jiefangbei CBD, the stilt?house clusters of Hongyadong, and the Jialing River Riverside Road; to the north, you can see landmarks such as the Chongqing Grand Theatre and Qiansimen Jialing River Bridge, capturing the three?dimensional layout of "mountains within the city, city in the waters, and bridges spanning the two rivers."
Indoor Observation Areas
Located on the 67th and 68th floors, these are dedicated rest and relaxation zones for visitors. The lounge areas are equipped with simple and comfortable seating and greenery, offering free drinking water, and display racks featuring Chongqing?style cultural and creative products, including local specialties like Ciqikou crispy candy and Hechuan peach slices, as well as city?themed souvenirs. With open views, visitors can rest here while enjoying the scenery on both banks of the Jialing River, relieving fatigue from the high?altitude tour and soaking in a slower, more relaxed viewing atmosphere.
Suggested Tour Route:
The recommended visit duration is 2?3 hours. Start by taking the high?speed elevator to the observation deck, then head to the 360?degree circular platform. Follow the order of east?south?west?north to appreciate the confluence of the two rivers, Nanshan scenery, Jiefangbei CBD, the Grand Theatre, and other vistas, experiencing Chongqing's three?dimensional urban landscape. If time allows, stay until dusk to watch the transition from daytime bustle to nighttime brilliance and enjoy the unique charm of the "mountain city nightscape."
Travel Tips:
Best visiting times: 10:00?11:30 am or 4:00?6:00 pm, when lighting is optimal for photography and clear views; for night views, it is recommended to visit between 7:30?9:00 pm, when city lights are fully illuminated for the best effect.
Clothing: Light?coloured or solid?colour clothing is suggested for better contrast when taking photos at the "Sky Mirror" photo spot; avoid overly loose garments or long skirts that might be blown by wind, for safety reasons.
Photography equipment: Bring a phone or camera with an anti?slip strap, as high?altitude winds can be strong; consider downloading photo?editing apps in advance for instant retouching.
Ticketing: The site can be crowded, especially on holidays – book tickets 1?3 days in advance through official channels to reduce queue time; on?site purchases are best made during off?peak weekdays, avoiding the 12:00?2:00 pm rush.
Guided tours: If you wish to learn more about the city's culture, rent an intelligent audio guide at the entrance, which supports multiple languages and provides more detailed commentary than the signage boards.
Important Notices:
The glass railings on the viewing platform are secure, but leaning, climbing, or forcibly striking them is prohibited. Children and the elderly must be accompanied by family members and should not approach the railings alone.
The "Sky Mirror" photo spot is a public area – please follow the "one person, one shot, queue in order" rule and do not occupy the spot for extended periods; tripods, selfie sticks, and other large photographic equipment are not allowed so as not to obstruct other visitors.
Smoking and littering are strictly prohibited inside the scenic area. Flammable, explosive, or controlled sharp objects are not permitted. Drinking water in the high?altitude lounge should be taken as needed to avoid waste.
Visitors with acrophobia, high blood pressure, heart disease, or similar conditions are advised to exercise caution. If you experience dizziness, palpitations, or other discomfort during the tour, proceed immediately to the lounge area and contact staff for assistance.
Mild ear pressure may occur during elevator operation – this is normal and can be relieved by swallowing. Each elevator carries up to 20 passengers; please queue patiently during peak hours and avoid crowding.
During night visits, the platform floor may become slightly damp due to condensation – watch your step and avoid lingering in dimly lit areas for safety.
Commercial photography, live streaming, or other profit?making activities are not permitted without prior application and approval from the scenic area management.
Transportation:
Metro: Take Line 1 or Line 6 to Xiaoshizi Station, exit from Gate 5, and walk about 800 metres (10 minutes) to the United International Mansion; or take Line 2 to Linjiangmen Station, exit from Gate D, and walk about 1.2 kilometres (15 minutes).
Bus: Take bus routes 112, 135, 151, 261, 461, 466, etc., to "Xiaoshizi Station" or "Xinhua Road Station," then walk 3?5 minutes to the entrance.
Driving: Navigate to "United International Mansion Car Park," located on B1?B3 floors with over 300 parking spaces. Parking fee is RMB 8/hour, with a daily maximum of RMB 40. On holidays, parking is limited – public transport is strongly recommended.
Walking: From Jiefangbei CBD, it is about 1.5 kilometres (20 minutes) on foot, with city streetscape views and a taste of Chongqing's hilly terrain; from Chaotianmen Square, it is about 2 kilometres (25 minutes), with views along the Jialing River Riverside Road.
Opening Hours:
Open all year round. On weekdays: 10:00?22:00, last entry at 21:30. On weekends and public holidays: 09:30?22:30, last entry at 22:00. The operating hours may be adjusted according to seasonal changes or special events; during major holidays such as the Spring Festival and National Day, hours may be extended until 23:00. Visitors are advised to check the latest opening times before travelling to avoid disruption.
Ticket Price:
Admission: RMB 68 per person.