Last year, I first visited Chongqing, and just two months later, I went to Luzhou. Walking down the streets of Luzhou, I kept feeling like I hadn’t left Chongqing at all—these two cities are just too similar! It’s not that they’re deliberately imitating each other, but there’s an unspoken harmony hidden in the everyday life: the roads you walk on, the food you eat, even the breeze by the river—all of it feels familiar, simple, and authentic.
The Most Obvious Similarity: “Two Rivers Surrounding the City”
In Chongqing, I visited Chaotianmen and stood by the river, where I could clearly see: the Jialing River’s water was clear, and the Yangtze River’s water was murky. The two rivers collided here, forming a clear boundary as if a line had been drawn across the water. Cargo ships slowly passed by, and the riverside promenade was full of people: elderly couples walking their dogs, young people chatting on stone benches, and the evening breeze made the summer heat much more bearable.
When I arrived in Luzhou, I specifically sought out the East Gate—there, I also found two rivers, the Tuo River and the Yangtze River. The Tuo River surrounds the old town, with clear water, and it merges with the Yangtze River at the East Gate. Just like in Chongqing, the boundary between the two rivers is clear, and you can see fishing boats leaving trails on the water. The riverside promenade in Luzhou also has warm yellow lights at night, with people enjoying bowls of sweet, cold desserts, just like the bustling atmosphere in Chongqing.
“Mountain Cities” with Terrifyingly Steep Hills
Both cities are true “mountain cities” where getting around means “climbing hills and crossing ridges.” When I was walking around Jiefangbei in Chongqing, I almost got lost. I entered a mall on the first floor, but after taking a few flights of stairs down, I found myself eye-level with the building across the street! Later, when I went to Huangjueping, walking downhill from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute toward the river, the stores and old teahouses were all built along the slope. Even the bike riders had to brake carefully, afraid of going too fast.
In the old town of Luzhou, the feeling was even more pronounced. Walking on Zhuzi Street, it seemed like a flat road, but after a few steps, stairs appeared out of nowhere, and there was a tall old tree at the side, casting a perfect shade over a street vendor selling insoles. Later, when I visited Baizi Tu, I had to take a winding path uphill. With each step, I could see old buildings’ balconies, some with potted plants and others with hanging cured meats, much like the old alleys of Chongqing.
Shared Bicycles? Neither City Has Them!
The funniest thing is, neither city has shared bicycles. When I took a taxi in Chongqing, the driver laughed and said, “Shared bikes? You can’t ride them up the hills, and down the hills, you’d be scared to death!” When I asked a shopkeeper in Luzhou, he laughed too and said, “Around here, it’s either stairs or slopes. It’s faster to walk than to ride a bike, no point in wasting the effort!” After walking around in both cities, I actually found it quite fun—climbing up a hill and discovering new views is much more interesting than walking on flat ground.
The Subtle Harmony in the Names of the Districts
Luzhou has a district called Jiangyang, and the locals told me, “The north side of the river is called ‘Yang,’ and since Jiangyang is on the north side of the Yangtze River, it was named that way.” Interestingly, Chongqing also has a Jiangbei District, which is also located on the north side of the Yangtze River—simple and easy to remember. When I visited Jiangyang, I strolled along Binjiang Road, where many small shops sold Luzhou Laojiao (local liquor). The air was filled with a faint smell of alcohol, and after walking a bit, I saw people sitting on the street drinking. In Chongqing’s Jiangbei District, the bustling Guanyinqiao shopping area was full of vendors selling spicy noodle snacks and roasted sweet potatoes. The night view of Jiangbei was bright, with crowds of people snapping photos. Whether in Jiangyang or Jiangbei, you could find small local restaurants where a bowl of tofu rice with spicy peppers costs just 10 yuan—delicious and satisfying.
The Unforgettable “Hotpot Culture”
What stands out the most is the “hotpot culture” in both cities. In Chongqing, I was blown away by the spice—chili and Sichuan peppercorns filled the hotpot, bubbling with heat. Beef tripe and duck intestines are must-try dishes, and the chef told me to dip them in and out for just the right texture. After boiling for a while, the taste was fresh, tender, and flavorful, especially when paired with cold beer. Hotpot restaurants in Chongqing are often open-air, and in summer, you’ll find people eating, sweating, and chatting, making it all feel lively and vibrant.
After arriving in Luzhou, I found an old hotpot restaurant that had been around for over 20 years. The owner told me, “Our hotpot isn’t about super spiciness, it’s all about the flavor of the beef tallow.” I ordered their signature “Old Meat Slices,” which were cut thicker than regular hotpot meat. They were tender and flavorful, gently spiced, and perfectly complemented with sesame oil and garlic. The hotpot in Luzhou had the same down-to-earth atmosphere as Chongqing’s, with plastic stools outside and locals sitting down to enjoy a meal.
Small Details That Make These Cities So Similar
There are also small details that make these cities feel alike. For example, both cities use “stairs” as part of their roads. Near the Zhonggu Lou in Luzhou, there’s an old staircase where a vendor selling fresh vegetables walks by, shouting, “Fresh fencai!” The sound of her voice is bright and lively. In Chongqing, there’s the Crown Elevator, which is essentially an “extra-long staircase.” Riding it offers a view of stacked houses, almost like a giant game of building blocks—quite interesting!
Breakfasts in both cities are also remarkably similar. In Luzhou, I often had a cup of soy milk, two deep-fried dough sticks, and a bowl of spicy chicken noodle soup to start the day. It was spicy and invigorating. In Chongqing, street vendors selling small noodles with fried eggs and chili oil are everywhere. One bite and the savory flavor fills your mouth. Both cities offer breakfasts that give you energy for the day, with flavors that are just about the same.
The “Brothers with Different Personalities”
Some people say that Chongqing and Luzhou are like “brothers with different personalities”: Chongqing is more lively, with crowded shopping districts and noisy old alleys, while Luzhou is slower-paced, with shop owners opening late and neighbors chatting on the streets. But whether it’s bustling or slow-paced, both cities share the same genuine, down-to-earth vibe—no fake elegance, just real-life experiences: the panting from climbing hills, the evening breeze by the river, the spice of hotpot, and the friendly locals saying “Yao de!” (meaning “Sure, let’s do it”).
Now, when I think about these two cities, I don’t see them as strangers. They feel like old friends I’ve known for years. Even though they’re a few hundred kilometers apart, I feel a sense of belonging every time I visit one of them. This sense of familiarity is probably the most precious harmony between these two cities, and it leaves the warmest memories for anyone who visits.
