A digital magazine that aims to provide expats in Chongqing and travelers to the city with opportunities of leisure and exploration
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In the heart of Chongqing, a powerful theatrical performance brings local history vividly to life. Chongqing 1949 is a large-scale immersive show that dramatises one of the most emotional chapters in modern Chinese history, the final years of the civil war and the liberation of Chongqing. This production has now become both a cultural landmark as well as a moving tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
The show takes its audience back to the turbulent year of 1949, when Chongqing was a key battleground between the Communist and Nationalist forces. Much of the story focuses on the revolutionaries imprisoned in the infamous Baigongguan and Zhazidong prisons, who endured severe persecution but never gave up their ideals. Through a series of dramatic scenes filled with music, dance, and emotional performances, Chongqing 1949 depicts their courage and unwavering faith, leading up to the city’s eventual liberation.
The production is staged at the Chongqing 1949 Grand Theatre, a custom-built venue located near the Ciqikou Ancient Town in Shapingba District. Designed to mirror the hilly terrain and architectural style of old Chongqing, the theatre itself has become an attraction. Its architecture carries symbolic meaning, with its roof resembling a giant clock marked by four key years in the history of the Chinese Communist Party — 1921, 1949, 1978, and 2021 — representing milestones from its founding to the present day. The result is a performance space that not only tells history but also embodies it.
Chongqing 1949 combines dramatic storytelling with elaborate stage effects, music, and choreography. For many Chinese visitors, it offers a meaningful way to connect with their country’s past. Many viewers describe the performance as deeply moving, with several scenes evoking both tears and pride. It has quickly become one of the most popular cultural experiences in Chongqing, attracting visitors not only from across China but also from abroad. For the international audience, in fact, it provides insight into the emotions and ideals that have shaped China’s journey through the 20th century.
Today, Chongqing 1949 stands as more than just a show, but it could been regarded a living memorial. It allows visitors to step into the past, not only to witness the pain and hope of an era, but also to reflect on the courage that shaped modern China. For those visiting Chongqing, this performance offers a unique opportunity to understand the city’s soul: a place where history, art, and emotions meet on stage in an unforgettable way.
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General Info & TIPS
- Book your ticket in advance through the apposite mini app 重庆1949大剧院, choosing the desired performance time and seating zone. Have your passport or ID in hand to input. The app is in Chinese, but the wechat translation feature works quite well for it.
- The show lasts 70 minutes without intermission.
- One of the main features of the theater is rapresented by moving seats seactions (A区 ＆ B区), and if one doesn't have any health-related conditions, it can be an unique thing to experience. In fact, these seats aren't reccomended for young children below 1.2 meters or people with conditions such as high blood pressure or spinal injury. At the beginning these sections will circle around the already moving stage, while at other times one will just feel the movement from it.
- Before the start of the show, it is necessary to redeem tickets on the L floor. Currently, free translation devices are also available on a first come first serve basis. To be able to use this service, 150 RMB deposit is necessary (which will be given back when the device is returned), and it can be found on the LG floor. It is advisable to adjust it before the start to maximise comfort, but one shouldn't be surprised if the voices aren't exactly in time with the Chinese ones on stage.
- Also, it is advisable to pick up an English Introductory paper, to get a general idea of the history background, the characters and their complicated connections, and have an act by act summary. The story is made up of three smaller sub-stories that interwind to make a cohesive plot, and it moves relativelity fast.
- On the LG floor there is a small food court, which people can enjoy before the performance.
- 📍Address: 重庆市沙坪坝区磁器口街道金碧正街999号
- 🚇 Subway: Line 1, Ciqikou station, exit 1
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Article, Photos & Layout:
Alessia Martino
She is a seasoned expat and traveller at hearth, that has been living in Chongqing for over 9 years. Loves to write, walk, try new food and snap photos - all of it culminating in the Amazing CQ digital magazine that you are reading!
The pull of this city is strong. Chongqing was supposed to be a 1 year experience which turned into many more years, captivated by the beauty and carisma of the "biggest city you used to never hear of" - because now Chongqing is getting the deserved recognition and place into the international travelling market.
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